in the organization ’ s winter newsletter earlier this year .
Hope Village sits on nearly 30 acres of land in the heart of the city . It was founded as a home for abused and neglected foster children , not only locally but from across Mississippi .
Since its beginning more than two decades ago , Hope Village has provided a safe and secure home , as well as a family-like support system , to more than 2,100 children statewide .
Its campus is made up of an emergency shelter for children ages birth to 18 , three cottages licensed as long-term therapeutic residential facilities for children ages 12 to 18 , two transitional homes for those young adults transitioning out of the foster care system , and a licensed therapeutic foster care program .
During the COVID-19 pandemic , Hope Village was not allowed to take in as many children but the numbers are increasing now that restrictions are being waived .
“ Each one of our group homes can have 10 kids , so we can have 30 there . Our shelter can have 12 and each transition home can have four young adults . When we are full , it is pretty busy ,” Province said .
Hope Village has also been in the midst of a campus revitalization project during the last few years .
Ward has raised the money to renovate a girls ’ cottage and one of the boys ’ cottages , each 4,000 square feet , and turn them into spaces that feel like a home with comfy furniture , colorful wallpaper , reading niches , bright carpet designs , graffiti murals and more . The second boys cottage , the emergency shelter and the transitional homes still need to be tackled .
Fundraising is underway for the renovation of the 5,000-square-foot recreational community center on campus , Province said . The project needs everything redone from electrical and plumbing to painting to new windows and doors . The heating , cooling and ventilation system also needs upgrading .
The dream is to create a community space for both boy and girl residents where they can interact , play games , exercise , dance or create art projects all under the supervision of staff .
“ If we have a place where everybody can do whatever they want , then someone can go play video games while another person watches a movie and someone else exercises while someone else works on an art project ,” she said . “ And staff can be there for all of it and all of the kids would have something to do .”
Being teenage girls and boys , they want to hang out together but they need supervision , Province said , “ and this will provide that space .”
Hope Village has received numerous contributions for its revitalization projects , but more donations are needed .
You can support Hope Village for Children by :
• Shopping at the Hope Village Thrift Store
• Signing up for the Annual Run for Hope
• Sponsoring an Around Town Carousel
• Purchasing a We Give Hope to Kids yard sign
• Donating online at hopevillagems . org / donate /
• Selecting it as your charity on Amazon Smile .
The renovated girls ’ cottage at Hope Village for Children offers a more home-like environment for the residents with comfy furniture , colorful wallpaper , bright carpet designs , modern furniture and cozy bedrooms . Founder Sela Ward took an active role in the makeover with local interior designer Hallie Ward , her sister-in-law , the designer on the project .
About 55 percent of Hope Village ’ s annual operating budget comes from federal and state sources , with the remaining 45 percent coming from fundraising , Province said . So , there is little money built into the budget for major renovations or upgrades .
The Associated Builders and Contractors of Mississippi has adopted Hope Village as it charity mission this year , which has been a blessing , with contributions to go toward the community center project , Province said .
ABC has encouraged all of its members to unite and support Hope Village and has pledged proceeds from several events , including crawfish boils , a barbecue cooking contest and a golf tournament , will go to the revitalization campaign .
“ It really is a blessing to have been a part of this organization from the beginning ,” Province said . “ I believe in the work we do , and I look forward to the next chapter .” www . meridianstar . com
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