The Homeless Empowerment Program is celebrating 40 years of “Helping People Help  Themselves” this year. After a decade of operating the shelter through Everybody’s  Tabernacle Church, Barb and Otis Green – affectionately known by many as “Preacher” – officially established HEP (then the Homeless Emergency Project) as a 501(c)(3) in 1986,  expanding housing and services for individuals, Veterans, and families searching for a better future. Their mission started with one family in need. Preacher and Barb offered housing for the family until they were able to get back on their feet. From that single act of compassion, HEP’s mission was born. Over the years, HEP has continued to grow and evolve while remaining true to Preacher and Barb’s original vision: to serve others as they would want to be served. 

Today, HEP serves nearly 400 people each day and offers emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing for those in need. In 2025 alone, nearly 900 individuals received shelter and comprehensive support services, including 350 Veterans and 95 families with 228 children. Looking ahead, HEP continues to expand its impact with the upcoming grand opening of a new HEP Dental & Wellness Clinic and the groundbreaking of a multi-family housing complex that will house 35 additional families annually. 

Words cannot fully express our gratitude for the decades of kindness and support from our community partners, family, and friends. As Barb often says, HEP was built with the help of thousands of supporters – and that remains true today. You are the heart of HEP, and everything we do is made possible because of you. We look forward to the next 40 years of impact.