I started volunteering at Esther's Closet a little over a year ago. I thought it was just another thrift store. I was wrong. Esther's Closet is the primary financial backing for the non-profit transitional women's shelter called Hosanna Home. It's an amazing program that helps women get their lives back, in a faith based atmosphere. Esther's Closet is more than just a thrift store. It's a women's resale boutique. We get the most amazing donations and we keep the best to sell at a reasonable price. It truly is a wonderful place to volunteer and to shop.
I have had the opportunity to serve in this non-profit for seven years as a Board Member , Esther's Closet in support of Hosanna Home Coordinator, and volunteer.
The great impact they have on lives and our community is what drew me to be a part of this amazing non profit when I moved to Reno.
The results of each changed life of not only the residents, but also the volunteers is such a blessing to watch. Love watching the process of restoration !
Women who are homeless and struggling with life's problems have an incredible opportunity to live in a beautiful home located in a quiet and safe neighborhood. On arrival they receive a gift bag filled with toiletries and are provided with clothing if needed from our Esther's Closet boutique. Hosanna Home's 6 month program provides job search classes, help with obtaining a GED if needed, Life Skill classes, Bible studies, recreation events, weekly Celebrate Recovery meetings and weekly church services. Our desire is for the women to feel safe and supported as they work at changing their lives by learning and implementing new ways of thinking. Hosanna Home's program is based on biblical principles and the belief that Jesus Christ has the ability to bring healing and wholeness to broken and hopeless lives. I've seen several women come in to the program after attempting suicide, feeling useless and worthless and transition to graduates with a restored sense of self and reconciled with children and family members.
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Hopeless, helpless and homeless women wanting to change their lives is the reason Hosanna Home exists. As a Christ centered program, Hosanna Home believes that Jesus has the power to help women begin the journey from brokenness to wholeness.
Residents live in a beautiful home in a quiet and safe neighborhood. "Boundaries", "Money Management", "Conflict Resolution", "Communication" and "Anger Management" are various topics covered in weekly Life Skill classes. Weekly Bible studies, monthly recreation events and weekly 12-step Celebrate Recovery meetings are also elements of the program. The Job Skills class includes resume writing and internet access to apply online for jobs. Women in need of interview clothes are taken to Hosanna Home's Esther's Closet, a thrift boutique, where they are outfitted with lovely clothes.
As a former house manager of seven years, I lived and worked with over a hundred women and saw that a woman who decides she is "done" with her current lifestyle and wants to learn how to make better life choices, is the woman who successfully works the program and graduates. A current Hosanna Home house manager graduated from the program several years ago. Some of the volunteers are former graduates. I recently ran into a former graduate at Esther's Closet whom I hadn't seen her in 2 years. She said she went back to her addiction for a short time but kept thinking about the lessons and life skill tools she learned while at Hosanna Home and is now choosing to live a healthy lifestyle once again.
My life, even though I was a house manager, was dramatically affected in a positive way as I sat in the classes with the residents. I began to see areas of my life and belief systems that needed changing. With the help of Jesus and the practical lessons being taught, I was able to begin to let go of old habits and thought patterns and implement new ones.
Hosanna Home is a valuable asset to our community as they present opportunities for women to change their lives and become productive members of the community.
Hosanna Home is a non profit that is soley devoted to helping women; helping women discover God's plan for their life. Women learn and develop skills, find employment and learn about themselves.
It serves as a place for volunteers to come together and discover the plan for their lives as well. Many lives have been changed there including mine.
Its a beautiful home.
It is overseen by an amazing team of directors and board members that value each other and the women. I admire everyone who serves here. Very gifted group of people.
From the director, Linda Schmitt, who is an amazing women of God, to the staff and volunteers who give selflessly, and the clients that Hosanna Home serves, each of them have touched my life in wonderful ways. What they do for the women they serve changes their lives forever.
Hosanna Home is an amazing place for any woman who needs to step away from their circumstances and listen to God. The volunteers ae amazing and the house is beautiful, clean, and well kept. Please support this organization.
Hosanna Home is an absolutely wonderful Christ centered organization dedicated to providing safe and life changing experiences for women and children in difficult transitional situations. The Director, Board and Volunteers are grounded and focused on the mission of Hosanna Home.
Over the past 10 years I have observed many women come through the extensive resident program at Hosanna Home. The residents come from personal broken situations and enter an environment of hope and acceptance at Hosanna Home.
Every woman that comes to live at Hosanna Home is provided a safe and loving home. Health needs are addressed; Bible Study, life skills and job counseling are also part of the daily schedule. The staff and volunteers follow an organized and well thought out program providing the residents a structure that helps them as they transition into new productive lives.
As a volunteer, I have had the great joy of seeing the amazing lifesaving changes in many women’s lives. I feel confident that the new foundations gained at Hosanna Home will continue to give hope and life to the many women who have been part of this wonderful organization.
Sincerely, Debi Hardy