Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27

The word “crisis” usually brings a shudder to the body, like a chill passing through. In society we have been listening to words like crisis, pandemic, and fear. It can be weighty and be a deterrent to seeing the peace all around us. At Acres of Hope there is something so beautiful unfolding. PEACE.

The mothers and children at Acres of Hope are seeing the term “crisis” in a different light. Before “crisis” meant homelessness, abuse, addiction, loss, and hopelessness. Yet today as the world outside the walls of Acres of Hope searches for any glimpse of peace, there it is radiating through the women and children on the Acres of Hope campus. This time as crisis unfolds all around them, they are not in the center of it. They have safety, a place to rest their heads, a place to continue growing into a strong and healthy family. While hunkering down and self-isolating themselves, they are growing stronger and healthier together. The extra family time brings out their true joy because it means more time to read their kids a story, get creative, play a game, teach their children, and just find time to be silly. As a big-extended family they have even created their own “escape room” type adventure at Acres of Hope - “Corona Survivor” where they have turned the need to keep healthy and safe into a daily adventure of activities and challenges that are both entertaining and educational. The joy, laughter, and community at Acres of Hope makes this crisis seem like no crisis at all.

As the world searches for peace, our families have it. Behind the walls of our closed campus, Acres of Hope is a shining example of the power of love, community, and togetherness that helps us all thrive - even in the most challenging of times.

This is Acres of Hope.

Always Truly,

Acres of Hope, breaking the cycle of homelessness for women and their children.