Hillsborough House of Hope | About

"God help me to be the woman you created me to be; doing what you have created me to do."

- Margaret Palmer

WHO WE ARE

Hillsborough House of Hope provides shelter and support to women who are homeless due to criminal records, substance abuse or domestic violence, allowing them to become productive, self-sustaining members of the community, and reunite with their children and families.

With the combined support of local partners and in collaboration with community friends, Hillsborough House of Hope addresses the immediate essential needs for women in transition, such as living accommodations, individual and group therapy, and job assistance. Women that participate in the Hillsborough House of Hope program are presented with the opportunity to start the healing process in a safe environment dedicated to helping them make progress and achieve success.

Our mission is to help formerly incarcerated women become the person God created them to be.

ABOUT MARGARET PALMER

For years, Margaret Palmer was a volunteer counselor for women serving time in Hillsborough County Correctional Facilities. Over the course of her efforts, she witnessed many women make significant progress in their lives while incarcerated and leave the system, only to return after failing to find outside support systems that could help them during their transition into society.

A Christian woman, Margaret turned to the word of God for guidance to help these women permanently leave a negative cycle. The Lord provided Margaret with the courage and foresight to establish Hillsborough House of Hope. She worked diligently to build a strong foundation for women seeking guidance, support and a chance to build new lives for themselves.

Since 1998, Hillsborough House of Hope has served as a beacon of hope for many women living in the Tampa Bay area. We are thankful for the countless community partners working with us to ensure Margaret’s vision remains a lasting legacy.

BOARD MEMBERS

Tu Mai, Board President is also the President of Jono Heritage Land Development, LLC. She has more than 9 years of experience as a land use professional specializing in land-based projects working in the private sector with landowners, developers, home builders, and religious institutions. Tu was reappointed by a County Commissioner in 2018 and is currently serving on the Citizens Advisory Committee tackling government initiatives, policies, and programs that affect the residents of Hillsborough County. She is thrilled to serve in her first year on the Board of Directors for Hillsborough House of Hope. She hopes to be a positive contributor to the organization and the community by utilizing her strong sports background and unique insight into local governance to further the Board’s mission.

Lisa Knox, Vice President practices Family Law, including but not limited to, child custody, child support, divorce and paternity actions, Collaborative Law, Adoptions, and Dependency—including interventions. She is a Florida Supreme Court certified Family Law Mediator. In addition, Lisa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Professional Psychology. Before earning her Juris Doctor, she led a successful career in the corporate world and entrepreneurship. Lisa enjoys spending time with her family, mentoring current and future law students and volunteering in the community.

Geovanni Este, Treasurer was inspired to volunteer and join the board after she attended our Sunset Social Fundraiser, where she heard about HHH’s triumphant survival stories. Locally, she spends her time educating and helping buyers and sellers build wealth through homeownership as a Realtor®, Consultant with Preferred Shore Real Estate. In NYC she volunteered with the Bowery Missions Discipleship Womens program, a Residential & Community Program at The Bowery Mission designed to serve New Yorkers experiencing homelessness, hunger and other crises. She lives richly by experiencing life and helping others. She is a self professed foodie from NYC.

Michelle Plosker, Board Member has been working to improve the lives of women for over 30 years. She is a Certified Nurse Midwife and has worked in Women’s Health Care her entire career. She presently volunteers at Judeo Christian Clinic providing gynecological care to the indigenous population. She starting volunteering with Hillsborough House Of Hope over three years ago and became a member of the Board of Directors shortly after. She is a very active member and recently was voted in as Vice President of the Board. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Vanessa Jones, Board Member is the Senior Director of Learner Services, Training & Operations at Ultimate Medical Academy. Vanessa holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master’s in public administration. While she began her career in Social Work, she has been with UMA over 11 years supporting students to navigate their programs on their pathway to their allied healthcare careers. In her free time, she enjoys, travelling, volunteering within the community, and spending time with friends and family.

Dr. Clovis Dunbar

A former Washington, DC/Laurel, Maryland resident, Dr. Clovis Dunbar holds a Bachelor of Arts in Theology, Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, a Master of Divinity in Christian Leadership and a Doctor of Ministry in Christian Leadership from Faith Christian University & Schools, Temple Hills, Maryland. Dr. Dunbar and wife Lois, founded the ministry, The Refreshing Spirit on July 4, 2010 after retiring from the Branchwood Towers Satellite Ministry in Clinton, Maryland and relocating to Florida. For three years, Dr. Dunbar served as Superintendent in the Greater Tampa Bay District, of the Churches of God in Christ under the leadership of Bishop Jimmie L. Williams.

His favorite scripture is Mark 11:22:

And Jesus, answering said unto them. “Have faith in God, for verily I say unto you, that whosoever shall say unto this mountain, be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he says shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he says.”

STAFF MEMBERS

Linda Walker is the Program Director at Hillsborough House of Hope Inc., Author of Boundaries ANEW written to assist and guide recovering addicts and alcoholics in everyday life on life term decisions to help keep them on track. Previous Board member of Homeless Coalition, Recipient of the Directors Leadership Award from the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Recipient of the Community Champion Award from Molina Health care, Recipient for the Unsung Heroine Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Allyson Stanley is the office administrator at Hillsborough House of Hope Inc. She is currently studying Psychology at HCC. She has a passion for God, recovery and helping others. After graduating she hopes to become a Mental Health Advocate making sure individuals in a mental health crisis understand their rights, and get the proper treatment they need and deserve. Allyson is responsible for all office duties including: our newsletter, assisting in the initial intake process, keeping up with the administration and assisting Ms. Linda Walker and the residents with anything they need.