Building Hope Campaign Groundbreaking Ceremony

The Building Hope Campaign is a 2.5-million-dollar initiative to construct a new Encompass Christian Counseling and Encourage Foster Care facility in Massillon Ohio. Due to our current facility’s size, our waiting list for therapy can be upwards of 100 people and there is currently no room for foster care services in the building.

We are so excited to announce we are halfway to the Building Hope Campaign fundraising goal and will start construction soon!

On Friday, April 4, over 60 people came to celebrate breaking ground on our new facility - a space that will more than double the capacity of our current Encompass building. The day marked more than just the start of construction – it marked the beginning of increasing hope and healing in the community.

Despite a dreary forecast, the rain held off and the sun shone as the breaking ground ceremony began. Pam Lung, CCHO Board President, kicked off the program with excitement and gratitude as she introduced one of our amazing partners Lewis Yoder, Executive Director of The Christ Foundation. He shared the Foundation’s commitment to restoring individuals, strengthening families and sustaining communities. Mr. Yoder explained the partnership of The Christ Foundation with our family of ministries and the provision of a $900,000 matching grant to the Building Hope Campaign.

Mike Eberly, President of Weaver Commercial Contractors, spoke on their partnership with Encompass and the family of ministries along with their excitement for being a part of bringing hope and healing to the community. Jon Tisevich, RiverTree Jackson Teaching & Worship Pastor, highlighted their long-standing relationship with Encompass and the family of ministries and the impact this new Massillon facility will have for generations to come.

Kevin Hewitt, President & CEO, led the team as everyone donned their hard hats and dug their shovels into the ground. A truly impactful moment to signify the earth being turned over to allow room for new growth. Dirt flew as everyone cheered for the countless lives that will change through God’s healing work at Encompass and Encourage.

None of this would be possible without the support of our community partners, donors, churches and individuals who have been praying and advocating for this project for years. We are so blessed to be surrounded by such amazing partners as we all step out in faith together to help more people experience their worth in Christ. Please pray for the Building Hope Campaign as we begin construction soon and continue to work towards our fundraising goal.

Would you like to learn more about the Building Hope Campaign? You can watch the campaign video and take a virtual tour of our new facility at buildinghopecampaign.org.