House of Hope has served the drug endangered, abused and at-risk children in Cumberland County for over five years now and has provided well over 5,000 services.
The House of Hope works very close with all law enforcement, the department of Children’s Services, the district attorney’s office and Juvenile Probation (Youth Services). These very agencies and departments are on the front lines and know all the areas where there is potential for children and teens to fall through the cracks of the system. Basically, they let Executive Director Denise Melton know what these children and teens need and Melton in return supplies those needs by developing services and programs through the House of Hope.
When Bobby Edwards from Youth Services let Melton know that there was a need for a program to work with teens that were on probation, within a few months the program was developed and ready to go with one part-time employee and a full staff of volunteers.
The program is called “My Choices…My Life” and will provide a series of four classes for teens which will consist of a temperament analysis, substance abuse, anger management, self esteem and diversity, responsible decision making, open communication and money management. The parents/caregiver will have required reading and a class as well. After completion of classes, the teen will be allowed to finish out community service hours and earn a stipend for restitution.
Plans are already in the works to expand this program so it will become available for any teen referred by law enforcement or the Department of Children’s Services in hopes that they can be reached before criminal activity begins.
Even though the House of Hope works hand in hand with those that are sworn to protect our children, they remain independent and neutral with no ties to any government agency or department. At this time they are entirely supported by private funding through the generosity of all those who care about children.
Currently House of Hope is serving as a model for a neighboring county so they can also start a similar organization to serve the drug endangered, abused and at-risk children in their county.
