House of Hope Programs Receive Grant from Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties
Stuart, Fl - House of Hope’s life-changing programs have been awarded a $60,000 grant from The Lois & Reginald Collier Fund – Food Security of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties.
Although it is well known for its efforts to combat hunger and food insecurity throughout the area, House of Hope also provides enrichment programming and nutrition education to help individuals and families access resources and develop a strong plan for moving toward an independent future.
In just the past twelve months, House of Hope Centers for Enrichment in Stuart, Jensen Beach and Indiantown have reached more than 1,000 individuals through almost 6,000 services. The nutrition education program reached almost 13,000 people in the past year, which included over 80% of all elementary aged students in Martin County.
“The Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties has been a valued partner in our mission for the past sixteen years,” said House of Hope CEO Rob Ranieri. “They helped us launch our enrichment programs in 2016 by funding our renovation of the historic Golden Gate building in Stuart, and beautified our community with enhancements to our gardens and outdoor spaces.”
Free classes and programs at the Centers for Enrichment focus on education, health and nutrition, career readiness, access to technology, arts and culture, and more. Some current classes include English as a Second Language, Smoking Cessation, Homework Help, Kindergarten Readiness, Sewing Instruction, Healthy Cooking, and Career Development.
The nutrition education program includes four in-ground gardens and an innovative Traveling Nutrition Education Garden. These living classrooms bring hands-on nutrition education to children and adults, inspiring healthier choices in what they eat and therefore in their overall health.
“In these uncertain times, the need for our services continues to grow,” Ranieri said. “We are currently reaching about 8,000 people a month with direct services and another 24,000 people through our food bank partners. Our resources now extend beyond Martin County and impact families in Okeechobee, St. Lucie, parts of Palm Beach, and even into Indian River County. None of this would be possible without the amazing support of our donors, funders, volunteers, and partners like the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties. We’re very grateful.”
To learn more about House of Hope and its programs, go to www.hohmartin.org, or call 772-286-4673.
About House of Hope
Founded in 1984, House of Hope is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that empowers community residents to overcome hunger and hardship. House of Hope touches the lives of more than 31,000 people each month, helping with basic needs such as food, clothing, furniture, and financial assistance, case management services that help build life skills for a more self-sufficient future, and nutrition education programming that supports a foundation of healthy choices throughout the community.
The organization has service centers in Stuart, Hobe Sound, Indiantown, and Jensen Beach, with thrift stores in Stuart, Hobe Sound, and Indiantown. House of Hope’s Centers for Enrichment at Golden Gate in Stuart, in Jensen Beach, and at KinDoo Family Center in Indiantown offer free programs, technology, and workshops designed to enhance life skills, earning potential, health, and overall well-being.
House of Hope also operates the Growing Hope Farm in Palm City and several nutrition gardens that provide sustainable sources of fresh produce for clients as well as nutrition education and vocational opportunities to the community. For more information, visit hohmartin.org or call 772-286-4673. Updates and announcements can also be found on Facebook, Instagram, and X.