Outreach extends to many people, but many helping hands are required to reach those in need.

“’Grassroots initiative and community partnership are key to outreach at Holy Trinity,” said co-rectors, the Rev. Steve Easterday and the Rev. Pam Easterday.

This combination of grassroots initiative and community partnership produced the Holy Trinity outreach Community of Hope (COH), an organization that provides transitional housing to homeless families.

COH began in Melbourne in 2006 through the efforts of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church parishioner Paul Frill, who had been involved in a similar ministry in South Florida. “He approached Father Steve and the vestry in 2006 about leasing a church-owned house on Elizabeth Street in Melbourne,” said Holy Trinity member and COH board member Mike Crews. “It was agreed that Holy Trinity would lease the house to Community of Hope for $1 a year. That house was the first Community of Hope house.”

From that humble beginning the program has grown into a partnership. Currently there are 29 houses sponsored by 10 churches and other community organizations. There are 35-40 adults and 30-50 children in these homes at any one time.

Keeping families together is a high priority for COH. Family is defined as a mother and kids, father and kids, or a husband and wife. Criteria for residents include legal U.S. resident, legal custody of children, verifiable income and meeting income guidelines, no felony convictions in the last five years, and passing an initial drug screening and random testing for transitional housing eligibility.

The established eligibility criteria help Community of Hope provide housing for families and all the necessities to make a house a home. Family coaches and case management are provided to the families to help them reach their goals for self-sufficiency.

“The first client we helped came to us from a very rough experience. She entered a two-year program with us. She and her kids now live in Orlando, and she is working on a master’s degree!” Crews exclaimed.

“This church has been extremely supportive,” Crews said. “There is money set aside in Holy Trinity’s annual budget for Community of Hope. In the years when Holy Trinity had the auctions, half of the proceeds went to Community of Hope. When there is a fundraiser, people show up and they donate. They also sponsor a Christmas tree for children in the program.”

Parishes that would like to be a part of this outreach are asked to please call COH at 321-474-0966, or visit its website at www.hopeofbrevard.com or Facebook at Community of Hope, Brevard.