The Hope House Inc. was established in January 2000 by long time pastor and community leader, L.G. Jones. We began with the objective to provide food, clothing, shelter and substance abuse rehabilitation programs to this area. With this objective in mind we opened the very first homeless shelter in this area of Alabama.
Since our humble beginnings, The Hope House has extended its services and programs to touch the lives of so many throughout the State of Alabama. The former Blount County Memorial Hospital building now serves both as our administrative offices, as well as the center for many of our programs. This includes our one of a kind Thrift Store operation which is open Monday - Saturday to the public. All of our program funding and community assistance is provided through the generous gifts of our many donors and supporters.
A recent, and much needed upgrading of the facility has resulted in the expansion of services we provide our community. Thanks to the tremendous support of our local government, this one time empty building is now known as the Blount County Family Services Mall. Our Mall is recognized as a truly innovative approach for community outreach programs throughout the country. The concept is designed to bring together various governmental and non-government agencies under one roof. With this initiative, the benefits of centrally locating a wide-range of family and community services is now recognized by the residents of Blount County.
Through the collaborated efforts of these agencies, a staffed referral counselor can now meet with individuals and families seeking assistance. They are then referred to the appropriate program or department within the Mall. This not only minimizes the time necessary to obtain services, it also reduces the cost of transportation required to search for, or drive to or from various facilities previously spread throughout the county. It is quickly becoming a "one-stop shop" for community services.
Programs such as the Juvenile Probation Services Department, Blount County Juvenile Court, and the Blount County Drug Court can all be found working side by side with our own staff of professionals at The Hope House in this very unique facility.
As with all communities, additional needs are identified each year and we have been there as a leader and innovator of services for Blount County. Many of our programs have grown tremendously over the years. From operating the first homeless shelter in Blount County to now offering temporary housing in a fully-furnished residence in the Blountsville / Cleveland area for misplaced families.
We assist the elderly, medically disadvantaged, and poverty-stricken residents with responsible financial assistance for such items as utility bills and other housing expenses. The Hope House stands alone in this region as a resource center designed to directly impact our community on a case by case basis. Through this ministry we have committed ourselves to "stand in the gap" in times of need for our neighbors, friends, family and community.
A countless number of generous donations such as vehicles, food, clothing, and Christmas gifts have all found their way back into the lives of hundreds of our neighbors each year. The Hope House is a program that's operated both efficiently and with total fiscal accountability. We are a community outreach program that all of our residents can proudly support. We continue to be Blount County's designated home for refuge, learning, and hope. We thank you for your generous donations.