HFS

The History of HOPE

24-Hour Help-Line (941) 755-6805

HOPE Family Services, Inc. was founded in 1979. The shelter began in the home of a dedicated advocate. Within a year a grant was secured to pay off the mortgage, thus, HOPE was firmly established as Manatee County's only domestic violence Safe Shelter. The addition of a 24-hour helpline allowed HOPE to become immediately accessible to victims regardless of the day or time.

In 1986, HOPE expanded its services to include counseling for the children of domestic violence victims, parenting support and an additional full-time outreach counselor for victims. An Outreach Counseling Office was established and HOPE received its first grant through the Victims of Crime Act.

HOPE assisted the Clerk of the Circuit Court of Manatee County in establishing the Violence Protection Advocate Division, a program unique to the office in that advocates assist victims not only in filing injunctions, but in attending court proceedings with them as well. This program won the 1992 Florida Network of Victims Services Award.

HOPE was one of the founding members of the Domestic Violence Council in Manatee County, a hardworking group comprised of local judges, the State Attorney, the Public Defender, the Clerk of the Circuit Court, the Sheriff, Department of Children and Families and HOPE. In late 1996, HOPE saw the inception of a new, innovative program called “Community Policing”. Three trained domestic violence advocates, employed by HOPE, were placed in the community and paired with law enforcement officers. The goal of the program is to assess victims immediately after a domestic violence incident and offer victims the entire scope of available services in an effort to keep them safe from further harm.

In 1998, HOPE opened our thrift store, The HOPE Chest. The HOPE Chest has assisted individuals with clothing, furniture, and other household items. Fiscal year 1998-1999 saw a complete remodeling of HOPE's Outreach Counseling Office. The Junior League, in partnership with the Selby Foundation, contributed time and money to make the Outreach Counseling Office a warm and welcoming, healing place. In 1999-2000, the Safe Shelter was renovated and became completely ADA compliant. In 2005, in concert with our sister agency, SPARCC in Sarasota; transitional housing was added to our list of services.

With media attention focused on the long-standing epidemic of domestic violence and abuse, community awareness of HOPE's mission continues to grow. HOPE receives stronger support from individuals, local and national corporations and local government.