At the United Way of Lamar County’s annual meeting and campaign celebration, where the organization passes out awards and summarizes the year’s events, the New Hope Center of Paris was awarded the UW’s 2013 Service Award.
The annual meeting was held on Wednesday, February 19. United Way executives and community leaders recognized the organization’s accomplishments in 2013, as well as announce the results of their annual fundraising campaign.
During the meeting, after an ex-resident of New Hope gave a presentation about the center and what she had gained from the experience, UW officials — to the surprise of New Hope Center staff — awarded them the service award, recognizing outstanding service and dedication to the homeless of Lamar County.
The New Hope Center of Paris is a transitional housing center for the homeless, preparing homeless families and their children for self-sufficient living by addressing all their vocational, spiritual, educational and emotional needs in a safe residential setting. They are in the midst of moving to a new facility in the former DHS building at 4th and Sherman. This new facility will allow them to help even more people and provide a number of new and improved services.
“It was a sparkling moment for everyone connected to us,” New Hope Center executive director Gay Ballew said. “Thank you to all that have helped New Hope to be the success it has become.”
“We’re very proud of the support and work,” she said. “Everyone has provided and excelled.”
By Josh Allen, eParisExtra