Breaking the Cycle Is a Group Effort.

Our Mission:

Support Groups

Tailored Solutions

Supportive Housing

Mission Statement

Hope Connection International (HCI) is a multi-faceted recovery and prevention center that connects with organizations worldwide to empower survivors of abuse and addiction by offering free support groups, education, and sponsorships with tailored solutions, along with supportive, long-term housing.

Our Philosophy

We are trying to reach young people at a time in their lives before they become lifetime addicts, criminals, or abusers.
"Hurting people hurt people"; hence, our philosophy is to help young people through the healing process from whatever issues have hindered them in life so that they become healthy, well-adjusted, contributing members of society.
We want them to experience the powerful healing of Christ so they will be able to impact others.

No matter what has happened to you or what you've been through, there is HOPE.

Our Vision

PHASE I: Support Groups -- (Since 2012)

Mending the Soul classes offered for domestic violence and abuse recovery; this program also addresses any victims who witnessed abuse, were abandoned as children, or who need further healing from past trauma to strengthen their marriages and families.

PHASE II: Community Care Center -- (Since 2014)

Our Community Care Center offers free support groups and enrichment classes, providing the community with education and resources to promote the healing process.

PHASE III: Deja Vu Furniture And Home Decor -- (Since 2017)

A used furniture and home decor thrift store to support Hope Connection in its cause to provide assistance to survivors of abuse and addiction. Location: 111 N. Raiford St, Selma, NC 27576

PHASE IV: Supportive Housing -- (Fundraising in Progress)

Provide a supportive housing center for victims of domestic violence who are in distress. Supply these women and their children with all of the tools they need to be successful on their own: education, child care, support groups, legal assistance, and a safe place to live. Programs will be milestone-based rather than time-based. Additionally, provide a long term transitional housing program for those recovering from addiction: a tiny home community, free from temptation, that will guide reformed addicts back into society as productive citizens. We are currently raising funds to make an offer on a property to fulfill this vision.

Our Team

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Debra Barkett

Founder + President

Debra Barkett is the founder and president of Hope Connection International and DejaVu Thrift Store. Hope Connection obtained 501 (c)(3) non-profit status in July of 2012 and originated out of Clayton, North Carolina, in Johnston County, but is now based in Selma, North Carolina, in Johnston County. DejaVu Thrift was started in 2017 and is also located in the historic downtown Selma district. Debra continues to reside in Clayton, North Carolina, and has two adult sons living in the area.

Debra was born in Miami, Florida, and has lived in multiple states, including the Chicago area, where she earned a Master's degree in Education with minors in Psychology, Bible, English, and Business. After more than 30 years of teaching young people in our educational system, working in church youth ministries across the country, and volunteering with inner city Chicago teenagers, Debra acquired a passion to reach the current needs of the community, which will impact our future generations in real and practical ways. Hope Connection was birthed from personal experiences that brought her attention to growing needs to empower survivors of abuse and addiction and give them hope for a brighter, healthier future.

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Greg Chartier

Vice President

Greg is semi-retired and works part time for Kirk of Kildaire Presbyterian and their Facilities Administrator. He is also an Associate Producer for the upcoming movie "Payne in my Heart", the Payne Stewart story, scheduled for release in late 2025. Prior to the last few years, Greg was in Information Technology contract staffing and an Advanced Services Manager for Cisco Systems where he had global responsibilities for AS Academy, a talent creation and development organization.

In addition to his vast experience, Greg spent many years as a leader in the Boy Scouts organization. In his own words, "I got so much more out of, than I gave to the Scouts, seeing boys grow into young men with outstanding morals and the knowledge to be self sufficient."

One of Greg's previous employees said this: "Greg is an excellent leader who is able to adapt and navigate change; he is able to coach and mentor those that need extra help, and has a natural ability to quickly read and understand people. One of my favorite things about Greg is how he cares about those around him. He never just listens, but is truly interested, and it shows. Greg brings all of these traits together in a modest and effective style of leadership."

Greg has two children, Mason and Miranda that live in the area. Greg lives in Apex, NC with his wife Barbara.

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Diane Hoffmeister

Secretary

Diane is a Duke University graduate with a degree in Computer Science and Economics, a teacher who initiated robotics program at a local high school, a volunteer for multiple non-profit organizations, an entrepreneur, and a substitute teacher for Wake County public schools.

Diane is a software design professional with experience in designing, documenting, coding and testing telecommunications software as well as information technology software. Diane is detailed oriented and passionate about her craft.

Diane has enjoyed being active in her church working with children's ministries such as choir, Sunday School and Vacation Bible School as well as women's group ministries. She helped start a quilting group at her church, Resurrection Lutheran, to make quilts to be distributed around the world through Lutheran World Relief. Diane has been active Leader in La Leche League, a breastfeeding support group, for many years. Through membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution and Colonial Dames 17th Century, Diane supports educational and historical efforts.

Diane oversees volunteer opportunities related to our fundraising partnership with Duke University sporting events.

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Margy Vaglio

Treasurer

Margy is a scientific professional with more than 25 years customer service experience including document management, quality review, data management, regulatory compliance, and IT system support.

Margy served several years volunteering with HCI, either relating to our fundraising partnership with Duke University, outreach programs, or special events.

Margery enjoys spending time with her two grown children, Robert a student at Texas Christian University and Hanna, who is currently a military wife living in North Carolina.

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Evadne Morakis

Director

Evadne Morakis is a seasoned individual who has worked in Southern California most of her career in Logistics and Production as a controller and purchasing agent.

She has lived in North Carolina for approximately eight years now and is working for a National Real Estate firm as a technology support manager.

Evadne currently lives with her daughter and grandson. She exhibits servant leadership, which is an ongoing goal and priority to make as part of her lifestyle.

She has served at Hope Connection helping to facilitate with the Mending the Soul abuse recovery support groups and volunteer and administrative work.

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Benjamin Weston

Development

Benjamin Weston joined the team at Hope Connection International in September of 2016, as the director of development. He is the son of Debra Barkett and was born and raised in Clayton, North Carolina. Benjamin, now twenty-seven years old, struggled with a drug and alcohol addiction for over nine years and was able to admit himself into a two-year, residential treatment program out of Durham, North Carolina. He completed the program in late August of 2016.

He brings a unique set of skills to Hope Connection, with over nine years of sales and customer service experience.

Benjamin has a passion to help individuals, families, and many others that have experienced any substance abuse related issues. He is able to communicate with the younger generation of individuals experimenting with drugs and alcohol, on a personal level.

He loves the Lord with all of his heart and is driven to share with others how God gave him a chance to start a new life, clean and sober.

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Carie Blum

Director

Carie Blum is a workforce enablement manager specializing in Knowledge Management and AI tools. She has over 30 years of professional experience in the HR and IT industries.

Although very proud of her professional accomplishments, Carie is most happy talking about her personal life. She has been married for 30 years to her husband Tim, and has two children: Craig and Lauren. Added to the family is a wonderful daughter-in-law, Erin, and three grandchildren that make her heart explode with joy every time she thinks or talks about them: Madison, Brooke, and Derek.

Carie has been involved in many hours of volunteer work with Hope Connection over the past several years including writing the newsletter, working Duke basketball and football games, and other odds and ends where her time is most needed.

In addition to her time with Hope Connection, she is also the volunteer meals director for Special Olympics of North Carolina Summer Games every year.

Debra Barkett

Founder + President

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Greg Chartier

Vice President

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Diane Hoffmeister

Secretary

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Margy Vaglio

Treasurer

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Ben Weston

Development Director

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Carie Blum

Director

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Advisors

Business Consultants: Mary Affee, Stephen and Christy Cochran, Jayme Dimitroff, Larry Gilson, Jackie McKenzie, Rex Osborne, Rex Vick, John White

Web Administrator: Jeff Barnhill

Accountant: Nell Ban

Former Board Members

Melissa Poormon
Nick Giuggio
Susanne Bowyer
Sandy Reynolds Jones
Amanda Washek
Bob Hooley
John Stephens
Vickie
Rick Wahlers
Justin Wahlers
James Herrington
Emily Andersen
Evelyn Reynolds
Suzy Jacques
Evadne Morakis

Charter Board Members

Stephanie Jones Caddell

Diane Hoffmeister

John White

Our Friends

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