People
Nonprofit of the Month: Working with Hope
The Hello Woodlands Nonprofit of the Month is brought to you by Randy Lovelace of Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies and highlights a local nonprofit organization that serves the Montgomery County community.
The Nonprofit of the Month is Working with Hope, a nonprofit organization with a mission to give hope to those who have lost hope for a cure, advocate for people with invisible illnesses, reshaping the narrative around these illnesses, and eliminating obstacles to employment, and provide resources and free services to empower men and women to end the cycle of chronic unemployment and build a prosperous future for themselves and their families. Read our interview below with Working with Hope’s Founder, Hope Hill.
THE INTERVIEW
Tell us about your organization. What is the organization’s story?
Working with Hope’s mission is to give hope to those who have lost hope for a cure. The R.A.R.E. (Reliance Acceptance Respect Empowerment) support network is committed to advocating for people with invisible illnesses, reshaping the narrative around these illnesses, and eliminating obstacles to employment.
There are significant differences in employment and income levels for people with invisible illnesses and disabilities. Their unemployment rate is almost twice the national average. They may also face chronic unemployment, a devastating, never-ending cycle that is costly not only to the employee but to the employer.
Providing resources and free services, Working with Hope empowers men and women to end the cycle of chronic unemployment and build a prosperous future for themselves and their families.
How did the organization start?
Hope Hill founded Working with Hope after being diagnosed with a rare neurological autoimmune disease. She has personally suffered the devastating effects of invisible illness throughout her life and understands the hopelessness it causes. Hope’s father, who also suffered with a chronic medical condition, told her, “Life is worth the fight, never give up.” She has held onto those words during her own battle with invisible illness. Working with Hope was founded to honor his legacy.
What is your mission and why?
Giving hope to those who have lost hope for a cure.
We are committed to advocating for people with invisible illnesses, reshaping the narrative around these illnesses, and eliminating obstacles to employment.
Significant differences exist in employment and income levels for people with invisible illnesses and disabilities. Their unemployment rate is almost twice the national average. There is also the possibility of chronic unemployment. This damages all aspects of a person’s life not only for the employee but also for the employer and the whole community.
With the help of resources and free services, Working with Hope empowers individuals to build a prosperous future for themselves and their families.
Who and where do you serve? What programs and services do you offer?
We serve anyone who is impacted by invisible illness.
Our pilot program R.A.R.E. ART in partnership with Victory for Veterans and the Glade Arts Foundation is an art workshop and lecture designed to promote healing through art. The act of creating art fosters a connection between your mind and your body, which is healing. While exercise benefits your body and meditation benefits your mind, creating art benefits both.
What makes this organization unique?
Chronic unemployment can have a devastating impact on an individual’s mental and physical health, as well as their overall well-being, leading to a sense of hopelessness and helplessness.
By providing resources and services that empowers these individuals, they can acquire the necessary skills and support to create a career for themselves and secure stable employment. This can provide them with a sense of purpose and self-worth, as well as financial security, which can have a positive impact on their mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being.
The ripple effect of providing services is on the community as a whole. By enabling these individuals to gain meaningful employment, they can contribute to society and the economy, which benefits everyone. Therefore, providing resources and services to individuals facing chronic unemployment due to an invisible illness is not only important for their individual well-being, but it is also vital for the overall health and prosperity of the community.
How can the community get involved, volunteer, and support this organization?
Working with Hope, is a grassroots organization, incorporated in the State of Texas and is a 501c3 public non-profit. The best way to get involved is to come out to a R.A.R.E. ART event and meet us to learn more about our mission. We are looking for service providers, partnerships, sponsorships and donations to establish a R.A.R.E. fund that will provide grants to individuals that will help them secure employment in a position or professional career that the individual will be successful in.
Where can the community learn more?
Visit our website www.workingwithhope.com.
ABOUT RANDY LOVELACE
To learn more about Randy Lovelace, his “Referral for a Cause” program to help local nonprofit organizations, and of Paragon Independent Insurance Agencies, please call (281) 298-0440, email rlovelace@paragoninsagencies.com or visit www.paragoninsagencies.com/woodlands.
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