Mission Statement
Helping meet the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of the poor in San Antonio, while promoting Christian community values, affirming individual worth and standing up for what is right.
History
Partners in Hope. Genuine concern for our community led the Oak Hills and Jefferson churches to share blessings of resources and time to establish the Christian Hope Resource Center in March of 1999. Oak Hills agreed to provide the necessary financial resources, as well as volunteer personnel. The Jefferson congregation agreed to provide a large portion of their facility. The Woodlawn Grace church joined with us to provide the time and spiritual leadership of their Pastor, Bob Escamilla, as well as the participation of many of their members. We have also welcomed the financial support of many individuals and foundations, as well as corporate contributors such as Walmart and Boeing and Upwords.
On February 5, 2001 SA Christian Hope Resource Center, Inc. was established as an independent non-profit corporation registered under the laws of the State of Texas. CHRC is recognized by the IRS as a publicly supported organization.
In April of 2005, CHRC moved to its permanent location at 321 N. General McMullen in the heart of the West side of San Antonio.
Leadership
CHRC was incorporated in 2001 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and is governed by a Board of Directors, as well as by an Executive Director. Each ministry area is led by an Area Coordinator and operated by a team of volunteers. More than 250 volunteers are involved at least one day per month. A Community Advisory Board provides valuable guidance to our Board on community issues and needs.
Board of Directors:
• Kelly Terry, President and Board Chairperson. President of Dolphin Group Technologies, Inc.
• Tim Baisdon, Vice President. Architect
• Wilson Pipes. CEO of Dolphin Group Technologies, Inc.
• Steve Davis, EVP, First Financial Bank
• Glenn Green: Independent Marketing Consultant
• Mike Hampton: Owner, Roxton, Inc. (Real Estate Developer)
• Bruce Barnard: President, Barnard, Donegan Insurance
• Dr. David Karney: Psychiatrist
Core Values
DIGNITY: The dignity of all people is important. We work to build dignity, first, by refusing to do for others what they are able to do for themselves and, second, by acting on our belief in the value of what God has created in people.
GRACE: The practice of second chances is central to all that we do. Our services and assistanceare freely given in the name of Christ.
JUSTICE: Many of the problems faced by the poor are caused by rules and practices in our society that are unfair and result in obstacles to the empowerment and dignifiedlife that God desires. We join with the Good News of Jesus in working to end these unjust rules and practices, realizing that the ultimate needs is for us all to have a deeper relationship with God. Our involvement in macro issues is to be balanced by our involvement on the level of individual relationships.
COMMUNITY: The people of a community are its most valuable resource and we minister in partnership with other community members, including individuals, agencies and faith-based organizations.
ATTENTION: The people of our community have important things to say. We join God’s work of Good News by listening in the context of real and mutual relationships.
PRAYER: A cornerstone of our ministry is knowing that when we pray, God listens and answers.
RELATIONSHIPS: The building of one-on-one relationships is foundational. While we have Good News to share (“communication of”), we believe it is best communicated in the context of mutual relationships (“communication with”).
PRESENCE: God’s constant presence in each of our lives is the reason we practice a ministry of presence among the poor—being there consistently, in good times and bad, as an accepted member of the community with a vested interest in its well-being.