A Light in the Dark: The Impact of Hannah’s Hope Ministries

By Student Contributor, Elayna Palm, Alvernia University

Pictured above: Framed sketch of the house in the dining room of Hannah’s Hope, taken by Elayna Palm on April 17, 2025.

Hannah’s Hope Ministry is more than just a housing program; it’s a place to heal and grow. As an up-to-18-month transitional housing program for mothers who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, the ministry offers not only a roof over the family’s head but also safety, guidance, and support throughout their journey to independence. Mary Marks, the director of operations at Hannah’s Hope, shares that she’s most proud of their work when “the kids come in and hug you, that’s when you can really tell that they love and appreciate you.”

Hannah’s Hope was originally inspired by Bridge of Hope, a nationally based program. They helped mothers who were homeless or at risk of being homeless become independent by “putting them into separate apartments and then doing case management around them and their children and helping them with rent on a decreasing basis until they are fully independent,” said Karen Marsdale, the senior director of the program. What differentiates the two is that Hannah’s strives to provide housing at a closer level and provide them with more consistent programs to become a bigger part of the mothers’ and their children’s lives.

Hannah’s Hope was a model before 2017 where they would walk the path alongside women in need by offering them subsidized housing rentals as they sought out independence, “but they soon realized that that model did not fit and was not as successful as what we have today” said Betsy Santiago, the case manager at Hannah’s Hope. In 2017, the building that used to be occupied by Mary’s Shelter became what is now Hannah’s Hope Ministries. The current home, located at 736 Upland Ave., Reading, offers spaces for six families at a time, giving them their own personal suites, necessities, and much more.

Hannah’s hope resembles a second chance for many women who walk through its door. Venus Monje, a mother residing at Hannah’s Hope, shared that before coming to Hannah’s, she wasn’t in the best living situation with her children, staying in an overcrowded family member’s house with children of their own, so she had to seek a new place to live. “From the outside, it was nice … I didn’t expect it to be a home. I thought it was more like a facility. But when I finally got in, I was wowed. I realized the inside was very nice and homey,” Said Monje. Monje’s daughter, Leilani, shared that her favorite part of Hannah’s Hope is “playing with all the toys” and “swinging on the playground.”

Another mother from Hannah’s, Ninive Vargas, shared that she is working to finish her degree and graduate to get a job in that field to obtain a sustainable living wage for her children. “When I leave here, I’m going to be in a lot better position than I was when I first arrived,” said Vargas. Youssouf, Ninive’s son, shared that “what makes him the happiest is when his mom takes him to the park outside.”

Hannah’s Hope offers programs four nights a week, financial literacy, trauma therapy, spiritual enrichment therapy, such as bible studies or journaling, and a parenting program called “Intentional Motherhood,” focusing on how to further enrich your relationship with your children, with communication, bonding, while also considering the relationships that surround the mom and her children.

Karen Marsdale, the senior director, also shared that they ensure that the children and moms are guaranteed proper medical care, speech, physical, play, equine, and musical therapy, as well as whatever else the child or mother might need. Not only does the program fulfill these needs, but it also gives children extra opportunities to go to camps or other special events. “During the summer, every family is given memberships to the local pool so they can go swimming, and make sure they have swimming lessons,” said Marsdale.

Hannah’s Hope is always looking towards the community for help. The organization is fully funded by private donations, grants, and corporate donations, “but there are also other ways as far as financially, to run this organization,” said Marks, “we have groups that come in and clean, do maintenance, paint, pull weeds, and all sorts of things that keeps things in order.”

Ways to help this community-funded organization could include donating basic cleaning products, paper goods, feminine products, or even coming in to volunteer during nightly play time. “While moms are in programming, we provide childcare … we are always looking for volunteers to help watch kids in the evening,” said Marks. Occasionally, volunteers bring their talents to the household. For example, yoga instructors will hold classes for the moms, and others will cook dinner for the families. “There are so many creative ways we can find for people to help and be a part of who we are,” said Marsdale.

Hannah’s Hope Ministries’ mission has changed many families’ lives. Mothers can turn around their lives and provide for their children beyond what they might not have thought possible before. It has had multiple graduating mothers who have moved on to live in their own apartments and even gone as far as buying their own houses. With each inspirational story, Hannah’s Hope proves that the right support and direction can create a lasting change for generations.

The post A Light in the Dark: The Impact of Hannah’s Hope Ministries appeared first on BCTV.

Source: bctv