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Doors Open For Troubled Teens

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 24, 2008

KEYSTONE - Last week, organizers gathered to thank those who helped with a project three years in the making - to open a home for troubled teens.

Verna Bartlett and her husband, Lewis Mustard, founders of House of Hope Tampa Bay, a nondenominational Christian charity, opened the newly refurbished facility at 13018 Gunn Highway.

The organization received a certificate of occupancy from the county last month, allowing the house to operate as a residential facility.

"Now we're ready to start the real work, to run a group home for hurting teens in this area," said Bartlett at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

She thanked the more than 500 volunteers who, during the past three years, helped refurbish the 4,400-square-foot house, which sits on property owned by Alan Felker of Keystone. Felker donated use of the land to the House of Hope for a 50-year term.

Contractor William Ryan Homes led the refurbishing efforts, donating time and building materials.

More than half the budget for the $450,000 project came from donations, including $50,000 from the House of Hope in Orlando.

Started in 2005, House of Hope Tampa Bay is an affiliate of the national headquarters in Orlando, which opened in 1985 as a residential home for teens.

Bartlett thanked the more than 23 churches that donated time and money, particularly Van Dyke United Methodist Church in Lutz and Crossroads Community Church in Wesley Chapel.

Speaking at the event, 15-year-old Jon "Zak" Donaldson of Valrico talked about his experience with the House of Hope program.

"When I was 10 my dad left to fight in Iraq," he told the audience. "Around then I began stealing bikes, and was later arrested for cocaine possession."

Donaldson said he joined a gang associated with the Crips and ran away from home.

"On the run, I changed my appearance until I didn't recognize myself," he said.

When caught by authorities, Donaldson was transferred to House of Hope in Orlando.

"I surrendered my life to Christ, and I just started changing my life around," he said.

Donaldson thanked Bartlett and Mustard for opening a house closer to his home.

"I wish this house would have been here last year," he said. "It would've saved my parents a lot of gas money."

"Thank you, Zak, for that speech. You are an inspiration to so many your age and to parents and families everywhere," said Congressman Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Teens come to House of Hope on a case-by-case basis, sometimes through the court system. Programs include nonresident counseling, which comprises parenting classes, special workshops and seminars for teens and their families.

The counseling is required for admission into the full-time program.

Each full-time resident receives an education through the Accelerated Christian Educational program, which offers a high school diploma and transferable credits.

The classes include math, English and Bible studies. Mustard called the religious teachings essential to House of Hope's plan "to bring about salvation for the teens as well as the family."

"We have worship in the morning," he said. "It's a very important part of things."

Mustard said residents typically spend eight to 18 months in the program.

Most who progress reach the "home phase," a gradual reintegration back into their families.

"Getting these kids back on track with their families - that's why we do this," Mustard said.

Because it receives no public funding, the charity relies on churches, businesses, and individuals, along with grants and foundations, for financial support.

Mustard projects a $200,000 operating budget next year, and said House of Hope Tampa Bay receives just 17 percent of its funding from families in the program.

To start, the home will take in six boys in June. Bartlett said capacity will expand to 36 in the coming years and will eventually include teen girls.

Mustard will initially live on the premises along with another staff member. "I think it's important that there be a father figure," he said.

As more move in, the live-in staff will grow, he said.

For information, call the House of Hope Tampa Bay at (813) 433-4810.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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