March 24, 2026 • 30 mins
“Their vision is a community where physical, spiritual, and emotional needs are met and hope is prevalent.” www.hopewithin.org
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Hi, I am Sylvia Moss. This is Insight, a presentation
of iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local
communities and all our listeners who live here. You know,
it's certainly no big secret. Across our country, people are
working harder than ever before and still struggling to meet
the most basic human needs a safe place to live,
food on the table, and healthcare that they can actually afford.
(00:22):
With millions of low income families, parents are working two
or three jobs, doing everything they can to keep their
kids healthy. When they can afford the high cost of
insurance premiums that in many cases have doubled and even tripled,
they lose support through medicaid if they have it. If
you mean it's skipping a doctor's visit, stretching medications, or
choosing between groceries and a medical bill. It's not just
(00:43):
a financial strength, it's an emotional one too. It creates fear, uncertainty,
and a sense of being left behind. Well, you know what,
in Central PA, there is hope for many of these
low income folks because in the middle of all this hardship,
there are people who refuse to look away when the
system falls short or providing free medical care, donation based
dental services and low cost counseling to low income and
(01:06):
uninsured residents in Lancaster, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties is an
organization known as Hope Within Ministries. For almost twenty five years,
Hope Within has been reminding us that compassion is still
alive and that none of us are alone in this fight.
With us. From Hope Within, our Anne Marie McCallister, executive
director and Laurie Rectory Development Director, we're going to talk
(01:26):
about the scope of their need, the impact of the
service they provide, and the challenges they face, as well
as the communities that they serve. My dear Laurie always
good to see you. She's an old iHeart. What would
you call yet?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Oh I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I guess alumnies. That sounds great, yeah, oh yeah those.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It's great to see us.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Oh, thank you, honey. And also I want to talk
to this lady Anne Marie, because she the job as
the executive director with this organization is a lot more. Uh,
I don't want to say complicated, but there's a lot
more responsibilities than most. She juggles so many things and
she's done one heck of a job. So Anri, I
am so so happy that you're here too. Let me
(02:10):
ask you something we all know that we talk about
the insurance premiums that have gone up and Medicaid's been cut.
Have you guys noticed, and please anytime jump in. Have
you guys noticed in the last maybe year or so
that's been the case with the people that come into
your clinic.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
So the answer to that is yes to some degree.
So Hope Within has always been available to the community.
Over the last maybe year and a half, there has
been some questions about what the funding for Medicaid is
going to be. Right, There's also some questions about premiums
(02:51):
for work.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
What do you call it? Work? Well insurance?
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Okay, I was just going to ask what's being proposed
is kind of like welfare to work used to be right, correct.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
So what they're really doing is those that will be
eligible for Medicaid we'll still get it, but they're trying
to determine who still is legitimately while everything is being
shifted at the moment, that's leaving a gap. So we
are seeing people who perhaps have lost health insurance or
(03:26):
are just unable to afford it coming to Hope Within.
And that includes mostly part time workers, single moms, people
that are like chefs and cooks, unskilled workers. They're still working,
but they're not eligible or can't afford health insurance for themselves.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
In addition to that.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
We've also had some people from out of the country,
you know, coming in that wouldn't necessarily have had any
healthcare if we weren't there.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Well, I want to clear something up, and you certainly
would know this. You hear talk about people that are
getting services that the illegal aliens that come into this country,
they do not. They do not get those services.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
They don't from the most of the time. You have
to be in the country five.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Years, okay, in order to be all But there's the
issue with if you have to go to the hospital,
then they can. They can be admitted to an emergency.
So can everybody else who's not getting paid or who
doesn't have insurance in this country. Right.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
That is correct, because if somebody is admitted to a
hospital and they have some sort of an emergency, emergency,
Medicaid is available. Nobody has ever turned down for emergency
health care at any of our local hospitals. In fact,
it's against the law to term people.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
That's my whole point of this. Okay, let me ask you.
I want to talk especially well. First of all, if
people don't know where are you, guys located Hope within
the ministries.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
So we haven't Elizabethtown mailing address, but we really are
in Dauphin County in the Lower Dolphin School District. We're
located on two thirty between Elizabethtown and Middletown. Actual address
is for seven four eight East Harrisburg Pike, Elizabeth TEMs.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
And new service people in Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
Are these people that are referred from agencies? Are they
people that walk in off the street? How do you
get your clients if you are.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
So Hope within it is not a walking clinic.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
We hope to assume primary care for people, so we
don't just do uh like say a vaccine or something
along those lines, although we have done that in urgency cases,
but we really want to have total care for the patient.
We don't want them just coming to us because they
have a problem today and then the rest of their
(05:38):
cholesterol issues, diabetes issues aren't addressed.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Okay, that's great.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
We do establish that creation from.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Yeah, that's that's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Who is it open to? Is it open to? You
have to say a family of five comes in. I
would imagine there are certain income levels.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
They have to be residents excuse me of sister.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Lebanon or Dolphin County, Okay, have an.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Income that fallows at two hundred and fifty percent of
the federal poverty or less, and be uninsured medically.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Okay. And I was trying to do some math before
starting from what I understand, two hundred and fifty percent
of the federal poverty level for an individual's about almost
sixteen thousand, Am I right? And for a family for
about thirty three or did that change?
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I think it's changed for twenty twenty six. I'm sorry,
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but
it is very generous. Medicaid is available to those eligible
who have who follow at one hundred and thirty eight
percent of the federal poverty level. So we're pretty much
we're catching the people that are above one thirty eight.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
And less than two fifty Okay, gotcha, Okay, let's talk
about the services. One of the things I think is
super important is that I mentioned that this is not
oh I need support, happy days, let's go. It's a
meaning for a lot of people. It's depressing, but you
(07:02):
do have services that support those people with those issues.
I think that's a huge thing. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
So it's really surprising because you know, I have health
issues myself, and when I go to a doctor, I
don't get near the attention that we give to our patients.
Our goal is we're dealing with people that are already
somewhat marginalized and aren't used to being treated with respect yep,
or with compassion, and our goal really is to build
(07:33):
relationships with people so that we are they'll trust us
and open up and give us, you know, give us
the opportunity to help them in ways they may not
even know that they need help, you know, and that
includes you know, we have dental. Dental is really difficult
to come by.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
And that's hey, that's something we all are off for
a lot of different reasons. That's fantastic, right.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Well, unfortunately dental is only open to those who are
hope within patients because we have a lack of resources.
By resources, I mean volunteers in that capacity. But we
do have about thirty volunteer medical dental counseling and nurse
professionals that volunteer with.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
What does the person alcoholic client? What do they under
your dental program? What kind of services do you get them?
Speaker 4 (08:21):
So we will do cleanings, extractions and fillings, education, seilants
for kids, fluorid treatments and so on and so forth.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That's oh, my goodness. I mean most most employee based
dental care, if you have it, they won't pay more
than a thousand bucks. And heck that has a visitor
do when you're done? So this is this is wonderful. Okay,
I want to shart back up a little and talk
about the primary health care services you're talking about maintaining health.
That would be like what like annual physical exams or
(08:52):
what else?
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, annual physicals, vaccinations for children or vaccinations for children,
provider sports physicals. Of the people coming into the country
need to get driver's licenses, so we'll do driver's license physicals.
A lot of the time they can't access that, and
if they don't have a driver's license, they can't work.
The vaccines, kids can't go to school until they're vaccinated,
(09:15):
so they're sitting around home waiting to get into other
other other opportunities. I guess for vaccines. We do diabetes.
We treat diabetes asthma, COPD, anxiety, depression.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Those are all long term things too.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
You keep it really ea and you know, in fact,
I did the stats for last year and it turns
out that mental health is the most popular thing that
Hope Within does patients. Mental health patients and they are
any other type of patients.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
So we do primary character is the one that will
work with the depression and anxiety and provide those medications.
But we also have counseling, which is another opportunity for
people to kind of work through issues that they might
be facing.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I'd like to know about the couples counseling. What's that about?
You do couples counseling.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
We do do some couples counseling, and they vary from
what their needs are. You know, every individual or every
couple has a different circumstance that they're going through. So yep,
that's available. There's counseling for children.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Oh that's wonderful, and we have actually lots.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Of openings and the way that we are able to
provide counseling is we are using graduate students from a
local college that are under the supervision of a licensed
professional counselor.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
And that's one of the major reasons this is such
a great organization because your volunteers are I mean the
top of the line.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
They really are. They work at Hershey, they work at UPMC,
some are retired. We have a volunteer oral surgeon, a
volunteer PDI trick dentist, and a volunteer dentist. We work
with the hack hygiene students, so we've kind of established
relationships anywhere we can. We can even get physical therapy
for our patients and we get that through Lemonon Valley
(11:14):
College because they have a physical therapy department. So we're
always working to establish relationships with other organizations that can
help us.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Another thing I think is really important and I just
had this done not too long ago, is women's services.
Because we let ourselves go. We're the caretakers. We wait
till Starne's wrong with us to go to the doctors
tell us some of the things that you provide for women.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
So we do prenatal care for those that are on
In short, we don't deliver babies. However, we do pop smears.
We refer from homography and we have a volunteer OBGYN
nurse practitioner who works through I think she's at UPMC,
so she comes in once a month, so we're always
(11:59):
filling her up with people that need PAP smears and
so on and so forth. We also have a volunteer dermatologist.
As you know or you may not know, to get
a dermatologist appointment out in the world, it takes a year.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
I know, I've been there, done that, So we.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Get people in fairly, fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Well, you know what, I love the idea that it's
a continuous thing you followed through and these people who
may not know that, the fact that you have to
keep on top of some of the things. You're teaching
them that and they in turn will teach it to
their children. I think that's a great idea. One of
the things you provider prescriptions that for anybody who needs
andwhere how does that work.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
That's just for our patients. We don't provide for the community.
We're not a pharmacy. We keep a small dispensary, nothing controlled,
nothing dangerous, things like diabetic medication, bolesterol medication, some anxiety
depression medication blood pressure. Obviously some over the counter medications
(13:00):
that we don't actually purchase, but we often will have
people out in the community wanting to do some collections
for us. And you know, one of the things that
we might ask for vitamins or supplements for Well, here's
an opportunity.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
What do you need?
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Ah, So we need vitamins and supplements, okay. We also
have over the counter cough medicine. So here's an example.
A patient comes in they have bronchitis. We tell them, well,
you've got to go get robotuscin or just an example,
I don't know, okay, and that's going to cost them
eight dollars in the store. Well, guess what, they're not
(13:35):
going to get it. So we love to have those
over the counter medications that we can make available for
the patients.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Okay, And what else do you need? About as far
as volunteers.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Volunteers at this point, I would say the biggest need
is probably dental volunteers. I would say we're okay with
our receptions volunteers at the moment, but that's not to
discourage anybody from applying. We also have some fundraiser type
things that we do barbecues and things like that that
the volunteers are needed for.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Oh that's cool. Well let me switch to my buddy
over here, Laurie. You're the one who tries the most
I don't say tries the most major part of your
your responsibilities. They bring that money and baby.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Right, yeah, I guess, and they went out there some donations.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
And the partnerships and people know that you're out there.
So tell me about what's been the most difficult, because
I don't know, they do want reach out to me.
I don't know how I first found out about Hope
with It. You must have reached out to me.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
I did. I mean at some point because I was
working through Brock Kurshoners that's with him years ago actually
we first started, so just tells you how long AO
that was. And then had connected with you because I
knew about the Insight program because I'm a WHP listener,
I guess forever and knew about the Insight program. So
he was the one that actually suggested I connect with you.
(14:56):
And you've finished just a tremendous bless and tell.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Us to get the work not having to turn their
background something like this. There are a lot of people
out there. And what gets me is you hear people say, well,
they're lazy, they can't work. Well, some of these people
are working two or three jobs for their family.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Well, and some of these people have had a really
tough go about Yeah. I mean there's been an amory
Well know it will be able to tell you more
than I would, but there's just been people that had
let's just say, everything was going real well and then
all of a sudden, one life changing episode changes everything.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Right, so now they're back to zero.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
And we you know, we've talked a little bit before
about sometimes they feel as though they maybe not just
disappoint themselves, that they somehow disappointed everybody else. So they're
really apprehensive out even coming through the door. Yeah, because
they feel ashamed. There's something you feel ashamed about.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
It, and it's not just your organization. I mean places
like the fruit Bank, right, although somebody's a big shot,
somebody has kids in college and all of a sudden
they're losing their house, they have nothing.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah, it could just be one devastating it's a life
changing event that changes everything. And I guess it's self
pride that sometimes will keep people away. And this same time,
because we are faith based. One of the blessings of
what we're able to do is not only as Ambry
point out, we can care for them medically, right, so
physically then they're well being or mental health, they're spiritually
(16:12):
as well. So it's uncommon in some cases, especially if
it's a chronic situation or a situation that's going to
require a lot more time and effort to put into
that that a one of our physicians, whoever is tending
to the patient may actually be able to pray with
them as well. And that's something you can't do in
a regular clinic.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Yeah, and you know what, that's good. I don't care
what or what denomination you are. God is God right, right,
is right here. We're supposed to be here taking care
of each other. That's the bottom line. If you know
anything about Jesus and God, that's what it's all about.
But you, as I said, you're not shoving somethings down
someone's throat. It's a non denominational thing. As I said,
(16:52):
you treat anybody. You don't care who walks through that
or if they need support, because that's that's what you're
supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Yeah, based on eligibility, which we do have an application
online hope within dot org the eligibility application. And then
of course we talked about volunteering, so I always encourage
people if they have an interest in volunteering, if the
application and in both cases, somebody will reach out to
the individual, regardless of whether they're applying to be a
patient or applying for volunteer work with And if.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
You don't know how I mean, if you're online your
filming this out, give.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
A call right right, yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Primarily our clinic from the medical sizes usually opening like Tuesday, Wednesdays,
and Thursdays. From the counseling sides usually Mondays and Tuesdays. So,
like Gambrie had mentioned before, we're not a walk in,
we're not a twenty four hour so a lot of times, of.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Course the phone numbers say that somebody, if they.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Reach out to us, somebody will get back to them
and then of course have them come in and visit
at the clinic, whether they're want volunteering or if they're
looking for patient services. The counseling is definitely open to anybody,
and it is based on what people can afford, so
maybe as well as what five to ten dollar percession.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Oh my gosh, you can wow. Wow, that's amazing. You're
saying memory. I'm sorry, I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
The only reason for any kind of attached financial attachment
to the counseling is because research has demonstrated that if
people have to put a little skin in the game,
their results are better. So we might say each session
will be five dollars, but if they don't pay it,
nobody pursues.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Right, we know what else to you? You address these
different services that are absolutely vital to people. But I
can tell you number one issue that people tell me
that is in this country, and this is going on
five ten years, mental health. And it's getting worse.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Oh it's much Yeah, it's much worse, especially amongst young people.
Because you figure there, if you will, that the interest
in people trying to access right their attention is coming
out from all different directions, right You and I, I mean
not that age ourselves, but you know, we didn't have
social media to deal with. We didn't have cell phones
back in the day. I mean, we're pretty much a
(18:54):
lot of it, but we did was face to face interactions.
So when you don't have that anymore, you have a
lot of.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
You know, challenges. Right, we're smart enough.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
To realize what the problem is and the ones that
really care are doing something about it.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yes, yes, but again, you know, you have so much
competition for one's attention, whether it's a six year old
child or I'll say you have a sixty year old person.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yeah, exactly. Well, I wanted to tell you you how
are you're supporting yourself now?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Not you, but I know I know what you're saying.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
I know what you're saying. So our organization is based
solely on donations, So donations by individuals. We have partnerships
with churches, we have some corporate partnerships.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
So this is not something a lot of people go
out after government grants. You don't do that, do yet?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
No, not so much as far as government grant. There
are some private organizations foundations, yes, foundations, and you know
there again depends on you know, do they accept faith
based because.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Some will, some won't.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
There's campaigns, I mean, there's a Faithful Give that's every year,
that's usually October. There's extra Gift that's usually November. So
there are other campaigns out there. We're participating in a
high Mark walk, so that's also a way for us
to direct the high Mark Walk for a Healthy Community
is May sixteenth, Okay a hack. We've done that, oh
how many years? Ten years maybe or more forever? Yeah,
(20:15):
So you know there's other events and things that we do.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
How does that work?
Speaker 1 (20:19):
I forget the Highmark right there raise a whole lot
of money, and then is it due up to these
different organizations that participate in it.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
So with the high Mark Walker, you know you're part
of and I forget how many there are this year.
I think we're well over twenty this year for Harrisburg,
right because it's in six different locations, including Wilmington, Delaware.
So the organizations themselves, such as Hope Within Ministries, puts
together teams and then we also get sponsors. So people
contribute to a team, they contribute to an individual, they
can contribute to us as a whole, and then that
(20:47):
money all comes back to the Hope Within. So all
the organizations nonprofits that participate, all that money comes back in.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
It's for me.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Something else is coming up.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
We have a chicken barbecue which is come up to
June six Tastes in the Nations, which is our over one.
But I want to mention that because last year we
sold out. It was our first year and it sold out,
So I'm really thinking this year, so Tastes of the
Nations is taking countries from all over the world because
we have people that Manordy mentioned before, We have folks
that we see not only just in the backyard, right,
(21:17):
but from all over the world. So we had food
yes or last year we had food samples from Ethiopia
and Afghanistan and China and Thailand and Kenya and India,
and of course the United States we did have because
I think, you know, sometimes you have to have a
little bit of Americanism in there for those of us
that aren't used to eating foods. There are so much
variety from all over the world right in Ukraine. So
(21:40):
this year will probably be we had eleven countries last
year plus the United States. This year we may have
as many as fifteen in the United States. It is
a big event for us. That's a great opportunity for
a minimal mount to come in taste of food samplings
from all these different countries, stuff that you normally would
you know, necessarily go out and probably look, hey let's
go to an Afghani rust. You know, I don't know
(22:01):
if there were any in the area.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I don't think so, I don't know of any.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
I mean, it's it's the opportunity that if you're not sure,
if you want to, you know, invest your whole time
and and expend a meal out of a facility that
you're not sure of, some ethnic type of food that.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
You're like, well, I'm not really sure. It's kind of
a great way to sample that.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
You know. You know that certain cultures put certain seasonings.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Yes, some of it's really spicy. I found out out
last year hot spicy. Yes, Oh my goodness, I'm not sure,
you know, I guess I would say it was probably
the Afghanian food that was. It was really good and
and the gals will put that together really spent a
lot of time, I mean like hours doing the.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Preparation for it. But to tell you the truth, was
really good, and they had a little bit left over,
so I had some left you took. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
You know, I've known you as being an excellent salesperson
when you were here at kind No really really, but
how does this differ? I mean, why are you so
passionate about this particular organization law? What do you think?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Well, you know, for many years, Sylvia, I was working
for a very large insurance company that was nationwide. You're
like kind of a litttle hamster on the wheel because
you're only as good as the day before so and
maybe even the day of right it's like any other sales.
So I really had prayed to God for something different
that I really felt that I could make an impact
and make a difference, like to take my skill set
and everything I had learned in private industry and do
(23:24):
it for a nonprofit. So I found Amory's you know
mentioned in our actually our church's sermon notes and notes
online mentioned about the director of development when they were
looking for a full time person. That was July of
twenty four. So fortunately I had the very great opportunity
of years and years ago working with Amory as a
volunteer because we were both attending the same church many
(23:46):
years back. So I just sent her an email and.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I said, hello, I don't know if you remember.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Me, well, were went, and you went anybody who works there.
As we were talking about earlier, you can teach anybody anything.
It's what's here and people can't see me, but it's
your attitude, it's your heart. It's the reason, it's what
I just talked about, is that you truly you want
to help people, and that's what your horror organization is about.
But let me ask you this with that in mind.
(24:13):
You know I'm the kind of person you are. You've
been doing this for a long time. You know a
lot of people there that are in it. Is there
any any situation that you might be able to mention
where the people came in or person came in and
it really impacted you.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Oh, pretty much every day, but something just that's happening
today for the sake of it. I had seen something
on Facebook from a cleaning company. They wanted to prepare
Easter baskets for a family and need. Okay, and I
saw this and I thought, you know what, I'm just
going to say, Yeah, I run this free clinic. People
(24:48):
might be interested in helping this way. Well, she contacted
me and said that everybody that had nominated somebody, they
were nominating themselve elves And she said she was really
struck by what we do at Hope Within so she
(25:08):
would like to provide a Easter opportunity for a family need.
So I had the family. I knew they have seven children.
And I wrote back to her and I said, the
family I'm thinking about has seven children. Are you prepared
to provide for seven children? She said, just get me
the names, or just get me the genders and the age.
(25:29):
She bought all these beautiful Easter baskets from each child
according to their age. They're sitting in my office now.
She also gave one hundred and fifty dollars in grocery
gift cards. And this afternoon, at three point thirty, we
have the opportunity for this cleaning company to meet this
family and they're going to pick up these Easter baskets.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
People out there, there's.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
So many good people out there. And you know, the
motivation that kept me here for as long as I
have been has been that we're motivated by our faith
and we all have that in common. And once you
have that in common, you're you're on the same page automatically.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
That's right. You can't change. I mean, that's just the
way it is, right the.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Way it is.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
And like I said earlier, we look for opportunities to
be a blessing to people who wouldn't ordinarily have. This
woman when I told her she was her family was
selected just sobbed and cried, oh see that.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Yeah, So so listen, my listeners, use your head and
think of opportunities you can help this wonderful organization. My gosh,
that's that's wonderful. How do we find you online?
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Hope within dot org.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Okay, somebody wants to call if they want to go
see if they qualify for your services, they gotta go
online and fill out an application, right, yes, Okay, how
about a phone number, Laurie, if somebody wants to get
involved with your any of your events, right.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Seven seven three six seven seven, they'll get them into
the mean phone line and then from there and actually
they could leave a message if somebody's not there and
leave a message and then it gets directed to the
correct person.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Okay, And what I wanted to ask I started asking
you this, but I think it's this is the face
of when they talk about doing something good for people.
This and integrity And this may sound silly, but this
phrase keeps coming in my mind. Being a good person.
(27:28):
You know, this is what it's all about, isn't it.
And so if if you want to donate money, if
you want to come up with an id like like
Amrie just talked, about. That's a wonderful idea be a
part of volunteer at one of Laurie's events, and there's
lots of opportunities to help out.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
So again hope within dot org. Okay, thing that you
might want to mention quickly Laurie is the trove.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
Oh that's right, Lord, we didn't talk about that. Let's
talk about that for we have got about a minute left.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Okay, so real briefly, the retail boutique, I guess I
could call it a little bit of a unique boutique
that is on the premises and we have two shop
curators that Robin and Audrey take care of that.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
So it is a it's a boutique that.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Offers a lot of vintage items and I would say
a lot of home decor some of the furniture that
Audrey has upcycled, so I mean by that is like
an old chest of drawers or an old dresser and
then has refurbished it and upcycled it. That's what it
calls up cycle. There's probably another term for it, but
they'll use the upcycle. Has an amazing job with that,
so took it from what it was to more modernized
(28:36):
looks to it, okay, and maybe an artistic look to it.
Robin is an artist as well, so she's taken slates
and painted different scenery on it and put some you
know verses on there as well, So they both have
a definitely an eye for what they're looking for. And
that trove is open usually every month the first weekend
of the month, so we do have that coming up
in April. It's actually the Saturday or the front and
(29:00):
Saturday that were right ahead of East or Saw say
April third, April fourth, and it's their yard sale, so
that also I know added bonus folks for out there
who or shoppers is the the yard sale. That means
that there's a lot of inventory that may have been
cycled through and they're trying to make room for fresh inventory.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
Have you bought anything from there?
Speaker 3 (29:19):
Oh my goodness, yes, right before I started. Yes, I
did some donations. So that's another place you can definitely
donate to if you're downsizing or you're trying to help
a parent downsize. It's a perfect way to help donate
and also get back right because all the proceeds go
directly back to our clinic. So yes, I know I
(29:39):
have bought stuff. I've seen treasures down there. I always
have to be like, really really exercise discipline because there's
a lot of really neat stuff that comes through there,
or maybe stuff that you had as a child or
you remember your parents had and you're saying, oh my gosh,
I haven't seen that in like forty years. So my
mom had, right, and they're like, oh, I want to
buy it, and I'm like, okay, I have a small house.
I have that exercise restraint. But anyway, so yeah, the
(30:01):
true So April third and fourth is the yard sale.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
And it's Hope within dot org is your starting point, ladies,
Thanks so much. Hope within ministries and visions of the
community where physical, spiritual, and emotional needs are fully met
and hope thrives, and that's exactly what they're doing. Please
support them any way you can. I'm Sylvia Moss. Catch
insight this week on one of our ten iHeart stations
or any time on your paper podcast steps. Thanks so
much for listening. To see you next week.
Hi, I am Sylvia Moss. This is Insight, a presentation
of iHeartMedia where we really do care about our local
communities and all our listeners who live here. You know,
it's certainly no big secret. Across our country, people are
working harder than ever before and still struggling to meet
the most basic human needs a safe place to live,
food on the table, and healthcare that they can actually afford.
(00:22):
With millions of low income families, parents are working two
or three jobs, doing everything they can to keep their
kids healthy. When they can afford the high cost of
insurance premiums that in many cases have doubled and even tripled,
they lose support through medicaid if they have it. If
you mean it's skipping a doctor's visit, stretching medications, or
choosing between groceries and a medical bill. It's not just
(00:43):
a financial strength, it's an emotional one too. It creates fear, uncertainty,
and a sense of being left behind. Well, you know what,
in Central PA, there is hope for many of these
low income folks because in the middle of all this hardship,
there are people who refuse to look away when the
system falls short or providing free medical care, donation based
dental services and low cost counseling to low income and
(01:06):
uninsured residents in Lancaster, Lebanon, and Dauphin counties is an
organization known as Hope Within Ministries. For almost twenty five years,
Hope Within has been reminding us that compassion is still
alive and that none of us are alone in this fight.
With us. From Hope Within, our Anne Marie McCallister, executive
director and Laurie Rectory Development Director, we're going to talk
(01:26):
about the scope of their need, the impact of the
service they provide, and the challenges they face, as well
as the communities that they serve. My dear Laurie always
good to see you. She's an old iHeart. What would
you call yet?
Speaker 2 (01:41):
Oh I don't know.
Speaker 3 (01:42):
I guess alumnies. That sounds great, yeah, oh yeah those.
Speaker 2 (01:47):
It's great to see us.
Speaker 1 (01:48):
Oh, thank you, honey. And also I want to talk
to this lady Anne Marie, because she the job as
the executive director with this organization is a lot more. Uh,
I don't want to say complicated, but there's a lot
more responsibilities than most. She juggles so many things and
she's done one heck of a job. So Anri, I
am so so happy that you're here too. Let me
(02:10):
ask you something we all know that we talk about
the insurance premiums that have gone up and Medicaid's been cut.
Have you guys noticed, and please anytime jump in. Have
you guys noticed in the last maybe year or so
that's been the case with the people that come into
your clinic.
Speaker 4 (02:27):
So the answer to that is yes to some degree.
So Hope Within has always been available to the community.
Over the last maybe year and a half, there has
been some questions about what the funding for Medicaid is
going to be. Right, There's also some questions about premiums
(02:51):
for work.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
What do you call it? Work? Well insurance?
Speaker 1 (02:58):
Okay, I was just going to ask what's being proposed
is kind of like welfare to work used to be right, correct.
Speaker 4 (03:03):
So what they're really doing is those that will be
eligible for Medicaid we'll still get it, but they're trying
to determine who still is legitimately while everything is being
shifted at the moment, that's leaving a gap. So we
are seeing people who perhaps have lost health insurance or
(03:26):
are just unable to afford it coming to Hope Within.
And that includes mostly part time workers, single moms, people
that are like chefs and cooks, unskilled workers. They're still working,
but they're not eligible or can't afford health insurance for themselves.
Speaker 2 (03:45):
In addition to that.
Speaker 4 (03:45):
We've also had some people from out of the country,
you know, coming in that wouldn't necessarily have had any
healthcare if we weren't there.
Speaker 1 (03:54):
Well, I want to clear something up, and you certainly
would know this. You hear talk about people that are
getting services that the illegal aliens that come into this country,
they do not. They do not get those services.
Speaker 4 (04:08):
They don't from the most of the time. You have
to be in the country five.
Speaker 1 (04:11):
Years, okay, in order to be all But there's the
issue with if you have to go to the hospital,
then they can. They can be admitted to an emergency.
So can everybody else who's not getting paid or who
doesn't have insurance in this country. Right.
Speaker 4 (04:26):
That is correct, because if somebody is admitted to a
hospital and they have some sort of an emergency, emergency,
Medicaid is available. Nobody has ever turned down for emergency
health care at any of our local hospitals. In fact,
it's against the law to term people.
Speaker 1 (04:40):
That's my whole point of this. Okay, let me ask you.
I want to talk especially well. First of all, if
people don't know where are you, guys located Hope within
the ministries.
Speaker 4 (04:49):
So we haven't Elizabethtown mailing address, but we really are
in Dauphin County in the Lower Dolphin School District. We're
located on two thirty between Elizabethtown and Middletown. Actual address
is for seven four eight East Harrisburg Pike, Elizabeth TEMs.
Speaker 1 (05:04):
And new service people in Dauphin, Lancaster and Lebanon counties.
Are these people that are referred from agencies? Are they
people that walk in off the street? How do you
get your clients if you are.
Speaker 4 (05:14):
So Hope within it is not a walking clinic.
Speaker 1 (05:16):
Okay.
Speaker 4 (05:17):
We hope to assume primary care for people, so we
don't just do uh like say a vaccine or something
along those lines, although we have done that in urgency cases,
but we really want to have total care for the patient.
We don't want them just coming to us because they
have a problem today and then the rest of their
(05:38):
cholesterol issues, diabetes issues aren't addressed.
Speaker 1 (05:41):
Okay, that's great.
Speaker 2 (05:43):
We do establish that creation from.
Speaker 1 (05:46):
Yeah, that's that's fantastic.
Speaker 2 (05:47):
Okay.
Speaker 1 (05:48):
Who is it open to? Is it open to? You
have to say a family of five comes in. I
would imagine there are certain income levels.
Speaker 4 (05:58):
They have to be residents excuse me of sister.
Speaker 2 (06:00):
Lebanon or Dolphin County, Okay, have an.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Income that fallows at two hundred and fifty percent of
the federal poverty or less, and be uninsured medically.
Speaker 1 (06:10):
Okay. And I was trying to do some math before
starting from what I understand, two hundred and fifty percent
of the federal poverty level for an individual's about almost
sixteen thousand, Am I right? And for a family for
about thirty three or did that change?
Speaker 4 (06:23):
I think it's changed for twenty twenty six. I'm sorry,
I don't have the numbers in front of me, but
it is very generous. Medicaid is available to those eligible
who have who follow at one hundred and thirty eight
percent of the federal poverty level. So we're pretty much
we're catching the people that are above one thirty eight.
Speaker 1 (06:42):
And less than two fifty Okay, gotcha, Okay, let's talk
about the services. One of the things I think is
super important is that I mentioned that this is not
oh I need support, happy days, let's go. It's a
meaning for a lot of people. It's depressing, but you
(07:02):
do have services that support those people with those issues.
I think that's a huge thing. Tell us about that.
Speaker 4 (07:10):
So it's really surprising because you know, I have health
issues myself, and when I go to a doctor, I
don't get near the attention that we give to our patients.
Our goal is we're dealing with people that are already
somewhat marginalized and aren't used to being treated with respect yep,
or with compassion, and our goal really is to build
(07:33):
relationships with people so that we are they'll trust us
and open up and give us, you know, give us
the opportunity to help them in ways they may not
even know that they need help, you know, and that
includes you know, we have dental. Dental is really difficult
to come by.
Speaker 1 (07:50):
And that's hey, that's something we all are off for
a lot of different reasons. That's fantastic, right.
Speaker 4 (07:55):
Well, unfortunately dental is only open to those who are
hope within patients because we have a lack of resources.
By resources, I mean volunteers in that capacity. But we
do have about thirty volunteer medical dental counseling and nurse
professionals that volunteer with.
Speaker 1 (08:14):
What does the person alcoholic client? What do they under
your dental program? What kind of services do you get them?
Speaker 4 (08:21):
So we will do cleanings, extractions and fillings, education, seilants
for kids, fluorid treatments and so on and so forth.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
That's oh, my goodness. I mean most most employee based
dental care, if you have it, they won't pay more
than a thousand bucks. And heck that has a visitor
do when you're done? So this is this is wonderful. Okay,
I want to shart back up a little and talk
about the primary health care services you're talking about maintaining health.
That would be like what like annual physical exams or
(08:52):
what else?
Speaker 4 (08:52):
Yeah, annual physicals, vaccinations for children or vaccinations for children,
provider sports physicals. Of the people coming into the country
need to get driver's licenses, so we'll do driver's license physicals.
A lot of the time they can't access that, and
if they don't have a driver's license, they can't work.
The vaccines, kids can't go to school until they're vaccinated,
(09:15):
so they're sitting around home waiting to get into other
other other opportunities. I guess for vaccines. We do diabetes.
We treat diabetes asthma, COPD, anxiety, depression.
Speaker 1 (09:32):
Those are all long term things too.
Speaker 4 (09:33):
You keep it really ea and you know, in fact,
I did the stats for last year and it turns
out that mental health is the most popular thing that
Hope Within does patients. Mental health patients and they are
any other type of patients.
Speaker 1 (09:52):
That's fantastic.
Speaker 4 (09:53):
So we do primary character is the one that will
work with the depression and anxiety and provide those medications.
But we also have counseling, which is another opportunity for
people to kind of work through issues that they might
be facing.
Speaker 1 (10:10):
I'd like to know about the couples counseling. What's that about?
You do couples counseling.
Speaker 4 (10:14):
We do do some couples counseling, and they vary from
what their needs are. You know, every individual or every
couple has a different circumstance that they're going through. So yep,
that's available. There's counseling for children.
Speaker 1 (10:28):
Oh that's wonderful, and we have actually lots.
Speaker 4 (10:32):
Of openings and the way that we are able to
provide counseling is we are using graduate students from a
local college that are under the supervision of a licensed
professional counselor.
Speaker 1 (10:44):
And that's one of the major reasons this is such
a great organization because your volunteers are I mean the
top of the line.
Speaker 4 (10:52):
They really are. They work at Hershey, they work at UPMC,
some are retired. We have a volunteer oral surgeon, a
volunteer PDI trick dentist, and a volunteer dentist. We work
with the hack hygiene students, so we've kind of established
relationships anywhere we can. We can even get physical therapy
for our patients and we get that through Lemonon Valley
(11:14):
College because they have a physical therapy department. So we're
always working to establish relationships with other organizations that can
help us.
Speaker 1 (11:24):
Another thing I think is really important and I just
had this done not too long ago, is women's services.
Because we let ourselves go. We're the caretakers. We wait
till Starne's wrong with us to go to the doctors
tell us some of the things that you provide for women.
Speaker 4 (11:38):
So we do prenatal care for those that are on
In short, we don't deliver babies. However, we do pop smears.
We refer from homography and we have a volunteer OBGYN
nurse practitioner who works through I think she's at UPMC,
so she comes in once a month, so we're always
(11:59):
filling her up with people that need PAP smears and
so on and so forth. We also have a volunteer dermatologist.
As you know or you may not know, to get
a dermatologist appointment out in the world, it takes a year.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
I know, I've been there, done that, So we.
Speaker 4 (12:15):
Get people in fairly, fairly quickly.
Speaker 1 (12:19):
Well, you know what, I love the idea that it's
a continuous thing you followed through and these people who
may not know that, the fact that you have to
keep on top of some of the things. You're teaching
them that and they in turn will teach it to
their children. I think that's a great idea. One of
the things you provider prescriptions that for anybody who needs
andwhere how does that work.
Speaker 4 (12:39):
That's just for our patients. We don't provide for the community.
We're not a pharmacy. We keep a small dispensary, nothing controlled,
nothing dangerous, things like diabetic medication, bolesterol medication, some anxiety
depression medication blood pressure. Obviously some over the counter medications
(13:00):
that we don't actually purchase, but we often will have
people out in the community wanting to do some collections
for us. And you know, one of the things that
we might ask for vitamins or supplements for Well, here's
an opportunity.
Speaker 1 (13:12):
What do you need?
Speaker 4 (13:13):
Ah, So we need vitamins and supplements, okay. We also
have over the counter cough medicine. So here's an example.
A patient comes in they have bronchitis. We tell them, well,
you've got to go get robotuscin or just an example,
I don't know, okay, and that's going to cost them
eight dollars in the store. Well, guess what, they're not
(13:35):
going to get it. So we love to have those
over the counter medications that we can make available for
the patients.
Speaker 1 (13:41):
Okay, And what else do you need? About as far
as volunteers.
Speaker 4 (13:45):
Volunteers at this point, I would say the biggest need
is probably dental volunteers. I would say we're okay with
our receptions volunteers at the moment, but that's not to
discourage anybody from applying. We also have some fundraiser type
things that we do barbecues and things like that that
the volunteers are needed for.
Speaker 1 (14:06):
Oh that's cool. Well let me switch to my buddy
over here, Laurie. You're the one who tries the most
I don't say tries the most major part of your
your responsibilities. They bring that money and baby.
Speaker 3 (14:16):
Right, yeah, I guess, and they went out there some donations.
Speaker 1 (14:20):
And the partnerships and people know that you're out there.
So tell me about what's been the most difficult, because
I don't know, they do want reach out to me.
I don't know how I first found out about Hope
with It. You must have reached out to me.
Speaker 3 (14:35):
I did. I mean at some point because I was
working through Brock Kurshoners that's with him years ago actually
we first started, so just tells you how long AO
that was. And then had connected with you because I
knew about the Insight program because I'm a WHP listener,
I guess forever and knew about the Insight program. So
he was the one that actually suggested I connect with you.
(14:56):
And you've finished just a tremendous bless and tell.
Speaker 1 (14:58):
Us to get the work not having to turn their
background something like this. There are a lot of people
out there. And what gets me is you hear people say, well,
they're lazy, they can't work. Well, some of these people
are working two or three jobs for their family.
Speaker 3 (15:11):
Well, and some of these people have had a really
tough go about Yeah. I mean there's been an amory
Well know it will be able to tell you more
than I would, but there's just been people that had
let's just say, everything was going real well and then
all of a sudden, one life changing episode changes everything.
Speaker 2 (15:25):
Right, so now they're back to zero.
Speaker 3 (15:27):
And we you know, we've talked a little bit before
about sometimes they feel as though they maybe not just
disappoint themselves, that they somehow disappointed everybody else. So they're
really apprehensive out even coming through the door. Yeah, because
they feel ashamed. There's something you feel ashamed about.
Speaker 1 (15:42):
It, and it's not just your organization. I mean places
like the fruit Bank, right, although somebody's a big shot,
somebody has kids in college and all of a sudden
they're losing their house, they have nothing.
Speaker 3 (15:51):
Yeah, it could just be one devastating it's a life
changing event that changes everything. And I guess it's self
pride that sometimes will keep people away. And this same time,
because we are faith based. One of the blessings of
what we're able to do is not only as Ambry
point out, we can care for them medically, right, so
physically then they're well being or mental health, they're spiritually
(16:12):
as well. So it's uncommon in some cases, especially if
it's a chronic situation or a situation that's going to
require a lot more time and effort to put into
that that a one of our physicians, whoever is tending
to the patient may actually be able to pray with
them as well. And that's something you can't do in
a regular clinic.
Speaker 1 (16:30):
Yeah, and you know what, that's good. I don't care
what or what denomination you are. God is God right, right,
is right here. We're supposed to be here taking care
of each other. That's the bottom line. If you know
anything about Jesus and God, that's what it's all about.
But you, as I said, you're not shoving somethings down
someone's throat. It's a non denominational thing. As I said,
(16:52):
you treat anybody. You don't care who walks through that
or if they need support, because that's that's what you're
supposed to do.
Speaker 3 (16:57):
Yeah, based on eligibility, which we do have an application
online hope within dot org the eligibility application. And then
of course we talked about volunteering, so I always encourage
people if they have an interest in volunteering, if the
application and in both cases, somebody will reach out to
the individual, regardless of whether they're applying to be a
patient or applying for volunteer work with And if.
Speaker 1 (17:17):
You don't know how I mean, if you're online your
filming this out, give.
Speaker 2 (17:20):
A call right right, yeah, you know.
Speaker 3 (17:23):
Primarily our clinic from the medical sizes usually opening like Tuesday, Wednesdays,
and Thursdays. From the counseling sides usually Mondays and Tuesdays. So,
like Gambrie had mentioned before, we're not a walk in,
we're not a twenty four hour so a lot of times, of.
Speaker 2 (17:37):
Course the phone numbers say that somebody, if they.
Speaker 3 (17:40):
Reach out to us, somebody will get back to them
and then of course have them come in and visit
at the clinic, whether they're want volunteering or if they're
looking for patient services. The counseling is definitely open to anybody,
and it is based on what people can afford, so
maybe as well as what five to ten dollar percession.
Speaker 1 (17:57):
Oh my gosh, you can wow. Wow, that's amazing. You're
saying memory. I'm sorry, I was going to say.
Speaker 4 (18:03):
The only reason for any kind of attached financial attachment
to the counseling is because research has demonstrated that if
people have to put a little skin in the game,
their results are better. So we might say each session
will be five dollars, but if they don't pay it,
nobody pursues.
Speaker 1 (18:19):
Right, we know what else to you? You address these
different services that are absolutely vital to people. But I
can tell you number one issue that people tell me
that is in this country, and this is going on
five ten years, mental health. And it's getting worse.
Speaker 3 (18:33):
Oh it's much Yeah, it's much worse, especially amongst young people.
Because you figure there, if you will, that the interest
in people trying to access right their attention is coming
out from all different directions, right You and I, I mean
not that age ourselves, but you know, we didn't have
social media to deal with. We didn't have cell phones
back in the day. I mean, we're pretty much a
(18:54):
lot of it, but we did was face to face interactions.
So when you don't have that anymore, you have a
lot of.
Speaker 2 (19:00):
You know, challenges. Right, we're smart enough.
Speaker 1 (19:03):
To realize what the problem is and the ones that
really care are doing something about it.
Speaker 3 (19:08):
Yes, yes, but again, you know, you have so much
competition for one's attention, whether it's a six year old
child or I'll say you have a sixty year old person.
Speaker 1 (19:16):
Yeah, exactly. Well, I wanted to tell you you how
are you're supporting yourself now?
Speaker 2 (19:21):
Not you, but I know I know what you're saying.
Speaker 3 (19:23):
I know what you're saying. So our organization is based
solely on donations, So donations by individuals. We have partnerships
with churches, we have some corporate partnerships.
Speaker 1 (19:32):
So this is not something a lot of people go
out after government grants. You don't do that, do yet?
Speaker 3 (19:39):
No, not so much as far as government grant. There
are some private organizations foundations, yes, foundations, and you know
there again depends on you know, do they accept faith
based because.
Speaker 2 (19:51):
Some will, some won't.
Speaker 3 (19:53):
There's campaigns, I mean, there's a Faithful Give that's every year,
that's usually October. There's extra Gift that's usually November. So
there are other campaigns out there. We're participating in a
high Mark walk, so that's also a way for us
to direct the high Mark Walk for a Healthy Community
is May sixteenth, Okay a hack. We've done that, oh
how many years? Ten years maybe or more forever? Yeah,
(20:15):
So you know there's other events and things that we do.
Speaker 2 (20:18):
How does that work?
Speaker 1 (20:19):
I forget the Highmark right there raise a whole lot
of money, and then is it due up to these
different organizations that participate in it.
Speaker 3 (20:25):
So with the high Mark Walker, you know you're part
of and I forget how many there are this year.
I think we're well over twenty this year for Harrisburg,
right because it's in six different locations, including Wilmington, Delaware.
So the organizations themselves, such as Hope Within Ministries, puts
together teams and then we also get sponsors. So people
contribute to a team, they contribute to an individual, they
can contribute to us as a whole, and then that
(20:47):
money all comes back to the Hope Within. So all
the organizations nonprofits that participate, all that money comes back in.
Speaker 2 (20:53):
It's for me.
Speaker 1 (20:54):
Something else is coming up.
Speaker 3 (20:55):
We have a chicken barbecue which is come up to
June six Tastes in the Nations, which is our over one.
But I want to mention that because last year we
sold out. It was our first year and it sold out,
So I'm really thinking this year, so Tastes of the
Nations is taking countries from all over the world because
we have people that Manordy mentioned before, We have folks
that we see not only just in the backyard, right,
(21:17):
but from all over the world. So we had food
yes or last year we had food samples from Ethiopia
and Afghanistan and China and Thailand and Kenya and India,
and of course the United States we did have because
I think, you know, sometimes you have to have a
little bit of Americanism in there for those of us
that aren't used to eating foods. There are so much
variety from all over the world right in Ukraine. So
(21:40):
this year will probably be we had eleven countries last
year plus the United States. This year we may have
as many as fifteen in the United States. It is
a big event for us. That's a great opportunity for
a minimal mount to come in taste of food samplings
from all these different countries, stuff that you normally would
you know, necessarily go out and probably look, hey let's
go to an Afghani rust. You know, I don't know
(22:01):
if there were any in the area.
Speaker 1 (22:02):
I don't think so, I don't know of any.
Speaker 3 (22:06):
I mean, it's it's the opportunity that if you're not sure,
if you want to, you know, invest your whole time
and and expend a meal out of a facility that
you're not sure of, some ethnic type of food that.
Speaker 2 (22:16):
You're like, well, I'm not really sure. It's kind of
a great way to sample that.
Speaker 1 (22:20):
You know. You know that certain cultures put certain seasonings.
Speaker 3 (22:24):
Yes, some of it's really spicy. I found out out
last year hot spicy. Yes, Oh my goodness, I'm not sure,
you know, I guess I would say it was probably
the Afghanian food that was. It was really good and
and the gals will put that together really spent a
lot of time, I mean like hours doing the.
Speaker 2 (22:41):
Preparation for it. But to tell you the truth, was
really good, and they had a little bit left over,
so I had some left you took. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (22:49):
You know, I've known you as being an excellent salesperson
when you were here at kind No really really, but
how does this differ? I mean, why are you so
passionate about this particular organization law? What do you think?
Speaker 3 (23:03):
Well, you know, for many years, Sylvia, I was working
for a very large insurance company that was nationwide. You're
like kind of a litttle hamster on the wheel because
you're only as good as the day before so and
maybe even the day of right it's like any other sales.
So I really had prayed to God for something different
that I really felt that I could make an impact
and make a difference, like to take my skill set
and everything I had learned in private industry and do
(23:24):
it for a nonprofit. So I found Amory's you know
mentioned in our actually our church's sermon notes and notes
online mentioned about the director of development when they were
looking for a full time person. That was July of
twenty four. So fortunately I had the very great opportunity
of years and years ago working with Amory as a
volunteer because we were both attending the same church many
(23:46):
years back. So I just sent her an email and.
Speaker 2 (23:49):
I said, hello, I don't know if you remember.
Speaker 1 (23:51):
Me, well, were went, and you went anybody who works there.
As we were talking about earlier, you can teach anybody anything.
It's what's here and people can't see me, but it's
your attitude, it's your heart. It's the reason, it's what
I just talked about, is that you truly you want
to help people, and that's what your horror organization is about.
But let me ask you this with that in mind.
(24:13):
You know I'm the kind of person you are. You've
been doing this for a long time. You know a
lot of people there that are in it. Is there
any any situation that you might be able to mention
where the people came in or person came in and
it really impacted you.
Speaker 4 (24:27):
Oh, pretty much every day, but something just that's happening
today for the sake of it. I had seen something
on Facebook from a cleaning company. They wanted to prepare
Easter baskets for a family and need. Okay, and I
saw this and I thought, you know what, I'm just
going to say, Yeah, I run this free clinic. People
(24:48):
might be interested in helping this way. Well, she contacted
me and said that everybody that had nominated somebody, they
were nominating themselve elves And she said she was really
struck by what we do at Hope Within so she
(25:08):
would like to provide a Easter opportunity for a family need.
So I had the family. I knew they have seven children.
And I wrote back to her and I said, the
family I'm thinking about has seven children. Are you prepared
to provide for seven children? She said, just get me
the names, or just get me the genders and the age.
(25:29):
She bought all these beautiful Easter baskets from each child
according to their age. They're sitting in my office now.
She also gave one hundred and fifty dollars in grocery
gift cards. And this afternoon, at three point thirty, we
have the opportunity for this cleaning company to meet this
family and they're going to pick up these Easter baskets.
Speaker 1 (25:50):
People out there, there's.
Speaker 4 (25:51):
So many good people out there. And you know, the
motivation that kept me here for as long as I
have been has been that we're motivated by our faith
and we all have that in common. And once you
have that in common, you're you're on the same page automatically.
Speaker 1 (26:09):
That's right. You can't change. I mean, that's just the
way it is, right the.
Speaker 2 (26:13):
Way it is.
Speaker 4 (26:13):
And like I said earlier, we look for opportunities to
be a blessing to people who wouldn't ordinarily have. This
woman when I told her she was her family was
selected just sobbed and cried, oh see that.
Speaker 1 (26:25):
Yeah, So so listen, my listeners, use your head and
think of opportunities you can help this wonderful organization. My gosh,
that's that's wonderful. How do we find you online?
Speaker 4 (26:36):
Hope within dot org.
Speaker 1 (26:37):
Okay, somebody wants to call if they want to go
see if they qualify for your services, they gotta go
online and fill out an application, right, yes, Okay, how
about a phone number, Laurie, if somebody wants to get
involved with your any of your events, right.
Speaker 3 (26:52):
Seven seven three six seven seven, they'll get them into
the mean phone line and then from there and actually
they could leave a message if somebody's not there and
leave a message and then it gets directed to the
correct person.
Speaker 1 (27:05):
Okay, And what I wanted to ask I started asking
you this, but I think it's this is the face
of when they talk about doing something good for people.
This and integrity And this may sound silly, but this
phrase keeps coming in my mind. Being a good person.
(27:28):
You know, this is what it's all about, isn't it.
And so if if you want to donate money, if
you want to come up with an id like like
Amrie just talked, about. That's a wonderful idea be a
part of volunteer at one of Laurie's events, and there's
lots of opportunities to help out.
Speaker 4 (27:48):
So again hope within dot org. Okay, thing that you
might want to mention quickly Laurie is the trove.
Speaker 1 (27:55):
Oh that's right, Lord, we didn't talk about that. Let's
talk about that for we have got about a minute left.
Speaker 3 (27:59):
Okay, so real briefly, the retail boutique, I guess I
could call it a little bit of a unique boutique
that is on the premises and we have two shop
curators that Robin and Audrey take care of that.
Speaker 1 (28:11):
What is it?
Speaker 2 (28:12):
So it is a it's a boutique that.
Speaker 3 (28:14):
Offers a lot of vintage items and I would say
a lot of home decor some of the furniture that
Audrey has upcycled, so I mean by that is like
an old chest of drawers or an old dresser and
then has refurbished it and upcycled it. That's what it
calls up cycle. There's probably another term for it, but
they'll use the upcycle. Has an amazing job with that,
so took it from what it was to more modernized
(28:36):
looks to it, okay, and maybe an artistic look to it.
Robin is an artist as well, so she's taken slates
and painted different scenery on it and put some you
know verses on there as well, So they both have
a definitely an eye for what they're looking for. And
that trove is open usually every month the first weekend
of the month, so we do have that coming up
in April. It's actually the Saturday or the front and
(29:00):
Saturday that were right ahead of East or Saw say
April third, April fourth, and it's their yard sale, so
that also I know added bonus folks for out there
who or shoppers is the the yard sale. That means
that there's a lot of inventory that may have been
cycled through and they're trying to make room for fresh inventory.
Speaker 1 (29:17):
Have you bought anything from there?
Speaker 3 (29:19):
Oh my goodness, yes, right before I started. Yes, I
did some donations. So that's another place you can definitely
donate to if you're downsizing or you're trying to help
a parent downsize. It's a perfect way to help donate
and also get back right because all the proceeds go
directly back to our clinic. So yes, I know I
(29:39):
have bought stuff. I've seen treasures down there. I always
have to be like, really really exercise discipline because there's
a lot of really neat stuff that comes through there,
or maybe stuff that you had as a child or
you remember your parents had and you're saying, oh my gosh,
I haven't seen that in like forty years. So my
mom had, right, and they're like, oh, I want to
buy it, and I'm like, okay, I have a small house.
I have that exercise restraint. But anyway, so yeah, the
(30:01):
true So April third and fourth is the yard sale.
Speaker 1 (30:04):
And it's Hope within dot org is your starting point, ladies,
Thanks so much. Hope within ministries and visions of the
community where physical, spiritual, and emotional needs are fully met
and hope thrives, and that's exactly what they're doing. Please
support them any way you can. I'm Sylvia Moss. Catch
insight this week on one of our ten iHeart stations
or any time on your paper podcast steps. Thanks so
much for listening. To see you next week.
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