Survivors of a wide variety of trauma or abuse—such as physical, emotional or financial trauma—are welcome to seek help at nonprofit Hopeful Hearts Ministry, Executive Director Tamara Lexow said.
The overview
Based in Kingwood, Hopeful Hearts Ministry offers one-on-one in-person or virtual sessions with adults from all over the world who have survived abuse or experienced trauma, Lexow said. The nonprofit pairs survivors seeking help with volunteers who have been trained by Lexow and Founder Shannon Carr.
Though not licensed therapists, Lexow said she and Carr both have life coaching and peer support certifications, and they can help survivors find resources if professional help is needed.
“We want people to feel comfortable with ... who we are, and that we are listening with no judgment because a lot of people have only faced judgment when they've tried to talk about their story,” Lexow said.
Aside from virtual sessions with survivors, Hopeful Hearts Ministry also hosts Bible study sessions and retreats, and operates a podcast, Lexow said. The nonprofit operates by assisting people who are asking for help instead of by reaching out to people.
“No one can say, ‘Hey, ... I need you to work with my wife or my daughter,’” Lexow said. “They need to be willing to reach out for the help.”
A closer look
Carr, who traveled the world for speaking engagements as a youth minister, founded Hopeful Hearts Ministry in 2011 after meeting many survivors of abuse and trauma. Carr wanted to give people a resource to speak about their stories, Lexow said.
About 15 years later, the nonprofit’s leaders hope to continue to grow the organization and help more people, in Kingwood and beyond, Lexow said.
“There's people who are walking around as doctors and lawyers and real estate agents and school teachers and business owners who all have an important story, but they're holding it in because of shame or grief," Lexow said. "We want people to be able to live life to the fullest."
