Playtime Project is brand new program at HOPE that allows us to love the homeless children community of Washington DC with no strings attached, in hopes of building a better life and future for them.
Source: HOPE Association
The nonprofit organization enlists ultra marathoner Levi Rizk to run across America to gain awareness for the cause
Washington D.C., May 17, 2016 – The HOPE Association, a nonprofit service organization based in Washington D.C., will launch two pediatric mobile health clinics in early 2017 that will serve low-income families in the D.C. and Los Angeles communities. The two HOPE pediatric mobile health clinics will provide several free services to uninsured children, such as well-visits, physicals, immunizations, screenings, urgent care, psychological services, sick visits and more.
Serving patients from birth to age 21 directly in their neighborhoods at no cost to their caregivers, the mobile health clinics will be funded in part by a Crowdrise campaign beginning today through June 17. The Crowdrise campaign aims to raise $250,000 to fully retrofit and construct one pediatric mobile health clinic, including all medical equipment and supplies.
“At HOPE, we believe in meeting people’s greatest needs, using people’s greatest passions. The mobile health clinics are a result of this passion and the significant need we discovered in our communities for pediatric health care,” said Steve Messeh, Executive Director of The HOPE Association.
In addition, HOPE has enlisted the help of ultra marathoner Levi Rizk, who finished second in PT281, the world’s longest race of 175 miles, and is also a Virginia-based family practice physician, who will run across America starting in September to bring awareness to the cause and rally supporters for the mobile health clinics. Levi’s cross-country run will kick off in Los Angeles and conclude in Washington D.C. totaling more than 3,000 miles.
HOPE and Levi’s journeys can be followed on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
About The HOPE Association
Established in 2012, the HOPE Association is a nonprofit, volunteer-run organization based in Washington DC and Los Angeles. Its focus is to be the meeting place where people’s passions are used to meet people’s greatest needs. Our organization began and exists as a ministry and means to fulfill the vision of St. Timothy and St. Athanasius Orthodox Church (STSA) in Arlington, VA and achieve its core value which states, “We bleed with love for the community around us – especially those who are without Christ. We don’t just care about spiritual needs, but physical, emotional, and social needs as well.” With more than 300 volunteers, its mission is to transform lives, one child at a time within its communities. To achieve this goal, it has created local programs serving more than 200 children that mentor at-risk youth, provide weekly activities for homeless children, and partner with children’s hospitals to host events. On a national level, HOPE provides personal and leadership development for aspiring leaders and volunteers at its annual leadership conferences and events.
Editor’s Note (Archival Content)
This article is part of the Orthodox Christian Laity archives and reflects the context, concerns, and discussions present at the time of its original publication. It is made available here for historical reference and ongoing study. Readers should note that perspectives, circumstances, and ecclesial developments may have evolved since its initial release.