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Doors Open For Troubled Teens

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By STEPHEN HAMMILL

The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 31, 2008

KEYSTONE - When his dad left to fight in Iraq, Jon "Zak" Donaldson of Valrico was only 10, but his life began to slip off track.

"Around then I began stealing bikes and was later arrested for cocaine possession," he said.

The boy joined a gang associated with the Crips and ran away from home.

"On the run, I changed my appearance until I didn't recognize myself," he said, explaining he dressed like a Goth with dark clothing and makeup.

When caught by authorities, Donaldson was transferred to House of Hope in Orlando.

"I surrendered my life to Christ, and I just started changing my life around," he said.

Donaldson, now 15, told his story to an audience gathered recently to celebrate completion of House of Hope Tampa Bay, a nondenominational Christian residence for troubled teens.

The newly refurbished facility at 13018 Gunn Highway has been a labor of love three years in the making.

"I wish this house would have been here last year," Donaldson said. "It would've saved my parents a lot of gas money."

Verna Bartlett and her husband, Lewis Mustard, are founders of House of Hope Tampa Bay. The organization received a certificate of occupancy last month.

"Now we're ready to start the real work, to run a group home for hurting teens in this area," Bartlett said at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

She thanked the more than 500 volunteers who helped revamp the 4,400-square-foot house, which sits on property owned by Alan Felker of Keystone. Felker donated use of the land to the House of Hope for 50 years.

Contractor William Ryan Homes led the rehab efforts, donating time and building materials.

More than half the budget for the $450,000 project came from donations, including $50,000 from the House of Hope in Orlando.

Started in 2005, House of Hope Tampa Bay is an affiliate of the national headquarters in Orlando, which opened in 1985.

Bartlett thanked the more than 23 churches that donated time and money, particularly Van Dyke United Methodist Church in Lutz and Crossroads Community Church in Wesley Chapel.

"Thank you, Zak, for that speech. You are an inspiration to so many your age and to parents and families everywhere," said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Teens come to House of Hope on a case-by-case basis, sometimes through the court system. Among the programs offered are nonresidential counseling, which includes parenting classes, workshops and seminars for teens and their families.

The counseling is required for admission into the full-time program.

Each full-time resident receives an education through the Accelerated Christian Educational program, which offers a high school diploma and transferable credits.

The classes include math, English and Bible studies. Mustard called the religious teachings essential to House of Hope's plan "to bring about salvation for the teens as well as the family."

"We have worship in the morning," he said. "It's a very important part of things."

Mustard said residents typically spend eight to 18 months in the program.

Most who progress reach the "home phase," a gradual reintegration with their families.

"Getting these kids back on track with their families - that's why we do this," Mustard said.

Because it receives no public funding, the charity relies on churches, businesses, individuals, grants and foundations for financial support.

Mustard projects a $200,000 operating budget next year and said House of Hope Tampa Bay receives just 17 percent of its funding from families of teens in the program.

To start, the home will take in six boys in June. Bartlett said capacity will expand to 36 in coming years and eventually include teen girls.

Mustard initially will live at House of Hope Tampa Bay, along with another staff member. "I think it's important that there be a father figure," he said.

As more teens move in, the live-in staff will grow, he said.

For information, call the House of Hope Tampa Bay at (813) 433-4810 or go to www.nationalhouseofhope .org.

Reporter Stephen Hammill can be reached at (813) 865-1523 or at shammill@tampatrib.com.

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