Testimonials

 

Thirty years ago my late husband and I returned home to the Kalamazoo area with a dream and a passion to serve adults with disabilities. With God's direction and empowerment we were able to start three adult foster care homes, but more importantly an organization called SHALOM. Its network now serves around 50 individuals either in housing and or SHALOM Living work opportunities in their Woolery, Farm and Resale store.  

 

Several years ago Shalom was invited to serve on a panel for a community program that Emerging HOPE had sponsored. We were impressed with the quality leadership that Curtis and Dr. Pamela Robinson exhibited. Their passion, commitment, and determination to educate and connect people together to improve quality of life for people suffering from mental health challenges are commendable. We are fortunate to have this organization available as a reliable resource in our community. 

 

Sara Collison Co-Founder of the Homesteads and SHALOM INC

 

 

Dr. Pamela Robinson has worked tirelessly to promote culturally inclusive practice for anyone touching the lives of youth and families. Emerging HOPE has served as a catalyst, for years, in bringing people together to discuss issues such as mental health, substance abuse, youth programming accessibility and more, especially as it related to African Americans. Their work is vital to Kalamazoo, which is why I'm ecstatic about their mission expansion.

 

Demarra Gardner, MA, LPC, CPC

Principal/Lead Consultant

 

 

The role of faith and congregations in supporting people with mental illness and their families is a vital one, long overlooked by faith communities and mental health providers alike. Thankfully, that situation is changing, and faith-based organizations that provide services and supports to individuals, families, and congregations are emerging and growing. Emerging Hope, led by Pamela and Curtis Robinson, is an excellent example. Even more importantly, they come out of their African American faith background, communities where people with mental illness have too often been underserved.  Blessings as you continue to serve and grow.

 

Bill Gaventa, M.Div.
Director, Summer Institute on Theology and Disability, http://faithanddisability.org/projects/summer-institute/

 

 

Dr. Robinson,

It is very encouraging to see how you have positioned yourself to be used by God to impact the lives of so many and especially individuals and families in need of various types of assistance.   Whether it has related to guidance, personal resources, mental health services, connection to community resources or advocacy you have been consistent in assisting with needs.  I have known you for at least 20 years and have worked with you in the past and you have remained a committed person to serving others.  I pray you will continue to allow God to use you to serve others.  

Lesa Ann Henry

 

 

"I am very excited about the work Emerging HOPE Family Strengthening Program is doing in the city of Kalamazoo. I have known and worked alongside Dr. Pamela Robinson and her company for eight years. She has been dedicated and persistent in her mission and has given excellent resources to the community."

Latashia May
CEO/Founder "Women of Worth"
 

 

It is with great pleasure that my wife Celeste and I give this endorsement to you both, who we have known as a Christian couple for five years. Your dedication to the Word of God and love for your family and church are evident in your Christian lifestyle.  Emerging HOPE has been a great asset to our community by sponsoring seminars on Christian Counseling, Mental Health, and Mental Illness awareness. I attended one of your many seminars on Mental Health, wherein many Mental Health and Illness organizations throughout Michigan were present. The organizations and presenters provided helpful information; I was reminded of how Mental Illness affected my family. We pray that hope will continue to emerge through your organization, as you work to provide Christian Counseling and informed awareness about Mental Illness and Mental Health.

 

Yours in Christ,

Dorian and Celeste Tyree

 

 

My name is Dorla Bonner and I fully support the work of Emerging Hope. I have worked with Dr. Robinson as a presenter and attendee for her events. I was also blessed to be a member of her doctoral committee.

 

I have firsthand experience in dealing with mental health in the church as my young adult daughter dealt with depression and was suicidal for many years. This is while she was faithfully singing and leading others into the presence of with worship. It was only through the grace of God and a good spiritual based counselor that she is now delivered and successfully pursuing God's plan for her life. But because of the stress of dealing with my daughter and the challenges of my life I also found it necessary to seek out counseling. Often times the family of those challenged with mental health issues find themselves in need of support themselves.

 

My daughter has also been a part of many of Emerging Hope's events sharing her testimony of the importance of faith-based mental health counseling. Emerging Hope also allowed my daughter and me to share our story together. Emerging Hope is a trailblazer in taking the stigma regarding mental health in the church. I'm praying that they continue to blaze this trail but are also influential in other counselors adding the "faith" element in their process.