Robert Bailey and his wife founded a ministry called House of Hope Piedmont back in 2010. House of Hope Piedmont is a residential home and boarding school for troubled teenage girls ages 13 to 17. Bailey thought a club at Davie County High School, where he worked, would help with community service and fundraising events for the ministry. 

“It would be teens helping teens get through difficult situations,” Bailey said.

Getting the club started was a bit difficult at first but not for lack of interest. In fact, some meetings had over 50 students attending, but Bailey enjoyed the opportunity it gave him to get to know the students. The club meets once a week on Monday during Flex Time. During their meetings, members learn about how the House of Hope Piedmont operates and the struggles other people have. The basic goal of this club is to let teens know that they have the capability to make a difference in the world right now.

House of Hope Piedmont is a faith-based Christian ministry. The students do not have to be Christians to join this club, but they are told what the ministry represents so they understand what organization they are helping.

Club president Casey Cao, a junior, has been involved in Heroes of Hope for the past years. For her, the most enjoyable part of being in this club was attending volunteer opportunities, helping her club in general, and pushing her club to be involved in school activities like banner competitions, penny wars, etc.

 “The club is just somewhere to have fun, be relaxed, and try to connect with as many people as possible,” Cao said. She says that even if there were disagreements with the club members, they came to a conclusion that best suited both interests.

A past event she enjoyed last year was when the club participated in a golf tournament volunteer service where they set up their tent and handed out baked goods to the golf players at Bermuda Run because it gave them an opportunity to connect with people outside of the school.

 Cao recommends this club to others because it is a place where anybody can be of service to those in need, even if they themselves have never experienced this kind of trauma.

“I think if you push yourself to help others who do come from that, it’ll open your eyes to a very new perspective in life,” Cao said.