Since 1895, HopeSparks' counselors initially worked to strengthen civilian families.  Over time, their work has extended to military families as well.

"Why not have healthy Soldiers in our military?" Joe LeRoy, the program director of clinical services, said.

"If individuals - civilian or military need help, we want them to come in for help; there is no stigma."

HopeSparks' trained counselors and education services address issues including abuse, divorce, anger management, depression, early childhood development and marriage crisis.

"We strengthen families across the spectrum, from birth to adulthood," Kara Walker, a counselor and military dependent, added.

"Our mission is to help maintain strong families that make for a stronger community."

HopeSparks is a non-profit human service agency located in Tacoma.  It offers clients four core, counseling programs ranging from birth and family support to home visits and relatives raising children.

"One in ten children in Pierce County is raised by a relative or caregiver," LeRoy recounted. "We work very hard in addressing issues that confront children in this, and other, situations."

Specific to the military, Walker pointed out that the number of Servicemembers using HopeSparks' service is down.

"About three percent of our clients were military," Walker said.  "Now, it's down around one percent."

Both Walker and LeRoy pointed out that the programs HopeSparks uses in addressing everything from children's issues to post-traumatic stress disorder are evidence-based treatments.

"Our treatments are effective," LeRoy said.  "They are tested - for example, there is no need for a Servicemember to have to wear the PTSD hat for life; you can be healed."

He also pointed out that 85 percent of the money received during the Combined Federal Campaign goes to client services.

"The help we receive helps people and their families; what we are all about is families," LeRoy concluded.

HopeSparks' CFC donation number is 45296.

For more information, visit www.HopeSparks.org or call (253) 565-4484.