Hope Connection International
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    • Depression and Anxiety Recovery
    • Grief Support
    • Walking In Wisdom (Interdependence)
    • Setting Healthy Boundaries
  • Deja vu Thrift Store
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#GivingTuesday Matching funds

11/22/2017

 
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A Once-A-Year Opportunity for Your Gift
This year #GivingTuesday falls on November 28th. In celebration, Facebook and the Bill & Melinda Gates ​Foundation will be matching up to $2 million of funds raised on Facebook for US nonprofits.

Facebook is also waiving its fees for donations made to nonprofits on Facebook this #GivingTuesday.
Click here to learn more about #GivingTuesday [Video]
​Donations to nonprofits made through Facebook’s charitable giving tools on November 28th will be matched up to $50,000 per nonprofit or $1,000 per fundraiser or donate button, until the $2 million in matching funds run out.
​The match will begin at 8AM EST (5AM PST).
Together we can show those hurting this season that a little love goes a long way
#GivingTuesday
Last, year the matching funds ran out early in the morning.  But, being on the east coast gives us a HUGE advantage to DOUBLE your generosity.   

Join us on this global day of giving by helping us spread the word or by signing up on Facebook to help us raise critical funding that will help us provide for the many women, children, and men who are under are care. 

On the morning of November 28th visit our Facebook page and join us in a #GivingTuesday COUNTDOWN live on Facebook! 

​Then, at 8AM, November 28th, make your most generous gift you can afford and watch it double!
​​Click here to learn how to set up a Fundraising page on Facebook (It's easy)
Together we can make a difference!
​The match begins at 8AM EST (5AM PST) and will run until it is out.
 
Up to $1,000 per fundraiser or donate button can be matched.
 
Up to $50,000 per nonprofit button can be matched.

Donate On Our Facebook Page

From the desk of... a loved one left behind

11/21/2017

 
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The following guest-post was written by Christine, who lost her brother due to an overdose last year.  It is an open glimpse into her mind and feelings.  Thank you for allowing us to share this, Christine. 
As the year-mark of my beloved brother Andrew’s passing approaches, I wanted to write about some forth-comings and thoughts I've been dealing with this past year and am wanting to express. I want to write this for my own therapeutic sake but most importantly to raise awareness of this current drug-overdose epidemic in the US. Please no judgment as I am doing this in hope that my family’s troubling experience can be used to help others in a positive way. I will first start off with a little background. 


Read More

Help us Raise Money on Facebook [infographic]

11/21/2017

 
Help us help the women, children, and men struggling with abuse and addiction
This coming Tuesday, 11/28 is called #GivingTuesday, a global movement started in 2012 to encourage communities to give to the local charities that are making an impact in our community.
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You can learn more about Giving Tuesday HERE.

Click here for an exciting announcement about a Matching Gift!

This year, Hope Connection International is a part of the #GivingTuesday movement and we need your help raising funds on Facebook.

Below is a graphic that walks you through the easy process of signing up to help us raise money! 
​
It takes about 5 minutes and will provide the critical funding we need to continue to support victims of abuse, recovering addicts, and the many women, men, and children that rely on us throughout the year.

This is the link to our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HopeConnectionInternational/

Thank you for considering us in this season of giving.
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Author

John Stephens
​Marketing Director

#GivingTuesday and hope connection international [Video]

11/15/2017

 
Click Here for Awesome news from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation!

We have two days for getting deals – Black Friday and Cyber Monday.  On #GivingTuesday, we have a day for giving back.  Together, people are creating a new ritual for our annual calendar.  #GivingTuesday is the opening day of the giving season: a reminder of the “reason for the season.”

This year, Hope Connection International is participating in #GivingTuesday and we invite you to join us by volunteering your time, talent, and financial resources.  Help us prevent homelessness caused by violent home situations.  Help us minister to those who need a ray of hope during the holidays.

Every act of generosity counts, and each act means even more when we give together.  #GivingTuesday is a celebration of our families, communities, and tackling our shared problems head-on.


Like many non-profits, Hope Connection International depends on a strong push for critical funding at the end of the year.   #GivingTuesday is a great opportunity help the people around you that are silently battling abuse and addiction.  But, a small or large contribution is not the only way to give.

WAYS YOU CAN GIVE:
Make a donation on Tuesday, November 28!

Volunteer for a Duke game [LINK]
Volunteer at our store, Déjà vu Furniture and Home Décor!  [LINK]
Donate a furniture or home décor item to our thrift store, Déjà vu!
PHONE: (919) 650-3320

​
#GivingTuesday, #SurvivorSupport, @HopeConnectionInternational, #GivingBack, #UnSelfie

Author

John Stephens
​Marketing Director

From Domestic Violence to mass murder

11/9/2017

 
Devin Kelley and Texas Shooting
     Last Sunday, twenty-six innocent people lost their lives in yet another senseless mass shooting at a rural Texas church.  As usual, national media interrupted their daytime coverage of whatever mess is going on elsewhere to focus the attention on this breaking news.  As usual, pundits and anchors tried their very best under their incredibly limited 24/7 time restrictions to cover all the bases and interject usual outrage over yet another mass shooting.  Then, coverage turned to usual inquiry. 

     Why would anyone, in their right mind, senselessly murder a bunch of innocent churchgoers?  As the questions came to pass, the answers followed shortly. 
 
      After Sandy Hook, Aurora, San Bernardino, Charleston, Orlando, Las Vegas, and now Sutherland Springs in recent memory, it has become easier to justify mass shootings as the way things are.  We express our sympathy and sorrow.  We vent our outrage at these barbaric acts of carnage.  We lower our American flags to half-mast, where they tragically end up staying in the midst of our tragedy-acclimated society.  Then, we return to our daily lives.  While it’s impossible to grieve forever, it’s important to respond in a way that shines light on the deeper issues society must address. 

     At the end of the day, doing something to understand the causes of tragedy and prevent similar events from happening in the future shows due respect to the victims lost and for all humanity.

       An investigation of the Sutherland Springs shooting found that the killer, Devin Patrick Kelley, possessed a criminal record and should have never been permitted to purchase a gun.  However, let’s put the gun issue aside for a moment and consider another important aspect to consider about the shooter: his history of perpetrating domestic violence.

       NPR reported shortly after the event that Kelley assaulted “his wife and their young child in 2012” as he served in the military.  After being court-martialed for fracturing “his baby stepson’s skull” and assaulting his wife, Kelley received a “bad conduct discharge” (Dwyer, 2017) in 2014.  It is important to note that even though mass shootings do not commonly occur, many mass shooters happen to be domestic batterers.  One gun control advocacy group reports that “54 percent” (Everytown for Gun Safety, 2017) of mass shootings relate to domestic violence. 

     Several mass shooters over recent years also had histories of family violence, like Adam Lanza at Sandy Hook, Omar Mateen at Orlando Pulse nightclub, and Stephen Paddock at Las Vegas.  Nevertheless, media sources seldom publicize the link between mass killings and domestic violence, until now. 

      Perhaps the domestic violence link is more salient now because of how the Sutherland Springs shooter’s primary motive stemmed from a domestic dispute with his mother-in-law.  Other shootings that did not contain such an explicit link with domestic matters were often attributed to other factors like ISIS radicalization or mental illness.  Nonetheless, domestic violence and mass murder contain similar roots and closer ties. 

       Deborah Epstein of the Georgetown Domestic Violence Law Clinic described the phenomenon of mass shootings as a “circle of fear and intimidation” (Epstein, 2017), remarkably similar to the process domestic batterers use to control their intimate partners.  Whether it comes to an intimate partner or people living throughout town, the abuser intends to invoke fear, a factor used to terrorize victims.

      As a society, we must take these threats seriously.  Domestic violence has often been stereotyped as a feminist issue, but, in reality, the implications span further.  

      First, domestic violence is a public safety issue.  Though significant links can be drawn between mass shootings and intimate partner violence in a few select incidents, domestic violence also concurs with violent crime on a broader scale. 

     A study conducted by the US Department of Justice found that “15%” (Truman et. al 2014) of all violent crime victimizations involved the intimate partner.  In addition, domestic violence is a children’s issue.  Every year, up to “10 million children” (Moylan et. al 2010) witness domestic violence at home.  Unfortunately, many of these children inevitably grow up to become the abusers or the abused.  This is how the cycle of violence is perpetuated.  As children grow accustomed to relationship violence at home, many develop “PTSD… anxiety… [and] depression” (Garcia-Moreno & Pallitto, 2013), mental illnesses which lead to the continuation of domestic violence in their own relationships.
 
     At Hope Connection, we acknowledge that hurting people hurt people.  This is not to justify their actions, but almost every single person who conduct such heinous acts of violence suffered through intense physical trauma as children.  In response to tragedies like the Sutherland Springs shooting, we here at Hope Connection make it our mission to care for the children exposed to family violence.  We believe in engaging with these children while they’re still young so that they will never grow up to become mass murderers and domestic batterers. 

     That’s why we offer support groups like Care for the Vulnerable Child.  Under this program for kids aged 5-12, we provide these children, who witnessed domestic violence or experienced abuse or abandonment, opportunities for emotional healing. 

     That’s why we, here at Hope Connection, strive to carry out the next phase in our vision: opening up a long-term housing facility for victims of domestic violence.  For more information about this new supportive, long-term housing project, please visit our information page:
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https://www.hope-connection.org/supportive-housing.html

​

Author

Justin Wahlers
Outreach Director

Yes, We're Open!

11/1/2017

 
Our thrift store opens next week!
We are thrilled to announce that we are opening the doors to our thrift store, Déjà vu Furniture and Home Décor!

We have put together just enough funding to give this business a shot thanks to a few folks that were willing to make a sacrificial donation to kick-start it.

The work that we have ahead to make the store successful is mountainous.  But, if it is successful, it will be able to provide badly needed funding which will help us expand our help to the many women and men who have nowhere to go.

John Stephens, our marketing director, originally crafted the business plan with me and will be stepping into the role of General Manager for the store.

In order to do this, he had to put in his notice with Domtar, where he helped manufacture health care products.

John said, “It was hard to leave the stability that came with my job at Domtar Personal Care.  I am leaving behind some amazing people and a great company.”

“I’m a little scared.  There’s a lot riding on this store succeeding.  Not just for my family, but for everyone who needs our help at Hope Connection. 

​It’s the key to unlocking the supportive housing vision and I’m really excited about doing my part for that.  But, I know I’m going to have to perform.  I’m really going to need some help and I’m glad for the words of encouragement that I have received.”

The store, located at 1301 Buck Jones Road in Raleigh, will be open for regular hours, Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 6PM. 

We will start these hours next week on Tuesday, November 7th.

Please feel free to come by and shop, drop off donations, and share your thoughts with us as we work on gathering furniture and building the store out. 

We will be holding a grand opening when the store is looking great and our inventory is up to par levels.
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We are very excited and very blessed for this opportunity!

Click Here to learn more about our thrift store.

Author

Debra Barkett
Founder & President

WPTF AM 680 Interviews Ben Weston from Hope Connection International

10/29/2017

 
Ben Weston from Hope Connection International talks about how we help victims of abuse, recovering addicts, and people dealing with grief or depression.
We were recently contacted by the great folks over at AM 680 (WPTF) to discuss some of the work we are doing in the community.

We sent our very own Benjamin Weston over to chat with Brandon Dickson who is an afternoon and evening host.

Benjamin did a fantastic job and we are so grateful that the guys and gals over at Curtis Media Group were able to give us some time.

Listen to the audio and transcript of that interview below.

Transcript:


BEN:  So, our charity, the name is Hope Connection International. Our community care facility is located on Buck Jones Road here in Raleigh. it's on the corner of Walnut Street and Buck Jones Road. 

So, what our program is based on, who we want to help and who we're helping now, is men and women who have had problems, who have struggled with abuse in their lives of any kind.  It could be anything from physical abuse, emotional abuse, just things of that nature -- is kind of what we help with right now.

We have support groups nearly every night of the week, except on Sunday.  So we do a lot there and we fill up our classes pretty quickly.  So, anything from grief to a depression group -- we have a Mending the Soul group which is great.  It's for victims of abuse.  They can kind of recover from what they're dealing with there.
 
I personally teach in addiction recovery class every Tuesday evening -- it's from 7:00 to 8:00 -- so that's a wonderful class in itself and there's a lot of good help that you can get there.

BRANDON: Now, you mentioned physical and emotional abuse - also substance abuse in there andI think the unique part and the great part about Hope Connection International is that it doesn't just focus on the person -- focuses on the family as a whole.
Because, it's not usually just one person that it affects it affects everyone else around you.

BEN:  That's right it affects everyone in the family and it's really tough for, especially in a substance abuse situation, for the families to kind of have some healing time. 

So, long-term treatment is usually a good option and that's what we're hoping to provide in the future.  It’s kind of help folks that are transitioning out of substance abuse treatment just to kind of give them a good stable place where they have somewhere to go and live. 

And, just have a good community where they don't have to worry about you know – any alcohol or drugs being brought up there.

Author

John Stephens
Marketing Director

Deja Vu: Our Thrift Store [Infographic]

10/22/2017

 
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Hope Connection International Blog

10/21/2017

 
Hope Connection International Blog

Okay, help me name this...

Welcome to our new and amazing blog! I just don’t know what we should call it, yet.

And, I’m going to need your help naming it.

I usually put the title in last when I write.

So, before you submit your name for our blog at the bottom of the page, you need to know what kind of content is going in it.

Our purpose is to help you through life’s ugly parts so that you can see a path to life’s beauty.

I want to show you there is real hope, especially during tough times.

And, I need to show you hope without passing a judgement on where you might be in your life right now.

People come to us from every different background you can think of – because abuse, addiction, grief and depression don’t care what color, race, or religion you are. Or your politics. Unfortunately, these issues are for everyone.

I assume that you are reading this because you are either
(a) looking for help or

(b) wanting to help someone else.

So, our blog is going to be centered on self-help and helping others.

We’re going to put stuff in it like:

  • Important News: We have some things coming up that are very exciting (in fact, I am drafting some news to release this weekend)
  • Categorized Help: Learn about the issues you or your loved ones are dealing with.
  • Infographics: facts and figures that are easy to read and share about abuse, addiction, grief, and depression.
  • Volunteering: Opportunities to help fight domestic violence and highlighted moments about the people that make this place awesome.
  • The story of you: Insight into what others have gone through and survived by reading and listening to their stories.
  • Behind the curtain: A look into the insight and lives of the people running Hope Connection International.

Ultimately, our purpose is to let you know that you are not alone, that God has a plan for you, and that being abused, addicted, or ashamed is not part of that plan.

Now that you know what this blog is for, let’s talk about that name…

I’m honestly not sure what to call this blog.
But, I know that “Hope Connection International Blog” isn’t exactly the most creative.

We want to take the top 5 name ideas and then have everyone put a vote on it!

You decide.

Name Our Blog!

You may submit as many as you like. We will choose the top 5 and take a vote!
Submit Your Name Now

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Author

John Stephens
Marketing Director

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Hope Connection International

1317-B Buck Jones Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27606

(919) 377-1785

Deja vu Furniture and Home Decor

1301-B Buck Jones Rd.
Raleigh, NC 27606

(919) 650-3320

10am-6pm Tue-Sat

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  • Home
  • About
  • Support Groups
    • Mending the Soul
    • Princess Lost and Found
    • Caring for the Vulnerable Child
    • Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse & Neglect
    • Addiction Recovery
    • Loved Ones of Addicts
    • Depression and Anxiety Recovery
    • Grief Support
    • Walking In Wisdom (Interdependence)
    • Setting Healthy Boundaries
  • Deja vu Thrift Store
  • OWL Art Studio
  • 2023 Gala Fundraising Dinner
  • 2022 Golf Tournament
  • Victim Sponsorship
  • Supportive Housing
  • Volunteer
  • Calendar
  • Blog