LifeCare of Brandon Raises Funds for Haven of Hope

A longtime Brandon ministry that aids expectant mothers in crisis is hoping to expand its services by opening a home for pregnant women and single mothers.

LifeCare of Brandon is currently raising funds for Haven of Hope, a Christ-centered maternity and housing ministry.

Haven of Hope will not only provide housing but will minister to the spiritual, physical, educational and emotional needs of pregnant and parenting single women and their children by supporting, mentoring, training and equipping them with necessary life skills for a promising future.  

With help from countless volunteers who want to help transform the lives of these women as unhealthy cycles are broken and promising futures are created, Haven of Hope will be offered to six single women, pregnant and/or parenting, who are in crisis, need stable housing and who are committed to the process of making positive life changes. 

Karen Brooks, executive director of LifeCare of Brandon, said God specifically planted the dream of Haven of Hope in her heart in 2006.

“This is a ministry extension of LifeCare in our community. Through the years, it has broken our hearts when we have had to turn women and children away who are in need of stable housing,” said Brooks.  “More importantly, it will provide these women and their families with a spiritual foundation, as well as, the parenting and life skills needed in order to break unhealthy family cycles.”

In March 2009, LifeCare received a message from Susan Eaves, a previous LifeCare volunteer, who owned a home at 720 Dew Bloom Road in Brandon. Her husband, Mark, had died after a battle with cancer. Eaves said she and her six children were moving to Plant City and that the house would eventually go into foreclosure. 

Before Mark Eaves died, the Eaves family had heard about the vision for Haven of Hope and agreed that their house would be ideal for this ministry.  With nearly 5,000 square feet, this two-story colonial home has seven bedrooms and six bathrooms on an acre of land. 

Brooks and the LifeCare staff and board members toured the home and, after much prayer and discussion, agreed that the home is ideal for LifeCare’s Haven of Hope. 

“Everyone who tours this house says the same thing:  The home is perfect for this housing ministry in our community,"  said Brooks.

The house is currently undergoing licensing and zoning to become a residential housing facility.  Now in foreclosure, the home is listed for $299,000. LifeCare hopes to be able to cash purchase the house at a reduced price.

LifeCare volunteers have been sharing their vision with churches over the past month and has raised $60,000 to date (the Rev. Greg Dumas and The Crossing Church donated $50,000.)

LifeCare also hopes to raise funds through its three major fundraisers throughout the year, the first happening this weekend.  The LifeCare Spring Tea is taking place Saturday, March 26, at Bell Shoals Baptist Church. Fifty-six tables will be filled with women dedicated to raising additional funds for the housing project at this sold-out event.

Anyone interested in learning more about Haven of Hope is asked to contact Brooks at Karen@lifecareofbrandon.com or 813-654-0491 for a "vision tour" of the home.