HOPE 36 APRIL 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good News • South Florida Edition “God is our refuge and strength, an everpresent help in trouble.” These powerful words from Psalm 46 remind us that even in the most uncertain and overwhelming moments, we are never alone. For those of us who walk in faith, this truth is foundational. Yet for many families in our community, safety and stability can feel distant, almost unreachable, like something meant for others but not for them. Lives in upheaval and a loss of hope are a daily reality for many families in South Florida, a reality we encounter every day at HOPE South Florida. Family Safe Parking This past December, we launched our Family Safe Parking ministry, a simple yet innovative and transformative response to a challenge facing families across many of America’s largest cities and counties, because no one should have to navigate the hardship of living without safe shelter alone. We are committed to being part of the solution. Families who once had homes now find themselves living in their cars, navigating the daily challenges of survival while trying to maintain dignity, routine and hope. What we have learned in these few short months has been both sobering and deeply moving. We met a single mother caring for a two-week-old newborn along with four other children. Imagine the weight of that responsibility without a safe place to call home. Half of the families we have engaged are caring for children with special needs, navigating autism and other developmental and health challenges without the stability that consistent housing provides. We encountered a senior woman who, after losing her job, also lost her ability to maintain housing, finding herself alone and vulnerable. These are not just stories; they are reminders of how fragile life can be. And yet, in the midst of these trials, we see something else, resilience, courage and the unmistakable presence of God at work. A bridge to permanent housing Family Safe Parking is not the destination. It is a bridge, a temporary place of safety where families can rest, regroup and begin the journey back to permanent housing. It is a place where fear begins to give way to hope. A place where chaos begins to settle into calm. A place where the promise of refuge becomes tangible. As Scripture reminds us again in Luke 12:7, God knows us intimately, so much so that He has numbered the very hairs on our heads. This is the message we want every family to feel and believe, that they are seen, known and deeply loved, not only by our staff, but by God Himself. One mother in our program captured this truth in a way words can hardly improve upon. After transitioning from her car into a permanent home, she shared that the greatest gift she could have received was being handed the keys to that new place, a symbol not just of housing, but of restoration, dignity and a fresh start. Her journey reflects what happens when compassion meets action and when faith is lived out in real, tangible ways. There are moments when the lives of the families we serve resemble stormy seas, with waves crashing, uncertainty rising and fear threatening to overwhelm. But even there, God is present. Even there, He is our refuge. And even there, He gently calls us to “be still” and trust that He is near. Instruments of refuge At HOPE South Florida, we believe we are called to step into that space, to be instruments of God’s refuge here on earth. To offer not just temporary relief, but a pathway to lasting stability. To stand in the gap between crisis and restoration. But this is not a journey we can take alone. We are calling on our faith community to join us. To be part of something greater than any one organization. To help ensure that no family has to choose between safety and survival. To be the difference between a family falling apart and a family finding their way home. You can be that difference. You can help create the moment when a mother receives keys instead of uncertainty. When a child sleeps safely instead of anxiously. When a family moves from instability into the promise of a permanent home. Because when we come together in faith and action, we reflect the very heart of God, a refuge for those in need, a source of strength for the weary, and a light in the midst of the storm. And in doing so, we help families not only find shelter but truly find their way home. Celebrating 30 years of impact, HOPE South Florida exists to be a HOPE-filled community—keeping families together, offering compassionate care, and guiding them toward holistic life change. Under the leadership of President Joseph D. Kenner, we remain committed to ending family homelessness in Broward County by building communities that empower families to become resilient and independent. For more information visit HOPESouthFlorida.org - Joseph D. Kenner - President, HOPE South Florida A Refuge in the Storm: Finding God’s Presence Through Family Safe Parking
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjE2MjU=