Building Hope

When we think of an Outreach, there are plenty that pop into mind. Homeless shelters, animal shelters, libraries, little league sports are all great examples. We are blessed to have several great ones in Lewis County. One in particular has consistently had their hands out since it's inception, and those hands are reaching out into our community, pulling children and their families into the goodness of Hope.

Hope Hohenwald Inc., commonly known as Operation Hope Hohenwald, has been impacting families in Lewis County since 2008. In fact, they've just celebrated their 17th Summer Day Camp with an End of Summer Celebration that featured stage performances from Lewis County's children ages five to fourteen who attend the 8-week day camp. What began as a very small program with only a handful of children, has grown into a massive outreach. Campers enjoy swimming, arts, crafts, performing arts, sports, STEM, nature hikes, and much more during June and July. This summer, more than 170 school-age children attended Hope's day camp. "We began the summer June 3rd with more than thirty children on our waiting list," said Tonya Woodward, the founder and CEO of Hope Hohenwald Inc. "This is just an unacceptable number. I worry about these kids safety each year," she added. "We have the ability to facilitate a larger program to accept more children, but we do not have the adequate facilities."

Hope Hohenwald Inc. has been fortunate to have the use of The Dwelling Place Church at no charge. The after-school program and especially the summer day camp uses every square inch of the space. "Initially we only used certain rooms, but as we grew, so did the demand for space. It became clear that if we were planning to assist more families, we must expand," Woodward said. In 2022, Hope Hohenwald Inc. began fundraising for a building expansion that had been a dream of theirs since 2018. Over the past 18 months, the nonprofit organization has purchased two properties (215 N. Park St. and 29 Swan Ave.) and renovated the buildings on the adjoining lots. They've continued their fundraising efforts and are anxiously working towards an end of summer or early fall groundbreaking.

"We have amazing partnerships within the community that has enabled us to progress as far as we have into our fundraising efforts," Woodward said. Highland Oil and Oliver Companies have invested heavily into the expansion project. "I am humbled by their support," Woodward added. "I believe they have seen firsthand the impact our programs have had on the families of their employees. For instance, many families in Lewis County cannot afford traditional childcare fees, but we keep costs down by only charging $50 each week per child during the summer day camp even though the national DAILY average is $87. This impacts families greatly."

Since 2008, Hope Hohenwald Inc. has faithfully served the Lewis County community. Some of those outreaches include bi-weekly food distribution (serving between 600-800 families each distribution), Hope for the Holidays Christmas outreach (providing warm clothing and gifts to kids), Hope Skates (free ice-skating during Christmas in Hohenwald), Back to School Supplies, Foster Care supports, Easter EGGstravaganza (free family fun day), and much more.

Currently, Hope Hohenwald Inc. is conducting a capital campaign, Building Hope, to raise $1,000,000 towards the expansion. Highland Oil has pledged a match of $150,000 and Oliver Companies has pledged a match of $125,000. "If we can raise the matches ($275,000) this summer, we will only be short of our goal by about $25,000," Woodward said, "but we need the community's help." Scott Oliver of the Oliver Companies insists, "If you've ever worked with Tonya on anything, you know her heart is in everything. Every move she makes is to serve not only the children of Lewis County, but their families, friends and neighbors as well. Her heart reaches past herself and into the fabric of this community, and everyone in her vicinity, seeing the work being put in, can't help but be drawn to the cause as well. The Oliver Companies take utmost pride in being included in this incredible outreach, and we look forward to seeing the fruit of this community-wide laborious effort." David Adcox of Highland Oil agreed, "Tonya Woodward and her staff at Hope Hohenwald are making an amazing impact on the youth of Lewis County. They are passionate about their mission of serving over 170 children and hundreds of families. They are in dire need of an expanded facility to meet the growing demand for their services. Connie and I, along with our family and businesses have supported Tonya for many years. We are now fully committed to see Hope Hohenwald build the new facility that they need and deserve. I hope the community will help get behind her and fulfill her dream of reaching more children."

Hope Hohenwald Inc.'s 12,800 square foot expansion project will include an indoor basketball court, commercial kitchen, an inclusive mini gymnasium, performing arts stage, a dedicated art room, and four additional classrooms. The cost to build the building per square foot because of dedicated partners is projected to be only $120. Their Building Hope Capital Campaign encourages donors to sponsor a square foot or to ask twelve people to give $10 and collectively sponsor a square foot. During the summer, campers have been coloring squares on a large 4'x8' board that pictures the building's layout as sponsorships are added. "We've got a lot more money to raise, but I am hopeful that the community will support us."

If you would like to become a Hope Builder, donations can be mailed to Hope Hohenwald Inc., 217 N. Park Street, Hohenwald, Tennessee 38462, or you can easily give online at http://www.hopehohenwald.org. or Venmo @hopehohenwald. Hope Hohenwald Inc. is a nonprofit, 501 c 3, community serving agency. All donations are tax deductible.