The storage building behind Hillsdale Community Thrift that will be repurposed as a transitional housing facility. Sydney Green | Collegian
After meeting a 14-day deadline, the camp will move to a former storage building
After meeting the deadline to bring its facility up to code, Camp Hope is preparing to transition into a standalone nonprofit under the new name HOPE Harbor.
While the homeless shelter’s day-to-day operations will remain the same, the change will allow it to operate independently from Hillsdale Community Thrift, which has supported it financially since 2023. The shelter will now be located in a former storage building behind Hillsdale Community Thrift.
“There’s already a board of directors, and we’re in the filing process now,” Camp Hope Director Missy DesJardin said. “This will take the financial burden off of Hillsdale Community Thrift.”
DesJardin faced a deadline on Sept. 16 to bring Camp Hope’s operations into compliance with zoning regulations. DesJardin is converting the storage building behind Hillsdale Community Thrift into a transitional living facility; the tent where tenants are currently staying will be used for storage.
“An engineer came to inspect the building and is drawing up all of the blueprints for all the future renovations and expansions we need to convert this into a transitional living facility,” DesJardin said. “Currently, it can house around 16 people, but we are hoping that, with the expansion, it will house around 30 tenants.”
The expansion will allow for a larger kitchen, an additional bathroom, and larger sleeping arrangements. DesJardin said she hopes to receive the building plans and get the paperwork finalized within a week.
According to DesJardin, Camp Hope is still operating because of the help of its landlord, Bill Vanengleburg.
“Bill, who owns this property, has been such a huge supporter,” DesJardin said. “When our funds are low and we are late on payment, Bill always helps us. We literally would not have made it to where we are today without him, and I am so grateful to him.”
Vanengleburg has been renting the property to DesJardin since 2017 and said he applauds her work in the community.
“Missy is a fantastic person and I know she means really well, so I have enjoyed supporting her through this in any way I can,” Vanengleburg said. “I know there is a need and a lot of people who are less fortunate than myself, and Missy really goes to bat for them.”
HOPE stands for Hillsdale Opportunity Promoting Empowerment.
“The ‘harbor’ comes from Hebrews 6:19-20 where it talks about Christ being an anchor for our soul,” DesJardin said. “This is going to be Christian-based.”
According to DesJardin, the progress over the past two weeks is a testament to the strong and supportive community nearby.
“It’s been a long, emotional couple of weeks,” DesJardin said. “No one likes uncertainty, especially when you have this many people to take care of, many of them vulnerable adults, but we have been able to move along in the right direction.”
Keri Stewart, president of the board of directors for HOPE Harbor, has been helping out at the shelter since its founding.
“I am very, very invested in the people of Camp Hope and now HOPE Harbor,” Stewart said. “We want to help people who are unhelped, for whatever reason, every step of the way. I think HOPE Harbor will be able to provide the consistent stability and resources they need to become healthy and successful individuals.”
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