SMF - Haven of Hope History and Summary

The SMF Haven of Hope of Newport News, Virginia, a foundation founded by Ezra and Mable Hill, will be operative in the state of Virginia. The SMF Haven of Hope is a non-profit charitable organization which was incorporated in Virginia in 1997. SMF will have tax exempt status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code. SMF means "Save My Family.

The SMF-Haven of Hope Foundation in 1996, under the leadership of Ezra and Mable Hill, set its sites on expanding its mission to Newport News, Virginia. They envisioned a mission called "Haven of Hope" for the lower part of Newport News, Virginia. The area called "The Bottom" has acquired this name for two reasons: geographically it is at the bottom of the Virginia Peninsula, and the residents of this area are at the bottom of the social-economic scale.

"' The elementary school serving this area, according to documents from the City Planning Office, has 99% minority population and 96% of the students are labeled as coming from "disadvantaged homes". The average median income from the Bottom" is $8,651.00 compared to the city"s at $25,474.00. The female-headed households in the Bottom, in some areas, are as high as 88% and 90% renter occupied. The area shows signs of years of urban blight and the curse of lawlessness. Young people make daily decisions to prostitute, turn to crack, and engage in casual sex.

The "Bottoms Up" Foundation with the commitment of Ezra and Mable Hill will seek to address the concerns of the children, young adults, families and senior citizens who currently reside in the "Bottom". "Bottoms Up" will bring hope and lift the children of the bottom out of despair through reading and technical teaching. We know that Ezra and Mable was born in the area and Mable was reared in this area. This mission will give them the opportunity to give back to this community.

MISSION - Haven of Hope for the Needy

My name is Ezra M. Hill, My wife's name is Mable H. Hill. For the past seven years, we have opened our hearts to the poor, the needy, the destitute and even youths who are at risk. Haven of Hope for the Needy was organized with a broad charter aimed at charitable work, including but not limited to, providing an outreach program of services to alleviate the misery of the urban poor and youth.

Ezra and Mable have been active along with a few other volunteers in assisting inner-city youth struggling with destructive influences in our society; working with young people in inner-city transporting Thanksgiving and Christmas food portions, along with clothing and other household items that are available. We provide transportation for some of the Peninsula's impaired and elderly citizens who are on restricted and limited incomes.

We have received small monetary gifts from church members, family and friends. We have been blessed to receive from the Wise Potato Chip company large donations of chips and other such items. The Merita Bread company donates large amounts of bread and other items for a very minimal price. Many people donate clothes and other home items to enable us to help the needy, the poor, and those whose lives are at risk.

Now, we are ready to move up to a higher level in helping and in giving. Our mission is to continue giving to the needy; however, now we want to help the needy, poor, and at risk persons to help themselves through teaching, counseling, and training by utilizing retired teachers, and many volunteers.

We contacted the USA Harvest of Louisville, Kentucky. They are willing to come to this area and assist us in acquiring cooked foods from local restaurants by using the proper equipment and vehicles and then disbursing these food to the hungry and the poor.

SAVE MY FAMILY-HAVEN OF HOPE FOUNDATION of Newport News, Virginia, a foundation founded by Ezra and Mable Hill, has been incorporated in the state of Virginia in 1997. SMF-Haven of Hope is a non-profit charitable organization. The foundation will have tax-exempt"status under Section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code by July 1999.

We are hoping that you will join in this great endeavor. Please remember that the poor, the needy, and even youth who are at risk will certainly benefit from this mission. Our motto is Y2K (YES TO KIDS)