Do not be afraid.This phrase is written throughout the pages of scripture numerous times – especially around the time of Jesus’ birth.Mary, a young teenage girl, was told to not be afraid. Unmarried, in a relationship, now pregnant – do not be afraid. Many of our moms, including our founder, faced an unplanned pregnancy. Fear, sadness, frustration, shame, disappointment, doubt, anger – these are just some of the emotions one would expect when news of an unplanned pregnancy is revealed.Yet Mary placed her whole confidence in the Lord. Did Mary understand everything God was doing? Unlikely. Or resent what He was doing? It doesn’t seem like it. Did she think others would judge her? There was probably no doubt in her mind that this would happen.And yet, Mary set her heart to God’s calling for her life, and the life of her unborn son. Uncertainty didn’t impact her confidence in the plans He had for her, nor her trust in Him to take care of her. The unknown was great, but Mary knew her God was greater.Our families have lived challenging lives. They have stories of sadness, of hurt, of fear, of disappointment, of abandonment, of uncertainty, and more. And yet, when they were faced with an unplanned pregnancy – before even knowing God had Elevate Hope House planned for their future – they chose life. And then they chose to come to Elevate Hope House – a place of unknown, but also a place of hope and support and potential for a fresh start. A safe place to make a change for their lives and the lives of their littles.This Christmas, cling to the hope that Mary so easily clung to in such an uncertain time of wonder and calling. Trust in His plan for you. Trust in His love for all of His children, and embrace the next steps He has for your life this Christmas.#Christmas#hope#love#tistheseason#hopeoftheworld#trustinHim#endinghomelessness#intotheunknown#calling#pray#futureisbright

Thank you to all that stopped by the Craft Fair at the Andover Courtyards this weekend! We had SO MUCH fun meeting each and every one of you and explaining Elevate’s mission as well as our vision for Grace Marie’s and how we desire to work with families in the community! It would not have been possible without our amazing team that dedicated late nights of prep in addition to their day job and gave up their Saturdays to connect – so thankful! This was our shortest craft fair yet (we’ve only done a few, but still…) and yet we sold and connected with more people than even the last one! In fact, our Founder Melinda is finding she might just be a crafter in getting back to her “sales roots” as we are now having AMAZING and SUPPORTIVE repeat customers! God is good! #shop local #endinghomelessness #smallbusiness #faithoverfear #shewillnotfall #untilnexttime

We had such an AMAZING time this past Saturday with our community raising support and awareness for Elevate’s mission to end homelessness for young moms and their children in our community! Over 200 people came out to join in the fun – such an incredible blessing. The BBQ was delicious, the tournament was full of laughter & competitive fun, and the bouncey houses never stopped moving until dark! We are now one step closer to pursuing our 2nd home thanks to your generosity & support! Thanks again to everyone who came out! See you next Fall at Willow Tree! 

Remember, Elevate’s current home is only able to serve 3 moms at a time. And while we are incredibly blessed to serve these amazing moms who have take a step towards self-sufficiency in working our program, we are still turning down moms each week. In fact, we had to say “no” to 3 moms seeking housing and programming just last week in the days leading up to our event. We are full and need a 2nd property – how can you help? Connect with us today!

To say this has been a busy Summer for many of us is an understatement! Elevate has felt no exception to the busy life either! In fact, we have felt so busy as of late – preparing for our next event on October 9th, talking to the community about opening a 2nd home, recruiting and engaging servant-hearted volunteers, supporting and encouraging our families in their goal plans alongside their Advocates, and even working slowly to get our small business off the ground – that Elevate staff took pause to reflect this weekend on what God has done in the already full year we have been open. Just over a year ago, on July 24th, 2020, in the middle of a pandemic, Elevate opened the doors of its 1st home to its 1st family. 

The teal, front door still smelled of fresh paint, the deck recently stained by the loving hands of youth during a service week, and each bed made with fresh linens, and a special handmade quilt by women of God from one of our local church partners. We believed in what God called us to do – to love the moms He was sending us unconditionally, but we had no idea what the next year would bring for Elevate.

“You can make many plans, but the Lord’s purpose will prevail.” (Proverbs 19:21) This verse couldn’t be truer for Elevate. We made plans, business plans, staffing plans, leadership plans, and then we went through changes as most organizations do – all the while, God carried us through and what He had in store continued to amaze all of us. In no time at all, before leaves even began to change color, we had a full house of families.

Our team knows these families have experienced trauma. We don’t often know more than their surface stories – what they are willing to share at intake, or when they move in – but God works in amazing ways. 

He brings the best volunteers to meet the needs of each family’s heart… 

He brings leaders and staff with skills and gifts that He personally gave them to continue forward His mission for Elevate in new and exciting ways…

He gives all that work with Elevate (truly all that believe in Him) grace & peace to walk through every trial in His love…

The song Waymaker states it best, “Even when I don’t see it, you’re moving… Even when I don’t feel it, you’re moving… You never stop.” He never stops moving in the hearts of Elevate – the families, the volunteers, the staff, the leadership, the prayer warriors, and the supporters. We are so excited to see what this next year of operations brings, and we will work hard to trust and give it all to Him for His glory. 

Today, three families are walking through their goal plans day by day to become self-sufficient when they leave our 1st home. Each day, we see the families at Elevate growing closer to Him in their own time and in their own way of learning to trust in someone they never thought they could fully trust in before now. 

Our dream? To multiply the mission of Elevate to reach more families in crisis and show each of them His unconditional love. We turn down referrals every other week as of late, as the opportunity continues to become greater and greater since the Pandemic. This calling is a blessing to all that work with Elevate, and we ask for continued support, continued prayer, and continued blessings for this chapter, as well as the next.