Church of the Pilgrims, an urban Presbyterian congregation in Washington, DC, received its 40 percent share of the 2005 Pentecost Offering in support of Hope and a Home, a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing and support services to formerly homeless families, including at-risk youth. Hope and a Home’s parent organization, For Love of Children (FLOC), was created following the civil rights demonstrations in Selma, Alabama, in March 1965 in which several Washington clergy participated. According to FLOC’s Web site, “Reverend Gordon Cosby, Minister of the Church of the Saviour, likened the Selma experience to a modern-day Pentecost.”

The Hope and a Home program rents apartments to formerly homeless families for up to three years at far below market rates. The rent for these apartments gradually increases toward market rates by the participating families’ third and final year in the program. At the end of their three-year journey, the participants are presented with a unique Hope and a Home diploma: a welcome mat for their new home. There are currently 43 families and 116 children who are affiliated with Hope and a Home. To help families achieve their self-determined goals, Hope and a Home nurtures relationships among families, volunteers, and staff, and links families with resources in the community. Hope and a Home’s goals are achieved in three key areas: family stability, educational success, and safe and affordable housing.

In recent weeks, Hope and a Home officials met with city officials and private funders to discuss the prospects for the program. City officials told them that “Hope and a Home is the model of what Mayor Williams is promoting for homeless families in Washington.” In fact, the city has budgeted funds to assist in supporting this program. The proceeds of our special offering will help Hope and a Home continue to provide needed outreach to at-risk youth and families in our city.

Betty and Michael Rudolph
Church of the Pilgrims
Washington, DC
email