Community Outreach 

Through a variety of activities, Haven of Rest reaches out to touch and brighten the lives of those living at or near the poverty level. 

Operation Hope Tote is a special outreach when individuals, church groups, school classes, civic organizations, and business are asked to fill purple Hope Tote bags with personal care items (such as toothpaste, soap, deodorant, brush & comb, shampoo). These bags are then distributed the week before Easter to thousands of needy and homeless people in the community. 

Hope Basketball Camp each summer is a special outreach for inner-city boys and girls in grades three through eight. They benefit not only from learning the fundamentals of basketball but also from interacting with leaders who model wholesome, Christ-centered lifestyles.

An annual summer picnic brings together hundreds of low-income families for a time of fun and encouragement. Haven of Rest’s traditional Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter holiday many who would otherwise spend these special times hungry and alone.

At Christmas time, inner-city children are invited to participate in Haven of Rest’s traditional “Happy Birthday Jesus” party. The program shares the true meaning of Christmas and the birth of Christ in an uplifting and energy-charged atmosphere. For most of the 400 youngsters who attend, the party with its puppets, costumed characters, presents, and treats is a never-to-be-forgotten childhood experience.