Members from the local faith-based nonprofit, Challenge House appeared at Tuesday’s Hopkinsville Rotary Club meeting to share how they provide support to at risk youth in the community.
Challenge House Executive Director Michelle Wilson says they work with youth who may come from lower income families or be at risk to help them be successful in the future.
Wilson shares that the nonprofit is expanding to offer services for adults as well. In Hopkinsville there are six Challenge Houses that provide youth and community outreach services such as after school tutoring, snack programs, jobs and skills training, their annual AT&T (Attitude, Training and Teamwork) Program and much more.
Each Challenge House has ambassadors that host programs, Challenge House #4 Ambassadors Mike Condella and Gina Condella spotlighted what they do and how they got involved with the nonprofit.
The pair have been ambassadors for six years. Gina Condella says they felt called to this service and sold their home along with much of their belongings before becoming ambassadors and was not sure what this journey would entail.
Gina Condella shared that a shooting recently occurred near their Challenge House where two people were shot and many children witnessed and heard the incident. Gina Condella said one of the saddest parts of the incident was that children in the neighborhood saw it as a normal part of life.
Gina Condella says Challenge House is working to give children the resources to build a stable future away from poverty and violence.
Looking toward the future, Wilson says they are working toward establishing a seventh Challenge House in the east side of Hopkinsville. More information about the nonprofit is available at challengehouse.org.