Hope-Net Ministries

Jean Stephens and Bruce Kuenning spoke at the Optimist Club on Saturday, February 19 Hope-Net Ministries.  Their new focus is working with women who are incarcerated. 

Jean started by saying that women are going to jail at twice the rate of men, mainly due to meth.  They usually don’t go to jail for the meth, but for related reasons, such as theft.  82% of the children of these mothers will be incarcerated.  The ministry is trying to break this cycle.

Jean goes to the Pottawattamie County jail twice a month to hold meeting with anyone interested.  She works with the Chaplin to see who is interested.  She said, “the chances of women leaving jail with no support is not a good recipe for success.”

Hope-Net Ministries does not do drug rehabilitation.  They work with a variety of other agencies to provide needed services for the women.

Funding for Hope-Net Ministries is comes from the two Sequels thrift stores, along with donations, grants, and fundraisers.  The fourth Monday of each month they have a meal and a speaker for community supporters.  They have three paid part-time staff.  Volunteers run the Sequel stores.

They are also holding a fashion show and fundraiser on April 1 at 7:00 p.m. at First Christian church.  For the fashion show they are partnering with other agencies, like Micah House.  It will also include a silent auction.

The Treynor Optimist donated $100 to help the ministry.  More information is available at hopenetministries.org.