Hope House Casper
Tony Cate and Grace Amspoker Funds
This story is from our spring 2022 newsletter. See the full newsletter here!
“People, places, things…” repeats Dave Matthews, director of Hope House. Based near Casper’s north side, Hope House provides a home for men returning from incarceration. It gives them hope of a fresh start, and of recovery from addiction. But when they return to the people, places, and things from their pasts, those hopes are easily dashed. So, the residents must work to build new lives. Dave’s job is to help them
do this.
A New Place
Since its founding in 2017, Hope House has had an important impact on Casper and the state. Hope House’s recidivism rate is about half of the country’s average rate. These low reoffence numbers effect the whole community. Incarceration costs about fourteen times as much as accommodation at Hope House, meaning the program has remarkable financial benefits.
Dave’s focus on helping residents become contributing members of their communities is key to Hope House’s success. And your generosity has helped make this success possible. For three years, WYCF grants have helped these men go back – and give back – to their communities.
New Things
Healing begins with feeling safe, stable, and at home. Each resident has a comfortable, fully equipped apartment. New residents receive a welcome pack, including linens, towels, a bus pass, and a grocery gift card. All of these, observes Dave, are the “little things that make such a big difference.”
Generous supporters like you have helped make this big difference.
New People
Even more important than a new place and new things are Hope House’s people. Each week, the
whole house gathers to reflect on challenges and opportunities. They offer each other empathy, advice, and accountability. This community-based recovery model gives the men ownership over their own healing while becoming invested in each other’s. They get encouragement from the best possible people: those who have been in their shoes.
Dave has been in those shoes himself, and is one of the most important new people for Hope
House residents. Drawing on his experience with addiction, he believes fiercely in the potential of each Hope House resident.
Dave has deep appreciation for Hope House’s partner nonprofits and agencies. But it is the residents themselves that most inspire him. “It’s so encouraging to see someone come from prison that has so many strikes against them, and they’re able to be the man they’re supposed
to be,” says Dave. “They are stellar human beings.”