The Hope Movement, a nonprofit post-rehab recovery program for women, is set to host its inaugural fundraiser, Season of Hope Movement, on May 4.
The event will be held from 6-8 p.m. at Hot Springs Country Club, 101 Country Club Drive.
The Hope Movement grew out of a discussion between LakePointe senior Pastor Greg Bearss and District Court Judge Ralph Ohm, who witnessed the revolving door effect of drug court participants and saw the need for assistance following completion of rehab.
In 2012, Ohm introduced Bearss to a young woman who had completed a rehab program and informed Ohm of her fears regarding her immediate future. Bearss immediately pledged to help, and The Hope Movement was born. In 2016, a home was purchased at 302 Lary St. and remodeled to house up to seven women at a time for an average stay of six months to a year.
According to its website, The Hope Movement believes that "Jesus is the answer to a life needing healing and wholeness. We also realize that women recovering from an addictive lifestyle need practical application of Biblical teachings as well as coaching in day-to-day life skills as they prepare to return to the community as independent, productive women following Jesus."
The program assists in providing the women with a safe living environment, skills for gainful employment, life skills training and Christ-centered counseling. The women work and pay rent while living in the home, attend church regularly, and participate in various programs geared towards such skills as faith and finance, anger management, parenting, nutrition, budgeting, and assistance in obtaining their GED and enrolling in college.
The Hope Movement graduated its first resident on Jan. 21 this year and graduated two additional residents on April 8.
Because the program is a nonprofit, it depends largely on community donations to continue providing assistance to the women who need its services.
"The proceeds from this fundraiser will go to help the women move further in life," Desiree Skeya, executive director of The Hope Movement, said. "We have two vehicles at The Hope Movement that we let the ladies use, so it will go towards things like maintenance on the vehicles -- just really to invest in the lives of the ladies."
The event will feature a food buffet, live entertainment, and a raffle and auction.
Some of the auction items include a Gulf Shores condo and deep sea fishing package for four, a Botox and skin care package, a party barge rental on Lake Hamilton, four-night, five-day trips to San Francisco, with airfare included, four fishing guide packages on Lake Ouachita, two duck hunting trips, a free consulting service by interior designer Sandy Sutton, golf packages and private lessons at Hot Springs Country Club, a health club membership and personal training lessons, dinner-and-a-show packages, with a limo, to Bones Chophouse and Maxwell Blade's Theatre of Magic, and a 3-month-old F1B miniature Golden Doodle puppy.
A raffle will be held for a two-person, one-week Cape Cod vacation, including round-trip airfare. Raffle tickets are $10, or three for $25.
"God has really just poured into this fundraiser and people have been donating items for us to auction," Skeya said.
Garland County District Court Judge Meredith Switzer will be the guest speaker for the event. She will share about her experiences and personal pride in mentoring some of the residents of The Hope Movement. Attendees will also hear a testimony from someone who has escaped addiction.
Skeya said that they hope to make this fundraiser an annual event.
Tickets are $40 and must be purchased no later than April 28 by calling a member of The Hope Movement team: Kay Moore, 501-620-8932; Marla Ramsey, 501-627-5957; Bonnie Johnson, 501-627-5824; Caroline Massanelli, 501-622-9840; Margaret Lynn, 501-329-3626; Rhonda Malone, 501-282-9055; or Desiree Skeya, 501-318-8342.
Tickets will be available for pickup at the door on the night of the event.
"Just come on out and check it out," Skeya said. "It's for a good benefit, helping women who are coming out of addiction."
Local on 04/15/2018