In March 2022, Phase I of the Village of Hope campus opened for operation. During the first week, men and women recovering from hospitalization were moved from Respite Care houses into the beautiful new 32-bed Respite Care facility. Also, within the first week, all ten of the new apartments for veterans were filled with men and women who have served our country. By the end of the first two weeks, the ten apartments for homeless families with young children were filled. In preparation for this Village of Hope campus opening, additional staff had been hired to provide administration, service coordination, care for participants, kitchen coordination, meal planning, and cooking, as well as maintenance and grounds personnel.
The Village of Hope is forever grateful to the many individuals and organizations who so generously contributed to providing furnishings. Your selfless giving turned empty buildings into warm and friendly living environments for everyone staying at the Village of Hope.
Once pictures were hung, the furniture was in place, and staff had settled into a smooth routine, our Village of Hope Grand Opening was celebrated on April 22. The Board of Directors of the Merced County Rescue Mission welcomed Carolyn Ahlem (Bill and Carolyn Ahlem provided seed money for the purchase of land) and Cori Lucero (who represented the Central Valley Opportunity Fund). The Ahlems and the CVOF provided the funding which made it possible to purchase the five-acre property for our campus. The board also welcomed Stephanie Sonnenshine (C.E.O. Central California Alliance for Health), and Richard Moreland (Interim President of Dignity Health). Both organizations funded the building of the Respite Care facility. Matt Serrato (Mayor of Merced), together with Lloyd Pareiria (Merced County Supervisor) represented the City and County of Merced at this event. Many other dignitaries and friends of the Mission came to celebrate this wonderful achievement that will continue to be an asset to our whole community for many years to come.
During the first year of operation, several donations were made to the Village of Hope Campus as it got up and running. A donation was received from Jason West in memory of his father, William Scott West, Jr., Chief Gunners Mate USCG, to help purchase and install a playground for the benefit of the children living in our Hope for Families building. First Five (an organization that provides services that promote child health and wellness) also made a generous contribution towards the playground. Home Depot donated gazebos which will soon be installed. They will provide shade for the participants in all the campus programs so they can enjoy the outdoors with protection from the sun. Donations of food for the campus arrive weekly which helps to supplement the meals at Respite Care. Food donations are shared regularly with our families and veterans. Veterans can frequently be found joining residents in our Respite Care facility for meals in the dining room.
On September first, the Sobering Center opened its doors in the Respite Care facility. This new program offers a place for men and women who are brought by Law Enforcement to sober up following public intoxication. This new program is funded by Cal AIM through Central California Alliance for Health and provides all branches of law enforcement with a more cost-effective alternative to taking a person to the emergency room at the hospital or booking a person in jail.
This first year is only the beginning of a vision that is much larger. As funds are raised, Phase II will become a reality where new facilities will house our Hope for Men and Women’s program of life transformation. God’s work through the Mission is marching on, and, as you pray and make donations, you are an important part of this vision. Thank you for being a part of the Village of Hope.
