About Us
Our Mission
To manifest GOD’s love to the homeless community and assist in transitioning individuals from homelessness to positive, contributing members of society.
Our Name
Hope247 can be broken down into two parts. Hope, meaning to expect with confidence and 247 meaning 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. As a non-denominational Christian based 501(c)3 California Nonprofit Public Benefit Organization, Hope247 also embodies the Biblical scripture Jeremiah 24:7:
I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD. They will be my people, and I will be their God, for they will return to me with all their heart.
Our History
In 2005, a group of GOD-fearing men decided to begin a homeless ministry. Two of the originators developed this yearning through participating in a “Midnight Ministry” in Oakland, California. This group of volunteers would enter heavily populated homeless areas during the dark hours of the night to pray and develop new friendships with many of the people they encountered. One of Hope247’s founders became intrigued with what these individuals were doing within the local community and felt a calling to get more involved. One of Hope247’s founders decided to partner with friends who had been participating in the “Midnight Ministry”.
This partnership essentially created a new ministry that would operate similarly to the previous one however, providing hours of service in the morning and afternoon. We provided individuals with fresh donuts, juice, and coffee periodically bringing Bibles to disperse. It became a powerful custom at every area visited that all who were present join hands as one of the volunteers lead a prayer. During the growth of this ministry additional volunteers became active members of this volunteer group and would be present at virtually every quarterly outing. Some of these men have become the founders and executive board members of Hope247.
Through the years the men and women participating in these ministry outings have been blessed with humbling words of encouragement from the various homeless individuals they have encountered. One particular conversation that brings true meaning to the essence of this nonprofit was held by one of Hope247’s founders and a homeless woman. As the two conversed, the woman’s eyes became flooded with tears. As the tears began to fall down her cheeks she said, “You know, I really thank you for coming out here and talking with me. You don’t fully understand. I feel at times that the world doesn’t even recognize me. They treat me as if I’m invisible! This means so much to me, thank you.”
This was a transitional moment in the founder’s vision. It was one of several elements that initiated a desire to humanize those that society has embedded a sense of inferiority. The experience of serving and assisting the homeless individuals has proven not only to benefit them, but also has blessed, encouraged, and humbled those who have volunteered.
Over four years of diligent, passionate and prayerful service within the community, the founders of the ministry felt a strong desire to not only meet the immediate needs of the homeless community, but also plan and implement programs that would assist in transitioning these men and women back to into a healthy, functioning society.
During a meeting with the Director of Saint Vincent de Paul Alameda County chapter, it was brought to the attention of the organization that there was a dire need to develop positive relationships with the men of the homeless community. Our society has a tendency to have compassion for women and children in need, while the men of society are typically expected to provide for themselves. With this insight, Hope247 has begun building relationships with homeless men through bi-monthly Bible studies held at Saint Vincent de Paul in Oakland, California. During these meetings the men are offered food, love, friendship, and most importantly, prayer.
Our Vision
The vision of Hope247 is filled with hope, love, compassion, joy, peace, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and faithfulness. As an organization, we feel it is critical to reach out and assist those in the homeless community. Living in a world engulfed by consumerism, the finite resources of those less fortunate are often neglected. We feel it is imperative to invest in the lives that are repeatedly overlooked and dedicate time into developing programs that will benefit the welfare of this forgotten population.
Coupled with the time of our founders and countless volunteers, financial resources will assist us in producing impactful spiritual, intellectual, and financial growth amongst homeless individuals. Living within a society that has a high unemployment rate, we feel it is essential to create employment opportunities for the homeless population working within our organization that seek to transition back into a healthy, functioning society. We plan on developing a restaurant franchise that solely employs homeless individuals associated with the organization.
In addition, part of our vision is to purchase/build low-income housing to aid individuals working within the restaurant franchise. We foresee additional employment opportunities to arise as these businesses develop. Some of these include: janitorial services, landscaping, construction/maintenance jobs, and property management.
Reports show that the top two causes of family homelessness are lack of affordable housing and poverty (The United States Conference of Mayors, 2009). Our goal of creating self sustaining businesses for the homeless community has the ability to impact them beyond measure. The top three causes of individual homelessness are lack of affordable housing, substance abuse, and unemployment (The United States Conference of Mayors, 2009). As a nonprofit organization building lasting relationships with homeless individuals throughout the community, we can continue to capitalize on the level of trust developed. We will build partnerships with nonprofits specializing in rehabilitating those struggling with substance abuse. We will assist those individuals dealing with substance abuse and aid in their journey to recovery by providing the necessary resources to get help.
It is our intent to accomplish these goals through the following programs: Bible studies, mentoring, resume building, job placement assistance, & education, art, and sports programs. Please join us as we embark upon a powerful journey of change within OUR community.
Hope 247 Board Members
Chad Francis – President
Joseph Stafford – Vice President
Junior Velega – Treasurer
Greg Arca – Director of Marketing
Anthony Stafford – Director of Ministry
Chris Vierra – Board Member