All it took was one snip of the scissors to the bright green ribbon for Emily Pike to feel 6 years of work become tangible.
New Hope for Families, Monroe County’s only family shelter, popped champagne and celebrated together the future opening of their brand new shelter on Morton Street. New Hope’s facilities focus on child development and help families suffering from homelessness. Their previous facilities could temporarily house 7 families and 16 children. Now, that amount has increased by almost 70%.
“We’ve had this very dedicated board of directors,” said Executive Director of New Hope for Families Emily Pike, “and they really looked at the situation and we looked strategically and communicated and consulted with a lot of community leader and they said ‘you know what? This mission is too important to dream small.'”
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
Photos Courtesy of New Hope for Families
According to “Point in Time Counts” in 2020, about 39 families with 81 children are experiencing homelessness in Monroe County at any given time. In Indiana, families suffering from homelessness is illegal – as it is considered child abuse and neglect – making children more likely to be separated from their families. New Hope for Families pushes to make sure that the separation of families is out of the question.
“What we do know for sure is that when families are forced to separate, the duration of homelessness is longer and that makes sense. If you’re not able to pull your resources and frankly you’re just not able to have your people around,” said Pike.
Interview with Emily Pike, Executive Director of New Hope for Families
The process means not only so much for the people that are able to have access to the amenities, but also those who helped during the process. Steve Dyer has been volunteering at New Hope over the past few years and loves returning time and time again.
“When you come here, you can find your niche, the thing where your passion is. Your gifts, your experiences, your expertise. You can find that and they are so appreciative and you really feel ownership when you work for New Hope,” said Dyer.
He is looking forward to the hard work to pay off through the children that they help.
“These kids that tend to be underserved, now they’re going to have some of the best facilities in town,” said Dyer.
The shelter itself is expected to open in a few weeks and will begin with 100% capacity. For more information on New Hope for Families and ways that you can get involved, visit newhope4families.org
