The Hope Center at Pullen
Contact: Porter Bell, Executive Director
919.828.0897, x229
pbell@hopecenteratpullen.org
The Hope Center Office Hours:
Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Mission Statement
The Hope Center at Pullen--a faith community of hospitality, affirmation, and justice--strives to remove barriers to opportunity through personal and community partnerships.
Origins through Pullen Outreach
Service to the community has been a hallmark of the congregation of Pullen Memorial Baptist Church for 125 years. The congregation embraced a major effort in 2008 to expand outreach through the creation of a nonprofit at Pullen. The Hope Center at Pullen was incorporated in July 2008 and approved as a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit in January 2009. Through this new organization, we will continue to live into our faith values, bringing together more resources from the community to help our neighbors in need as we work together to do justice and love kindness.
Board of Directors
The inaugural Board of Directors convened August 2008. The board includes members of Pullen Memorial as well as nonmembers. Officers of The Hope Center Board for 2010 are: Anne Sayers (Chair), Jill Hinton (Vice-Chair), Jane Hutchby (Secretary), and Gene Sumner (Treasurer). The Board also includes Caroline Cate, Jane Hutchby, Laura Langham, Beth McAllister, Rob Schofield, Steve Smith, Toni Whitaker, and Tom Winton. Cathy Tamsberg, Pullen's Minister of Outreach and Adult Education, is a non-voting member.
Executive Director
Porter Bell began her service as Executive Director on July 1, 2009. Porter brings years of project management experience from the business world combined with a demonstrated passion for living the concept that we are all God's children. In Porter's words, "It is my passion to continue work that allows me the opportunity to balance my experience and skills with the calling to support individuals in our community who are more often labeled by circumstance than afforded dignity and respect as individuals."
Programs
The Hope Center at Pullen operates three programs. Oversight of the first two originated with Pullen Memorial Baptist Church, transferring to the The Hope Center at Pullen on July 1, 2009.
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1. The Job Readiness Program provides mentors to homeless or marginally-housed men and women who seek stable full-time employment.
2. The Wiley Elementary Enrichment Program supports 18 children and youth who are current or former students of Wiley Elementary International Magnet School; offering tutoring, mentoring, and social activities until they graduate from high school.
3. A JobLink Access Point where job seekers have a convenient, single place to conduct a self-directed search for employment leads via access to online databases and the use of reference guides to prepare resumes and job applications.
JobLink Access Point Hours:
Tuesday and Thursday, 1:30-5:00 PM;
Wednesday, 10:00 AM-12:00 Noon