History
In the late 1980s a woman named Paddie Foster, who was struggling with cancer, told her minister Rev. Mel Schlachter that she had a desire to help people. He honored her desire and when people would come to Trinity Episcopal Church for help, they would meet with her. Rev. Schlachter shared how well this approach was working with the Troy Council of Churches, and several churches decided to join together to support a part time social worker to respond to the many requests for assistance received by the churches. Since its humble beginnings, Partners in Hope has grown in many ways. Partners in Hope is currently sponsored by 17 area churches, each of which provides financial support, volunteers and representatives to serve on the Board that oversees Partners in Hope.
Partners in Hope has five active ministries: