Project H.A.V.E. H.O.P.E. in Texas

We stand with those individuals who are mired in generational abuse-but who have seen a small glimpse of the person God designed them to be. We offer hope-offer as means of escape from the abuse - offer healing from the trauma that abuse has caused-offer the missing basic skills needed to build for themselves a better life-and we do it long enough to build a firm foundation from which they can thrive. We exist to radically change the trajectory of the lives of people we serve for the good.

We started out with a "client base" that was much broader in nature. But over the last 7 years have found that a large number of our participants were abused individuals. Statistics show that the problem of abuse is much larger than many believe. For example: 1 in every 4 women sitting in church is experiencing some form of abuse. (It is important to remember that abuse is not just physical violence or domestic violence - there are 12 types of abuse). What we have done and continue to do is:

First - we educate organizations, including church staff, on how to identify and triage those individuals.

Second - we educate the public on all the types of abuse.

Third - we provide a safe environment in which individuals experiencing abuse are completely safe to explore their options.

Fourth - for those individuals who are at a point where they express a desire to stop the abuse, we provide an initial course that takes them through the basic elements they need to make the a firm commitment. This course has the effect of eliminating those individuals who are, unfortunately, not ready to take the steps necessary to stop the abuse. (It is reported that a battered woman goes back an average of 7 times before coming to the point of being able to make a firm commitment. We have found that we need to be able to identify those individuals who are truly at the point of making a firm commitment to change. For not to do so unnecessarily uses resources and is demoralizing to our volunteers.)

Fifth - those individuals who have successfully completed the initial course are assigned a mentor/coach. Together they develop and design a plan for the individual to move forward in any and all areas of life. Together they walk out that plan. The mentorship/coaching can continue for up to 5 years.

(We believe that many of the programs that exist provide too short of a period during which they help; or else, as in the case of government sponsored programs, create either dependency or an entitlement attitude. The 5 years was chosen because, if as a part of their plan, the person wants to go to college, there is support during a "normal" period of time it takes to complete an undergraduate degree.)

The results: We have seen the trajectory of many lives completely changed for the good. But that is not all. Changing our participant's life changes the lives of her/his children. Ending the cycle of generational abuse and creating generational blessings.

Testimonials

MEET NICK

Nick's Story. No one knew I had Dyslexia in school, so it took until my senior year before I got the requested testing, and it was determined that I had severe dyslexia. And while protocols were established, it was too late in the school year for me to be able to grasp the concepts set out that were designed to help me learn. So I totally failed my first year of college (2016 - 2017). And then I met Ms. Diane and my mentor, Ms. Laura, who taught me how to learn. In December 2019 I graduated from Blinn College with my associate degree. And from there was able to enroll in a four-year college for my bachelor's degree. As I write this, I am living on my own, working part time, and maintaining a "B" average. Could not have done this without the help of Ms. Diane and her team of volunteers.

MEET REBECCA

Rebecca's Story In 2018 literally all hell broke loose. My oldest daughter chose to be homeless hours away. My oldest son gave into his addiction and could not stay out of jail. My youngest daughter had a standoff with police over a suicide threat behind Subway. And my youngest son gave up and quit school and refused to go back.

I worked through two phenomenal programs - Celebrate Recovery and Divorce case - who referred me to Project Have Hope. I met dedicated people like Ms. Diane who together with her team of volunteers has worked and is working with me to explore the plans that God has for my life, to set goals, and to make those plans a reality. Still a work in progress … have seen and am seeing dramatic changes in my life and the lives of my children.