SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL
OF PALM SPRINGS
House of Hope & Hope's Horizon
The House of Hope was established by the local Soroptimist Clubs and each club donates a substantial portion of their fundraising proceeds to the Houses of Hope. The County of Riverside helps support the program as well as some funds from the State of California. The program does rely on the Soroptimist sponsorship for capital improvements and refurbishing as well as basic living expenses. The success rate of the Houses is well known and part of that success is due to the fact the women stay for 90 days and longer if needed. It is a voluntary program and therefore those who stay are motivated to their sobriety. There is a Director in each of the Houses who delegates the simple chores of running the house to the residents. For some it may be the first time in a long while that they have cooked or done laundry. Many have lived a very chaotic life driven by their addiction to alcohol or drugs.
Our club helps fund the Soroptimist House of Hope with a monthly support check and each March a "Shower" is held gifting household items needed by the residents of the Houses of Hope. This is a very successful recovery home for addicted women. While at the houses the women are able to place all of their efforts on obtaining their sobriety in a sheltered environment as well as participating in parenting classes.
There is a house in Desert Hot Springs, Banning and a Transition Home called "Hope's Horizons" in Palm Springs. Former residents of the Houses of Hope may stay at Hope's Horizon, paying minimal rent while they find a job and move on to a sober lifestyle.
Each local Soroptimist Club designates a representative who sits on the Board of Directors for the House of Hope. They keep their club informed of the progress and needs of the residents. A newsletter is sent quarterly to the clubs.
The Desert Hot Springs House was established in 1981
The Banning House was established in 1989
They serve the greater desert, mountain and San Gorgonio Pass areas. In residential settings, they provide food, shelter, clothing (if needed) and recovery services based on the 12 step recovery programs to ambulatory and mentally competent recovering alcoholic and chemically dependent women.