PONDERAY — Helping Hands Healing Hearts has received a $250,000 grant from the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust to help build a purpose-built community service facility.

The grant, announced Monday, will go toward general construction costs for the new Helping Hands center in Ponderay.

Helping Hands officials said the award launches a “transformational new chapter” for the nonprofit, which has spent the past eight years serving vulnerable individuals and families — all from a rented facility never designed to meet the county’s growing needs.

The ministry offers everything from outreach and food assistance to free clothing, household items and basic hygiene supplies. Helping Hands also offers emergency financial aid, mentoring, life coaching, prayer and healing-centered programs.

The goal is to strengthen lives and build healthier communities, grounded in hope and dignity.

The new center represents more than a building — it is a place where real transformation begins.

“We believe every person deserves to be seen, heard and treated with dignity, regardless of their circumstances,” said officials with Helping Hands Healing Hearts Ministry. “This new center will allow us to serve our community in a way that reflects the compassion, care and hope every individual deserves.”

The new center is the first phase of a long-term vision to create a “campus of hope” for North Idaho — including transitional housing, educational classrooms, mentoring programs and expanded services designed to help individuals and families move from crisis toward long-term stability.

“We are building not just for today, but for generations to come in North Idaho,” ministry officials said. “This center will become a lasting foundation for hope, healing, and community restoration.”

The grant continues existing momentum for the project, with land secured, architectural plans finalized and permits approved. Helping Hands officials said construction could begin in the near future.

The new center will provide a welcoming and professional environment where families can receive material assistance with dignity, individuals can participate in private life coaching and support services, and the broader community can gather for education, mentoring, and connection.

With rising housing costs and increasing financial hardship affecting many working families throughout North Idaho, organization leaders say the need for expanded services has never been greater.

“We believe God has already laid much of the groundwork,” Helping Hands board members said. “Now we are inviting the community to help bring this vision fully to life.”

The organization expressed deep gratitude to the M.J. Murdock Charitable Trust for its investment and belief in the mission of Helping Hands Healing Hearts.

Founded on the belief that every individual deserves compassion, support and opportunity, Helping Hands Healing Hearts provides practical assistance, advocacy and healing-centered services that empower people to overcome hardship and build stronger futures.

Community members, business leaders, churches and supporters are invited to join the effort as construction begins on the new Helping Hands Healing Hearts Center.

“This center belongs to the community,” ministry officials said. “We are inviting people across North Idaho to help build a place where hope, healing and lasting transformation can happen for generations to come.”

Helping Hands officials said community support continues to play a critical role in bringing the vision to life. To date, Helping Hands Healing Hearts has raised more than $1 million toward the construction of the new center and is nearing its final fundraising goal in preparation for construction to begin this summer.

“Every dollar given is one less dollar we have to borrow and allows more of our resources to go directly toward helping individuals and families in our community,” the organization shared.

As part of the campaign, Helping Hands Healing Hearts recently launched a donor recognition initiative that will honor individuals and families who contribute $500 or more prior to July 1 with permanent recognition on the donor wall inside the new facility.

Community members interested in supporting the project or learning more about the new Helping Hands Healing Hearts Center can visit helping7b.org.