New Hope, an organization dedicated to fighting homelessness, hosted its sixth annual Hope for the Holidays event on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at the Switchyard Park Pavilion.
During Hope for the Holidays people can buy decorated artificial Christmas trees and all the proceeds go toward New Hope for its mission to rehouse homeless families and children. The event featured over 50 trees, each decorated by a different organization, family, sports club, church, school, Greek organization, business or individual.
Each tree had its own theme, several of which were themed after popular media, including Taylor Swift, Barbie, Mario, Bluey, Harry Potter and Winnie-the-Pooh. Others were themed after concepts, such as one skiing-themed tree that came with a $200 gift card for a ski resort and another centered around Indiana University athletics. Trees were accompanied by a variety of items depending on the theme, including decorative light-up Christmas deer, books, movies, candy, dog treats and toys, vinyl records and legos.
Trees had two prices: one buy-it-now price and an auction price. The buy-it-now prices typically started around $500 for smaller trees and around $1,000 to $2,000 for larger ones. Customers could either buy a tree for themselves, or they could buy one for one of the 28 families New Hope supports. Each tree favored by a family was marked with a red bow. There were also pots of small or large Poinsettias available, with a suggested donation amount of $20 and $50, respectively. Attendees were also welcome to donate to the cause without buying anything.
At the venue, customers were invited to look at the trees displayed while enjoying free amenities. There was hot chocolate and cookies, as well as a buffet-style table with crackers, cheeses, fruits and nuts. Different groups of musicians each night played live music, including classic Christmas songs like “Christmas Time is Here.” Between the hot chocolate, the dimmed lights and soft glow of the trees, the several families and children enjoying themselves and the rich and warm sound of the band, the event had an incredibly cozy atmosphere.
Becky Hrisomalos, who has attended the event for several years, said that the atmosphere of the event is her favorite part.
“I love the event, I love the music and the energy and the young people,” Hrisomalos said.
Strewn around the venue, however, were reminders of New Hope’s mission.
“In Bloomington last night,” one sign read, “91 children were homeless… 0 slept outside.”
Emily Pike, executive director of New Hope, said of the 28 families currently being supported by this chapter of New Hope, almost all are from Bloomignton, with the rest living in Owen County.
“In our community, on a given night, between 35% and 40% of people impacted by homelessness are families and children,” Pike said. “It’s a much higher number than people realize. (Bloomington has) the tightest housing market in the state of Indiana, and we do not have the highest incomes. It is hard to find housing at any price point, and if you are a family living in poverty, it is almost impossible. And so we will continue to have a family homelessness problem until we no longer have an affordable housing problem.”
Pike explained the primary ways New Hope helps families impacted by homelessness are through their rehousing efforts and early learning program. Their early learning program helps provide attentive care and stability for children under 6.
“In a lot of the country, you have to be married or you have to be partnered with someone of the opposite sex, or a single mom (or dad) wouldn't be welcome,” Pike said. “We take families of all shapes and sizes, and we help those families who move through homelessness into stable housing.”
According to New Hope’s website, 52% of those staying in Indiana homeless shelters move out into stable housing, but 80% of families through New Hope move into stable housing.
“We don't see families sleeping in the park, but that's because New Hope is actively out there making sure that doesn't happen,” Pike said. “So to our knowledge, there are no children sleeping outside tonight or living in cars because we've made a pact to the community that we will not let that happen.”
Brianna Begeman, who started volunteering for New Hope this year as a part of her “Homelessness in America” class, also emphasized the impact of New Hope.
“We see less homeless kids and families throughout the streets and (they are) off the streets because of what New Hope has done for them,” Begeman said. “Giving them a place to stay, even temporarily, and helping them get back on their feet (so they can) go and search for employment and just be better overall.”
For New Hope, volunteers are an important part of making an impact, Bergeman said.
“New Hope’s always looking for volunteers, and it's a great opportunity to help out the community,” Begeman said.
New Hope is currently looking for those willing to sponsor families by buying gifts from a wish list so their children can receive those gifts on Christmas. More information about the process of sponsoring a family can be found on New Hope’s Facebook page.
For those who are interested in volunteering for New Hope,donating or otherwise becoming involved in the organization, more information can be found under the “How You Can Help” portion of New Hope’s website.
