As a consultant to this small but mighty nonprofit, I am impressed with the work they are doing. They have a high success rate and achieve great things with minimal resources. What Hope Restored provides are extremely valuable services to the community and to their clients.
As the new Chairman of the Board, I of course have a bias as to the quality of the organization and the services rendered to our community. What I do see on a daily basis is the level of compassion that is the underlying driving force of this organization. Daily I deal with Rev. Jeffrey Thames, the founder and Executive Director.
I deal with the many mundane tasks that are associated with any organizations. Over and above that, I deal with Jeffrey, who is not just the face of Hope Restored but also my friend. I get to deal with his daily concerns over the clients we have and his concerns about being able to meet the needs of so many others. So many souls that need Hope, so many more that could be served, so great a need. My job is to reassure him, remind him that he is not alone, and that help will come.
For those of you that actually read this, be the help we need. Be the Hope Restored.
I think that Hope Restored, Inc. is a great asset to the greater Silver Spring community. I've been impressed with its very effective advocacy on behalf of the re-entry community and individuals experiencing homelessness. Their continuing efforts in Montgomery County Courts on behalf of individuals who are dealing with parole and probation issues is exceptional. Hope Restored has been very effective in highlighting some of the most pressing social and economic challenges facing the Montgomery County community.
I first became aware of Hope Restored through my sister. She was visiting me, in Maine, and while out and about we found blankets on sale. She was all excited and we bought a bunch of them for Hope Restored. She told me how the organization helps homeless, and discouraged people get back on their feet. It's hard to feel hopeful if you are cold, so the first part of restoring hope is having your basic needs met, and these blankets would be a small step in that direction.
At my sisters passing, I had the privilege of meeting the driving force of Hope Restored, and other supporters. It was a privilege to talk with people who care about others and are DOING things that help, not only caring for the physical needs, but giving/restoring hope that people do care and are willing to help.
I've kept in touch with Hope Restored, I've "borrowed" some of their programs to use in/with organizations that I work with in Maine. One of the best ones I "borrowed" was the sock drive, so simple, everyone can join in, but makes a big difference in peoples life.
Just this last week, I wanted to "fine tune" one of our local programs, so who did I call - Hope Restored. They took the time to talk to me, walk me through some of the problems, give me suggestions (things I didn't think of) to make the program better. This showed me, again, the heart of this organization - they are there to help, and it doesn't matter where you live, if you want to help people, they are there to help you do that, on top of what they are doing in their immediate community.
I believe they are a model of nonprofits.