WHAT IS THE {HOPE} STATION?

Spring 2011 was a busy time for Stephanie and the iKros team as they prepared for the launch of Storytellers by iKros.  The weekend before the launch, on May 22, an F5 tornado hit Joplin, Missouri.  Determined to help the people affected by the tragedy, Stephanie pulled her team together.  Postponing the Storytellers launch, they packed up and headed to Joplin.  They stayed in Joplin for two months, redirected their efforts to creating an initiative called the {HOPE} Station.  Understanding the importance of sharing the stories of their experiences, the team used Chapters to help people express themselves, share the hope and heal.  The concept was simple for the iKros team, “We handed them a shirt and a Sharpie.  It was that simple.”

Soon people were wearing shirts on bearing their prayers, the stories of survival, their frustrations or their gratitude.  Kids simply drew pictures of what they had experienced, like a house with trees falling around them.  The connections began to happen in a very organic manner.  A person standing in line for groceries reads the back of the shirt worn by the person in front of them.  The message is simple, clear and straight from the heart.  Suddenly they felt less alone, less confused, less hurt, less alone and more thankful to be alive.  They felt less aware of what had been lost and most aware that there was hope.  They’d shared hope by sharing their story.  The {HOPE} Station is has become a philanthropic initiative to raise hope wherever hope is needed most.  The {HOPE} Station is not another organization focused on disaster.  The {HOPE} Station is not a non-profit or a 501(c)(3).  Unlike these organizations, we are focused on providing the missing element in the chaos of relief.  When others are talking, we’re listening.  We provide the calm after the storm or during times of adversity.  The {HOPE} Station is a ministry of hope tied to communities, supporting schools, coordinating events and networking with businesses, artists and individuals to promote humanitarian efforts and raise the awareness of hope.

 

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE HOPE STATION WEBSITE