Welcome to Hope Network
Our Mission: Under the leadership of Christ, Hope Network seeks to reach out in love to those in our community needing hope with food, clothing, shelter, medical care and transportation through a network of local resources.
Hope Network's primary service area is the Raytown C-2 Consolidated School District. Raytown is a community of approximately 30,388 people. The average income of households in Raytown is nearly $42,000; however, over 5 percent of households in the city earn less than $16,000 each year. Hope Network focuses its mission on assisting individuals and families at or below that level.
Please consider giving of your time, talents or treasure today!
Special Thanks to Our Major Donors
Byron Coleman Trust Fund Kemper Foundation
Jewish Heritage Foundation Charity Thrift Shop
Gwen's Story: Finding Help and Hope Through Second Chances
Alcohol addiction tore her family apart and nearly took her life, but one day Gwen Davidson realized that there was more that life had to offer. It was only through the help of local agencies, like Hope Network, that Gwen found a new sense of purpose, renewed hope and the clarity to move forward.
Gwen and Hope Network Executive Director Janet Lowe
10500 E. 350 Highway Raytown, Missouri 64138 816-778-1105
Website design by Jennifer Anthony Consulting, LLC
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About Hope Network
Hope Network is a faith-based nonprofit organization whose roots began with the desire of the congregation of First Baptist Raytown to help the poor and disadvantaged in their city. The organization began in 2006 – first as a volunteer led and operated program of the church, and then, upon completion of its 501(c)3 status in 2008, as an independent organization. The organization’s purpose is to reach out, meet needs, and change lives using a comprehensive approach to social service. Participation in religious services and activities is not required of the organization’s clients; rather, the organization’s leadership and staff simply desire to offer hope to those in need and to demonstrate care for their community in practical ways.
There are three characteristics of Hope Network that embody the organization’s unique approach to social service:
1. Hope Network is geographically based. Its services are delivered primarily in Raytown, Missouri. Raytown has a limited number of nonprofit organizations specifically serving this mid-sized community. As a result, Hope Network is positioned to fill a great need.
2. Hope Network fosters inclusiveness by reaching beyond the faith community from which it started.
3. Hope Network is keenly aware of the importance of networking with other social service agencies. The organization regularly seeks out strategic partnerships, has implemented a referral process, has created a network of resources for the clients it serves, and has joined MAACLink (a city-wide network of social service agencies operated by the Mid-America Assistance Coalition).
Board of Directors
John Davis, Honeywell Engineer
Wayne Retherford, Farmers Insurance
Craig White, Glad Heart Realty
Laura Davis, Director of Administration, First Baptist Raytown
Steven T. Cox, President, Providence Financial Advisors
J. Beto Lopez, ARO Real Estate ARO Real Estate
Pastor Victor Stevens, Westridge Christian Church
Richard Hastings, CEO Emeritus, St. Luke’'s Healthcare
Will Kraus, State Senator
Ron Essary, Ideal Producers Group
Janet Lowe, Executive Director, Hope Network
Give of Your Time, Talents or Treasure
Volunteers, in-kind donations and financial contributions are crucial to Hope Network's ability to impact hundreds of lives each year. There are many ways you can get involved with Hope Network and help your neighbors in need.
Give of Your Time
Hope Network has a large variety of volunteer
opportunities for both individuals and groups.
Click here for a list of of the volunteer
opportunities available with Hope Network,
including the times the opportunities are
available. All volunteers must fill out Hope
Network's volunteer application prior to service.
Give of Your Talent
Do you have a specialized skill you'd like to put
to work for the benefit of the families Hope Network serves?
We're always looking for auto mechanics, dental or medical assistants, physicians,
dentists and others with unique training. Click here for a list of specialized volunteer opportunities available.
Does your business offer services, such as event planning, auto repair, nutrition counseling or other specialized services, that might benefit Hope Network's clients? We'd love to talk to you about how you can serve your community and increase awareness for your business by partnering with us. Contact us today to learn more!
Give of Your Treasure
Your gift - whether large or small, whether financial or in-kind - significantly impacts the families Hope Network services. To make a financial contribution, mail your donation to: Hope Network, 10500 E. 350 Highway, Raytown, MO 64138. You may also donate online .
Hope Network is constantly in need of your donated items, including food, clothing, housewares and other items. Click here for a list of in-kind donations Hope Network is currently seeking.
Financial and in-kind donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Support Hope Network Financially
Your gift, whether large or small, significantly impacts the families Hope Network serves. Help us feed a family, provide a child with school supplies, or bring a doctor’s care to the very sick. These are only a few examples of what your donation can do.
You can mail your donation to:
Hope Network
10500 East 350 Hwy
Raytown MO 64138
Donate Online: Click Here
Donate In-Kind Items: Click Here
All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law.
Foodie KC Fundraiser
Hope Network is proud to partner with Foodie KC to
offer you discount packs for 52 local restaurants . Enjoy
good deals at eateries around the city while supporting
the mission of Hope Network! For just $20, you'll
receive a pack of "$10 off purchase of $25 or more"
discounts at restaurants such as Zarda BBQ,
801 Chophouse, Habanero's, RA Long's and more!
That's over $500 in savings for just $20!
Contact us today for your Foodie KC pack!
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Donate In-Kind Items
Hope Network welcomes donations of non-perishable food and/or new or gently-used clothing.
Hope Network operates the only FREE clothing closet in Raytown. It also operates a Food Pantry for those in the organization's service area.
You may drop donations at any of the locations below:
The ROC Building at First Baptist Raytown (back of the building)
Raytown, MO 64138
Starbucks in Summit Woods Crossing Shopping Center
1702 NW Chipman Road
Lee’s Summit, MO 64081
Contact us if you have specific questions about your in-kind donation or the items Hope Network accepts.
10500 E. 350 Highway
Raytown, Missouri 64138
Staff:
Janet Lowe, Executive Director
janet_hopeforraytown.com
816-778-1105
Michelle Williams, Public Relations
michelle_hopeforraytown.com
816-778-1148
Specialized Volunteer Opportunities
Medical Clinic
Needed: Receptionist(s), Medical Assistants, Dental Assistants, Physicians, Dentists
To volunteer for any of the above positions, please contact Janet Lowe at 816-778-1105.
Transportation Ministry
Needed: Auto Mechanics, Oil Changes
Hope Network offers transportation assistance on an as needed, as available basis. If you have skilled training in auto repairs and/or the ability to assist with routine car maintenance (such as oil changes, tire pressure checks, etc.), please contact us.
Event Planning
Needed: Event Planning Volunteers
Nearly 25% of Hope Network's annual budget
is raised through a variety of special events,
such as an annual Gala, a 5K, concert benefits
and other activities. If you have an interest in
assisting with planning, promotion or
implementation of these events, please
contact us.
Stories of Success
Gwen's Story: Overcoming Addiction to Discover True Hope
Gwen's wake-up call came when her alcohol addiction nearly claimed her life while driving drunk. Her life had spiraled downward: she was homeless and had temporarily lost custody of her children. She knew something had to change.
Gwen began to utilize some of the vital services in the
community to help her get her life back under control. After
living temporarily at Catherine's Place (a local women's
shelter), she discovered Hillcrest Transitional Housing, an
organization that provides temporary lodging for individuals
in transition as well as life skills classes. Gwen and her
children (whom she had regained joint custody of) moved
into a Hillcrest apartment in 2008. It was through that
apartment that Gwen connected with Hope Network, which
not only furnished her Hillcrest apartment, but helped to
ensure Gwen had pantry and clothing supplies and even
the occasional hot meal.
"My children felt so safe," she said. "We were reunited as a family."
That summer, Gwen graduated from the Hillcrest program and Hope Network stepped right in to both recognize her hard work at self-improvement and help her set out on her new life successfully. Hope Network provided her with a car to use for transportation, and helped to provide furnishings and other household items for the new home she and her children were moving into.
Thanks to the network of support surrounding her, Gwen has found sobriety and has been reunited with her children. She has remarried and is now living a life of victory and self-sustainability. Hers is a story of success, thanks to the community agencies, volunteers and donors willing to give her a hand up, not just a hand out.
"I thank God each and every day for blessing me with His special gifts of love, grace, mercy, my recovery, my beautiful children and my wonderful husband."
