Our EXCITING NEW Ministry!! "Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc."

[Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks, PsyD]

Praise God!! God is gooood!! God has truly heard the cries of His homeless people and sent them help!! I thank God for using me to be a part of what He is doing for the homeless communities, in Lake County Florida!! God made possible this week (week of June 11, 2017) for my Friend Hope and I, to begin "Hands Up" Homeless Backpack Program; with the Program, we also launched a new Ministry, "Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc."  This is God's doing and it is marvelous in our sight! I am honored to be a part of this awesome Ministry, God has entrusted in Hope and my hands! 

What It Is: Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) organization; therefore, your gifts are tax-deductible; it is a subsidiary of The Lula McGrady Foundation, Inc. (TLMF). TLMF is a Christian based nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization, which believes in healing of the whole person: spirit, soul, and body. The mission of TLMF is to alleviate the pain and suffering associated with domestic violence and being homeless. Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. believe their support to the homeless, will give them a hands up and not be a hand out; restoring their faith in God, hope for a better life; we want them to see the love of God at work, reaching out to them. This is God’s ministry; He has entrusted it to us and we will do all we can to help alleviate the pain and suffering, of the homeless.

Founder’s Vision: Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. was founded by Hope Reaves and Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks because of their desire to see the homeless set free, and delivered from the bondage of homelessness; they want the homeless lives to be better. Hope and Dr. Hooks want the homeless to know that God loves them and teach them about God; as well as want them to experience God’s love and grace, for themselves. Dr. Hooks knows what it is like to be homeless and broken; she was homeless and broken!  BUT God! God wants to turn the homeless’ lives around too, like He did Dr. Hooks’ life!

Mission:  To let the homeless know that God loves them very much and have not forgotten about them; that God cares about them – right where they are! We want to show the homeless God want to give them His hand, so HE can pull them up! We are the instruments, God is using to help the homeless, build better lives for themselves.

Purpose: The purpose of Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. is to help the homeless get set free from bondages that is hindering them, from having a productive life; therefore, we will minister to the whole person: spirit, soul, body.

“Hands Up” Backpack Program: The “Hands Up” Backpack Program is a way we are using to help restore hope to the homeless by showing them God loves them; not with lip service but allowing them to experience the tangible love of God – through us! We believe that the homeless deserves respect and should be treated with dignity; a lot of them does not want handouts so we are giving them a “Hands Up!” Each month, our dedicated team of volunteers will go to a different area in Lake County, that is frequently visited by the homeless and distribute the backpacks.

Short-term Goal: The first short-term goal of Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. is to provide the necessary daily items, in a backpack, to the homeless in Leesburg, Florida and the surrounding cities. We will distribute the backpacks once a month, to a different city in Lake County Florida. We began our homeless backpack ministry on June 16, 2017, distributing our first backpacks, to the homeless in the Tavares area. We have pictures and a testimony of one of the gentlemen we helped on our first day. The joy the guys felt, it is nothing I have witnessed before; I was so very blessed to see hopelessness in those men, change to joy and one immediately recognized it was God! It was AMAZING!! The second short-term goal is to open short-term homeless facilities; starting with one, and increasing them as God gives the increase.

Long-term Goal: The “Hands Up” Backpack Program, is the first program for Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. This is just the beginning; we will eventually be able to extend the “Hands Up” Backpack Program, globally, with distribution centers, all over the world. TLMF, which the Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc. is a part of, will build full homeless facilities for civilians and Veterans, not only in Lake County Florida, but globally. The facilities will provide food, housing, mentoring, life skills training, and counseling for up to 6 months for the homeless (civilian or Veteran). Again, as with the “Hands Up” Backpack Program, not giving them a hand out, but a hand up! Applicants must be drug free or willing to be enrolled in drug treatment program and desire to seek employment. The educational training program, “Tools for Triumphant Living,” will be taught weekly at the facilities to teach the homeless, the life skills they need, to live in society effectively. Veterans will be referred to other Veteran supported agencies, if we cannot fully meet their needs.

We are asking you to help us make a difference in the lives of the homeless, by giving a tax-deductible gift to Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc.’s “Hands Up” Backpack Program. If we join together, we can make a difference in the lives of the homeless.   We are beginning the backpack program in Lake County and will spread throughout the world. When you partner with us, you will be a part of what God is doing in the lives of the homeless here in Lake County Florida and around the world. If you would like to learn more about “Hands Up Homeless Ministries, Inc.,” I can be reached at: [e-mail].

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God bless you and thank you!

Dr. Dorothy E. Hooks