ROCKFORD, Mich. — In the kitchen of a two-story residence in Rockford, team members from Homes Giving Hope are hard at work, putting the finishing touches on the home before a group of young men move in this weekend.
“At Homes Giving Hope we provide homes for adults with unique abilities where they can safely grow and live a fulfilling life,” said executive director and co-founder Sara Boven.
The faith-based organization serves residents who might otherwise have a tough time finding a housing situation that’s a good fit for them.
“Our residents do have disabilities, all varying kinds. They all are capable to live independently, but might need a little bit of support. So moving into a home independently without that support or that extra layer of protection and safety, wouldn't be wise. But yet, at the same time, existing homes that offer care stifle the growth of our residents,” Sara said.
“They don't need care. Our residents work. They cook their breakfasts and lunches. They plan their own schedules. They have friendships. They meet people for coffee. They go to church on their own. So really, we're kind of coming into that area where we're providing that little bit of support, but we're not doing things for our residents.”
Evie Lloyd-Jones knows how much that support means.
“I felt like I was stuck when I was at my parents house, because I’m not going to college. I was just in my parents basement and I was like, it’s just going to be like this,” said Evie, who doesn’t have her driver’s license yet.
“I would rely very heavily on [my parents] to cart me around and take me to friends’ or whatever. That’s where I felt stuck the most. I’d be like ‘Oh, can you take me here? Can you take me there?”
Now that Evie lives at one of the Homes Giving Hope women’s homes, she said she doesn’t have to rely on her parents as much for transportation. She lives right across from Valley View Elementary School where she works with kindergarteners and first graders.
“I’ve been [with Homes Giving Hope] for over a year now. I feel like it’s been a good experience. I’ve grown a lot over this year with friendships and stuff, meeting the girls in my house that I wouldn’t otherwise meet outside the home,” she said.
“I really think I found my tribe. I found my people.”
This weekend’s opening will mark the fourth home that Homes Giving Hope has opened in just five years of existence.
“Just watching how God has worked in our ministry, we’re so grateful. We see our residents who have been here one year, two years, three years, and just all the ways that they have grown, the excitement that they have moving in, and the momentum that they keep throughout it. I’m just so grateful to see that,” Sara said.
“God created people in His image and there isn’t one person that is better or worse or has more meaning in God’s eyes. We’re all valued. And I think the population that we’re serving sometimes is undervalued and overlooked and not given the opportunities that they deserve.”
Move-ins at the fourth home will take place in phases. The first group of residents will move in to the north unit this weekend. Then work will continue on the south unit, where more residents will move in come December. After that, Sara said leaders from Homes Giving Hope will “take a little bit of time to get a deep breath.” But they would like to build a community of homes in Rockford in the future.
If you’d like to support Homes Giving Hope or you know someone you think would be a good fit for their homes, you can visit their website.
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