Feature Story & Photos by Larry H. Oskin
The Clermont HOPE Center is celebrating its grand opening with an open house and tours on Saturday, May 1 starting at noon. Everyone is invited to learn how the Clermont HOPE Center will be unifying the community with access to a diverse array of collaborative programs, events and services. The South Lake Chamber of Commerce will kick off the celebration with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
HOPE Center Origins: Real Life Christian Church of Clermont had the original vision to help offer expanded personal services, family counseling support for the homeless and a job services program for the South Lake County community. They realized that not everyone goes to their church, so they wanted to create a program that would appeal to everyone. Their Pastor launched a HOPE Center plan while providing seed money to create a totally independent 501-C3 with their own management team, board of directors and advisory board. Some of the key inspirational leaders included Clermont Police Chief Broadway, Rocky DeStefano of Chick-fil-A, Scott Homan of the Citrus Tower, realtor Eileen Scates, Dr. Denise McAlister and Steve Harrison.
Hope Center wants to transform as many lives as possible with care, support, counseling, services and compassion. Every service is personalized to meet individual needs. There are no cookie-cutter programs. HOPE Center works to create unique and innovative solutions for each family, child, teen, and adult who comes to HOPE for help.
In 2020, HOPE Center provided over half a million meals to needy families from their food pantry. They helped over 3,000 families with counseling services, and in the past year, placed over 1000 people in jobs. They work closely with 3-2-3 Staffing and presently have more jobs than job seekers.
In 2021, their primary focus has been to help find solutions to the community’s homeless crisis. HOPE will soon launch a new program for homeless prevention. Programs are now being developed to stop human trafficking in Central Florida. This fall, they plan to launch an expanded new program for local military veterans. The HOPE Center will also launch a new expungement program service to help anyone who needs help to move their life forward by removing their minor criminal records.
HOPE Center Management Team:
Steve Bush is the Executive Director. With over 40 years in top business management and financial management including time with Archer Daniels Midland, he has experience supervising people, programs, resources, mergers and acquisitions. Originally from Illinois, he graduated from Illinois State University with his first Bachelor’s Degree and a second from Faith Christian Academy of Orlando. He spent seven years as a top administrator in ministry at Real Life Church.
Scott Chevalier is Director of Strategic Development at the Clermont HOPE Center. Born in Ohio, he spent 32 years in Nashville, before moving to Clermont 4 years ago. He is a graduate from Trevecca Nazarene University with two Bachelor’s Degrees in communications and Christian education. His expansive career has included top management posts with churches and non-profits as well as time as a Youth Pastor, a Lead Pastor.
Tim McCormack is the Strategic Partnership Director. Jeannette Rivera is the Director of Finance and Jennifer Sergeant is the Marketing Director.
Support Upcoming Events:
May 15 – 5K Run for Hope
June 20 – Father’s Day Golf Tournament
July 17 – Clermont Scavenger Hunt w/ City of Clermont
August 14 – Murder Mystery within the HOPE Center Haunted Mansion.
September – Anniversary of 9-11 with a concert at the Apopka Amphitheatre to honor all military, veterans, war heroes and first responders.
Sponsors & Donors Needed! The HOPE Center is looking for generous sponsors and donors. They are also looking for volunteers who will graciously share help for those who need help.
Visit The HOPE Center website at HOPE to find out more details and sign up.
For more information, visit the Clermont HOPE Center, located at 12629 US Highway 27 in Clermont. Phone 407-826-1160 for a free tour or to schedule a consultation or visit: www.CFLHope.org.
