HOPE
CENTER
Hope for children & teens, prostitutes, drug addicts,
the homeless, the imprisoned, refugees, and the sick.
A Hope Center
In Every City
A Hope Center provides a platform for Christians to engage in cross-community projects for their city. Through field-tested, proven concepts, training and learning models, as well as access to a national and international pool of experts, Hope Centers ensure the sustainable transformation of people in the inner-city and in rough neighborhoods. We stimulate sustainable change for vulnerable groups in cooperation with the local authorities.
7 Pillars of a Hope Center
HOPE FOR CHILDREN & YOUTH
KIDSCLUB & YOUTH MINISTRY
According to “Aktion Deutschland Hilft”, one in three children worldwide are affected by multidimensional poverty. Thus, about 663 million children lack food, water, or education; many of these children struggle emotionally as well. Many are brought up in environments dominated by drugs, crime, and disease. Moreover, through neglect, many fall into the rhythmic cycle of their surrounding environment.
House of Hope seeks to dramatically improve the condition of these children and teens: to give them hope. We spend time with them, we listen to them, support them, and mentor them through programs like our KidsClub. We offer them age-appropriate programs and spaces where they will know that they are valued, accepted, supported, and encouraged. By being role-models, we provide them with a new lifestyle and perspective in opposition to the one they may have received in their brokenness.
The youth is the next generation. Investing in their development — by encouraging new and healthy lifestyles — is an investment in a hope filled future. We hope that by the end we will have young adults who know how to take responsibility of their actions and ownership of their environments.
HOPE CENTER
FRANKFURT, GÖTTINGEN
HOPE FOR PROSTITUTES
TREASURES
Many women unwillingly prostitute themselves. Their reasons are plentiful; they may be emotionally reliant on their pimps, they may be victims of deception and blackmail, or connected to organized crime; plus, many may be unaware of possible exit options and strategies. Due to distrust of the local authorities, many are skeptical to take advantage of their existing offers. Consequently, women remain trapped in a world of violence, addiction, and exploitation.
To bring about authentic change in the lives of these women, we open the doors of our Women´s-Café to prostitutes on a weekly basis. In the Café, women receive counseling by our trained staff. Our counseling service has sessions on quitting, pregnancy, support services, and practical help. We strive to build trust with the women, and many share their problems. Healthy relationships are built, and new perspectives shown. We cooperate with shelters all throughout Germany to provide safety to women in a quick, easy manner, free of charge regardless of background. We also refer women to already existing programs and services. We have witnessed women escape from the sex profession and reintegrate into valued members of society with honorable professions. Moreover, children of former prostitutes being to foster and grow in a healthy environment after their mothers succeed in escaping their former lifestyle with our support.
FRANKFURT
HOPE FOR DRUG ADDICTS
HANDS OF MERCY
According to statista.com, around 35.6 million people between the age of 15 and 64 are addicted to drugs or show conspicuous consumption behavior. Although there are many offers of assistance for drug addicts, they often do not take advantage of them. Either the drug addicts do not know that help for them exists, or they have no hope that they can really be helped.
For this reason, we reach out for them and thereby reduce their inhibitions to seize the
many options that are available for them. House of Hope has diverse volunteer teams that go into hotspots every day to meet these people face to face, to show them acceptance and appreciation. We bring hope to the drug addicts and encourage them that it is never too late for a recommencement. We inform drug addicts about existing and new offers of help and accompany them to the various aid organizations. We also provide them with food and drink on a regular basis.
No one really decides to become a professional drug addict one day. Every person has a purpose through which he or she contributes to the social community. Through our programs we regularly see drug addicts living and prospering in their purpose after successful rehabilitation.
FRANKFURT
HOPE FOR HOMELESS PEOPLE
TEAROOM
The United Nations estimate that around 100 million people are homeless worldwide. In Europe, around four million people have no roof over their heads. In Germany, there are about 37,400 homeless people according to the Federal Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. People who are living on the streets have often been hit hard by difficult life crises.
Many of them see no way out of their situation. On one´s own and without social contacts, it is difficult to break out of this cycle – life on the street becomes the new normal. Our street workers are on the move during the day and visit the homeless people at their places of residence. Relationships are built and it is determined how the homeless person can be supported in everyday life and what steps can be taken to get back to a healthy life.
Just as with drug addicts, we see people experience that they have a vocation that fulfills them and gives them new hope for their lives. They become part of society again and contribute to the community.
FRANKFURT
HOPE FOR PRISONERS
RISING HOPE
In Germany, more than 40,000 people are imprisoned. Worldwide, more than 11 million people are imprisoned. The victims’ suffering is immeasurable. Many criminals started as victims, but their victimhood forced them to become criminals themselves. Their own brokenness puts them into prisons, and when left unaddressed, it festers into a continuous cycle of destructive thinking and behavior.
We believe it is important to break this cycle. This is possible by constantly building relationships and through a sincere interest in the value and potential of each person. Through a relationship, past problems can be addressed, and new goals can be set and achieved. We train people alongside seasoned veterans in prison ministry. In addition
to regular visitations, we care for the families of the imprisoned. One of our goals is to strengthen the bond between children and their imprisoned parents. We seek to encourage those affected by the system to make a fresh start; we do our best to prepare them for life after their release.
Through our work, incarcerated people gain new hope and contribute to a better atmosphere inside the prisons, where they are kept. They eventually integrate into society and escape the continuous cycle of crime and imprisonment.
FRANKFURT
HOPE FOR REFUGEES
WELCOME
Civil wars, violent conflicts, natural disasters, epidemics, and in many countries, persecution and other crises: according to the United Nations, 82.4 million people worldwide are on the run. There is no end in sight; rather, experts estimate the movement of refugees will only worsen.
About half of the refugees are children; not only have they left their homes behind, but often have witnessed the death of friends and family. Through targeted offers that promote language and cultural literacy, our trained staff help refugees adapt to their new environment. The primary focus is to build relationships, which develops a trust that enables referrals to existing services and programs.
In cooperation with the children’s ministry, we focus our work on refugee children and teens. They are the future of our society, and they have the possibility of having a lasting positive influence on our society, granted they can adapt. In addition, through the children, we also reach the adults and help them adapt as well. Language, values and social norms typically get passed from the children to the adults.
FRANKFURT
HOPE FOR THE SICK
HOPEFUL FUTURE
Worldwide, about 38 million people live with HIV; about 350 million people live with depression. In Europe alone, 38% of the population suffers from mental illness. The amount of illness in the world is unfathomably large; many are plagued with suffering and distress, each person with a unique story. Often, this fact gets lost in our fast-paced society. People who go through long bouts of illness are labeled, overlooked, and excluded by society. This rejection leads to fear, loneliness, and an unhealthy outlook. Everyday life becomes a daily struggle. It is difficult to win this fight alone.
We at House of Hope stand beside the sick and suffering. We give them comfort and hope through our visiting services, counseling, and support teams. We take people by the hand, show them solutions, possibilities and new hope, which unleashes power in their lives and shapes the mindset, “nothing is impossible”.
People can accomplish extraordinary things regardless of infirmities; thus, they can inspire others in their own, unique way. One remarkable example is Nick Vujicic, who was born without arms or legs, and yet, he is an ambassador of hope who touches people worldwide, to those who were born with arms and legs. There is hope!
HOPE CENTER
FRANKFURT, GÖTTINGEN
HOPE ON WHEELS TO INSPIRE HOPE
HOPE MOBILE
HOPE ON WHEELS
The Hope Mobile operates on a fixed schedule in hot spots and crisis areas, providing people with free coffee, snacks, and counseling. We discovered a lack of knowledge about the possibilities and services of existing help and aid organizations in crisis areas. Our employees with the Hope Mobile fulfill a vital function to bridge this gap. Our goal is to ensure that needy people seize all offers. At the same time, our team takes on additional needs, provides counseling, and support, as well as gives advice to people in need.
The Hope Mobile also creates a regular, low-threshold meeting place for those affected. This builds trust, helps them to overcome past experiences, and gives them hope and a perspective on their lives.
AHRWEILER
