FAQ
01
What does The Center of Hope Ministry do?
Currently, The Center of Hope Ministry provides a warming shelter for the homeless or those without a warm safe place to sleep during the often bitter cold nights we experience in Manhattan, Kansas.
02
What is a warming shelter?
It’s just that, a safe and warm place to come sleep, and not have to worry about being outside or cold.
03
How does it work?
We operate as a low barrier drop in shelter.
What that means is if you show up, we will have a place for you to sleep for the night.
04
Are there any rules or expectations?
Yes! Along with being a warm place to sleep, providing a safe place is one of our highest priorities.
Rules and expectations are in place to ensure the safety and dignity of all of our guests, volunteers, and space.
05
Are there restrictions on who can stay?
No, anyone is welcome. If the rules are repeatedly violated or there is a threat of danger to self or others, then a restriction may be placed on an individual.
06
Why do we need a warming shelter in MHK?
It gets really cold most winter nights, and there are some in our community that don’t have a safe or warm place to sleep.
Look at 'our impact' on the home page.
07
What about Be Able Community or Manhattan Emergency Shelter? Don’t they do the same thing?
Be Able and MESI are two incredible organizations that serve some of the same ones we do, in different ways.
Be Able is a daytime community resource center that provides services, resources and programs to assist anyone the community. MESI does a great job housing those in need that meet the criteria and participate in their program.
Many of the guests we see will spend their days at Be Able and nights with us. There are often reasons that they may not be able or choose to not use MESI.
08
Your name says "ministry", are you a religious group?
That's a great question. No, we are not a religious group. We are a faith-based organization that believes in loving God and loving people. We show that love in the way we care for those in need.
Our faith or beliefs, however, is not a barrier to anyone that needs our services or wants to volunteer with us.
We are not wholly supported or subscribed to a single church or denomination.
09
How can I help?
We’re so glad you asked. We rely a lot on volunteer support, so that is a great way to help. We also rely on donations and charitable giving to operate the shelter. While having money to pay bills is important, there are often items that we need to keep the shelter and guests safe, these are usually on a wishlist, or social media drive.
Follow us on social media and click "DONATE" above.