KLTV 7 News Tyler, Longview, Jacksonville |Longview Shelter Celebrates Thanksgiving

Longview Shelter Celebrates Thanksgiving

By Bob Hallmark - bio | email

LONGVIEW, TX (KLTV)- On this day each year we gather with our families to be thankful for what we have, and a women's shelter in Longview feels they have the real meaning of thanks.
Many at House of Hope shared a thanksgiving meal in a place where women come to rebuild their lives.

"I'm thankful for everything around here because when I come here I had nothing and I really didn't know what I was going to do" says house resident Debbie Roark.

"House of Hope is just a building and I'm just the doorkeeper that sees to it that the door stays open" says House of Hope director sister Helen Johnson.

What has become home to many, started with humble beginnings. "When we started we slept on pews on church pews, because we still shared this building with church in the wind" Johnson says.

Some have hit hard times, others just need a place to recover. 18-year-old Dorthea Redic, who's eight months pregnant, just needed someone to care.

"Everything that's material somebody could take away or you could lose it and now things as simple as soap, toothpaste, toothbrush I'm very thankful for, I'm grateful for every little thing," says Redic.

And those who have families exhibited the true spirit of thanks.

"So what they did was invited other women who didn't have opportunities with families to go and have thanksgiving day with their families" Johnson says.

Recovering from poverty and abuse, they've found life again.

"Be thankful that God has put people in your life to bless you" says Redic.

Around 60 women stay each night at House of Hope. They serve around 180 meals each day, and are always in need of food donations. If you'd like to help, donations can be made at House of Hope on Marshall Avenue in Longview, any day of the week.

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