The Hope Cup

We are entering into the final few weeks of this winter’s Hub of Hope, our temporary walk-in engagement center down in the Center City concourse. The Hub, which opened on January 6, provides a critical point of access for persons who experience long-term homelessness and who stay underground during the cold weather. Thanks to the many amazing partners who make up the Hub, we are able to offer an housing placement and health care services. 

Hundreds of persons have already taken advantage of the Hub, which opened on the coldest day of the year.  Thanks to the many people and groups who make this possible:  Outreach teams, case managers, doctors, psychiatrists, nurses, social service agencies, SEPTA Police, the City, private donors, Urban Outfitters, Joe Cesa from Philly Fair Trade Roasters—connections are made all the time.

One particularly moving story from this year’s Hub:  On Martin Luther King Day in January, a group of young people from St. Thomas of Villanova parish decorated many coffee cups, which they then donated to the Hub.  Many of the cups were adorned with bright colors and lively images.  But one cup included a short written reflection by one of the volunteers.  It read:

Hello,

I don’t know you but I know about you. I’m Jane.*  I’m a 16-year-old heroin addict. Life gets hard. I know. I hope you find a way to get back on your feet. You may not understand why I care but it’s because I understand. I know what giving up your life is like. I know the feeling of having no hope no future besides drugs. Life gets real hard. Family leaves and you get left alone. It’s like it’s only you and drugs. Life is more than that. There is a light. No one is too far gone for help. I don’t really believe NA works but God does.

Stay strong and humble,

All my love,

a girl who gets it.

(*name has been changed)

The Hub staff nicknamed this cup “the hope cup” since it embodies so much of the spirit and purpose of the program.