Community development

1. Faith Friends Mentoring for Success
The mission of Project H.O.P.E. (Helping Other People Excel) is to facilitate a partnership between every
congregation or community organization and low-income individuals or families as they transition to
dignity and independence under God. A registered 501(c)(3) non profit corporation
Denis Rigdon, CEO
Donations are tax deductible, charitable gifts.
1911 Woodlawn
Tel: 573-651-0551 or Tel / Fax: 651-0336
Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Email: phope@swbell.net WEB page: www.phope.net
MAJOR PROJECT HOPE ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN SOCIAL JUSTICE
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region.
Brought IDA program for asset building to congregations and participants in our
o Participants have expanded businesses, rehabbed their homes, and purchased
their first home with IDA matched savings funds.
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Established several comprehensive financial education class in multiple
communities
o One class presented at the Gibson Center by a volunteer professional financial
manager has educated 240 people per year to God’s stewardship with money.
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Helped start and continue in operation the region’s first shelter / transitional center
o The Revival Center served 1,349 homeless people in 2005.
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Started and operate the largest vehicle ownership program in MO for qualified
participants referred for mobility needs – 170+ vehicles provided for community needs,
employment access, moving from welfare to good jobs, etc.
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Mentor training and technical support provided for 700+ mentors.
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Work to develop mentoring and other social ministries with 70+ different
congregations
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Provide a Power Point mentor training and a scored outcomes tracking tool that
empowers mentors to quickly assess progress and needs of their participants.
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Developing a secure, internet-accessible Sierra Software component for our
member congregations to track their work with mentored participants and other social
ministries.
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Developed and operated ecumenical multi-congregation furniture / home
furnishings program that assists 40+ families each month.
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Acquired $144,000.00 for Katrina survivors located in the Cape Girardeau region
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Helped acquire MO competitive funding of $2 million to rehab Cape Meadows Circle
and maintain those 48 apartments as affordable rental properties for our community.
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Organized community, cooperative development and planning support in rural IL
and MO
o Clarkton has formed an active community group to revitalize their town, urged
the right people to run for public offices, and started cleaning up the town.
o Partnering with the Murphysboro ministerial alliance and the mayor to develop a
cooperative faith-based social ministry consortium to address unmet needs.
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We serve on the development committee for a national car ownership program
focusing on mobility to resources, community development, and employment accessibility.
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Facilitated the extension of a Federal Home Loan funded $310,000 building to
Vision House for their use as a transitional housing and support program for women in
recovery.

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Developing affordable, energy star and energy self-sufficient home production
plants which will provide long-term, above living wage employment, community
development / revitalization, neighborhood stabilization, and quality homes for our nation.
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AT&T / SBC Excelerator grant for technical development
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Internal Accounting through Tina Jones Accounting
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Annual Audit performed by Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper & Associates since 2004,
when Project HOPE became our own fiscal and hiring agent