Mission
House of Hope’s mission is to encourage, equip, and empower individuals to live fully through spiritual, emotional, and mental health support.
Who We Serve
We serve every individual in every season of life.
Our Vision
We commit to serving our community compassionately, speaking with a voice of hope, and creating opportunities for individuals to passionately pursue Jesus.
Values
Surrender.
We anchor our lives to God, trusting His will is always better.
Disciple.
We walk alongside one another, focusing on the process with integrity, kindness, and intentional connections.
Serve.
We have an abundant mindset and a hopeful heart, believing those served by the House of Hope will experience life transformation.
Statement of Faith
We believe the Bible to be the divinely inspired and the only infallible, inerrant and authoritative word of God (II Timothy 3:16, Romans 15:4, II Peter 1:20-21).
We believe that there is one God, infinitely perfect and eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Romans 5:5, John 1:1-3, 14).
We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in his virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory (John 10:30, II Corinthians 5:21, John 21:24-25, Acts 1:9, Mark 16:19, Luke 24:6-7, Revelation 19:11-16).
We believe that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential for the salvation of lost and sinful men (Titus 3:5, Romans 12:2, John 3:5-6).
We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life (II Thessalonians 3:13, I Peter 1:2, Ephesians 3:14-20).
We believe in the spiritual unity of all believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, no matter to which Bible-believing church they belong, ever seeking together to become more and more in every way like Christ who is the head of His body, the church. (Ephesians 3:1-15, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Galatians 3:28).
We believe that salvation is entirely by grace, through one’s personal faith in the person and finished work of Jesus Christ upon the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Our History
In 2001, House of Hope was established as a transitional housing facility for women in crisis and those exiting prison in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. The first year, 15 women and children stayed at the house for one year. A former resident shares her experience:
“Residency at House of Hope has been an incredible experience for me. It has been a time of healing, growth and inquisition. One thing that has made it so impactful is the balance between community and solitude. Between the staff and other residents, I am surrounded by people who are encouraging and skilled at helping people get beyond the surface issues that often clog up our lives. But I also have space and accountability to take the things I am learning and apply them.”
All 15 women and children made significant strides in meeting their practical needs, such as securing a job or housing. While they continue to grapple with their traumatic pasts and addictions, including domestic violence, sex trafficking, and drug addictions, the progress they’ve made is a testament to their resilience. To further support their journey, House of Hope introduced educational classes on healing, boundaries, and spiritual guidance. Initially, classes were exclusively offered to residents, leading to noticeable improvements in their lives. Many community members observed these positive changes and expressed a strong interest in participating in the classes themselves. Recognizing this demand, the educational program expanded to include women from the broader community, creating a larger impact and fostering a spirit of inclusivity and collaboration.
This shift not only empowered more women but also strengthened community ties, as participants shared their experiences and learned from one another. The program became a vital resource for personal and collective growth, uplifting the entire community in the process. Through these classes, some participants were not only able to confront significant trauma but were also empowered to seek additional support through licensed therapy, enhancing their healing journey and fostering resilience. This dual approach has proven to be crucial in promoting lasting change and well-being for individuals grappling with deep-seated emotional challenges. Recognizing the critical need for mental health support among our residents and class participants, House of Hope took a significant step forward by partnering with qualified professionals to launch comprehensive on-site therapy services.
This expansion enriched the lives of the residents and the community as well as reinforced the facility’s commitment to fostering resilience, self-discovery and lasting change. Although the residency program is exclusively for women, classes and therapy are available to both men and women. House of Hope stands as a testament to the strength of solidarity and the enduring belief that every woman deserves a chance to rebuild her life.