Hope Restored throws two year anniversary

NORWALK - Local nonprofit organization Hope Restored is throwing a second-anniversary event in celebration of the Hope Center. The event is Monday, March 9 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Hope Center, located at 269 West Main Street in Norwalk. The Hope Center is a community resource building that helps address issues of family violence through advocacy and education, care groups and preventative programs. They offer a variety of services to help equip individuals with the tools to have healthy relationships with others. "We have a mission of bringing peace and ending violence for every man, woman and child," President and CEO Donna Jenkins said. "So the anniversary we are celebrating is the two-year anniversary of opening our Hope Center, which is one of three initiatives that our organization has." The open house will celebrate the center being open to the public for two years, and they are inviting the public to come check out the space and showcase the programs and services they offer along with outreach efforts. "The center really is the hub of all the programs and services and outreach that we currently provide," Jenkins said. "So we're going to have information available for people to come check out the rooms." Jenkins added that they want to give the community a tour of some of the rooms in the building and the different programs and classes that are available to attend. "We have three different core ways we approach it," Jenkins said. "The first one is prevention, so we have programs for kids and classes on having healthy relationships, you don't even have to be in an abusive situation. Then we have support groups that work with people who are currently in abuse or who have been abused. Then the third piece is restore. So we really believe that the cycle of abuse can be broken and that there is healing for anyone who has endured any kind of trauma." One of the biggest needs facing the organization is getting the word out to leaders and businesses that want to support their efforts financially or with volunteers. While also making sure the community is aware that they exist and services are available for those who need them. "It's a great organization whose initiatives and what their goals are is badly needed," said Kevin Rasnick, Executive Director of the Huron County Chamber of Commerce. "Not only in Huron County but throughout the world. The chamber is here to support them in any way that we can and we look forward to attending their event." The event will also have snacks and refreshments, and prize drawings every 15 minutes. For more information about the organization or the Hope Center, visit https://yourhoperestored.org/hope-center