HOUSE of Hope has risen from the ashes.
The Coodanup op shop will officially reopen in a brand new building on Monday, four years after a suspicious fire destroyed the old parish house it used to call home.
House of Hope op shop day manager Vivian Carter said they had been “devastated” when the building burned down, but their resilience had been strong.
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READ NOW“Nobody knew what to do. It was quite heartbreaking, we were helping so many people,” she said.
“But we weren’t beaten. We weren’t going to allow it to put us down and put us back.
“I believe that my faith and the faith of the people in the church helped bring it all together and now we can do more for the community and try to help those who really struggle.”
She said there was an air of excitement around the place as they counted down the days to Monday’s opening.
“I guess there’s quite a bit of joy and the hope we have for working upwards and outwards for the community,” she said.
“We get blessed too by seeing people come in and say they’ve gotten back on track with their lives, hearing they have a car or house or job.
“That is our reward, knowing we’re making a difference.”
The op shop was ceremoniously opened on Friday afternoon with a blessing and community afternoon tea.
The House of Hope op shop reopens on July 15 from 10am at 58 Steerforth Drive, Coodanup.