H.O.P.E Community Services Fights to Keep Designation

Fact-Finding Conference Held at Prince Edward County Courthouse

Members of the H.O.P.E. Community services Board of Supervisors and representatives from the Virginia Department of Social Services gathered early Wednesday morning at the Prince Edward County Courthouse.

According to the Fact-Finding Conference agenda, the purpose of the meeting was “to hear public testimony and accept evidence concerning termination of HOPE Community Services’ eligibility for Community Services Block Grant funding.  In accordance with the Section 678C of the Coats Human Services Reauthorization Act of 1998 (Public Law 105-285) and Section 2.2-5407D of the Code of Virginia, The Virginia Department of Social Services is gathering information to move forward to formally de-designate HOPE Community Services as a community action program.” Representing the Virginia Department of Social Services were Fran Inge and Jack Frazier, who presided over the meeting.

In the past, the Virginia Department of Social Services has recommended that H.O.P.E. voluntarily rescind their community action designation.  However, H.O.P.E. has refused.  H.O.P.E. was allowed a maximum of 30 minutes to present their case at the meeting.

Jasper L. Hendricks III, a member of H.O.P.E’s governing board, took to the podium to state the agency’s case and present an argument on why the organization should not lose their community action designation.   Hendricks noted that the agency has immediately begun taking action on the items listed in the CSGB monitoring report.  As of July 1, six members of the board resigned after the board as a whole began holding individuals accountable for their actions.  In turn, new members have filled the vacant slots, bringing the board up to a total number of 16 members.  The board currently consists of business owners, financial experts, leaders of health organizations, housing professionals and those who have experience working with the poor.  “We have been active in reaching out,” told Hendricks.

According to Hendricks, by the end of September full funding will be received from Dominion resources.  As of October, H.O.P.E. will be eligible again to apply for weatherization and have currently been given the okay to spend money on cooling assistance.  “We had some very intense meetings,” said Hendricks.  “We were doing what was best for the citizens of these six counties.”

Two new committees have been created by the H.O.P.E. Board of Supervisors, which include the bylaws committee and the fund development committee.  In the past, H.O.P.E. has faced problems with members not fully understanding the bylaws, but is now making a conscious effort to make sure everyone comprehends the duties expected to be carried out.  “We want to see this turned around and we want to do this the right way,” stated Hendricks.

Currently, the board is working towards training in September and a finance committee of six will be working with financial officers.  Board meetings are now held in public and general liability insurance is up to date.  “The board is committed to following the procedures outlined in the committee bylaws,” assured Hendricks.  The board plans to meet again on August 12 because there is a lot of work that needs to be done to turn the organization around.

Hendricks noted that the board has also been working with an auditor because “the board had no knowledge that payroll taxes were not submitted.”  Additionally, Hendricks pointed out that “Project Discovery” is ready to sign their contract back over as long as H.O.P.E. can keep their designation.

During the meeting, the floor was opened for members of the community in attendance to speak if they wished.  Shirby Scott-Brown, a retired teacher who taught in Prince Edward County Schools for 34 years commented, “This organization can be trusted again.”  Brown reminisced about how she remembers the various jobs H.O.P.E. provided for teens in the area and that she believes “they can do it.”  Virginia McDonald, Former H.O.P.E. employee, said, “I ask you to give them a chance,” and stated that she had not seen a board as proactive as this one in the last couple of months.  “They have always been a big rescue for us,” said Roma Morris, who worked with Prince Edward Social Services for 34 years.  “I will support them any way I can.”

A decision will be reached by The Virginia Department of Social Services within the next 14 days.