Gift #22 March 14th

Today I would like to introduce you to a young non-profit in Conway, Arkansas called City of Hope Outreach (CoHO).  The mission of CoHO is to seek to promote holistic community renewal in under resourced areas through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The Fletcher Family

I first learned of CoHO in the fall of 2010.  The Administrative Director, Nicolle Fletcher, was our doula at the birth of Anna last year.  Nicolle is an amazing women, fabulous doula and will forever be in of our hearts.  At the time, she & her family had just formalized CoHO.  They had several programs that I thought were just really cool.  One that struck me the most is their Christmas Store.  The Christmas Store is a place where men & women can purchase a box of donated goods for $5.  This allows them the dignity of purchasing gifts but makes the cost affordable.  They also offer tutoring, access to technology, counseling, access to shelter, laundry facilities, the list just goes on and on.  I visited with Nicolle this week for a mini-interview to help readers learn more about CoHO.

1) What inspired you & Phillip to start City of Hope?

Phillip and I started the City of Hope Outreach from a "right turn".  One day Phillip was driving home from his Pulaski County Courthouse job and made a right turn on East Robins instead of the normal left onto our street Bruce St. a block down the road.  It was then he discovered a poverty pocket in Conway.  He then came home and said we are to go to this community and preach the Gospel.  To which I immediately responded, "No we are not!"  We then decided to commit this whole situation to prayer.  It was August 2007 that a woman asked could she pray for me.  Of course I was willing, but before she prayed she told me, "The thing you and your husband have been praying about doing.  The Lord says it is time to do it."  I immediately knew what the Lord was speaking through this woman, because my husband and I had been praying about this community and our involvement.  The following week we started a church plant in that community.  We met outside, set up chairs and worshipped the Lord.  We sought to develop relationships with the people within the community and quickly found that we needed a more holistic approach to meeting the needs of the people we encountered.  It wasn't enough to talk about the love of God, we had to display it and meet people right where they were.  Phillip then picked up a tent and planted himself in the middle of this very broken community for the duration of a weekend.  The plan began to unfold.  Then in 2009 we created a team (a board) and began the work of establishing the non profit that is the City of Hope Outreach.  We gained 501c3 status in 2010.  We still have the church in the community The Church at Oakwood and have since planted a second church, The Church at Oakwood South to expand and further meet the growing needs of people. 

2) What are your biggest rewards?

The rewards have been many and great!  It is very fulfilling to know that my family is living this life for more than just ourselves.  There are men, women and children who have HOPE that once felt hopeless.  The community was once filled with drug dealers, crack whores, child neglect, poor living conditions, families in fear for their own safety but much of that has changed.  I will not pretend that since we have been in the community all of the bad has ceased but crime has decreased, safety has increased, the gospel is being proclaimed and lived out, people are being assisted financially, emotionally, and physically.

3) What are you biggest challenges?

The biggest challenges are always the greatest reward.  It is most challenging to endure with people.  The work that we do is not instantly gratifying.  It takes time, patience, and lots of grace to walk alongside people is various situations.  It is also very challenging to motivate the middle class to care about the under-resourced people in their own backyard, while it is easy for many middle class people to pick up the banner for children and families around the world, they often neglect to see the needs right here at home.  I have to say that is one of the most challenging situations.

4) What have been surprises along the way?

The way the community has embraced us.  We challenge people, we tell the truth and we don't hold back and people respect that.  It is clear that our mission is to serve, love, and give.  However we don't take over we get to know people and we support their ideas and ways to improve the standard of living.

5) What else would you like us to know about City of Hope Outreach?

City of Hope Outreach (CoHO) seeks to promote holistic community renewal through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  

CoHO is in need of funding to continue and expand their mission.  Please consider making a donation today or pledge ongoing support.  You can make a donation here.