IT HAS BEEN A LONG ROAD with bumps and lots of curves to be able to reach where we are today. We have always known that when the hand of God is in anything you are doing you will always prevail. Coming from the basement of my house, serving 40 to 50 families who were in need of food to moving to 125 Mt Hope Street where we are now serving more than 800 families a month. The journey was not always easy but it was worth it, and fulfilling.
Levenia Furusa migrated from Zimbabwe Africa in 1996 to The United States. Working in Human services made her realize that there were so many people in need of food, especial those single parents who were working two to three jobs to put food on the table and feed their families.
Seeing all the need Levenia started helping some of these families with food which was donated from her church. She then registered Dwelling House Of Hope with the State. She continued helping families who were in need with the help from her church members who were donating food.
In 2010, Levenia had saved enough money and was able to purchase a used 2000 GMC box truck. This enabled her to start picking up more food from other donors. In 2014, Dwelling House of Hope became a 501(3) c and in 2016 Dwelling House Of Hope moved to 125 Mt Hope Street, where we are now serving more than 800 families.
The 2000 GMC has celebrated 20 Christmases and 20 Thanksgivings. Many have benefited from the food which has been picked up by this aging truck.
With this Pandemic, we have had an increase in pick-ups and deliveries to those who have been affected by COVID-19. This pandemic could not shut our doors, we knew there was so much need out there, and we took it upon ourselves to start helping those who were in need of food and other help. Our aging truck has been going up and down 7 days a week picking up donations and delivering to those who are in need.
It came a day when doing deliveries our bumper gave up and broke. We also started visiting the mechanic more often. They told us it was time to get rid of it, or we would continue to spend more money on repairs.
THANK YOU TO THEODORE EDISON PARK FOUNDATION who recently donated $30,000.They have also pledged an additional $5000 in matching funds. We would not only like to raise for the matching funds, BUT an additional $30,000 would allow us to purchase a larger truck, since our existing truck, is tired and we would like to replace it.
Dwelling House of Hope is a multi-racial community with a policy built on the principle of Love. We do not discriminate based on color of the skin, race, religious affiliation, gender identity or creed.
Dwelling House of Hope is built on Love, as clarified by Saint Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:4-5 when he said, “Love is patient, and love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, and it keeps no record of wrongs.” NIV
Since its founding, Dwelling House of Hope has maintained its philosophy of giving love in its purest form where we treat all people with respect, dignity and courtesy.
