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Hillcrest Hope
Transitional Housing & Support
HELPING HOMELESS FAMILIES IN CLAY COUNTY SINCE 1976
Volume 1, Issue 1
One family’s story…
Aimee came from a life of pain and struggles. She
is a survivor of abuse and strong single mother of
three. She fled from an abusive relationship to
come to the Kansas City area this year and found
what she thought to be a manageable roommate
situation to be able to afford living expenses. Then
enrolled her children in Liberty Schools where they
began to thrive. The roommate situation turned
unhealthy and Aimee sought any option to get out.
She found Family Promise where she made the best of staying on the move. She
impressed everyone with her determination and work ethic, finding work and
getting a promotion in a very short time. Aimee met her goal of saving $1,000
while at Family Promise and got her license reinstated. Aimee entered Hillcrest
Hope on track to save even more and continue to build the stability she had begun
to create for herself and her children. Aimee improved her job situation and landed
numerous interviews in the medical field, where she desires to establish a career.
She set up a manageable payment plan to rehabilitate her student loan and
improve her credit. Aimee and her children began laying roots for a “home” that
they have never had before. They moved into their own rental house upon
graduation with Aimee having saved just over $10,000! We’re very proud of
Aimee!
Written by Rachel Hollinberger, Case Manager
A Word From the Director
Greetings! Welcome to Hillcrest Hope! We will now be posting a
newsletter every other month to give family updates, announce
upcoming events, and provide feature articles about donors and
supporters of Hillcrest Hope.
This June will mark my 2nd Anniversary as the Director of Hillcrest
Hope. There have been many challenges on this journey. There have also been
many lessons. Rewarding lessons. Hard lessons. This job with Hillcrest Hope has
been the best thing that has ever happened to me professionally. Each day I
come to work either inspired or challenged. I want to do the best I can for our
families. I want Hillcrest Hope to make a difference for our families’ futures. We
are always seeking new ways to make that possible. The families that have been
selected for our program have demonstrated a willingness to work hard to create
a better life for themselves and their family.
I hope as you read the stories of our graduates and supporters that you too will
be inspired to walk this journey with us to help our neighbors build a new life.
Serving together,
Laurie
May/June 2015
Why We Volunteer
Ryan Haverland, Thrift
Store Manager
Spend a little time with
our unpaid staff and you
will gain a lot of insight as to why they
volunteer. We learn that the common
thread in all answers is the opportunities
to help unfortunate folks in their local
community achieve a life that is more
emotionally and financially rewarding.
Dolores Sprague explains, “I decided to
volunteer for the Hillcrest Hope Thrift
Store because I had recently retired, and,
after spending a few months filling my
days peddling miracle juices and
watching episodes of The Kardashians,
my retirement felt hollow. I knew about
the Hillcrest Hope housing program, and I
really liked that it was helping all people
and families in need.”
Echoing the sentiments of Dolores,
Audrey Baker asserts, “You can retire
and hit the courts to play pickup ball
each day, you can retire and fight
loneliness, or you can get your rear into
gear and volunteer! Make a worthwhile
difference in your community and make
some new friends.” Evelyn Haught adds,
“Life was always good to me. My instinct
is to always give back. And, the fact that
there's very little eye-candy strolling the
halls of our retirement village helps get
me out the door as well.”
Moreover, many of our unpaid staff
spoke of how much they enjoy working
alongside high school and college
students. In the month of April, the
Hillcrest Hope Thrift Store has hosted
National Honor Society students from
Liberty, Liberty North, and Staley High
School, student council members from
Kearney High School, two dozen
community service volunteers from North
Kansas City High School, the Maple
Woods baseball team, and several
William Jewell students from fraternities.
Without the generous donation of time
and effort our volunteers and work
groups offer, the Hillcrest Hope Thrift
Store would function like a car without
wheels, engine, or transmission.
The
knowledge that our tasks are always
worth it because we are shaping our
community into one that is more
compassionate, connected, and joyful.
HILLCREST HOPE TRANSITIONAL HOUSING &SUPPORT
Hillcrest Hope makes plans for first
Graduate reunion
One of Hillcrest Hope’s goals is to continue to reach
out and support the graduates of our program. We
thought that an old fashioned picnic where families
could stop by for lunch, and say hi in a relaxed and
fun atmosphere would be a good way to stay in
touch. With the generous support of Pleasant
Hillcrest Hope Announces Gala Date
This year’s event will once again be held in Liberty
at Heritage Hall just off the Historic Liberty Square.
The evening promises to be another entertaining
event with the focus on bringing personal
independence back to the families of Clay County!
Our Night of Hope is our largest fundraiser of the
year and your support is the backbone of our
organization. If you or someone you know would
like to be a sponsor of this important program
please contact our Executive Director, Laurie
Sutton at laurie@hillcresthope.org .
Creative Black and White is the theme for this
year’s event, so find your favorite Little Black dress,
white tux, or perhaps you saved a pair of black and
white checkered “Hammer time” pants from the
1990’s!
Join us for a night of fun and hope, as you hear the
stories of our families and our program!
Valley Baptist Church, we have a great space to
congregate. We are looking forward to many people
coming and catching up on their lives, how they are
doing and how we at Hillcrest Hope can be there to
support them. For more information please contact
Anne at anne@hillcresthope.org
Visit our Website
www.hillcresthope.org
Looking forward to seeing you there!
Visit our
Thrift Store
at 7 W. Mill St.
UPCOMING EVENTS

GRADUATE

BLOOD

2ND
REUNION
DRIVE
- JULY 18,11-1 PVB
- JUNE 26, 12-4,
ANNUAL GALA
-
AUGUST
THRIFT STORE
29 -
HERITAGE HALL
Mailing Address & Contact Number
PO Box 17
Liberty, MO 64069
PH: 816-781-8988