RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY SERVICES INC
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Mission Statement
We provide hope restoration with dignity to those in need through innovative programs and services.
About This Cause
For over 50 years, the Hope Villages of America (formerly RCS Pinellas) mission has been to support our neighbors facing hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, or a lack of basic needs. Staff and volunteers serve individuals and families with effective support and compassion. We help those in need that are the most vulnerable among us get back onto a path of self-sufficiency with dignity. Hope Villages of America is a cooperative of professional staff members, integral volunteers, and partnering faith congregations of many denominations that have joined together to provide reliable services within Pinellas County. We continue to expand our efforts and outreach to those less fortunate that need a helping hand to rise above the challenges that have befallen them. Hope Villages is an award-winning charity that maximizes every donation toward the recipients that need it. Our costs and overhead remain low and our effective results are high. We function through the generosity of the kind-hearted individuals, groups, and businesses that support us and we flow that love directly on to the families that need and deserve another chance to find self-worth, self-improvement and self-sufficiency in today's world. *Abuse Services - The Haven - Safe House* - Domestic Violence Help If you have no place to go but you know you should get out, call us. 24/7 at 727-442-4128 Domestic violence is defined as a pattern of assaultive and coercive behaviors. The intent of these behaviors is for the abuser to establish power and control over the victim. The behaviors are more than an isolated incident. Domestic violence almost always involves various forms of control – physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, economic, etc. Domestic violence is not isolated to people who are married. It occurs with dating adolescents, same sex couples and adults living together. The defining characteristic is that they share an intimate relationship. Much of the time the financial aspect of leaving makes it seem impossible and the complexity of children involved can make it even more difficult. We offer confidential and always free consultations and a safe space to go to if you need to talk about it and find out what you should do. Outreach : Monday – Friday 9:00am – 5:00pm Outreach Phone: 727-441-2029 Free and Confidential Services Available Emergency Safe House (Shelter) Temporary emergency, confidential shelter to domestic violence victims and their children. The facility is staffed 24-hours-per- day, 7 days a week. 24-Hour Hotline Our hotline provides counseling, information, and referrals by telephone, available 24 hours a day. 727-442-4128 Dating Violence Education and Prevention Program This program educates young people of Middle and High School age about the dangers of dating violence and provides resources and referrals to help. Peacemakers Program This is a program for children in Preschool and Kindergarten teaching a five-week curriculum about peace. *Homeless Prevention Project + Housing Stability - Grace House* - Homelessness Help Families are the fastest growing homeless population in the United States and in Pinellas County. The Grace House provides dignified apartment-style emergency shelter, to homeless families with children, for up to two months. The program works one-on-one with families through case management, providing education, increasing job readiness, and helping families save money in order to secure stable housing. 90% of families who complete the program move to stable housing. Food, clothing and household goods are available to residents. With room for up to 80 people the facility consists of fourteen fully furnished apartments, a Computer Learning Center, Gillian’s Rainbow Room and Butterfly Garden, laundry room, and playground. Residents must be able and willing to secure employment and take part in weekly life skills classes. Upon successful completion of the program, families are eligible to shop at our local partnering thrift stores (shown under basic needs, below) for furniture and household goods at no charge, using vouchers provided to them. Throughout each week volunteers assist with maintenance, tutoring children, life skills presentations, and other program needs. Volunteers are essential to the success of the program, and we are grateful for our generous volunteers! Group volunteer projects are a great way to build teamwork, while making a big difference in people’s lives. Volunteer groups and dedicated families participate in our Adopt an Apartment program, which allows us to quickly move new families in after an apartment becomes empty. Volunteers swoop in to a spruce up the home, painting, cleaning, hanging curtains, restocking supplies and sometimes refurnishing. *Goldsmith Gardens - Affordable Housing* Hope Villages provides an affordable housing option to our participants as a ‘next step’ in their journey to self-sufficiency. While residing at the property, participants will receive case management to help them meet their personal, educational, and career goals. We offer 11 two-bedroom apartment units with onsite laundry and a community room. Participants sign a one year lease, and pay approximately 30% of their income in rent. *Food Distribution + Basic Needs - Food Bank* - Feeding The Hungry Our Food Distribution Services provide nutritious groceries to tens of thousands of individuals and families living throughout Pinellas County. The Food Bank distributes food to people at our Clearwater warehouse and delivers food to local food pantries, homeless shelters, domestic violence safe houses, soup kitchens and housing programs for the disabled and elderly to ensure access to food in the neighborhoods that need it most. Individuals and families may access services once per month, receiving 3-4 days worth of food for all household members per visit. We wish we could provide more, and we do during the holidays. However, with the high need in our community and our limited resources, we maintain inventory levels to ensure we can serve everyone who comes to our doors equally. With a focus on nutrition, we make every effort to provide healthy nutrient-dense foods, such as lean meats and fresh fruits and vegetables. While we rely on donations of nonperishables, the Food Bank also purchases perishable food to ensure we can provide nutritionally balanced food baskets. The largest demographic receiving food from Hope Villages are children age 5-13 years-old. These developing bodies and minds need good nutrition for a successful healthy life. Children and seniors make up over 50% of the Food Bank Recipients *The Express Center* - Providing for Pinellas Residents in need The Express Center will function as a hub to meet the needs of the community. Offering a wide range of “get it now” services, the Express Center will provide direct support related to hunger, homelessness, domestic violence, and basic needs. Services include (but not limited to): Small Meal Ingredients Hygiene Products Immediate Turn-Around Referrals Job-Readiness Preparation & Placement Clothing and Furniture Vouchers Assistance with Benefit Applications Resume Building *BASIC NEEDS* Hope Villages of America provides clothing, furniture, and other basic needs, including energy assistance, to our program guests through community partnerships. Participants receive vouchers from Hope Villages to be redeemed at one of the multiple partner thrift store locations. For Energy Assistance, please visit or call: 1552 South Myrtle Ave. Clearwater, Florida 33756 Phone: (727) 446-5964 x108 Please donate your gently used items to one of the following locations, and please tell them that Hope Villages referred you. Good Shepherd Thrift Store 1714 N Fort Harrison Ave, Clearwater, FL 33755 The Salvation Army 1446 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756 24400 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33763 6015 66th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33709