WORDS & PHOTOS: Wendy Dewhurst
Since 1980, the mission of HOPE Family Services has been to promote safety, strength, and well-being for those affected by domestic violence in Manatee County.
HOPE Family Services CEO Char Young started as a part-time employee handling their new computer and accounting systems 25 years ago. Soon after, the Business Director left, and Char moved into a full-time job, which then led to a CFO position. When Laurel Lynch retired after 26 years, the board did not need to look far for the perfect replacement.
“Laurel was an institution here at HOPE,” said Char. “She left a wonderful legacy to continue to build on, and we strive every day to achieve HOPE’s vision that through services and social change, we ensure everyone in Manatee County has the skills and information necessary to solve problems in a nonviolent manner, thus eliminating domestic violence.”
Char added, “We want the community to know that services are provided regardless of race, sex, religion, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, spoken language, or sexual orientation. All calls and services provided by HOPE are confidential. We are committed to providing accommodations, including sign interpreters, translation services, and alternative formats of printed materials upon request from persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, or are living with disabilities.”
Some of the programs and services at HOPE include:
- Emergency Safe Shelter – HOPE provides a safe place in a confidential location for victims of domestic violence to evaluate their options.
- Advocacy – HOPE assists clients with identifying and overcoming barriers to a safe way of life. HOPE’s case management services in the advocacy department are designed to address emergency issues, such as financial concerns, and address housing, food, and clothing needs, as well as provide information and referrals to other organizations that can be of assistance.
- Safety Plan Espanola – Bilingual and bicultural advocates work with Latina and immigrant survivors of domestic violence.
- Economic Justice Services – HOPE’s Economic Justice Advocates assist survivors with financial issues. They assist with job training, educational opportunities, housing, financial literacy, budgeting, and English for speakers of other languages.
- Counseling – HOPE offers individual and group counseling in English and Spanish to victims of domestic violence.
- Children’s Program – HOPE provides supportive individual and group counseling to children affected by domestic violence.
- Primary Prevention Program – HOPE’s Primary Prevention Program is a youth-based program developed to teach young people the signs of an abusive partner early on with the goal of preventing them from becoming victims of intimate partner violence.
- Social Change – HOPE provides speakers and trainers to the community, including youth, professionals, and paraprofessionals, in an effort to stem the rising tide of violence against women by preventing conditions that allow batterer’s controlling behavior as we work to hold community members accountable and bring about peace and an abuse-free society.
Char is originally from Michigan but moved to Florida almost 30 years ago when good friends moved here and told her how great it was. Lucky for our community, Char made the move. Six months after moving to Florida she met her Canadian husband, who was here on vacation, and they have now been married for 24 years. “We laugh that after living so close up north, we would meet in Florida. We love it here, and being an avid reader, there’s nothing better than sitting on the porch and getting lost in a good book,” said Char.
COO Dawn Bryant started working at the shelter as a part-time advocate 23 years ago while in nursing school. “I realized almost immediately that HOPE is where I am supposed to be,” said Dawn. “I am invested in the mission, and it has given me the opportunity to grow not only as an advocate but as a person.”
Letty has been working in the shelter since she started at HOPE 11 years ago. “I’ve learned so much from Char and the ladies here,” said Letty. “I love helping people, and I wouldn’t be able to do my job if it wasn’t for them. Watching what so many of our clients go through has helped me to be grateful and live a very balanced life.”
Kim has been a counselor at HOPE for 20 years. Her traumatic life experiences with domestic violence give her a unique perspective on how to help understand the women and children who come to HOPE.
“In my late 20s, counseling changed my life, and at 28, it was the inspiration for going to school to be a counselor and help other women feel empowered to escape the dangerous situations they are in,” said Kim. “After years of working in the shelter, I moved to the CPI (Child Protective Investigator) Advocate Program for 13 years. The CPI Advocate Program is a partnership with HOPE and the Manatee Sheriff’s Office, focusing on helping victims of domestic violence also caught in the child welfare system. HOPE works to intervene in these overlapping cases to help participants understand the impact of domestic violence on their children and strategies to keep themselves and their children safe.”
“In January of 2024, we had the opportunity to expand our Children’s Counseling Center into another building on the property, and that gave us the ability to create a space to increase counselors for the Children’s Counseling Program”, said Char. “We provide age-appropriate counseling services in a dedicated, child-focused, kid-friendly space with a safe and supportive environment for healing and growth.”
“Domestic violence is often a learned behavior,” added counselor Kim Donatelle. “Many people who commit domestic violence have learned the behavior as a child. If we can get these children into counseling at an early age, we have a much better chance of breaking the cycle.”
“We want everyone to know that you are not alone, and you deserve safety,” said Dawn. “No matter what today looks like, whether you’re ready to make a move or not, or you just want to talk, the door is always open, and the phone is always answered here at HOPE.”
“We have a lot of work to do to break this cycle,” said Director of Counseling Ada. “One little piece of information given during counseling can make all the difference in a child’s future.”
HOPE is a very special place, and you can see the commitment from the entire staff. The passion in the room during this interview brought many of us to tears several times. You can feel the love and compassion they all have for their clients and for what they do. Even though several of them have been with HOPE for over twenty years, I think they would all happily give up their jobs if it meant a community without domestic violence!
