Each person has a story, however, how are you allowing God to use yours?
At Hope Unlimited Family Care Center, 2022 is the year of new beginnings and using your story to help others who may be struggling with your past journey.
In Mark 14:36, Jesus recognized the power God has to change the circumstance. But Jesus also knows that even the hard things in life are for God’s glory and our ultimate good. Thus, Jesus had to die on the cross. And this is why you have a story to tell.
“We need your help as we walk life’s journey with moms and dads. They need discipleship, friendship, support, and they need the church,” said Nicole Farley, executive director at Hope Unlimited. “We need volunteers at our centers weekly, and we need churches that will come alongside the moms and dads we serve, connect on a personal level, and become a family to them.”
Hope Unlimited Family Care Center is expanding its services in this new season, providing more room for their newer and larger thrift store known as ‘Hope’s Closet’.
“Last year we purchased the building next door to our current Paducah location at 1103 Jefferson,” said Farley. “We have committed to building only as we have the monies in hand. Last year, Hope Unlimited became 100% debt-free, and we plan to continue debt-free with this project.”
The thrift store is open to the public. However, patients and clients of the Hope Unlimited Family Care Center are also able to spend their ‘Hope Dollars’ within the store.
“Hope Dollars are rewarded to those who come to their appointments, show up on time, do their homework, participate in classes, and more. It’s a reward system that truly shows that they’re able to earn things through their learning process,” said Farley. “They’re able to see that they are actively contributing to their families by doing things to better themselves and those around them.”
Everything within the thrift store has been donated by the community. Hope Unlimited accepts all sizes and genders for the whole family. They also accept donations such as toys, houseware, and more. With their new expansion, furniture will soon be accepted.
Every dollar that is made from the thrift store is turned around and is put right back into the community throughout Hope Unlimited’s programs.
Farley asks those who have a gift in construction, painting, or a trade like plumbing, electrical, or HVAC to reach out. Hope Unlimited Family Care Center operates from community dedication, which makes this expansion truly a community project.
“This past year we decided we wanted to employ clients. We hired our first client, and she is absolutely rocking it,” said Farley. “When we expand the thrift store, our goal is to use this opportunity to provide jobs for our clients who have really grown and shown up for themselves and their families.”
Farley wants the mothers and fathers of the program to not just survive, but to thrive.
“I say that over and over. It’s become our mantra. We don’t want moms and dads just to get by,” said Farley. “Having the opportunity to employ one or two clients at a time and have them learn new skills is amazing. We hope that guiding them throughout this process puts them on the road to getting an even better job in the future.”
Hope Unlimited provides the only free, court-ordered, parenting classes in the area. Parents who are working to regain custody of their children are able to take courses and provide themselves with the skills to become the best parent for their children.
Also offering a ‘Parent Cafe’ at their Paducah location, Hope Unlimited provides a safe space for parents to discuss. The Parent Cafe is a Kentucky-wide initiative offered in our community. It is a free, local event supporting families by inviting parents of all ages and backgrounds to come together. The informal setting features guided talking points designed to share ideas and find a support network.
“We get together for three sessions and have multiple topics. The best part is that no one is the expert. We’re all just parents,” said Farley. “I may be a table leader for a session, even though I’m the executive director at Hope Unlimited. That doesn’t matter. When I’m at the Parent Cafe, I’m a mom. I’m a parent. That’s all that I am. I am equal to every other parent.”
During these sessions, topics discussed can range from how to discipline your child while still keeping their value, to how to meal plan, or how to create safe spaces – anything you can think of that a parent would do.
“We also plan to extend our student classes this summer,” said Farley. “We’re in the schools already nine months out of the year, so we would like to extend our student reach even farther.”
Classes could range from topics such as value and character to sexual education, STIs, pornography, suicide, and self-harm. Anything that the youth population tends to struggle with, Hope Unlimited wants to be able to provide a safe place to educate twelve months out of the year.
“We would love you to be a part of making it all happen,” said Farley. “Please keep us in your prayers as we are obedient to what God has called us to do. Thank you for your support. It’s only together that we can make the greatest impact.”
The Expansion at Hope Unlimited will provide a larger thrift store, provide opportunities to more clients throughout enlarged classroom spaces for group classes, and overall help better social services provided to clients. To discuss how you can be involved, you are urged to contact Nicole Farley at nicolef@hufcc.org or call 270-442-1166 ext. 110.
