House of Hope Frequently Asked Questions
What is the residential program?
We are a Christian inter-denominational, magnet boarding school for teens 13-18 years of age. House of Hope is structured on a phase system. While each resident attends Hope Academy, our on-campus school, they will progress through phases, each of which has an increased expectation of responsibility than the prior phase level. By earning trust, they also earn privileges. Privileges increase as they proceed through the phase levels.
The phase system is as follows:
- Orientation: The resident learns the rules and settles into the structure while developing healthy friendships with staff and other residents, with a specific time period of four weeks
- Phase 1: The resident learns to yield to authority
- Phase 2: A time of dealing with issues and learning skills of healthy communication
- Phase 3: Leadership skills are developed, and residents are openly dealing with family relationships and issues
- Grad Phase: A time of adjustment back into the home
As a rule, nonresident counseling will continue after release until optimal healing is accomplished.
How long is the program?
Our residential program could be 6-18 months depending upon the resident’s progress through the program.
What sort of problems will you handle?
Residents will come into our program with a variety of issues including drug and alcohol use and abuse. Most students are behind in school when they come to a House of Hope because of poor attendance and lack of motivation. Teens that have run away are dealing with a wide variety of school issues, or trouble with the authorities. Emotional issues include rebellion, anger, depression, and eating disorders. Many have attempted suicide. There is often involvement in the occult or cults. Dysfunction resulting from emotional trauma is not uncommon.
Would your program be covered under any insurance’s?
Contact your insurance agent and/or company to determine if any or all charges could be covered.
What would our family’s involvement be?
The staff will work closely with the parents to identify personal and effective means of reaching, disciplining and bringing about healing to their family. This will be done through parents attending weekly counseling and parenting groups. Our parents are expected to be on campus for weekly visitation with their teen.
Would our child (or our family) have to be Christian to participate in your program?
No, although it is a requirement that the family and resident must attend a Christian church of their choice each Sunday.
Are you affiliated with any particular denomination? No, House of Hope is an inter-denominational program.
Who qualifies to be a resident? House of Hope will accept boys and non-pregnant girls 13-18 years of age that have a heart and a desire for help.
How can you help this vision become a reality?
You can be a part of making this vision a reality by praying for this ministry faithfully and donating money to help us raise the necessary funds to purchase the property at 6312 Westlake Rd., Bellevue, Michigan. We are working towards the goal of opening the doors for operation as soon as possible. We are excited to see this dream become a reality to help troubled teens in Southwest Michigan! We are an incorporated, 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
Tuition is based on ability to pay on a sliding scale. No one is turned away because of inability to pay.
We rely heavily on private donations from individuals, churches, and organizations because we are not funded through social service agencies or the government.