Because I don't feel bad about just posting the article
Hope House raises money, but faces challenges
By Rosalie Currier
currier@sturgisjournal.com
Published: Monday, June 9, 2008 11:24 PM CDT
Since 2001, Hope House in Sturgis has been offering support to local women who need help with substance abuse problems.
Wendy Mann has worked with the women of Hope House since the beginning and loves what she does.
"Most people forget that they have family and friends who are touched by substance abuse issues," Mann said. "These are just regular people in the community."
But funding a place like Hope House is not easy. It didn't help matters when a recent fundraiser fell victim to theft.
The organization recently made $471 from a quilt raffle. But $171 that also should have gone to the cause was stolen during a May break-in at the Three Rivers Community Healing Center.
"It is especially disturbing as all money received through the raffle was to go directly to Hope House," said Michelle Heffner with the Community Healing Centers.
Meanwhile, there are renovation concerns and economic challenges.
The paint at Hope House needs a makeover, but the money from the raffle will be used for household necessities for the five women who live there.
Other struggles include the fact that Mann's hours have been cut to 20 per week. Her job, like many that depend on state funding, are shaving off employee hours first.
But it doesn't dampen Mann's enthusiasm for the mission of Hope House, which is to supply a stable environment while the women work toward a substance-free life.
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/articles/2008/06/09/news/doc484dea3360ec7804900487.txt
By Rosalie Currier
currier@sturgisjournal.com
Published: Monday, June 9, 2008 11:24 PM CDT
Since 2001, Hope House in Sturgis has been offering support to local women who need help with substance abuse problems.
Wendy Mann has worked with the women of Hope House since the beginning and loves what she does.
"Most people forget that they have family and friends who are touched by substance abuse issues," Mann said. "These are just regular people in the community."
But funding a place like Hope House is not easy. It didn't help matters when a recent fundraiser fell victim to theft.
The organization recently made $471 from a quilt raffle. But $171 that also should have gone to the cause was stolen during a May break-in at the Three Rivers Community Healing Center.
"It is especially disturbing as all money received through the raffle was to go directly to Hope House," said Michelle Heffner with the Community Healing Centers.
Meanwhile, there are renovation concerns and economic challenges.
The paint at Hope House needs a makeover, but the money from the raffle will be used for household necessities for the five women who live there.
Other struggles include the fact that Mann's hours have been cut to 20 per week. Her job, like many that depend on state funding, are shaving off employee hours first.
But it doesn't dampen Mann's enthusiasm for the mission of Hope House, which is to supply a stable environment while the women work toward a substance-free life.
http://www.sturgisjournal.com/articles/2008/06/09/news/doc484dea3360ec7804900487.txt