In 2025, a "perfect storm" of unforeseen events have threatened Agape's continued existence and adversely impacted our resources and finances, shaking Agape's strong foundation, but not our resolve.
In our 1st 11 years Agape has changed the lives of over 300 homeless women and children, 90% of whom are abuse survivors. Of over 115 families served, 75% have graduated with better jobs, higher income able to live within their means and care for their children. Our ability to continue this critical work was very nearly stopped by the unintended consequences of proposed Texas legislation.
For most of Q2 2025 Agape fought proposed Texas legislation that would force Agape and many other agencies across Texas to close, just because of proximity to schools and parks. On Wednesday, 5/28/25, we learned the bills had been stopped and will not become law, at least not in 2025. This will allow Agape to stay in place and continue to do the critical work of providing home, help and hope to homeless women and children.
We are so grateful for the overwhelming grass roots advocacy from our board, staff, donors and community to fight and overcome these bills, without which we would not have been successful. When our voices are raised loudly together there is more of a chance to get the needed attention. Through the din of raised voices, we were successful in stopping these bills.
Returning our focus to our calling, we have taken stock of the cost of the battle. Our efforts over the last months to stop the devastating Texas legislature consumed a great deal of our financial and staff resources. The federal cuts which began in 2025 are also impacting our funding, both directly through either loss of or reduced amounts in grants and indirectly through reduced individual giving.
Agape has implemented cost cutting and recovery steps but to ensure we continue to support our women and children and retain our amazing staff we are reaching out to ask for your help.
Agape's gifted and passionate board of directors have embraced the goal to start now and raise $80,000 by September 18, North Texas Giving Day as a 2025 BOD CHALLENGE MATCH for our 2025 North Texas Giving Day campaign goal of $80,000. The combined financial resources of $160,000 will help ensure the homeless and hurting women and children we serve continue to have safe, stable housing and critical, life-changing support services that empower them to become self-sufficient and look forward to a future with hope not limited or defined by their past.
If you already are a regular donor, would you consider sharing a bit more? If you are an occasional donor, would you consider helping through a pledge for regular giving? If you’ve not donated to Agape or Jericho Village, we would be honored for you to join the journey.
We believe our supporters are our equity partners in our fight FOR our women and children and AGAINST homelessness. Without 11 years of faithful community support we could not have helped over 300 women and children leave homelessness. Without community support, we would not be watching the vision of Jericho Village become a reality. Together we are changing lives for the good to the 4th and 5th generation.
If you have other ideas on how you can help, please reach out to our Founder & CEO, Rev. Janet Collinsworth (Janet@Hope4Agape.org ). She would be happy to work with you for pledges, stock donations and other creative ways to help for the benefit of Agape and Jericho Village families.
We are immeasurably grateful.
Steve Kemp, Board Chair
Agape Resource & Assistance Center, Inc.