Mission & History
A Light of Hope in Eastern Jackson County
Hope House is proud to have served thousands of individuals in over 40 years of operation. We continue to provide essential services to survivors of domestic violence in our community, and offer hope, peace, and healing to all who walk through our doors.
1982
Need for Domestic Violence Shelter Arises
Independence Mayor, Barbara Potts, recognized the need for a domestic violence shelter in Eastern Jackson County. The Mayor’s Task Force was formed to assist in opening and organizing Hope House.
January 1, 1983
Hope House opens its doors
Hope House opens its doors in Independence with the ability to house 15 women and children, and establishes the 24-Hour Hotline. In one year, Hope House answered nearly 1000 hotline calls.
1987
Moves to Larger Shelter
Hope House moves to a larger facility, giving the ability to shelter 30 survivors.
1989
Court Advocacy Program is Established
The first full-time Court Advocate is hired to aid victims in court. Hope House expands its services and starts the Court Advocacy Program in six municipal courts.
1994
Funds are Raised to Build New Campus
Hope House raises $2.3 million to build a new facility in Independence and begins construction of the current 8.2 acre campus.
1996
Outreach Services Expanded to Lee's Summit
Outreach services (support groups and court advocacy) expand to Lee’s Summit. Concerned citizens of Lee’s Summit approach Hope house about opening and operating an additional domestic violence shelter in the community.
2001
Lee's Summit Campus & Civil Legal Program
Hope House successfully completes a capital campaign for a Lee’s Summit campus. The Civil Legal Program is launched and a full-time attorney is hired to provide civil legal representation.
2002
Lee's Summit Campus Opens & Outreach Services Expand
The Lee’s Summit campus opens, offering 52 beds for survivors. The first call for assistance was received within 10 minutes. Hope House services expand to include the Guardian Program, which offers monitored exchanges of custody and supervised visitations, and BridgeSPAN, a metro-wide hospital based advocacy program in collaboration with other local domestic violence shelters.
2006
Began offering the Transitional Housing Program
Began offering the Transitional Housing Program which provides survivors with scattered site housing, rent and/or utility subsidies, housing-specific case management, resource referrals, and employment guidance for six to 24 months.
2009
The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is launched
The Lethality Assessment Program (LAP) is launched, giving police officers the ability to assess a victim’s risk of serious injury and/or death.
2011
Completes the Independence Capital Campaign
Hope House completes the Independence Capital Campaign for renovations to the Independence campus. Renovations include expanding the emergency shelter building, construction of a new therapy building, and transforming the old therapy building into a community partnership building where survivors can access doctors, dental services, a sewing room, and salon services.
2017
Accredited by the Council on Accreditation
Hope House is accredited by the Council on Accreditation, an international, independent, nonprofit, human service accrediting organization. Achieving COA accreditation means our organization is among the best in the field.
2018
Increased operating hours of the Guardian Program
Increased operating hours of the Guardian Program from three days a week to six days a week.
2019
Launched the Permanent Housing Program
Launched the Permanent Housing Program to aid survivors in finding permanent, stable housing after experiencing domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and/or stalking
2020
COVID-19
The COVID-19 global pandemic causes restrictions on communal living, allowing Hope House to expand its hotel program to continue housing survivors. The Lee’s Summit shelter is temporarily closed and staff members begin working from home.
Began providing onsite therapy and advocacy services to survivors of domestic violence at Hawthorne Place Apartments, an income based apartment complex located in Independence.
2021
Hired a new Co-Responding Advocate
In partnership with the Independence Police Department, Hope House hired a new Co-Responding Advocate to provide crisis intervention services, advocacy, and resource referrals and linkages to survivors contacting the police for assistance.
Hope House also expanded its short-term housing assistance offered to survivors through the creation of the Accelerated Housing program, which provides rent and/or utility subsidies, housing-specific case management, resource referrals, and employment guidance for up to six months.
2022
Reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation
Hope House is reaccredited by the Council on Accreditation.
Together we can build a brighter future.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone, no matter their gender, age, race, ethnicity, religion, or sexuality. Hope House advocates for survivors, no matter where they are in their journey. Join us in creating a brighter tomorrow for survivors.
24/7 Hotline 816-461-HOPE (4673)
PO Box 577
Lee's Summit, MO 64063