Located in Salisbury, Maryland, Village of Hope was founded on June 7, 1988, as Caritas, Inc., a ministry of Joseph House Ministries, by the late Sister Mary Elizabeth Gintling, and was operated as a homeless shelter for men. In 1991, the organization became Joseph House Village, Inc., continuing its mission to provide shelter and support to those in need.
Over time, the organization evolved to meet changing community needs and transitioned into a transitional living program for women and their children experiencing homelessness. On April 4, 2000, Joseph House Village, Inc. officially changed its name to Village of Hope to prevent confusion with Joseph House Village. Today, Village of Hope operates as an independent, non-denominational organization while maintaining a close and collaborative relationship with Joseph House.
In 1994, Village of Hope expanded its mission by opening the Village Medical Clinic, which served low-income and uninsured adults in the community. As healthcare laws and regulations evolved, operating the clinic became increasingly complex for a small nonprofit organization. In August 2013, the Village of Hope Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the medical clinic in response to the challenges presented by the Affordable Care Act. Most clinic staff and patients transitioned to the Lower Shore Clinic. The organization’s space was then repurposed to expand its Transitional Living Program for women and children, allowing Village of Hope to more fully focus on its core mission of housing, stability, and long-term support.
Over time, the organization evolved to meet changing community needs and transitioned into a transitional living program for women and their children experiencing homelessness. On April 4, 2000, Joseph House Village, Inc. officially changed its name to Village of Hope to prevent confusion with Joseph House Village. Today, Village of Hope operates as an independent, non-denominational organization while maintaining a close and collaborative relationship with Joseph House.
In 1994, Village of Hope expanded its mission by opening the Village Medical Clinic, which served low-income and uninsured adults in the community. As healthcare laws and regulations evolved, operating the clinic became increasingly complex for a small nonprofit organization. In August 2013, the Village of Hope Board of Directors made the difficult decision to close the medical clinic in response to the challenges presented by the Affordable Care Act. Most clinic staff and patients transitioned to the Lower Shore Clinic. The organization’s space was then repurposed to expand its Transitional Living Program for women and children, allowing Village of Hope to more fully focus on its core mission of housing, stability, and long-term support.
