“Emerging HOPE humbly started as an educational program that offered culturally relevant parenting classes to under resourced, marginalized single parents,” Pamela explained. By using her own life experience as a former single parent, she created the multicultural, interactive curriculum that teaches how to strengthen family dynamics by managing finances, enhancing parental relations, and navigating community resources.
Today, Pamela and her husband, Curtis, co-direct the organization.
“I believe that it is a humbling experience to work with individuals during their times of difficulty,” Curtis said. “Knowing that the emotions and behaviors of those suffering can be intense, I understand that during times of crisis, many people just want the pain to end and have the problem resolved. I feel a special calling to help during those difficult times. I feel honored when people invite her to help them make changes in their lives.”
Together, the Robinsons feel their own personal relationship has been deepened by their work, and that it has helped them grow in their faith together. According to the Robinson’s it’s not really about themselves, “It’s about them – the poor, the needy, those who need a touch from God.”
They are no strangers to having people tell them what a blessing it is to see them in the ministry together.
Recently, Pamela received a Master’s of Divinity degree and began work on her doctoral of theology degree.
“I decided to pursue this new path because of my prior education from WMU was from a liberal arts perspective and as a licensed minister; I desire to also have a Christian educational background to round out my academic experience,” Pamela explained. “I hope to use my doctoral degree to develop advanced research skills and to create new knowledge to share with others.”
In June, Pamela already began helping others with her work. She and her and her Doctoral Chairperson, Dr. Luchara Wallace, Ph.D,. were invited to co-present Pamela’s pre-dissertation at the American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD) Annual Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. Additionally, her pre-dissertation has been recognized by her Apex School of Theology Apex Doctoral Mentors for its research qualities, and Pamela and Curtis have been invited to present the work this fall at an educational workshop.
To learn more about Emerging HOPE, please visit emerginghopefsp.org.
To share your story, visit MyWMU.com/MyStory.