Hope Network meets the needs of the underprivileged and disadvantaged in Raytown, Missouri and the area served by School District C-2. The organization seeks to ensure that every member of the community has their basic needs met, particularly in five areas: food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and emergency assistance.
The organization finds that many of its clients deal with joblessness, homelessness or transient housing situations, insufficient wages, and life circumstances that are beyond the family’s financial ability to control. By reaching out to its community and offering hope through assistance with food, shelter, clothing, medical care, and emergency assistance, Hope Network is helping to break the cycle of poverty in Raytown.
The 5 values of Hope Network:
We seek the Lord’s direction in prayer
Love shall be evident in all activities
Primary focus on food, clothing, shelter, medical care, transportation, and emergency assistance
Presenting the Gospel is paramount to the individuals to whom we minister
We measure effectiveness by ministry touches
Hope Network is a faith-based nonprofit organization whose roots began with the desire of the congregation of First Baptist Raytown to help the poor and disadvantaged in their city. The organization began in 2006 – first as a volunteer led and operated program of the church, and then, upon completion of its 501(c)3 status in 2008, as an independent organization. The organization’s purpose is to reach out, meet needs, and change lives using a comprehensive approach to social service. Participation in religious services and activities is not required of the organization’s clients; rather, the organization’s leadership and staff simply desire to offer hope to those in need and to demonstrate care for their community in practical ways.
There are three characteristics of Hope Network that embody the organization’s unique approach to social service. First, Hope Network is geographically based. Its services are delivered primarily in Raytown, Missouri. Raytown has a limited number of nonprofit organizations specifically serving this mid-sized community. As a result, Hope Network is positioned to fill a great need. Second, the organization fosters inclusiveness by reaching beyond the faith community from which it started. It makes its programs and services available to individuals and families in need throughout the Raytown community. Third, Hope Network is keenly aware of the importance of networking with other social service agencies. The organization regularly seeks out strategic partnerships, has implemented a referral process, has created a network of resources for the clients it serves, and has joined MAACLink (a city-wide network of social service agencies operated by the Mid-America Assistance Coalition).
Hope Network’s sources of support primarily come from special events, individual contributions, and faith-based or civic group sponsorships. The organization holds three major fundraising events each year: a 5K run and family fitness walk, a garage sale, and a gala event. Together, these events raise approximately $50,000, or 21 percent of the organization’s budget. Individual contributions comprise approximately 28 percent of the organization’s budget, and are achieved through direct mail appeals. Sponsorships from faith communities and civic groups comprise approximately 8 percent of the organization’s funding.
Janet Lowe, Executive Director
janet@hopeforraytown.com
816-778-1105
Lisa Miller, Programs Director.
lisa@hopeforraytown.com
816.268-1514
Pastor Paul Brooks, First Baptist Raytown
John Davis, Honeywell Engineer
Wayne Retherford, Farmers Insurance
Craig White, Glad Heart Realty
Laura Davis, Director of Administration, First Baptist Raytown
Steven T. Cox, President, Providence Financial Advisors
J. Beto Lopez, ARO Real Estate ARO Real Estate
Pastor Victor Stevens, Westridge Christian Church
Richard Hastings, CEO, St Luke’s Healthcare
Will Kraus, State Representative, 48th District website
Ron Essary, Ideal Producers Group
Jim Hartman, Sheridan’s Custard
Janet Lowe, Executive Director, Hope Network
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