ABOUT THE HOPE HOUSE
“Nothing happens unless first we dream.”
CARL SANDBURG, Pulitzer Prize-Winning Writer /Poet
(Born 1878 in Illinois - Died 1967 in North Carolina)
History:
Lee Beth Lindquist, M.D., had a dream to help homeless women and their children in the Lake Norman area who needed a hand-up, not a hand-out in becoming self-sustaining. In her medical practice and volunteer work, Dr. Lindquist realized there was no temporary housing support system for this vulnerable group within the 30-mile radius of the lake and included four counties -- Mecklenburg, Iredell, Cabarrus and Lincoln. She is the cornerstone of Hope House who rallied many others within this community, like Hope House co-founder, former board member and current volunteer, Don King, to reach out and become loyal supporters of the Hope House mission and its vision in building and operating a transitional home.
The Hope House Foundation established its non-profit status in March 2005 once the house was purchased. In the autumn of 2005 Hope House decided to host a Katrina family for 13 months before the community embarked upon a major renovation to construct a two-level facility that took several years to complete from donated time and materials provided by the Lake Norman community and the Lake Norman Home Builders Association. In February 2009, Hope House received its Certificate of Occupancy. The next step was furnishing the house before tackling the operating component of staffing the house 24/7 and admitting its first residents.
Hope House today is a reality ready to “make things happen” in the lives of women and their children who become homeless in Lake Norman’s area, particularly during this time of severe economic hardship.
Hope House Description and Provisions:
Run by the Hope House Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable non-profit established in 2005, the organization provides shelter for up to a six-month stay for 12 adults as well as their children. Collaborative partners, such as, Ada Jenkins and the Davidson Housing Coalition in addition to a host of othersupportive organizations, work with Hope House to offer social worker services, career support, life skills and permanent housing alternatives once their stay at Hope House has ended. Hope House continually seeks funds to maintain and operate the house and its mission.
Situated on four acres in the Town of Huntersville, Hope House has 4,000 square feet of "energy-efficient" living space with a security system on two levels with three bedrooms on each level. The home was designed, built and furnished with the generosity of the Lake Norman community as a transitional home. Hope House became energy-efficient in July 2011 by a generous grant provided by the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency in memory of their board member, William C. "Bill" Lackey, Jr., who died December 7, 2010 and whose wife Barbara is a devoted RAYS volunteer with Hope House.
The AT&T Learning Center is located on the lower level. This center is a resource library and computer laboratory with Internet capability and state-of-the-art computer hardware and software, along with classroom space to accommodate both the women and children residents who might benefit from this educational grant opportunity provided by the AT&T Foundation.
The upper level has a full-service kitchen, laundry, living room and dining room, children’s playroom and three bedrooms and bathrooms. Single beds in a dormitory-style layout are in the bedrooms. Women with children share a room as a family with bunk beds and a single bed. Women without children share a room with another woman as a roommate. Although two adults are planned per bedroom, flexibility in the bedrooms can accommodate three people to a room if necessary as well as setting up infant cribs.
A complete listing of all the generous contributors to building and furnishing Hope House from individual donors, volunteers and grantors are recognized throughout Hope House in a framed recognition system. The household’s appliances, furnishings and bedding were gifts from the Sisters of Mercy of North Carolina Foundation. Many individuals and organizations are credited with the building, furnishing and initial operations of this facility. A dedicated board of directors governs by setting policy, overseeing operations and watching over the financial status of Hope House.
Board of Directors:
Chair:
Dr. Lee Beth Lindquist
Lakeside Family Physicians
Vice President:
Robert McIntosh, Esq.
The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C.
Treasurer:
Kandi Ranson, CPA
Partner
&Associates, CPAs, PA
Secretary/Marketing Chair:
Ron Gomilla
President
Lake Norman Graphics
Legal Counsel:
Robert McIntosh, Esq.
The McIntosh Law Firm, P.C.
Fundraising Chair:
Chris Anthony
The Chris Anthony Team, Inc./AllenTate Realtors®
Board Member:
Cheri Thebeau, Esq.
President
Thebeau & Associates, P.A.
Board Member:
Sally Razack
Community Volunteer
Staff Serving the Board of Directors:
Fran Mathay
Executive Director
Hope House Foundation
Val Daye
Program Director
