THE MISSION OF HOPE HOUSE

Hope House is dedicated to providing abandoned, abused, poverty-stricken boys with a safe and loving home. All children receive a primary education and vocational training. They are taught relational skills that enable them to mature socially and develop needed confidence. Hope House is a children's shelter that provides housing and foster care for boys from the age of 6-18. Government agencies take these boys from unsafe homes and place them in the foster care of registered orphanages while permanent housing is found, a process that may take several years. Boys that had zero dreams and most often, no birth certificate, are given genuine encouragement and a schedule of disciplined hours to learn to read and write. They also learn about God, His

ways, His love and His promises.  When the boys arrive, they have no possessions only the clothes they are wearing. Often times they came from homes that did not have running water, or a roof. Some have never sat at a table to eat a meal, been to school, or owned something as meager as a belt, a blanket, or a coffee mug of their own.  Many have been the subject of horrific abuse, or they have personally watched their mothers and siblings being beaten, even die at the hand of their father.  Hope House is a faith-based organization that operates with the help of volunteers and from donations by people who desire to make a difference in the life of a child. 

Upon arriving at Hope House, each boy receives clean clothing, a school uniform, their own bunk and a coffee mug with their name on it. All boys are given the opportunity to earn merits for good behavior and doing chores. By collecting good merits they can purchase luxury items such as hair cream, new shoes, books, cologne and other prized personal possessions.   

All boys receive medical and dental care.  They also receive counseling from a qualified therapist. Once a boy reaches the age of 18, according to the Mexican government, the teen must depart from any state authorized institution.  Hope House works hard to prepare them by teaching the boys how to read, write and a trade that will allow them to be self-supporting.

Hope House receives 2-3 calls per week from the Mexican government with candidates to interview.  All boys admitted to Hope House have been rescued by the government from an unsafe home. Because of limited funds and qualified staffing, Hope House is unable to provide a home for any boy that has tested positive for drug abuse.  Find out how you could make a difference. Click onto the HOPE HOUSE NEWS link entitled: How your GIFT of HOPE works --- Thanks!

HISTORY OF HOPE HOUSE

Hope House grew out of Rodney and Kina Dutro's heart's desire to serve God by helping the needy. This couple dreamed of reaching out to the under privileged, the orphans, families and individuals. Shepherd’s Heart Ministries Inc. was founded in 1995. Rodney Dutro is an ordained minister through Calvary Church, which is a part of the Calvary Alliance of Churches. Both Rodney and Kina have received a Master of Arts in Christian Theology from Life Christian University and they both hold several secular degrees as well.  The Dutro's dream resulted in their early mission work teaching English as a Second Language in Hong Kong, traveling to India to document a children’s home and leading many short-term mission teams to Mexico. What they experienced on these travels transformed their lives and left them with a passion to serve God and provide an answer to the cries of poverty and hopelessness they encountered. Inspired by the passionate description of the “heart” of a shepherd rescuing a sheep from the mouth of a lion. God's word Amos 3:12.  The Dutro's received their 501(c)(3) status in 2002.  

They effectively helped increase awareness and turn hearts toward the underprivileged and in 2008, they founded Hope House, a home for abused, abandoned and neglected boys ages 2-18.  In obedience to God’s calling, in 2008 they also moved to Mexico as full-time missionaries. Living among the people in a small “pueblo” they began to learn the language and culture of rural Mexico. For years they assisted poor families through a Sponsor-A-Child program which allowed children living in poverty to have nourishing meals, receive an education and medical care. The program also offered emergency financial assistance to families, bible studies, English classes and practical infant care seminars.  Over the years, Shepherd’s Heart has co-labored with many churches, ministries and missionaries both in the United States and Mexico to help meet the spiritual and physical needs of the poor and destitute.

It is the policy of Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc. to honestly share the challenges and situations we face. We make these needs and potential solutions known so that our ministry partners can prayerfully consider sharing financially.  We are responsible in our management, truthful in our advertising,  cost-effective in our purchasing, and prudent when applying funds towards the most important needs.  As responsible stewards, when funding requirements for a designated need or project are met, the policy of Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc is to apply any excess funds to the next priority, project of Hope House in Mexico.

HOPE WOOD SHOP

Al Reynolds and Walt teach the boys

The Rotary has provided an up-to-date WOOD workshop facility. Although the workshop is a highly professional facility, it lacks adequate professional training capabilities, equipment and staff. This program seeks to provide the necessary skills to develop a curriculum, train the boys and maintain the facility so that the boys have a distinct advantage in learning life skills and professional skills to help make them financially independent once leaving HOPE HOUSE at the age of 18. You might ask: How can you help?  

Have you been thinking about having a custom desk, bed frame, a cabinet, step stairs custom built? How about some Christmas gifts? The boys at HOPE HOUSE would love to build what you want according to your needed measurements.  Give them a project to work on, and at the same time know that your project will be increasing revenues to keep this shop running, and it will also build confidence in the new vocation of these boys. 

This WOOD workshop program is being worked in conjunction with Rotary Club of Ajijic, Jalisco, Mexico. http://www.rotaryajijic.org - The soap dish above sells for about 50 pesos, the vase 100 pesos, the wooden pen sells for 300 pesos.  Items can all be made to customize your gift giving.  Anything above the listed price of course goes towards supporting HOPE HOUSE monthly operational cost.

HOPE GARDEN

HOPE HOUSE has a section of land dedicated for growing fruits and veggies. It is an active vocational training area for HOPE HOUSE boys to master gardening. Three methods are available - normal ground level gardening, raised bed gardening and aquaponics. 

HOPE HOUSE is in need of another volunteer willing to help train the boys and maintain the garden.  This totally organic garden grows lettuce, zucchini  tomatoes, and some flowers.

Another plan is to remove some trees in a large unused area and install a soccer field for the boys recreation.  For abused boys to learn team sports and rules of conduct will help them when they must leave HOPE HOUSE at the age of 18.

Do you have a green thumb? Do you enjoy gardening but have no space at your home in Mexico to grow vegetables? Do you have valuable gardening experience to share at HOPE HOUSE? We could use your expertise!

CONTACT HOPE HOUSE at 376-762-0032
Set up an interview for the purpose of becoming a registered VOLUNTEER!

Rodrigo's Dream

This is Rodrigo, at the age of 13. Rodrigo learned much in the four years that he lived at Hope House. He ventured out with improved confidence as a result of the schooling and emotional support he received from the entire Hope House staff. He excelled in math, and enjoyed learning how to read and write.  At home he was never encouraged to be creative or learn.  In his new supportive environment he became proud of his talent for drawing. Rodrigo was a great help in the kitchen and a very hard worker in the garden. He departed with the dream of becoming a chef.  Rodrigo is remembered fondly for his love of pizza and music. The staff could hear him singing as he did his assigned chores.  He entertained the boys with fun songs. Rodrigo's memory Bible verse is in Philippians and it says, “For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Your monthly GIFTS encourage boys like Rodrigo to believe in their dreams. You can GIVE with confidence that your GIFT changed a life! Thank You!

GIVE WISELY

You should investigate us and FEEL GOOD about your donation.  Hope House invites you to research us before you donate. WISE ADVICE:

Budget for giving. Include DONATIONS in your budget.  It is a financial commitment.

Be informed. Investigate the charity’s 501(c)3 number, the solicitor’s name and relationship to the organization. CLICK this LINK to Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc .  Hope House is registered under the name of Casa Hogar Una Esperanza en el Corazon, A.C. as a Mexican Civil Association located in Ixtlahuacan de los Membrillos, Jalisco, Mexico.  It is supported by Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc as an outreach.

Hope House is overseen by a Board of Directors who are supervised by the Mexican government agencies IJAS (Instituto Jaliscience de Asistencia Social), and Consejo Estatal de Familia.  All financial activity is monitored and regularly audited by the Secretaria de Hacienda.  

Check Non-Profit Status:  Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc in Jonesborough, TN.  Shepherd's Heart partners with existing churches in Mexico in order to bridge cultural barriers and to assist these churches in meeting the needs within their community. This, in turn, creates a ministry that is more than just a "hand out" because it establishes an accountable relationship between the family receiving the assistance and the local church. As a result, families receive practical, physical assistance and Biblical discipleship training while the local church grows and matures.

Keep records. For gifts of less than $250, a canceled check is sufficient for IRS requirements. For larger gifts, you’ll need a tax-deductible receipt from the charity as confirmation. (Donations made through PAYPAL, to benefit HOPE HOUSE, receive an email confirmation, which serves as a receipt.)

Understand how much is really tax deductible. If you receive a premium in exchange for your gift (such as a book or a dinner), the amount of your tax deduction is reduced by the fair market value of that item. You can turn down the incentive if you wish to claim the full deduction.

VIDEO TOUR of HOPE HOUSE

SONG: In Christ Alone

SHEPHERDS HEART MINISTRIES, INC

CLICK this LINK to go to Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc
Shepherd's Heart Ministries, Inc

HOPE HOUSE WEBSITE and PAYPAL LINK

CLICK this LINK
HOPE HOUSE WEBSITE / PAYPAL button