Hello,
My name is Gwen Davison and I am a recovering addict for 3 years and 3 months. God gave me a second chance at my life when I almost killed myself by driving drunk. I thank God each and everyday for blessing me with his special gifts of love, grace, mercy, my recovery, my beautiful children, and my wonderful husband.
I first heard about Hillcrest Ministries while I was living at Catherine’s Place for six months. During my stay I temporarily lost custody of my daughter and son. I just knew that I would lose my mind without my children. I finally decided to let God be in charge and I couldn’t run on my own self-will anymore.
I had to have a power greater then myself. I did have a very successful stay at Catherine’s Place and graduated the program and went back to court to hear the judge say the one thing I was working so hard for and that was you have gained back joint physical custody of your children. God is amazing and he works miracles each and everyday. I had filled out an application for the Hillcrest Ministries program but was not sure if another transitional housing program was right for my children and I. I prayed everyday asking God to give me a sign. I will never forget when I talked with LuAnn and she said that she and Cotton had discussed my situation and they both agreed to hold the apartment for me and my children because I could not move my children for 72 hours after the join custody hearing. That was definitely my sign from God. My children and I moved to Hillcrest Ministries on March 19, 2008.
I will never forget when LuAnn shoed me our apartment, sponsored by First Baptist Raytown known as Hope Network for the very first time. It was so beautiful from the front door to the end of the bedroom. Everything in the apartment was in all the right places and it was perfect! It had all brand new bedding, a volunteer handmade the curtains and even the shower curtain! The Bible, God’s word, was on the night table and my children and I were finally home. The first night in the apartment a very giving and caring gentleman from Hope Network brought us a hot meal which was chicken, spaghetti, a loaf of garlic bread, and for dessert he had a Little Debbie’s Easter basket cakes. All I could do was cry and say thank you so very much and then I said thank you Heavenly Father. The children felt so safe and they would always make sure our apartment door and the big door leading outside were locked. We were reunited as a family. We cooked and had dinner together, prayed together and made our beds every morning and we still do! My daughter was in charge of doing dishes and my son was in charge of taking out the trash. The prayer “Now I lay me down to sleep” was hanging on the wall and we began saying that prayer each night and my daughter has the prayer in her new bedroom and as a family we pray it every night. After we had been at Hillcrest for 3 weeks, Janet Lowe, from Hope Network, and Grandma came to pick us up and rewarded us by taking us to Cold Stone ice cream and then we went to Dick’s sporting goods and Janet bought the kid’s a brand new pair of roller blades. Janet believed in us and rewarded us for doing a good job. That really meant a lot to the children and I and we just kept moving forward.
We learned the wants form the needs, I learned how to budget money. I cleaned up $1600 from the wreckage of my past and I had $1500 to rent a house.
My children and I graduated the Hillcrest program June 19, 2008. At our graduation the apartment sponsor “Hope Network” presented me with a car, helped us furnish almost everything for the house we were moving into such as towels, sofa, chair, bedding, & kitchen necessities. You name it and Janet Lowe and Hope Network are there to help you as long as you are willing to help yourself.
Janet Lowe is a true blessing from God and she will always by my Guardian Angel and I love her so very much!
I want to say thank you for giving us the opportunity to be reunited as a family and just letting us ask for help! Hope Network and First Baptist Raytown, we are eternally grateful to everyone who believed in us and we want to be a part of your family and give back.
With God all things are possible. Matthew 19:26
God Bless You All,
Gwen, Marissa, & Maysen
– My name is Angel Rose. I am one year old. I wanted to share my happiness you brought me on Christmas Day.
I really, really want to thank you for helping my Daddy give me the best Christmas I could have this year. I really do like Elmo, the ride on the toy you got me is so fun. I like the music it plays, the lights and the different sounds, I like the propellers that go around I try to catch them. It is a really fun toy. The shoes are one of my favorite colors. They are soooo cute and I like the little socks that will keep my little tootsies warm. The little blue hoodie to keep my little arms war, my little ears warm and my little head from getting cold. And I really, really, really do love the Elmo clothes you got just for me. My Daddy took a picture of me in one of them just for you! 
Oh! Tilly the dolly and her book you got me is so cute she has red hair JUST LIKE ME! But my daddy told me he is going to put them up for me till I stop eating books and paper. But Daddy did read me Tilly’s story first. I did try to get a hold of the book it looked pretty tasty. But it’s ok. My daddy saved it so I didn’t get it. I guess that is why my daddy is saving it for me. Me and Daddy think I should keep that nice.
I am so happy I got to rip Christmas paper off and find surprises, that was so fun!!
See it is just me and my daddy and my daddy is on disability so right now Christmas would have really been hard. So I guess what I’m saying is without your generosity and thoughtfulness, I would not have had a really great Christmas.
Me and Daddy want to say God Bless You. We both do hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas to. Thank you with all sincerity. You made a little girl very very HAPPY!
– Angel Rose & Daddy
– We could like to thank Hope Network for making our families Christmas a big success with our children. We thank you for helping us put those big smiling faces on our children. May God bless you all.
– I’m lost for words, and can’t say thank you enough for making this a special Christmas for my children as well as myself. I am truly blessed to have been a part of the Hope Network this year. I am a single mother of 2 and make just enough from paycheck to paycheck to make ends meet. You made it possible to put a smile on my kids’ face that presents are under the tree. God bless you all. Merry Christmas! T. Q.
– Word can’t express how thankful I am for the gifts received thru the Angel Tree program! Christmas is more than just a “gift exchange,” it’s the birth of Christ which is the greatest gift of all! The Hope Network is a wonderful organization who’s helped my family thru other hard times! Thank you all so very much! We have been blessed
– I thank you so much. The kids really liked their things. You all put a smile on their face that I haven’t seen in a long time. Everything that was given was truly a blessing. Its not always the big things that matter some of the smallest things makes a big impression. I thank you again.
– It is with the most appreciation that I tell you thank you for your gifts to our children. Last evening your program was fun for them as well as the real reason for this season. We were also in attendance of your musical story of Christ’s life. As usual it touched all of our hearts with its tenderness. Thank you again. Your help was so needed and so there.
– Thank so much for your help in making sure my three son’s had a wonderful Christmas. We are blessed to have your help with the way things are going in our country. We pray that your family had a blessed & wonderful Christmas too. Thank you so much, C. P.
– I cannot express how wonderful you all are! When my husband lost his job, we had no clue what we were going to do. You made us believe it would all be fine and it was! Our children LOVED the gifts and loved the party too. hank you for being our Santa! God bless, C. T.
– Thank you very much for all you have done for my granddaughter, and myself. God bless you all for your obedience to the Spirit of God. I was so overwhelmed by the party, the time you all spent making sure others who were less fortunate could enjoy this beautiful Christmas season. Your smiles through out the whole process, showed so much love. May God bless you all continuously. Thank you Jesus for the angel who chose my granddaughter. She is so happy with her gifts. She finally received a coat.
There is no greater love, than the love of God. But when His children receive His love in their hearts, and they show manifestation of what they have received to others. Oh! What a joyous feeling of love.
Dear pantry people,
Thank you for our new coats, scarfs & gloves, hats, clothes, food, and books we needed it very much.
Your friend,
– Ratrina
Dear food pantry workers,
Thank you for the coats you gave me they are warm and cozy I really apreate it.
– Veronica
– Thank you for the blessing to serve alongside you in the Hope Network food pantry and kitchen. I enjoyed the fellowship, good food and hospitality of community service.
On behalf of my friends and all the souls I relate to as we partake of Thursday night dinners, I would like to give a monetary love gift and entrust it will be used to give hope, life, courage, and love to others even of the household of faith that are barely surviving financial hardship.
I learned to be content with what God gave me and practice self restraint. I may not have everything I want but I do have what I need. I’m learning self restraint. I have had to make many lifestyle changes but through it all I’ve learned to trust God. Jeremiah 17:7. Also to look to the needs of others. Never to take prosperity for granted. Ecc 7;11 and God gives me the power to get wealth Deut 8:18. And an acknowledgement for agencies especially faith based who truly are compassionate to the needs of humanity.
– I thank God for Ben the humble chef who applies excellence to all the meals he prepares.
– Thanks for letting us have the gas cards for our trip. It helped us to much. Thanks for all you do. God has given us hope so we would like to give it back as a small token of our appreciation.
Words passed on from a volunteer...
– One of our clients said that she is so grateful for our help and she always left here feeling better (uplifted/less lonely…) because we also provided food for her soul, as well as physical needs.
– Thank you so much for helping us get glasses. This will help my son to do much better in school! J. R.
– Thank you for the glasses and letting me pick out my own glasses! Sincerely, J. W.
“THANK YOU ALL”
Thank you…All;
Who lent a hand;
And sent a gift;
Surprize! (Not Planned!)
These past few weeks;
Our family was blessed;
With backpacks full of
Happiness!!
The food you sent;
Was fruit and snacks;
That weighed quite heavy;
In two nice backpacks!!
The soups and cereals;
Milk and juice;
The list goes on!
Multiplied..not reduced!
To just say “thank you;”
Feels; oh so “mild;”
When it comes to blessings;
For families and child.(ren)
Not enough “gratefuls” are uttered;
In this time and day;
Though blessings are showered;
On all of us…everyday!
So; Here’s to the “angels;”
On earth and above;
Who “spoil us” daily;
With their unending love.
We welcome the “teamwork;”
We cherish your “parts;”
And appreciate you deeply;
Strong; within our hearts.
Sincerely,
Anonymous
– Thank you so much for your donations for Norfleet’s Grandparents Night and our PTA Drive-In Movie. Our families truly enjoyed the refreshments at our events. We really appreciate the support!
Sincerely,
Lori Kong, Norfleet Principal & Norfleet Staff
– I wanted to thank all of you at Hope Network for all of the wonderful things you do for our school! Your support is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Dave Trewhitt
Principal, Blue Ridge
Elementary
– Thank you for the school supplies. It was a big help for my granddaughters. They attend school at Blue Ridge & Raytown Central Middle. – Mrs. P
– Dear Hope Network—We would like to thank you for your generous gifts of backpacks and school supplies. What a tremendous support that will be to our families and students as the school year begins! Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Southwood Faculty & Staff
from November 2009...