8 Florida United Methodist Review Online

Grant helps ministry reach into schools

By Michael Wacht

NEW SMYRNA BEACH — Prayer has been banned in public schools, but that hasn’t stopped Alan Nord from taking Hope House’s ministry into Volusia County schools to reach children and families in crisis.

Hope House is a new ministry of First United Methodist Church here that’s working to provide a Christian support network for children and families in Volusia County, said Nord, the ministry’s director.

“We’re trying to build families up,” he said, adding that Florida’s parents and children face unique difficulties. “Most people here come from somewhere else. They don’t have the extended support network of parents and grandparents that can help. They need support.”

Nord says the support Hope House provides is addiction recovery groups, support groups for kids that address anger and low self-esteem, and parental support networks that allow parents to discuss their issues.

Although the ministry offers a 24-hour help line, Nord said it’s not enough to just be available to people. “Rather than sitting on a street corner hoping people will find us, I wanted to go out and let people know the church is open for business,” he said.

To do that, Nord is going where at-risk children and families are typically found — the beaches, juvenile justice system, law enforcement agencies and public schools.

“I sat down with the phone book and called the schools and asked for the guidance counselors,” he said. “I asked them for the opportunity to explain what we’re doing and what our mission is.”

He has met with guidance counselors at New Smyrna Beach’s four elementary schools, one middle school and one high school. Since he is not a licensed mental health counselor, the school systems can’t officially refer anyone to Hope House, but he said the counselors were interested in being able to present families with other options.

“I do deal with parents that are very open about their faith in Christ,” said June Weaver, a school counselor at Indian River Elementary School. “Sometimes they are suspicious of the mental health field. As I consult with parents or as needs arise, I take into account what parents are saying and what they need. It’s nice to know that there’s something for people coming from that [Christian] world view.”

With the help of a $5,000 grant given last July by the conference’s Council of Bishop’s Initiative on Children and Poverty, Nord hopes to see Hope House grow. The money will go toward setting up the ministry’s office, producing printed material and training volunteers.

Nord rejoices at the victories he’s already seen: a 15-year-old girl giving her life to Christ, a single mother with three kids finding some direction in her life. He also knows there’s much more to do. “The need is overwhelming,” he said. “When you connect with those helping, they want more.”