We recently had the chance to connect with Charles L. Bender III and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Charles L., thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What do you think is misunderstood about your business?
One of the things that is most misunderstood about what we do at Place Of Hope is the fact that people assume once kids are rescued from bad situations and placed in foster care that everything is OK. This is just the beginning, in fact. Placing kids in safe stable and productive environments like Place Of Hope is where they can start to heal and create plans for their future. There’s quite a bit that goes into that. The other misunderstanding is that the state pays for all of the services; in fact, the majority of the funding for what we do is raised privately within the community. The last element is that people don’t always remember that these kids are under 18 and are victims of their circumstances, They are actually resilient, great young people who can do great things when given the opportunity. That is also true for the adults that we serve: Once they are given stability, dignity, structure and opportunities, they can fly from there.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
What’s really special about Place Of Hope and our brand is that we are extremely unique in the spaces that we serve. We are distinctly faith based and family oriented. We truly focus on each and every person in our care. We work with them to put together a positive plan for their futures and then find all of the resources necessary to help them along. We are not a handout program, but a hand-up program, with personal responsibility requirements, structure, and plenty of opportunity: As long as the individuals meet their requirements and follow the structure, they can benefit from the rewards. We are very entrepreneurial as well, and we operate completely debt-free. We also maintain the highest ratings from Charity Navigator and other rating organizations. We are celebrating 25 years this year and have expanded onto five campuses to include some statewide programs as well.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
There have been many moments that have shaped how I view the world. As it relates to what we do at Place Of Hope, I think the most profound has to be the individual stories of young people persevering, and turning around difficult situations toward success, even though they are coming from ashes. It never ceases to amaze me what people can do to exploit and harm children. And it never gets easier to read or understand the cases associated with those in our care. For that reason, I am extremely grateful to have what we have in place at Place Of Hope, the people that we have working with us, and most of all God’s spirit over this place and his provision every single day.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
I have never come close to giving up, as it relates to my personal life or my professional life at Place Of Hope. Sure, there have been plenty of roller coaster rides and difficult circumstances, but I have always sensed God’s presence, his provision, and his wisdom when it comes to making difficult decisions and dealing with difficult circumstances. Again, seeing children and young people heal from advanced, serious levels of trauma is a reminder that anything is possible and that we are exactly where we are supposed to be as a critical mission for children and young people and families. There are definitely difficulties every day with what we do, but we see the inspirational outcomes, and we will never give up.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lie our industry tells itself is that the concept of children always coming first is universally true. It’s not. Government does not know how to raise children or create families. Only the private sector and philanthropic people can make that happen. People of faith have a huge role here as well. They like to say the children come first, but then they underfund important programs, or they don’t ensure that all program requirements are being met. As a private organization, we unwaveringly put children first and always will. This is why I believe the private sector is the answer.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I understand deeply that many people don’t is that God is a loving God who cares for every single person on the planet. He wants relationships with us individually, and we can easily have one through simple acceptance. I see and experience daily, the transformation of people and young lives who have seen and experienced trauma and have deep wounds, but they end up focused and healed and on paths to tremendous success.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.placeofhope.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/placeofhope/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/place-of-hope-inc-/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/placeofhopepbg
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PlaceofHopePBG
Image Credits
Place of Hope
