Hope House Mission

08/07/2026

Most people don't expect a leadership class at a homeless shelter, but Ken Dickerson believes everyone will be a leader at least once in their lifetime.

"I teach leadership to men experiencing homelessness; the look I receive when I tell people never gets old," said Dickerson.

At Hope House Mission, we are much more than a bed; we see the potential God has gifted everyone.

Classes like this show our participants respect and dignity, and let them know we see past their circumstances and believe transformation is possible.

07/28/2026

Ohioans earning minimum wage need to work 87 hours per week just to afford a modest 2BR apartment! About 54% of U.S. workers over age 25 are earning minimum wage. Even folks earning twice Ohio's minimum wage can't afford a 2BR apartment. We need stronger policies and investments to help fill the rent-wage gap!
https://cohhio.org/report-ohio-workers-wage-gains-falling-behind-rent-increases/

07/28/2026

A heartfelt thank you to our church partner, Breiel Church, for spending Saturday serving Hope House Mission! ❤️

Their team blessed us with a delicious breakfast for our residents, improvements to our chapel, and a brand-new handrail for our picnic shelter.

This marks their 4th faithful year of serving alongside us, and we are so grateful for their continued commitment to sharing the love of Christ through both their hands and their hearts.

Thank you, Breiel Church, for making a lasting impact in our community!

07/23/2026

Our pantry shelves are running low, and we need our community's help.

Would your church, workplace, school, small group, business, or neighborhood consider hosting a Canned Food & Pantry Drive for Hope House Mission?

Every can of vegetables, soup, fruit, beans, pasta sauce, tuna, chicken, and other pantry staples helps us prepare nutritious meals for the men, women, and children we serve each day.

Hosting a food drive is easy:
🥫 Choose a collection date.
🥫 Invite others to donate.
🥫 Deliver the donations to Hope House Mission.

Our current list of most-needed pantry items is attached.

Whether your group collects 25 cans or 500, every donation helps ensure our pantry stays stocked and that every guest who walks through our doors has a meal.

Interested in organizing a food drive? We'd love to help you get started!

Contact Kami Barnes, Volunteer Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Or call: 513-513-9366

Together, we can fill our pantry and provide hope, one can at a time.

07/22/2026

Wisdom Wednesday...

When walking alongside someone experiencing homelessness or poverty, it's natural to want to help. Healthy boundaries ensure our help is rooted in wisdom, not emotion.

Sometimes boundaries look like listening more than speaking. Sometimes they mean keeping appropriate expectations, avoiding promises you can't keep, or encouraging someone to use the resources and support systems already available instead of trying to meet every need yourself.

Boundaries protect dignity. They encourage healthy relationships rather than dependence. They remind us that every person is worthy of respect, not because of what they have or haven't done, but because they are created in the image of God.

Healthy boundaries are one of the most compassionate gifts we can offer.

07/16/2026

Volunteering is about so much more than serving a meal or giving a few hours.

It's about building relationships, restoring hope, and reminding someone they're seen, valued, and loved.

The amazing part? Our volunteers often tell us they receive just as much as they give.

Watch this story and see how one simple "yes" to volunteering can change lives, including your own.

Ready to make a difference? We'd love to have you join us. ❤️

07/16/2026

07/13/2026

Busier schedules are just around the corner.

This summer, Rayaan and Imran chose to spend a few hours serving others by preparing lunch for the men and women at Hope House Mission.

If you want to knock out your volunteer hours before school starts, we'd love to help you make them meaningful.

https://volunteer.samaritan.com/custom/545/volunteer_home

07/09/2026

🥣 Our cereal shelves are getting low.

If you're headed to the grocery store this week, would you add an extra box of cereal to your cart? Your donation helps provide breakfast for the men, women, and children staying at Hope House Mission.

Drop off donations:
Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. - 5p.m.
1001 Grove Street, Middletown, Ohio 45044

Thank you for helping our guests start each day with a full bowl and a little hope.

07/08/2026

Wisdom Wednesday

It's easy to feel sympathy for someone experiencing homelessness.

Empathy asks something different.

Sympathy says, "I feel sorry for you."

Empathy says, "I may not fully understand your journey, but I see your worth, and I'm willing to walk alongside you."

At Hope House Mission, we don't see people as projects to fix or problems to solve. We see men, women, and children created in the image of God, each with a story, strengths, struggles, and incredible potential.

Real transformation doesn't begin with having all the answers. It begins with relationships, dignity, and treating every person as a child of God.

The next time you meet someone facing hardship, ask yourself: Am I responding with sympathy, or am I choosing empathy?

"Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ." Galatians 6:2