HOPE 34 january 2026 www.goodnewsfl.org Good news • South Florida Edition One weekend this past December offered a powerful reminder of why we do the work we do at HOPE South Florida. It was a living expression of our mission: to create HOPE-filled communities that keep families together, provide compassionate care, and equip those we serve for lasting, holistic life change through intentional action and the love of Christ. Volunteers from Calvary Chapel Parkland, Church by the Sea and Holmes Helping Hands, Inc. came together ahead of the Christmas holiday to serve nineteen families, including both current program participants and successful graduates of HOPE. What made this experience especially meaningful was that these were not simply random gifts distributed to families. Each family developed their own gift list based on specific needs, and our faith-based partners and individual supporters generously fulfilled every request. In total, twenty-five volunteers spent the day distributing gifts, praying with families and fellowshipping together. Before meeting the families, we reflected on the unique dynamics of those we serve. HOPE families experience situational or sudden homelessness caused by life-altering events such as job loss, divorce, domestic violence, abandonment or medical crises. While this differs from the more visible chronic homelessness often associated with addiction or severe mental health challenges, the disruption to family stability is just as profound. What do people see? We grounded our time together in Acts 2:42–47, reflecting on the inauguration of the early church and how believers, empowered by the Holy Spirit, devoted themselves to teaching, fellowship, the breaking of bread and prayer. What stood out was the intentional nature of that devotion and the challenge for the church today to respond to the same Spirit-led calling. As one of our pastors often says, there are actually five gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and the believer. How people encounter the believer often determines whether they will ever read the first four. The question, then, is simple yet profound: what do people see as we live out our faith? That question was answered throughout the day as families shared their stories, provided updates on how they are now thriving and expressed hope for an even brighter future. Families felt seen and heard as they opened up and shared prayer requests. A recurring theme in those requests was stability within family relationships, employment and living arrangements. Research confirms what we witness daily: homelessness is often not the core crisis, but rather a symptom of deeper relational disconnection, whether from family or a faith community. Personally, I was honored to invite one of our families to join my own family for Sunday service. They not only worshiped with us but also stayed afterward to share in fellowship with us and other members of our church. Grateful hearts Another particularly powerful testimony came from a successful program graduate now working at the Florida Department of Children and Families, whose husband is employed at JetBlue. She shared the following with us: “I just want to say, we are overly grateful! I’m truly thankful for it all. May you and the team continue to have the strength and love to continue God’s work for families like mine. I too one day pray I’ll be able to donate to HOPE. A true blessing! We thank you all oh so much, and thank you to the family that gifted us. We are truly appreciative and grateful. I pray abundance over you all and abundance over the family as well.” That December weekend was a meaningful reminder that at HOPE South Florida, we are not only providing housing and supportive services. We are doing ministry. We are called to be devoted to our community, to love intentionally, and to reflect Christ in both word and deed. We were blessed to be a blessing to others, and to God be the glory. 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 Devotion and Intentionality in Action Reflections from a Weekend of Ministry Volunteers from Calvary Chapel Parkland, Church by the Sea, Holmes Helping Hands, Inc., and HOPE South Florida staff at the HOPE South Florida office in Fort Lauderdale.
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