A Vision of Love
1967

On December 4, 1967 the dream of Faith, Hope & Charity came to life in Storm Lake, Iowa. Co-Founder Dr. Fred Faine named the home for special children after the homes philosophy: “Faith in our hearts, hope in the future and charity, the provider.”

Faith in the Future
1975

As more children came to Faith, Hope & Charity, administrators looked at how the facility should be licensed. After discussions with Governor Robert Ray, the board of directors obtained a license for a child-care facility, replacing their foster home title. Faith, Hope & Charity became a child-care facility in 1975, paving the way for several more changes.

The Love Grows
1978

In 1978, three more children came to Faith, Hope & Charity causing the home to be reclassified as a Residential Care Facility. The new classification increased the professional level of the home’s program; a consulting psychologist was added to the staff.

As Faith, Hope & Charity became more successful, the demand for its services grew. Faith, Hope & Charity leased a second home and the Church of Christ Educational Building at 712 Cayuga became known as “East Home”.

Together. Stronger.
1983

The year of 1983 brought the children of Faith, Hope & Charity new friends and new experiences. The people of Storm Lake voted to expand East School and provide education to kids with special needs.

Home Sweet Home
1984

On September 4, 1984 Faith, Hope & Charity broke ground for a $1.1 million dollar facility that would be home to 32 children. The building was paid for through a fundraising campaign led by Storm Lake entrepreneur Dick Gaffney and a $500,000 low interest Farmers Home Administration loan. One year later, on September 25, 1985 the new home was finished.

Respite Services
1986

In the summer of '86, Faith, Hope & Charity opened it’s arms to more families with special needs children. FHC started respite care services. This service allowed parents to leave their children in the care of FHC on a temporary basis so the family could do activities that may not otherwise have been possible. The program continued through 1991 and was reestablished in 1998.

Outdoor Fun
1991 & 1997

In 1991 the Iowa Order of Rainbow for Girls, the Storm Lake Knights of Columbus and the American Legion of Iowa Foundation donated funds for construction of Rainbow Path. The recreational sidewalk winds through the grounds of FHC and offers a scenic view of FHC. Six years later in 1997, Courage Park was added to the grounds in memory of former FHC Human Resource Director Ben Morin.

A New Horizon
1991

May of 1991 brought on more changes for Faith, Hope & Charity. The board of directors voted to change the status of the facility and be licensed as an Intermediate Care Facility for Children with Mental Retardation. (ICF/MR) This change allowed FHC to make facility alterations, hire more staff and explore more opportunities for growth. However, government regulations forced FHC to temporarily stop it’s Respite Care program.

Community Services Center
2000

In September of 2000, Faith, Hope & Charity entered into to a unique agreement with the Concordia Lutheran School Board. FHC agreed to have Concordia build a school on it’s land adjacent to the current facility. In return, Concordia gave FHC free use of the building after school, evenings, weekends and during the summer months. In addition, FHC agreed to purchase the building after the 2001-2002 school year.

When making the toughest decision you will ever make, you need to know your child will be safe, loved and will continue to develop to the best of their ability. At Faith, Hope & Charity you will find all of this and more. The staffs are REAL people who try to relate family with placement.

~Reynolds and Kori, parents of Ashley