Causes: Children & Youth, Counseling, Family Services, Half-Way House (Short-Term Residential Care), Human Services, Mental Health, Youth Community Service Clubs

Mission: Empowering Survivors of Abuse and Addiction. . . Hope Connection is helping people in crisis through the healing process by providing a safe environment for them to connect and share their hurts, find peace, and ultimately be restored as healthy, contributing members of our society. We are reaching out to those affected by abuse and addiction with education, support, services, and resources for healing and healthy transitions for a brighter future.

Results: Many women and some men, young and old, have experienced healing from past abuse--physical, verbal, emotional, sexual, narcissistic-- and have moved forward into healthy, fulfilling relationships. Parents have received guidance for parenting their teenagers while, on the other side of the coin, the teens have a connect group with mentors where they can engage in discussion about issues with which they are struggling. Youth have received mentoring and connection in a healthy, safe environment, learning how to cope with issues of life. People have been helped to move through grief at their own pace, without pressure, but with loving support. Parents and loved ones of those involved in addiction, have grown, supporting each other through the tough process of loving, but not enabling. Art Hangouts, ballet, and hula hooping, along with after-school partnerships, have been a major part of our outreach.

Target demographics: Hope Connection International (HCI) is a multi-faceted recovery and prevention center that connects with non-profits worldwide to empower survivors of abuse and addiction by offering free support groups, classes, and sponsorships with tailored solutions, along with supportive, long-term housing.

Direct beneficiaries per year: children, teens, and adults who had suffered sexual, physical, and/or emotional abuse; teens and parents dealing with issues; families with adopted children; children and teens who needed mentoring and positive role models; young adults who were homeless and without direction in their lives

Geographic areas served: Raleigh, NC area empowering survivors of abuse and addiction. Hope Connection is helping people in crisis through the healing process by providing a safe environment for them to connect and share their hurts, find peace, and ultimately be restored as healthy, contributing members of our society. Our positive prevention program can be part of a general continuity of care plan that supplements, rather than replaces, current mental health intervention systems. Hope Connection International (HCI) is a multi-faceted recovery and prevention center that connects with non-profits worldwide to provide support, healing, education, and resources to hurting people, specializing in reaching youths and individuals in crisis.

Programs: **CURRENT SUPPORT GROUPS AND CLASSES-Abuse and Abandonment Recovery (Mending the Soul--English and Spanish)-Teen girls class, Salvaging My Identity -Art, dance, and life skills classes for youth and young adults as part of our prevention program, especially reaching out to those at risk or coming out of foster care, jail, or tough life situations -Classes for parents of teenagers -Teen Connect group -Support groups for adopted teens and parents -Partnership with Youth 4 Hope, part of the Local Hope outreach after-school program offered by Hope Community Church-FREE Counseling available by appointment by volunteer licensed counselors and life coaches-FREE ESL classes offered to the community **Upcoming Classes and Support Groups: -Abuse Awareness classes for the public -Educating teens and young adults about preventing dating violence and avoiding unhealthy relationships **Phase III (vision to start this phase within two years) Bridging the Gap residential community for young men 16-25, especially those who are homeless coming out of the foster care system or jail and need to finish their education, get career counseling and mentoring, and make a new start. In conjunction with this residential center, we also have a goal to provide a two-year transitional housing program for domestic violence victims with children to provide a place of healing, safety, education, and career development that will give them a brighter future.