As H.O.P.E works to grow our organization and become more independent, we have decided to form an advisory board to inform the strategic development and implementation of action plans that will have a long range impact on the disenfranchised in Shelby County. Therefore, we are seeking nominees of individuals who are familiar with issues of housing and homelessness, the work of H.O.P.E, and H.O.P.E.’s core values of self-determination, dignity, solidarity, and mutual support.
The Advisory Board will meet twice a year for no more than 2 hours. There may also be follow-up discussions/questions by email prior to and after the meetings. As you consider this opportunity, we would ask that those nominated review our mission statement. A member of our Executive Committee has been asked to contact you by phone to discuss this invitation with you. Some of the types of members we are looking for someone in the expertise of legal structure, healthcare, finances, media, transportation, housing service providers and politics. We are discussing this topic at our weekly Wednesday HOPE meetings and will announce a formal meeting to invite potential advisory board members.
Summer Survival
As we told you about in past newsletters, we are starting our Summer Survival campaign. The first dates of this program will be June 23, 30, and July 12. The rest will be be announced soon. Summer Survival is where we feed the most vulnerable and hungry school age children this summer. We would like to provide sandwiches, bottle water, and chips as well as hygiene kits if necessary. We also need volunteers to pass out the food, which is a good opportunity for those who need community service for those school age children . But they must be accompanied by an adult if under 18. We need your help to make this summer great for those in need!
For more information about how you can help donate or support HOPE or those who do the work to combat homelessness,or would like to put on a HOPE shirt and volunteer, contact Tamara Hendrix, (901)725.4990 or tamara@midsouthpeace.org.
Feed the Movement!
H.O.P.E. would like to thank Marcos Pizza for providing pizzas for the H.O.P.E meetings on the 1st Wednesday of the month. H.O.P.E is a supportive advocacy group for people with the experiences of homelessness. One of the ways in which we learn about the aforementioned needs and strategize how we can best support one another through this work is through our weekly Wednesday meetings in which we invite people experiencing homelessness to fellowship, share, and brainstorm. It is very important that H.O.P.E. continues to hear from the homeless community about the differing levels of oppression that many of us may face when attempting to navigate through the impending hardships of scarce services available in Memphis. For many groups and organizations offering free food at meetings is a plus for their attendees, but for H.O.P.E. it is a necessity, due to the fact that most often the meal offered at H.O.P.E. meetings may be the only meal they will have that day.
As H.O.P.E. grows in numbers our expenses grow as well. How can you help? You can help by donating prepared foods on Wednesdays to our meeting that afternoon. Don’t have time to cook or buy prepared foods and bring them to our meeting space? We also accept monetary donations towards this cause. Neither of those options seem feasible for you presently? We are also looking for restaurants willing to donate food to our meetings. As always, all forms of donations are completely tax deductible.
If you would like to discuss how you can offer support to HOPE please call Tamara @ 901-254-5964 or email tamara@midsouthpeace.org.