Who We Are
Who We Are
The Center of Hope Ministry Foundation is an established Kansas not-for-profit corporation,
IRS 501(c)(3) organization, with a fund under the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation.
Our Mission:
The Center of Hope Ministry is committed to meeting the needs of our neighbors in the homeless community with empathy, kindness, and compassion.
By providing a safe, warm place to escape the harsh winter nights we are able to renew the hearts, minds, and souls of our neighbors giving them hope
and one more day.
Our Leadership:
We are currently organized as a working board that manages, executes, and oversees the mission. Each of our board members have amazing stories of triumph over tragedy that bring shared understanding to our cause.
Below, you can read our “Why?”.
Will Parish
Founder
Had first-hand experience being homeless, cold, hungry, hopeless and alone. This was in Oregon, where he encountered a ministry similar to this that gave him hope and resources that saved his life.
Getting plugged in with Be Able Community in 2021, led to seeing a need that he once had, and set out to meet that need.
Jeremy Harmon
Chairman
Jeremy never directly experienced homelessness but was intrigued to learn about the homeless community in Manhattan. After retiring in 2020, he set on a mission to volunteer with organizations that are making a real difference in the lives of people. Bringing years of leadership experience, it was fitting when he was asked to join his friends at The Center of Hope in 2024.
Angela Stoutenburg
Director of Operations
Angela joined the leadership team in 2023 and immediately made a tremendous impact. Having struggled with mental health and addictions that led to being homeless herself. That was over 17 years ago, where others helped walk her through that time. She says “It’s now my turn to care for those, like others cared for me. Specifically, those who struggle with the same things I did”
Jason Stoutenburg
Client Services Director
Jason has almost 20 years in the US Army. Prior to the military, he experienced homelessness and addiction. He sees serving with CoH as his "responsibility as a follower of Christ".
Sarah Harmon
Secretary
Sarah is the wonderful wife of Jeremy. With a heart for God and people, coupled with a talent for organization and administrative skills, we couldn’t be more grateful that she joined the ministry.
Evelyn Jasper
Board Member
The Center of Hope stands for what I believe in: Walk in Love and Unity.
As a Retired Army veteran, I never experienced homelessness, yet I understand the harsh realities by way of family members.
Kendra Parrish
Board Member
Having experienced brokenness and being alone, that led to a period of homelessness; she credits programs similar to CoH with literally saving her life.
Our Story
In November 2021, our founder, Will, saw a need that wasn’t there. Some homeless men, women and families in Manhattan had no safe place to sleep on a cold night. Many would huddle in cars, under bridges, tents, next to fires, anywhere they could stay warm, and hope to survive some brutally cold nights. Will and a few others took steps to meet that need. Initially, shelter and volunteers were sporadic and moving around, until Vineyard Community Church graciously opened their basement to the Ministry in late December.
The Center of Hope Ministry Foundation was formed, established as a Kansas not-for-profit corporation, and partnered with the Greater Manhattan Community Foundation to help raise funds and support.
Our operating schedule is from November to March, during the coldest months. We are extremely grateful to Vineyard Community Church for providing the space to meet the need through March, 2024.
DECEMBER 2024
On December 1st, 2024 we began operating the shelter at First Congregational UCC in the downtown area. This put us at the heart of where the need is most, and our impact is evidence of that.
January 2022
NOVEMBER 2022 - MARCH 2024
WHAT WE DO
We operate as a low-barrier drop-in shelter for those that may not have a safe, warm place to sleep. We provide cots and bedding in a safe and sanitary environment.
We have trained overnight facilitators that ensure the safety of our guests and the facility we use.
Our guests have to agree to some basic rules and expectations of the shelter, that are
established for the protection of everyone.
We typically have water and snacks available, as well as opportunities for entertainment
(movie or games) and conversation until “lights out”.
Check out our
FAQ section for more information.
OUR IMPACTS
Hope and ONE more day!
What could one more day mean?
Is it one day to live, one day to go to work, one day to make a different decision, one day to try harder than yesterday,
one more day…