A newly formed nonprofit organization, A Hand of Hope, is looking out for the needs of the unhoused in five counties. It plans a benefit concert for Saturday, March 30, at American Legion Post 642 in Sedalia.
Crystal Wood, who received a master’s degree in clinical counseling from Central Methodist University, founded the organization in May 2023. She is also the crisis response clinician at Compass Health. She said on Wednesday, March 20, that A Hand of Hope has eight board members: Chair Crystal Wood, Vice Chair Natasha Cowgill, Secretary Alisha Goodwin, and members Don Thornton, Stephanie Salmons, Sarah Potter, Bailey Norman and Chloe Jimmy.
“We have a brief mission statement, and it’s called, ‘decrease barriers increase results,’” Wood said. “And we provide services for the unhoused and those who are at risk of becoming homeless in Pettis, Benton, Cooper, Morgan and Moniteau counties.
A Hand of Hope offers a variety of programs and services to support its clients, including a housing resource line, coordinated entry crisis, housing needs assessments, case management, referrals for mental health, substance use, medical family support, shelter, and other services.
It will offer other services soon, such as assistance accessing SSI/SSDI for eligible individuals who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness and have a mental illness, medical impairment, and or co-occurring substance use disorder.
It will also offer budgeting workshops, an affordable thrift store, a pet of the homeless donation and distribution site, and a Keep Us Together program for foster and veterinarian care for pets of the unhoused.
Wood said the organization is using a lot of footwork and advocacy at this point. Since December 2023, A Hand of Hope has helped five families financially, including one family at risk of becoming homeless. The organization partnered with Pettis County Community Partnership, which helped pay back rent for the family, and A Helping Hand gave the family $250 to buy a new kitchen stove.
Another family was helped by being moved into transitional housing.
“And that’s a step toward permanent housing,” Wood said. “Transitional housing can be like sober living or temporary housing that is a roof over your head but has extra supports.
“So, they might get a case manager,” she continued. “They might have extra rules to live by, especially if it’s sober living. They want you to remain sober; they might have curfews and things like that.”
The organization also provides rides to area shelters. There are three in Warrensburg and some that are an hour to two hours away. It will transport individuals to the CASA shelter in Sedalia if domestic violence is involved. If one’s car is their home, A Hand of Hope provides gas.
Wood is conducting assessments with the unhoused on a daily basis. One main goal for the organization is to acquire office space, which will likely be in Tipton, Lincoln, or somewhere in Benton County. Other Pettis County organizations that have referred the unhoused to A Hand of Hope are Open Door Ministries, Salvation Army, and Recovery Lighthouse.
Wood wants people to be aware of Missouri Senate Bill 1336, which, if passed, will criminalize sleeping on state land.
“We would want people to contact their legislators,” she added. “Because it should not be a crime to exist, just to be alive.”
The fundraising concert to benefit A Hand of Hope will feature the Clay Clear Band and the Honky Tonk Heroes Band at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at American Legion Post 642, 2016 W. Main St. in Sedalia. It is organized by A Hand of Hope board member Don Thornton, who is also a member of Honky Tonk Heroes.
Thornton said American Legion Cmdr. Jane Barr is letting them use the building at no cost, and both bands are playing at no cost. The price in advance is $8 per person, and at the door, it is $10. The doors will open at 6:30 p.m. The event will include a 50/50 raffle and a silent auction.
“We don’t want clients to jump through a million hoops to get services,” Wood added. “We are seeking grant money, but primarily, we are strictly donation-funded at this time. So, we would definitely love to see people come to the concert and have a good time.”
The A Hand of Hope resource line is 660-317-3839. For more information, visit ahandofhopemo.org or facebook.com/AHandofHopeMO.
Faith Bemiss-McKinney can be reached at 660-530-0289.
