Women on Mission - June 2026

June 2026 Update

Pam Alexander, executive director at Hope House of Union County — which First Baptist supports financially — shared with Women on Mission June 8 how this non-profit organization assists people in the local community when they can't meet critical needs such as electricity, water, housing, heating, medical bills, and others.

Hope House was an outgrowth of the Union County Ministerial Alliance when it opened 14 years ago, allowing the community and local churches to give part of their benevolence donations to a central location. Some 16 churches now participate as Hope House donors, along with individuals and proceeds from the annual Super Chef Showdown fundraiser.

Pam described Hope House as a "one-stop shop" designed to address the issue of "church hoppers" where people in need had to go from church to church throughout the county to seek assistance.  "We offer a hand up, not a handout," she said.

People seeking assistance are required to present personal credentials and are interviewed by a caseworker who confirms the amount needed with the appropriate landlord, utility, medical office, insurance company, auto repair shop, or other entity, depending on the need.  Pam noted that Hope House's current computer database provides greater transparency of how much money has been dispersed (directly to the business, not in cash to the client) and in what categories of assistance so that supporting churches and individuals can see how their donations are being spent. 

In her 11th year as director, Pam expanded upon her vision for further helping the people Hope House serves, including increased services to veterans, senior citizens, and the homeless, as Union County currently has no shelter.  The waiting list for the limited amount of government-subsidized housing available locally is currently six to 12 months, Pam noted, and rents increased by $100-$200 this year.  

She is coordinating with other non-profit agencies in the county and working to keep the community cohesive by making Hope House clientele aware of the variety of services available here.

Pam also noted the need for more volunteer receptionists and caseworkers.  Increased staff would allow Hope House to open again on Tuesdays in addition to the current Monday-morning and Thursday-afternoon schedule.  She emphasized that no previous social-work or office experience is required for interested volunteers who will be trained in Hope House procedure. The minimum commitment is one day a week, three hours a day in a given month. 

In response to Pam's presentation, WOM voted to donate $1,000 to Hope House's buildout effort for their new office.  Because the First Baptist Ministry Center was sold, Hope House will be relocating to a new location in Blairsville where Pam hopes to have the buildout completed by Aug. 1. Pam said she sees the move as a "new chapter for Hope House," as the new space may allow for opportunities such as classes on personal finances budgeting. 

Project to Help wec

The Women's Enrichment Center in Blairsville is in dire need of pull ups for toddlers ages 3 and 4, boys and girls, and this will be WOM's local project for July.  Donations of pullups will be collected at the next monthly meeting on July 13.

Coming in July

WOM's guest speaker in July will be Allison Harvey, camp director for Camp Pinnacle in Clayton, the Georgia Baptist Women's camp and retreat center.  Camp Pinnacle is Georgia's only mission-focused camp exclusively for girls.  WOM is sending 21 girls to Camp Pinnacle this summer!

As camp director Allison leads and mentors camp staff and creates and oversees programming that nurtures faith, discipleship, evangelism, and missions while creating a safe and encouraging environment for young girls to experience God and grow spiritually.

The July 13 meeting will begin at 11:30 a.m. with a covered-dish luncheon in the Buchanan Hall at First Baptist, followed by the speaker's presentation at noon.

Ongoing Activities