Who/what is Operation Hope? Where is it located? What is their mission and who do they serve?
Read the full story below to find out more about this enterprising non-profit organization.
At the DMSB Rotary meeting on July 19 Cindy Taylor, Board President of a non-profit organization in Vista called Operation HOPE, explained that their mission was to eradicate homelessness and provide a safe environment for families in North County, San Diego. Operation HOPE specifically targets families with homeless children and single women as they work to reclaim their independence.
Starting as a temporary cold weather shelter in the fall of 2003, OH later acquired an old building in Vista and turned it into a regular shelter. OH has been a year-round, 45 bed facility since 2016 and has served over 2000 individuals, helping them to build the skills and community connections to thrive on their own. They have eleven family rooms as well as dorm style rooms for women, with laundry facilities and community showers on site. There are separate facilities for men. There is also a children’s playground and outdoor community center.
OH provides a program called Steps to Independence: a comprehensive 90 – 120 day wrap-around case management based program with unique goal planning for each client. Each family/client is assigned a Case Manager who is supervised by the Director of Programs. OH is a welcome and safe drug and alcohol free environment that offers the following programs: Effective parenting / Financial literacy/ Children's Enrichment programs/ Community based programs/ Child care/ Hot meals/ Clothing Boutique/ Respite care/ Community clinics for dental care / Job Fairs and employment resources/ / access to computers/ and Vocational training through local community colleges. OH also partners with the local school district to enroll their child clients in local schools.
Operation HOPE’s comprehensive program is sustained through local grants, private donations, philanthropic foundations and local businesses. Their aim is to partner with local companies and clubs such as Rotary to put on events that would help them raise funds. They depend on caring, committed volunteers to help and enrich their families’ experiences. They welcome volunteers to come in and interact with their clients in various capacities.
In 2019 they were awarded the CA Non-Profit of the Year Award.
In the end DMSB Club President Venky Venkatesh presented the speaker with the Joshua certificate that represents our club DMSB donating school supplies to schools in Malawi in the name of the speaker.
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