Ray of Hope's program focuses on shelter

A Ray of Hope changed its Adopt-A-Family program this year, asking for contributions to help people pay utilities and rent.

In a press release, Director Peggy Christensen said many other organizations provide a good dinner and presents under the tree.

Their program, founded in 1999, was redirected this year to help an ever-increasing number of people keep from losing shelter while also teaching them how to budget their money.

“A Ray of Hope’s Adopt-A-Family program has removed the fear and worry of how to keep children safe and warm, preventing countless families from having to face being homeless,” Christensen said.

She said for years she had a goal of opening a shelter that could handle families, yet year after year she could not make it happen. Instead, A Ray of Hope used money raised above the needs of the shelter and ministry to keep families in their homes to prevent the need for a family shelter.

“I’m a slow learner but I serve a good God,” she said.

Christensen now realizes that A Ray of Hope could never have raised enough money to keep a shelter open to serve as many families as they have kept from becoming homeless.

In asking for donations, she emphasizes how a little help from many people solves big problems. Christensen said donors should let them know how much they want to give and may direct how they would like their money used.

“We can still help with toys under the tree if that is your wish,” she said.

Christensen said people may pick a specific family and speak to her or the staff for an update on their needs. Donors may give directly and just inform A Ray of Hope of what was provided to avoid duplication of effort.

She provided stories written by families helped by A Ray of Hope, including Lelani Arben, who is married with two children. Her husband works part time at McDonald’s and didn’t have the money to move the family out of an apartment that had mold that was making the children ill.

“Lelani found a three-bedroom home their budget could handle and A Ray of Hope paid the landlord rent,” Christensen said.

The family spent Thanksgiving in a safe home.

Mary Fisher, a woman on disability with multiple health problems, has an 11-year-old and an 8-month old. As a single and homeless mother, she was helped by A Ray of Hope with getting electric and water connected, plus a full tank of gas as well as winter clothing.

She now lives in a 15-foot travel trailer with access to a kitchen, bathroom and laundry in a private home until an older mobile home she purchased is made livable.

One who needs help is a woman who overcame a drug addiction and now attends college. She needs help with utilities and gas as she gets through school.

Christensen provided another sad story of a woman with boys 3 and 6 who lost their father and means of support to his gambling addiction. Last year they were living in a beautiful home with a father who had just been promoted.

After her husband was fired from his job and left, she and the boys live in a tiny apartment with her mother as she tries to find work. The children lost their dog and all their friends in their former town.

“My boys have had a tremendous loss this holiday season,” the mother wrote.

People who can’t donate money may help these families in other ways including:

 Give extra food, paper products, cleaning supplies or personal hygiene products.

 Volunteer to help a family move.

 Give babysitting time to help single mothers.

 Help families by becoming a budget counselor.

For more information, call (406) 755-4673 or visit the website www.arayofhopemontana.com.