The Warren Rotary Club met for its weekly meeting on Tuesday, May 10 at First United Methodist Church. The meeting began with a new member induction when Rotarian Carlton Davis inducted Terrie White, current president of the Bradley County Chamber of Commerce, into the club. The group heard from Hermitage Junior Rotarians Derrick Avery and Jose Castro before President Dennen Cuthbertson introduced Hope Place Warren Director Wendy Curry for Rotarian Bob Milton’s program.
Curry had a heartfelt speech about what Hope Place Warren does and who they serve in the community. She went on to talk about some of her own personal experiences that helped influence her into this line of work. Curry explained that Hope Place Warren is a faith-based center that helps teen girls, women, and men of all ages take back their lives and give them the hope and support they need to become the best parent they can be.
She continued by explaining this isn’t a hand-out service despite all their resources being completely free and confidential. The clients take classes that include parenting skills, life skills, and bible studies among others as their way to earn things they need for their child or children. She said they are also focusing on teaching girls their self-worth as that is one problem they’ve seen in the community along with a lack of life skills among people of all ages.
Curry also mentioned that not everyone of their clients are homeless or drug addicts as they have clients from all walks of life.
Curry concluded the program with a couple of different success stories and answered a few questions from the crowd.
