Hillsborough House of Hope | About

WHO WE ARE

Hillsborough House of Hope provides shelter and support to women transitioning from incarceration, substance abuse, or domestic violence to productive, self-sustaining community life while reunifying 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 women become the individuals in which God created them to be and what He created them to do.

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

Michelle Plosker, has been working to improve the lives of women for more than 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 started 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 President of the Board of Directors. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends.

Dr. Clovis Dunbar, is a former DC/Maryland resident who 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. He founded the Refreshing Spirit ministry after relocating to the Tampa Bay area. Dr. Dunbar served as District Superintendent of the COGIC Greater Tampa Bay District for three years. In 2012 he was invited to the board by our founder, Margaret Palmer where he administered the Founder's Fund.

Chalette Davis, is the Founder & Chief Event Officer at Chalette Michelle & Company. She is an event professional with more than 20 years of meetings and events experience. She started her career as an Air Force Logistics Officer. This progressed into planning political events and educational conferences in Washington, D.C. She worked for Washington Hospital Center where she planned 100 days of continuing education meetings per year and for an international science institute. After returning to Florida, she ran a national educational sales and training program under No Child Left Behind. Since then, she has worked in various capacities of event planning and donor relations for non-profit fundraising and educational events throughout the state of Florida.

Linda Walker is the Program Director at Hillsborough House of Hope Inc. She is the author of Boundaries ANEW which was written to assist and guide recovering addicts and alcoholics in everyday life on life term decisions to help keep them on track. She was a former 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, and recipient for the Unsung Heroine Award from the National Coalition of 100 Black Women.

Karen McGinnis, is a Tampa native and a woman in recovery from substance abuse. After battling her addiction for nearly two decades she realized that recovery is possible and has made it her mission in life to give her experience, strength, and hope to help others heal and recover. She presently works for American Addiction Centers as a Senior Outreach Coordinator where she facilitates interventions and helps to place people in substance abuse treatment nationwide. She is a pillar in the recovery community and is also a Florida Board Certified Recovery Peer Specialist where she uses her lived experience to guide others into recovery. Karen has volunteered her time with many other organizations in her 8 years of recovery and specifically has a passion for Hillsborough House of Hope.

Christie Charles, is originally from Cincinnati OH and attended Central State University where she received her Bachelor's of Arts in Communication. She has since created a strong social services background across many sectors. Christie is an active member of her Church and Community. In her current role as Office Manager for a staffing agency, she is out in the community connecting organizations with jobs for those in need. As a former Resident and House Manager of Hillsborough House of Hope, She was invited to join the board as a voice with lived experience within the organization. Currently mentoring incoming clients of HHH, she is able to bring an inside prospective.