My experience in developing Community of Hope’s newest housing program for families in Washington, DC, Hope Apartments, nicely illustrates many of the lessons I have learned over the years in working in compassionate ministry.

Hope Apartments provides housing and intensive support services for homeless families where a parent is new in recovery from substance abuse. It took four years to develop, but is now a wonderful, caring community where families are healing. We recently celebrated the First Birthday of Hope Apartments, where “Grace,” a resident, spoke. Grace shared the pain of her many years of drug addiction and hopelessness. She wept as she told the story of how the birth of her daughter brought her out of despair, motivating her to apply to the aptly named Hope Apartments. She now has over nine months of sobriety, is enrolled in college, and is moving out shortly into her own apartment. This woman’s gratitude to God and her faith that things will work out renewed in me my commitment to—and passion for—compassionate ministry. My experience with Hope Apartments highlights many of the lessons I have learned.

1. There is a lot of pain in the world. In Grace’s life, this pain included the death of loved ones, the disease of addiction, loneliness, hopelessness, and sexual and emotional abuse. There is also the physical pain that we see in patients at Community of Hope’s health clinic—of chronic illness, cancer, depression, etc. It takes immense strength and determination for some people to even get out of bed every morning.

2. The pain is balanced by equal parts of compassion and love in the world. For Grace, she expressed her gratitude to a staff member, her mother, and a volunteer who was teaching her how to use the computer. Grace is now a mentor for new parents moving into Hope Apartments as they start their road to recovery. Hope Apartments is a result of the care and financial support of so many people—from funders who made renovation possible, to the donor who provided a catered Thanksgiving meal for the families, and to the tutors who spend time one-on-one with the children.

3. Always stay focused on the people you serve and their needs. Don’t make it about yourself and your needs. In Grace’s example, she was using methadone to detoxify, and no other program would take her. Over time, she has also stopped using methadone with the goal of having her body clean of all substances. I try to always listen to the people we serve to ensure their needs are being met.

4. Remember to laugh and celebrate. One year into Hope Apartments, we felt it was time to celebrate the residents’ accomplishments. At the First Birthday celebration, there was much laughter throughout the day for both adults and children during the balloon toss, Twister, and the sharing of delicious food. In order to last for the long haul in this work, you must find joy in each other, and celebrate both the big steps and the small miracles.

5. Financial stewardship is important. It is not enough just to love and have a passion for compassionate ministry. I feel strongly the passion and love must go hand in hand with solid stewardship. Resources must be used wisely so that work can continue for the long run, to serve the next Grace.

6. Trust in the Lord. Last, but not least, I have found solace in trusting in the Lord. There were many days I did not know how we would complete the work at Hope Apartments or where funding would come from. But the Lord did, indeed, provide and does have a plan in mind.

by Kelly McShane
Community of Hope
Executive Director