On any given day at Center of Hope in Weatherford, the needs of the community are quietly and steadily unfolding. Some mornings are busier than others, but for Director of Development Courtney McKeown, the weight and the beauty of the work remain constant.
“You hurt for all the needs that you see in your community walking through the door,” she says. “But at the same time, you rejoice that you live in such an amazing community that pulls together to meet these needs each and every day.”
Center of Hope began in the mid-1990s under the name The Provision Center, founded by Terry Jones with a simple mission of providing food and financial assistance to anyone in need. As the organization grew, five Parker County churches united to create what is now Center of Hope. It’s become a Christ-focused center of benevolence designed to combine resources and volunteers for greater community impact.
The goal is to empower people to live successful, joy-filled lives. Between its Weatherford and Springtown locations, Center of Hope serves close to 25,000 households.
“The majority of people come in during a crisis,” McKeown explains. “But we know that the crisis is usually just the top layer. If we want to see lasting change, we must address the underlying needs.”
Those needs include education, career development, and emotional support. Programs include job training, financial management, computer literacy, parenting classes, life coaching, anti-anxiety and stress relief courses, citizenship preparation, and six levels of ESL.
Executive Director Staci Markwardt understands the center’s purpose deeply. She first walked through the doors in 2011 as a volunteer while recovering from a life-altering illness. By 2012, she joined the staff full-time.
“I wasn’t sure I was ready to return to the workforce,” she says. “Volunteering felt like a hopeful first step. What I didn’t expect was how quickly Center of Hope would capture my heart. It’s more than a job. It’s a calling. Every day I get to witness what happens when a community comes together with compassion, purpose, and faith.”
The scale of need has intensified. Center of Hope is now serving 127% more families than it did just two years ago. That’s an increase of roughly 1,200 families per month. While immediate relief remains critical, leadership emphasizes long-term sustainability.
“Our goal is not just to help people survive a difficult season,” Markwardt says. “It’s to equip them with tools to move toward independent, stable living.”
For Madison Jakes, a former intern raised by a single mother with limited resources, that transformation was personal.
“They’re more than just a center,” Madison says. “They’re a little pocket of community."
In high school, Madison struggled with anger after experiencing bullying. It got to the point where she says she struggled to look in the mirror. Through Center of Hope’s Jobs for Life program, she learned résumé writing and public speaking. She also completed computer courses and mental health classes.
“Before, when I would stand in front of people, I would stutter or shut down,” she remembers. “The mental health class helped me the most. It showed me it’s okay to not be okay. It’s okay to ask for help.”
Today, she says she can finally look in the mirror and feel proud.
“They pulled me out of that black hole and made me into the person I am today.”
The local church remains the foundation of Center of Hope’s model. Through partnerships with more than 60 churches, thousands of volunteers serve each year by stocking shelves, teaching classes, mentoring participants, and preparing meals.
And the growth continues. Although the organization moved into its 35,000-square-foot facility in 2020, it has already outgrown the space. This year, a second-story expansion will add classrooms and offices to meet rising demand.
For McKeown, the heart of Center of Hope is meeting people where they are and walking with them toward something better.
“This community shows up,” she says. “And when hope shows up consistently, lives change.”
By the Numbers: Center of Hope
• 25,000 households served annually between Weatherford and Springtown
• 61,000+ services provided each year
• 4,100+ volunteers annually
• 127% increase in families served compared to two years ago
• 1,200 additional families seeking help each month
• 4,700+ classes and tutoring sessions offered last year
• Partnerships with more than 60 local churches
How to Help:
Volunteers are always needed. To get involved, contact the volunteer coordinator at volunteer@centerofhopetx.com. Or, you can call (817) 594-0266 to learn more.
The pantry especially needs shelf-stable proteins such as tuna, chicken, and peanut butter, as well as fresh meats like chicken and hamburger. Monetary donations help sustain expanding programs and growing community needs.