House of Hope opens new door

TAMPA - Long, long before I wrote about religion, I covered crime and the corrections system in Arizona for a daily newspaper in Phoenix.

What made the biggest impression on me was how few people escaped the revolving door of incarceration.

People who landed in jail and prison likely were returning guests of the county or state. Or if it was their first time, chances were it would not be their last.

That's why the Hillsborough House of Hope is such an inspiring story.

For more than seven years, this Christian-based group home in Seminole Heights has served women with criminal records or substance abuse problems. Usually, they come with both issues.

In that time, 73 women have been in the tightly supervised program, which includes job placement and training assistance, Bible study and classes in nutrition, self-esteem, health and family planning. They typically spend about six months in this transition phase of their lives before striking out on their own.

According to one-time program manager Linda Walker, the success rate so far is 60 percent.

Sixty percent. Anyone who knows about recidivism rates for addictions and crime knows this figure far surpasses most programs.

Walker is one of the success stories. She got clean 11 years ago, married a year after that, and is now the mother of two children, ages 7 and 8. She tells the residents: If I can do this, you can, too.

That may be one reason why the program works. Having a role model like Walker is a plus. She also credits the God factor.

"I don't know any other way to say this. I really feel this place is shielded by the armor of God," she says.

I can't confirm that with any authority. But the House of Hope has a bona fide angel, 83 years young.

Her name is Margaret Palmer. I met this South Tampa grandmother about 10 years ago after she was named the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office Volunteer of the Year.

She was one of the Chat Ladies, a group of volunteers who visited women at the jail, giving them spiritual support upon request. She loved the work but fretted constantly about where the women went when they were released.

Usually, it was right back where they had come from, which typically led to no good. That's when she started dreaming of a home where they would have a safe environment with spiritual and practical help during the crucial transition from incarceration to society.

Dream comes true

Not everyone shared this vision. Economically, it seemed like a long shot. And giving second chances to offenders isn't often a popular cause.

Still, Palmer was persistent. In time, her dream came true. She got assistance from her church, Hyde Park United Methodist. Individuals and corporations also stepped up. With a budget of less than $100,000 a year, the nonprofit House of Hope is the haven Palmer envisioned so long ago.

It only houses three women at a time. Palmer knows that's not enough. She had to lower her expectations and accept the fact that she can't offer a safe haven for everyone.

"I wanted a house big enough for a dozen women. But now I realize you can't save the whole world at once," she admits. "So I'm happy with one person at a time."

Barbara Curry is one of those women. Five years ago, prospects were dim for the 53-year-old divorced mother of two grown children, in and out of jail for writing bad checks and using crack. She considers her stay at the House of Hope as "divine intervention."

"They gave me an open door and showed me how to live the right way," she says.

Curry isn't a big churchgoer. She knew Palmer from her jailhouse visits and told her: I need a place to stay. But Palmer made it clear that the House of Hope was something more than that. It was a haven where broken women could become emotionally and spiritually whole again.

Curry got the opportunity and made the most of it. She used her time at the home to work on her faith life and get more in touch with God. She felt safe and loved. She was able to slow down and take stock of her life. And she was given the chance to believe in herself again.

Today she has her own apartment and works as a manager at a McNatt's Cleaners in South Tampa. She wears her name badge with pride. She dreams of returning to accounting, her line of work before drugs and bad judgment took over.

"Everybody makes mistakes," Curry says. "In a million years, I never thought I'd get in the position I let myself get into. But I got my second chance, and I thank God there are people out there with a kind enough heart to give it to me."

House of Hope is expanding

The story doesn't end here. Next week, the House of Hope expands with an independent residence for women who graduate from the supervised program. The organization purchased a $132,000, three-bedroom house across the street from the original residence and paid for renovations with grant money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and Tampa.

It will be dedicated in memory of Pat Cook, a substance abuse counselor who worked at the jail.

Its first resident will be Elizabeth Ingrisano, 47. Alcohol is her nemesis. "I've allowed it to make a mess of my life." She's on her third month of sobriety - following a relapse after 17 months without alcohol.

She'll be able to look across the street and see the House of Hope. Her motivation to stay clean and sober and be a contributing member of society will be reinforced by the angels around her.

Palmer and Walker say they couldn't do this without each other. They are each other's biggest cheerleaders. And they couldn't do it without the support of people who believe in this mission. If you'd like to help, go to http://hillsborough houseofhope.com and check out the tax-deductible wish list.

It's an investment with a 60 percent chance of return. Given today's economy, that's not a bad deal.

HOUSE OF HOPE RIBBON-CUTTING

WHAT: Mayor Pam Iorio will cut the ribbon, and jazz singer Belinda Womack will provide entertainment. Light refreshments will be available

WHEN: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday

WHERE: Park at Central Tampa Baptist Church, 2923 Tampa St. Transportation will be provided to the new house.

INFORMATION: Claudia Sellers at (813) 641-3932 or e-mail sailonbord@aol.com