Carol House of Hope saved my life.

My name is “Maria,” and when my three children and I arrived at Carol House of Hope, we were fleeing domestic violence with nowhere else to go. I didn’t know how I would keep my kids safe or how we would start over. From the moment we walked through the doors, we found more than shelter — we found stability, guidance, and hope. With the support of CFPA counselors, I enrolled my children in school, secured childcare, found housing and employment, and began creating a future I never thought was possible.

Even after leaving shelter, CFPA continued to walk beside us through outreach services. Today, I’m proud of the safe, comfortable home my children and I share and the progress I’ve made. I’ve learned how to budget, practice self-care, and navigate life with confidence. One of my greatest milestones was saving enough to purchase reliable transportation for my family. The new Carol House of Hope will ensure more families like mine have a safe place to begin again. When you give, you help survivors escape violence, heal, and build a future filled with hope.

Every day, survivors of abuse make the brave choice to leave. Carol House of Hope is where their journey to healing can begin. The new Carol House of Hope will help turn CFPA’s vision of a safer, more peaceful community into reality.

Giving opportunities

Monetary donations designated to the Carol House of Hope are a powerful way to make a lasting impact in the new shelter. Gifts of any size are welcome and show survivors of abuse that they are not alone and that their community is invested in a future full of possibility and hope.

Larger donations are eligible for a named space to recognize your generosity while directly connecting your gift to the healing that happens inside its doors. By choosing to sponsor or name a space, your gift becomes a tangible place of safety for a survivor of abuse. A plaque with your name, your family’s name, or your business name will be placed in the designated space as a testament to your commitment to helping all people live free from violence and abuse.

To discuss naming opportunities and other ways to leave a lasting impact, contact our Vice President of Philanthropy, Christine Bare-Kemper, at cbkemper@centerforpreventionofabuse.org or 309-691-0551.

The Lasting Legacy of Carol House of Hope

This project would not be possible without the support of the City of Pekin, which made the purchase of land at 121 S. 2nd Street possible in 2024. We must also honor and recognize the legacy of the shelter’s original location and namesake. The history of Carol House of Hope remains a vital part of this rebuild. In memory of their daughter Carol, who died in a car accident in 1982, Dr Nelson (Pete) and Barbara Wright donated their family medical practice facility to be used as a shelter. Joined by Dr. Nelson’s brother, Dr. Robert (Buck) Wright, their act of generosity transformed personal tragedy into a lasting source of hope for women and children in need of safety. It is our privilege to carry that legacy forward into this new chapter.

Image Note: This information is copyrighted by Farnsworth Group.  All rights reserved.