Volunteers assemble furniture. Photo by New Hope UMC.

BRANDON – New Hope United Methodist Church, formerly known as First United Methodist Church of Brandon, completed a church-wide missional study last year called, “Becoming a Good Samaritan.” The study convicted several staff members, including Minister of Missions and Pastoral Care Coordinator Vicki Harrison, to do even more for their community. Senior Pastor Jamie Westlake approached her to talk about a house on the property that was being used as office space, but that wasn’t being utilized the way it could be. They began brainstorming about how to use the space.

“Immediately, I thought about the Women’s Resource Center, because we have a close working relationship with them and I know Cheryl Hickman (executive director) very well, and I know her dream of starting a shelter for women and children. I also do a lot of homeless outreach, so I know the need is tremendous for some kind of transitional housing in East County,” Harrison said.

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