Hope of Glory Center, Inc.

                            SEEING AND FILLING A NEED

In January 2020, the number of homeless Arizonans was nearly 11,000. As of December 2021, that number is estimated to have increased by nearly 30 percent. While the factors contributing to homelessness have always been varied and complex, the growing shortage of affordable housing has significantly impacted low-income individuals and families with incomes. Compounded by unemployment, physical and behavioral health issues, domestic violence, and substance abuse, homelessness continues to impact both rural and urban communities statewide.¹

These are the folks we have been serving since 1996, mainly the chronically homeless. We have done this from a variety of locations in Tucson, Arizona.

Even before the Pandemic, homeless camps were popping up INSIDE Tucson.  The residents here cannot leave their sites to partake of food banks and communal meals, as vandalism and stealing is rampant. Focusing on these camps is a bit more challenging than the parks where we had been serving, so this program, which we call “Feed My Sheep,” is simple, but I believe more powerful.  We are coming into their “home”–with gifts–but also with the love of Christ.   Twice monthly we bring non-perishable food, socks, Bibles, hygiene items and anything else that the Lord provides. Additionally we direct them to services and encourage contact with their housing case managers and help in this as well. 

In addition, we are actively seeking to inform and elicit support from churches, ministries, businesses and social service agencies for our vision, The Hope Day Center,  a facility we intend to establish in Tucson. We will provide hot meals, showers, clothing, case management and a secure storage space for our guests' belongings.

1. State of the Homeless Homelessness in Arizona Annual Report 2021 Arizona Department of Economic Security EXECUTIVE SUMMARY