“We are all just one life event away from being homeless.”

“No one ever thinks it is going to happen to them.”

“It can happen to anyone.”

It happened to Tina Hatcher and her husband Scott and their four children – even though they were homeowners with good jobs, after Scott was laid off from a company where he had worked for 25 years. Hatcher told her personal story of their family’s multi-year struggle with homelessness on Thursday, August 22, at the first-ever gala for Hope Impacts, an organization she founded in 2014 to help the homeless in the Katy area.

Since its inception, the nonprofit has helped over 250 individuals go from homeless to housed, ranging from an 18-year old exiting the Child Protective Services system to an 83-year-old man. Hope Impacts regularly renders services to over 210 other individuals who are currently homeless.

“A majority of the people we serve don’t want to be homeless,” said Hatcher. “We do not enable someone who doesn’t want help.”

Hope Impacts is not a shelter or a rehab program. Through its partnerships and resources, including working with the Harris County Sheriff’s office, the organization provides services and connections for the homeless who are desiring changes in their lives, include referrals to medical and dental care, mentoring programs, housing assessments, personal ID and documentation, job training and other classes, and more. Direct services include some transportation services, client advocacy, a mailing address, computer use, limited use of onsite laundry facilities, food packs, showers, clothes and shoes, sleeping bags and backpacks.

“Everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect,” said Hatcher in her gala address. “We love people where they are, but too much to leave them there.” Hatcher said the organization takes a holistic approach with each client, treating the mind, body, soul and spirit.

Keynote speaker Aaron Groff, former mayor of Fulshear and a consultant who guided the Hope Impacts board of directors in their strategic planning, said in his address that estimates of homelessness are under-reported, noting that in Fort Bend County, over 6,500 children “don’t have a bed to call their own.” He focused on the rising costs of housing, noting that home ownership is becoming less affordable.

Hope Impacts has weathered Hurricane Harvey, COVID, the 2021 freeze, Hurricane Beryl, resistance from area residents living in the neighborhood near the nonprofit’s offices and other significant disruptions but has continued to deliver services throughout those challenges. Hatcher said that the need continued to grow in the Katy area, and Hope Impacts is now in need of more office space, more staff, more volunteers and more resources in order to meet that need. Hatcher’s dream is to have “sustainable solutions,” including a permanent housing community, such as a “tiny house” community or other form of housing.

The nonprofit receives no state or federal funding but is dependent on private donations and partnerships. In addition to monetary donations, Hope Impacts is always in need of men’s medium and large T-shirts, men’s pants sizes 30-34, baseball caps, new socks, bottled water and Gatorade. Donated items may be dropped off at 802 Dominion Suite 900 in Katy Monday through Thursday by appointment (call 713-705-7884 before going to the office). Meal donations for the weekly “Supper and Showers” held each Thursday at Crossroad Church are also needed.

For more information, go to hopeimpacts.org.