Bethany Inc.’s founder, Carol Bullard-Bates, moved to Washington D.C. in 1987 with her family to become a member of the Church of the Savior Christian community. When Carol spoke of her first impressions of Washington D.C. she said, “I was shocked to see so many homeless people here. I had never lived anywhere where I saw homeless people everywhere. I knew I could not live here and not do something about this problem.” 
As part of her commitment to her faith, Carol began teaching Sunday school to children from the affordable housing apartment buildings of Jubilee Housing which had also come out of the vision of the Church of the Savior community. It was on a terrible day just a short time after being in D.C. that two of the children in her Sunday school class were brutally murdered by their father on a drug-crazed binge. The boyfriend of a friend from her church was murdered in a bad drug deal. These series of cruel events helped Carol realize that lives lost through substance abuse are costly and wasted. She began to brainstorm about what type of program could be developed to assist homeless families in recovery from drug addiction. The ideal program would stabilize a family’s living arrangements; help them heal emotionally, spiritually and physically. In developing her concept, Carol has said, “I wanted our families to discover their gifts and be able to use them for their families, and in their communities. Our families need to realize how important they are in this world and how much they have to share.”
Carol turned to her church to help make her vision a reality. Carol said, “In our church, if one other person responds to a call from God, the mission is adopted by the church.” Carol’s friend, Molly Carr responded to her call and Carol’s church enthusiastically supported her vision to create a transitional housing facility for homeless families in recovery from addiction.
Bethany, Inc. was incorporated in 1993 and Good Hope House opened its doors in May 2004. It is a place of resurrection for the families who arrive with motivation to change, to be good parents, to work, and to gain economic independence. Carol feels, “It is a gift to be a part of our families’ lives. We all learn and grow together.”
Bethany’s Programs and Services
Our families strive to live with and overcome psychological and physical disabilities, substance and alcohol abuse, domestic violence, and other traumas. Bethany prides itself on providing families with:
Stability Our transitional housing facility in which clients live in a furnished two-bedroom apartment in a safe, nurturing environment.
Support through case management and referral services to help clients achieve goals for education/ training, employment, health and well-being, child care and housing and assistance with transportation, supplies, and other needs.
Strength with empowerment workshops, parenting and life skills classes, recovery sessions, and individual/ family counseling.
Success by obtaining permanent housing and achieving long-term sustainability. An example would be Ms. Ford who obtained her own unsubsidized leased apartment.
Fundraiser
Bethany Inc.’s 14th Annual Fundraising Dinner will be held
September 15, 5-8pm at the
Festival Center, 1640 Columbia Road, NW Washington, D.C.
Website: bethanyinc.org
