Faces of HOPE: Dana Heifort

My name is Dana Heifort and I’m a volunteer at HOPE 4 Youth. I am married to my best friend Troy and we are blessed with four beautiful, amazing children ranging in age from 14-24 years old. My greatest joys are being a wife and mom. I also love coffee, working out, reading, and spending time with our family and friends.

I learned about serving at HOPE 4 Youth through Eagle Brook Church. HOPE 4 Youth is an organization driven to end youth homelessness. They educate, provide resources, provide stability and light a healthy path ahead. Youth can come for a warm meal, hot shower, get basic needs, clean clothing, receive knowledge and personal help towards next steps to build their future successfully.

Being a small part in this mission is the least I can do.

I volunteer on Wednesdays with the donations team at the Drop-In Center, which I absolutely love! We receive donations from the community and then we sort and categorize the items like hygiene items, clothing, food, as well as many other supplies. Then we stock the pantry and hang/fold clothing items, accessories, shoes and outerwear in the clothing closet. This gives the youth a clean, safe and private place to come and shop for their every-day essentials and basic needs.

There are so many memorable days in our role at the donations center. We have such a generous community. In particular, the times that stand out for me are when school aged children/groups or neighborhood drives collect items for our shelves and hand write sweet notes of encouragement to the youth we serve. Those moments never get old!

Everyone has a story and every story matters to God. I’m just glad I get to be part in His greater mission. Plus we have so much fun together on Wednesdays which is an added bonus!

This story is part of a series profiling people who’ve come together to support HOPE 4 Youth’s mission to offer young people pathways out of homelessness. Read more profiles.