After years of false starts and wrong turns, The House of Hope has finally earned United Way affiliation. The shelter is a refuge for men who have fallen on hard times.

United Way welcomed The House of Hope into its community of nonprofit agencies in June. "The House of Hope has worked very hard since they started this idea several years ago. It started in the mind of one person and the basement of a church. It's gone through probably a dozen iterations to get to where they are now," says Lee Smith-Osina, Executive Director of the Front Royal/Warren County United Way.

The overnight shelter can accommodate 16 men and a long term residential facility is home to a maximum of seven men who hold down jobs.

House of Hope volunteers spent 3 years dotting every "I" and crossing every "T" to gain United Way affiliation. Now, they can tap into resources that may have never been available. "They now have access to a regular source of income. A second benefit that they may not even realize is going through steps necessary to get grants from larger groups. United Way requirements are stringent, but not nearly as stringent as some in state and federal government for homelessness," says Smith-Osina.

Volunteers hit a few dead ends and dark alleys in the process to partnership with United Way, but the hard work is paying off. They will be on our brochure and listed as a member agencies. We do a radio show every other month, they will be invited to come," says Smith-Osina.

The House of Hope can continue giving hope to the homeless.

The shelter won't be eligible for funds until next spring.