What brings me hope
April the National Month of Hope
Photo submitted
By Rosalind Tompkins
Special to the Outlook
April, the National Month of Hope is here!
Mothers In Crisis has been planning for this month for the past year and it started with a bang as we traveled to Detroit, Mich., to kick it off.
Mothers In Crisis used to have a Detroit chapter (1994-1997). Our former Detroit Chapter president, Pam Morgan received a HOPEE (Helping Others Practice Enduring Empowerment) Award this year. She hosted us and planned several outreaches including one to City Hall where we had a rally and a prayer walk.
It has been approximately 25 years since I went to Detroit as we would go annually for women empowerment conferences. It felt like DeJa’Vu as it snowed a little the first time we went out. I remembered how it snowed the last time I was there. We were so excited until we jumped out of the van and ran around it.
Well, wouldn’t you know that was my instinctive response when I saw the snow as we walked out of the hotel to get into the van. I immediately ran out into the snow and began to share about the Hope Pass It On Campaign as we captured it on video. Although it was cold, I didn’t even feel it and I knew we were off to a good start.
We went to a treatment program for women and shared care packages with them that included inspirational material and we shared our stories to give them hope. The women were very appreciative as well as the staff. After that we went to Belle Isle Park and walked along Detroit River. It was beautiful although we could not stay long because of the cold.
We then went to Coleman A. Young Municipal Center where we encountered a huge bronze sculpture created by Marshall Fredericks entitled, The Spirit of Detroit. The inscription on the wall behind the sculpture is from 2 Corinthians 3:17 which reads, “Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty,” along with the seals of both the City of Detroit and Wayne County. We passed out postcards, stress balls, Practice of Hopeology booklets, and other information about April National Month of Hope.
Many people wonder what they can do during the National Month of Hope and the answer is pass on positive and encouraging words and acts that bring hope to others as you become more hopeful yourself. Mothers In Crisis will be participating in events and sharing hope all month long so stay connected by going to www.makeahopeconnection.com or listen to Think Hope Podcast www.blogtalkradio.com/thinkhope.
