Faith-based group targets homeless
Hope Impacts reaching out to help those on the streets of Katy without resources
Tina Hatcher believes she has found her mission in life, and it’s not an easy one.
Hatcher, 52, is the driving force behind Hope Impacts, a relatively new organization which works to combine the efforts of dozens of local programs and individuals to aid the Katy community’s homeless.
“Our vision is that Hope Impacts seeks to provide hope for the homeless, helpless and under-resourced in the Katy community,” Hatcher said, “through tangible acts of love.”
A faith-based ministry, Hope Impacts held its first meeting in February, 2014, and by May of that year had received its designation as a nonprofit organization.
A native Houstonian living in West Memorial for the past 21 years, Hatcher serves as executive director of Hope Impacts, leading more than 40 partners, including Katy Christian Ministries, churches, businesses and individuals.
“I had been going out and ministering to the homeless for several years,” Hatcher remembered, “and I thought somebody needed to have an organization that had a heart for helping the homeless.
“I have a heart for special
needs, the elderly and the homeless,” she said. “I believe everyone should have the best life they can.”
Hatcher, who worked 13 years as a special education para-professional with Katy Independent School District, now works as a full-time personal care attendant for a multi-impaired young man.
“Our mission is to network caring people, providing partnerships, information and resources to address the physical, emotional, financial and spiritual needs of the homeless, helpless and under-resourced,” Hatcher said.
“The whole idea behind Hope Impacts is if we are together we can do so much more than the individual. We want to be able to help people get the help they need to keep from getting into a crisis situation,” Hatcher said. “We’ve seen nine people go from homeless to independent in the past year.”
Hatcher, who also serves as director of community connections for Creekside Community Church, said the indigent in the Katy area are on the streets for a variety of reasons, including addictions and life situations they couldn’t control.
“If you want to help the homeless, don’t give them money,” Hatcher said. “There’s a great probability that money handed
through the (car) window is going to help them stay in their situation, not change it for the better.
“If you want to give them money, support organizations that exist for that reason.”
That sentiment is echoed by William “Bill” Hastings, police chief for the city of Katy.
“Giving them money isn’t a good idea,” Hastings said. “Most of the ones you see at the intersections in the area aren’t really homeless. If you watch at the end of the day, you’ll see them walk to their car they’ve got parked somewhere behind a building or a business.
“We don’t get many homeless in the city,” Hastings said. “What we get mainly are transients, people who are trying to get somewhere else. Sometimes we take them to the truck stop, where it’s easier for them to catch a ride.”
Serving on the board of directors for Hope Impacts are Katy-area residents Don Blake, president; Mark Wiley, vice president; Kathy Fraser, treasurer; and Mike Farr, secretary. Serving in an atlarge position is Katy area resident and Houston Police Department Hot Team officer Jaime Giraldo.
Serving on the ninemember advisory team are Hatcher’s husband Scott, executive director for Christ Clinic Kara Hill and Katy Christian Ministries’ social worker Lily DeLaGarza. Other members include Marshall Camp of food distribution program “twenty four 4 twenty,” Abi Morton of clothing distributor Clothed by Faith, Carol and Robb Berry, who minister to girls caught in human/sex trafficking, and CrossPoint Community Church’s Monday and Wednesday night bootcamp hosts Mike and Christi Hicks.
Plans for future fundraisers are an outdoor bazaar where participants can pay $25 for a booth to sell their wares, as well as a golf tournament at 9 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 19, at Weston Lakes Country Club, Hatcher said.
Hatcher said Hope Impacts, with assistance from its partners, hosts a hot breakfast for the homeless on the first Saturday of each month.
“We pick up the people who are on the street and bring them to the breakfast,” Hatcher said, “then take them back after breakfast. In June and July, the breakfast is in the parking lot of New Hope Presbyterian Church. We serve food from 9-10 a.m., then we have worship services from 10 to 10:45 a.m.
“First Baptist Church of Katy will host the breakfast from August to November. We’ve had as many as 67 people at breakfast,” she added.
Hatcher said sponsors and volunteers are needed for the breakfasts and tax-deductible monetary donations are needed for Hope Impacts. To donate using a credit card, go to hopeimpacts.net; send checks to: Suite G277, 1450 W. Grand Parkway, Katy, TX 77494.
To volunteer, call 713705-7884.
“We need people willing to offer their skills to mentor people,” Hatcher said. “We want to help a person’s mind, body and spirit with budgeting and parenting classes, computer skills, job interview skills and nutrition help, for example.
“Our life verse is from Jeremiah 29:11: ‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope’,” Hatcher noted. “Only by the grace of God go any of us, and Jesus was our example.” Trish Johnson is a freelance writer