When “Sharon” called Shirley’s House of Hope she was scared and crying, telling us she needed to get out before her abuser returned home. She could not take the name calling, constant criticism and constant control of her life. She felt that if she didn’t get out, “something bad was going to happen.”Unfortunately, “Sharon” isn’t alone. We get calls most every day from women who are hurting and scared. Behind closed doors there is abuse taking place. Some women feel guilty because they have been told it is their fault. Other women are ashamed. They think abuse doesn’t happen to women like me. Shirley’s House of Hope has been ministering to hurting women and children for over a year now. What a testimony to the sustaining grace of our Lord. We have been privileged to watch as God has transformed lives. I can tell you that God is still in the business of doing miracles because I see them every day.Romans 12:1&2 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God-this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.”The transformation that happens at Shirley’s House of Hope is not only to the women who come here for shelter but to everyone who walks through the door.

Please pray about being a financial partner. We do not seek or accept government funding. Shirley’s House of Hope is incorporated and has non-profit status. Our expenses are approximately $6,000 per month. In the future, we look to hire staff and purchase ourbuilding.If you would like more information about being a monthly supporter or a Founder’s Circle of Hope Friend, contact the shelter at 715-486-9000. Giving to Shirley’s House of Hope means you are making a difference in the lives of women. Contributions can be mailed to Shirley's House of Hope atP O Box 207 Marshfield WI 54449 . To arrange Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) contact us at 715-486-9000, or use our convenient online link.

Your are invited!Visitors are welcome at SHOHmost of the time.We love to give tours.Just call us and set upa time to come. Look for Events in ourfuture.

Client CelebrationsOn occasion we will celebrate Milestones in our clients lives. For safety sake we will not post pictures or give names but we want to share with you our celebrations!It is time for Graduation!Jan 31, 2012 at 1 pm. You are invited to attend the Graduation Ceremony for 3 of our Clients.RSVP 715-486-9000

NEEDS ListDryer Sheets Diapers-all sizesNew Pillows and Pillow Protectors Printer Paper Bathroom Cleaners 13 gallon trash bags Aluminum Foil Plastic WrapFreezer Bags Dishwasher SoapDisposable Gloves Gift Cards-for groceriesGlue Sticks Air Fresheners Napkins Deodorant Feminine Hygiene Products New Mattress Pads Twin Size Canned Fruit and Juice Coffee and Filters Garbage bags – all sizes Stamps Plastic Sealable Canister Set Oak Dining Chairs Kleenex Fuzzy Posters to color Color-coded Cross-Stitch (for women and children) Outdoor Toys - Basketball hoop and balls Sidewalk ChalkLarge Plastic Balls Small Sandbox with SandSandbox Toys Riding and Pushing Toys Thank you for the generous gifts of hair shampoo and rinse, soap, toothpaste and tooth brushes. At this time we have an ample supply.

Thank you for taking time to visit the Shirley's House of Hope website. Please consider items listed below that you may be able to contribute.Your donations are needed to keep operating costs at a minimum while meeting basic needs of our clients.If you can help call us at 715-486-9000.Most Urgent NeedsCoffee- Regular and DecafSlippers with non-stick solesHair BrushesSpatulasSpray room deodorizerCraft ItemsVacuum CleanerCarpet Shampoo and Spot Remover

To volunteer at Shirley's House of Hope please submit an application online or download a paper copy and send it to Shirley's House of Hope P O Box 207 Marshfield WI 54449

FundraisersStriking Out Against Domestic Violence March 18We hold 2 major Fundraisers each year. Each spring we partner with The Rose Bowl for Striking Out Domestic Violence. It is a fun filled day of bowling with food and a raffle. Early November we host The Iron Chef/ Taste of Town Event. We have a true Iron Chef competition with local chefs competing for the title Marshfield's Iron Chef. We also have a sampling of items from a variety of food vendors from the Marshfield Area. The evening is rounded out with a live Auction. We are blessed with a number of willing people who do various fundraiser throughout the year and donate the proceeds to Shirley's House of Hope.

Every opportunity has been taken to learn more about opening and running a successful shelter where the transforming love of Jesus Christ can bring healing to women and children. Online courses have been taken at City Vision College to learn administration skills and case management techniques.Partnerships have been formed with area agencies such as St. Vincent De Paul, Marshfield Clinic Social Services, St. Joseph’s Hospital Social Services, Bright Horizons, Hannah Center, Mary’s Place, Soup and Socks, The North Central Community Action Program, AGRM, MACCI, The Women’s Community and The Family Center.The following churches, people and organizations have adopted areas of the shelter to furnish and decorate: Calvary Bible, Community Bible, Cornerstone, Faith Fellowship, Marshfield Area Catholic Schools, North Ridge, Dr. Lori Bents, Jean Worzella, Bright Horizons, Business and Professional Women, Marshfield Police Station, and St. Vincent De Paul.A strong alliance with the Family Center, a state standard for domestic abuse shelters in Wisconsin, has been formed. Many of the policies and procedures to be used in the shelter are proven successful and are best business practices adopted from other shelters.God has been faithful to provide for the shelter as they and the Board has been obedient to His calling.

Our HistoryIn 2007, Sue and Julie learned that 300 families a year were seeking services related to domestic violence in the Marshfield area. They were burdened to do something to demonstrate their love and care for those families. Sue and Julie prayed about it for months and decided to hold public meetings early in 2008, for anyone in the community that might be interested. The response was good and that was all the confirmation they needed to show God was moving in the hearts of people in this community to provide a shelter. A steering committee was formed and soon afterward, a Board of Directors. God’s provision has been readily evident every step of the way. Articles of Incorporation were approved and soon after a non-profit status was granted.After laying the initial groundwork, the search for a building began. They looked at housing options that were reasonable to rent or purchase, but one by one they were crossed off the list because of safety concerns or limited space and facilities. Then one day Sue and Julie went to visit an elderly friend and noticed a building nearby that sat empty and looked ideal for a shelter. Sue suggested Julie call the owner of the building; Julie laughed and said, “Sure, I’ll call.” To Julies surprise the owners are a Christian couple who have a daughter that has worked in a domestic violence shelter and they wanted to help open a shelter in Marshfield. There is now a contract signed to rent the building at a very reasonable rate. Every opportunity has been taken to learn more about opening and running a successful shelter where the transforming love of Jesus Christ can bring healing to women and children. Online courses have been taken at City Vision College to learn administration skills and case management techniques.Partnerships have been formed with area agencies such as St. Vincent De Paul, Marshfield Clinic Social Services, St. Joseph’s Hospital Social Services, Bright Horizons, Hannah Center, Mary’s Place, Soup and Socks, The North Central Community Action Program, AGRM, MACCI, The Women’s Community and The Family Center.The following churches, people and organizations have adopted areas of the shelter to furnish and decorate: Calvary Bible, Community Bible, Cornerstone, Faith Fellowship, Marshfield Area Catholic Schools, North Ridge, Dr. Lori Bents, Jean Worzella, Bright Horizons, Business and Professional Women, Marshfield Police Station, and St. Vincent De Paul.A strong alliance with the Family Center, a state standard for domestic abuse shelters in Wisconsin, has been formed. Many of the policies and procedures to be used in the shelter are proven successful and are best business practices adopted from other shelters.God has been faithful to provide for the shelter as they and the Board has been obedient to His calling.

Why do we need you? Shirley's House of Hope is totally volunteer supported and volunteer staffed. We need good people who are willing to staff our shelter 24 hours a day 7 days a week. As volunteers at Shirley's House of Hope, we are here because God has called us to this ministry and we desire to have this be a postitive, life changing experience for every person who comes through our doors. We believe that no one, client or volunteer is here by accident but as a divine appointment from God. We want our clients to know that God loves them, just as they are, and He has a great plan for their lives. We hope to help them discover at least part of that plan. We are always seeking God's people to come and serve Him at Shirley's House of Hope.

You can contact us at:Shirley's House of Hope P O Box 207Marshfield WI 54449 or Call715- 486-9000

We are looking for people who want to serve the Lord through serving others. We don't require any special gifts or talents (but we will gratefully make use of your talents). We need people who can:~Answer phones~Answer the door~Sort donations~Stuff envelopes~Data entry~Shopping~Cleaning~Cooking~Running errands~Childcare~Variety of other activities.There are so many ways to help it would be impossible to list them all.

Our Beliefs1.We believe in the verbal, plenary, inspiration of the Bible. We believe His word to be infallible and inerrant, our supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct.2.We believe in one true God, the Creator of Heaven and Earth, Sovereign over all eternally existent in three persons- Father, Son and Holy Spirit.3.We believe in God the Son, God manifest in flesh, our Lord Jesus Christ, the world’s only Savior. We believe in His pre-incarnate existence, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His vicarious death, His burial and bodily resurrection, His ascension into heaven, His present mediatorial ministry, His imminent personal return in power and glory.4.We believe in God the Holy Spirit, who convicts the world of sin, regenerates all believers, indwells them, and enables to live holy lives of witness to our Lord Jesus Christ.5.We believe in the sinfulness of mankind. We believe that man is born separated from God and is subject to His eternal wrath and condemnation.6.We believe in the eternal salvation of everyone who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation is provided freely by God’s grace through the shed blood, the sacrificial death, the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. This salvation is not by our own works but is evidenced by good works once obtained.7.We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead; believers to the full enjoyment of eternal life in heaven: unbelievers to the full condemnation of eternal death in hell.8.We believe in the local church and the importance of it in edifying and equipping the believer for the work of the ministry. Every believer should be a part of a local church, serve within and be accountable to it.

Our PurposeOur purpose is to help those hurting from the effects of domestic violence by showing them the love of Christ through:Meeting their basic needs (food, clothing, shelter, etc.);~Require women to set goals and make positive steps toward independence while staying at the shelter;~Providing them a sanctified and nurturing atmosphere for them to stay while at the shelter; ~Making available to them the necessary life skills and training to successfully live on their own;~Sharing with them the Gospel of Jesus Christ* and encouraging those who want to change by using Biblical principles;~Not enabling them to stay in the cycle of domestic abuse; and~Not taking any government funding.* We are not a church or a para-church organization. Therefore, the local churches in the surrounding communities will assist in performing this function.

Our Staff Karyl Hamelink-- Volunteer CoordinatorJulie Cravillion-- PresidentSue Poole -- Executive DirectorAnd many wonderful Volunteers!

Our Programs

Emergency Shelter

Long Term Care

Online Giving

Please consider making a donation. We have our non-profit status. No one is receiving a salary. All donations are being used to run the shelter and provide for the needs of those hurting from the effect of domestic violence. All donations are tax deductible. GIVE ONLINE

A 6 month program is available for women who want to break the cycle of abuse. Counseling, money management, parenting, employment readiness, healthy relationships, healthy boundaries, Bible Study, mentoring and domestic violence classes are offered to each client.

We provide shelter for those in need of emergency overight housing and for those who may need a few weeks to secure alternative housing.

Our services are available to women and children regardless of age, race, religion, or socio-economic status. Shirley's House of Hope is a place that helps meet their physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs.