In the City of Guthrie, there isn’t just hope, there is literally a house built on hope that serves the needs of low-income families and provides meaningful shelter and an opportunity for meaningful rehabilitation.

A USDA Rural Development investment grant of $84,000 helped those involved in Hope House Guthrie, with the necessary funds to complete the purchase of an 18,000 square feet shelter that provides clients in the area with rapid rehousing.

“We serve everyone that comes to our door whether it is for food, shower, clean cloths, or a safe place to stay and often for recovery,” said Sue DuCharme, CEO of Hope House Guthrie. “No longer walking the streets or slipping into an abandon house at night or sleeping in a car or on someone’s sofa.”

A unique aspect of Hope House Guthrie and possibly a key to their success, is that the shelter is ran by the clients it serves.

“Our clients having graduated our ‘Life Transformation’ program, who better to lead new clients to a successful and rewarding new future,” DuCharme said. “I give all the credit of our success to the management of the house and to our house Leaders.”

The team at Hope House Guthrie especially emphasizes that the shelter isn’t just for a place to stay – it is meant as a place for complete life transformation. The facility director for men in the shelter states that this program is indeed a life changing program.

“Hope House Guthrie offers a Life Transformation Program that has been vital to my recovery from drug addiction, enabling me to regain control of my life again and recognize my self-worth and successful independence,” said Christopher Payne, Men’s Facility Director and Client.

Through the RD Oklahoma investment in Hope House Guthrie, there is no longer just hope needed for funding.

“This is a program that requires money we often don’t have,” DuCharme said. “Grants and donations are a constant challenge as is available and affordable single-family housing.”