Chapter 5.2-Hope Lodge Evaluation
Hope Lodge goes above and beyond in being a nonprofit. Since its opening in 1995, the Joseph S. and Jeannette M. Silber Hope Lodge has served patients from 87 Ohio counties, 43 states, and 25 countries, demonstrating the vast range of patients that this program is helping. These statistics demonstrate the wide variety of people that this one nonprofit is able to serve even though it is native to Cleveland. Hope Lodge brings patients and their families into the Cleveland and allows them to have access to world-class healthcare systems.
As a part of the American Cancer Society, Hope Lodge can attract donors through some nationwide programs. Being such a tangible program allows donors to see what their money is supporting. Seeing how much patients are benefiting from better access to healthcare, being around people who are going through the same experiences, and not having to worry about the cost of hotels makes a deep impact on donors. Wish-lists, paid for by donors, include basic household items such as toilet paper and paper towels. They also include larger items like televisions and sofas to make patients’ experiences better. Contributions also goes toward providing patients with basic amenities so that they do not feel like they are away from home.
The funds for Hope Lodge come from various sources. A significant amount of funding comes from grateful guests, demonstrating how much of a difference Hope Lodge is making in these patients' lives. In addition, Jeannette Silber's passion for the Hope Lodge continues to help patients today because of a foundation she set up for the Hope Lodge, which makes up some of the operating budget. The rest of the funding comes from the American Cancer Society.
Another way that people get involved in the Hope Lodge besides donating is volunteering. There are many ways that Cleveland community members can volunteer at Hope Lodge. Some examples include front desk volunteers and groups that come in to put on game nights, do painting activities, give music performances, and make dinner for patients.
In addition, the Joesph S. and Jeannnette M. Silber Hope Lodge interacts with other nonprofits in the Cleveland area. For example, Hands on Northeast Ohio provides Hope Lodge with many volunteers. As Hope Lodge is a part of the American Cancer Society, it is able to connect with other nonprofits in that capacity. Being a part of such a large nonprofit organization makes Hope Lodge really unique because each Hope Lodge is a feature of a specific place and can reap the benefits of having a local community. At the same time, it is part of a larger nonprofit and can also make use of resources through this connection. One way that Hope Lodge utilizes its ties to the American Cancer Society is through its biggest fundraiser, Relay for Life.
Hope Lodge is a growing program—32 already exist nationwide and 5 or 6 in process of being opened for patient service. This organization provides an amazing service to patients by giving them the access to the best treatment option possible. However, it does so much more for Cleveland apart from its mission. Hope Lodge mobilizes volunteers and aims to work with other non-profit and corporate groups in Cleveland, helping to form a community in the city.
