Inspiring Conversations with Brian and Sara Boven of Homes Giving Hope

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian and Sara Boven.

Hi Brian and Sara, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Kay and Sara had long recognized the lack of housing opportunities for the students they worked with at school. In the fall of 2019, God placed a calling in Kay Wood, Brian and Sara Boven’s hearts. Kay had visited Benjamin’s Hope in Holland at the request of a former student. Sara began sharing stories with her husband about the employment independence her students were gaining but limited options to safely grow their independent living skills. They talked often of their dream to purchase property and provide housing for individuals with disabilities. Then Brian, a realtor, had the privilege to list a home that had fostered a special place in his heart. He had spent many hours playing and exploring the land during his childhood. He knew it had a greater purpose as the owners had built and designed it to accommodate the needs of their children, including Marty who had a developmental disability. He told his wife Sara about this opportunity. In faith, they obeyed God’s calling and purchased the property that started Homes Giving Hope, 23 acres of beauty with an existing home and a little white church, just outside of Downtown Rockford in Michigan.

Brian and Sara started praying for direction and sought out Kay to partner with them. With hearts totally amazed at God’s calling and purposes, the three of them knew they had just experienced a divine appointment, a calling on their lives. On December 20, 2019, they met at what is now called Homes Giving Hope and were united in spirit and purpose from the start.
With hearts full of faith and expectation, they continued meeting, formed a board, and began moving forward with humbled hearts at God’s amazing gift.

As we now approach the five year anniversary of Homes Giving Hope, we marvel at all God has provided. We’ve expanded our services by opening homes each year, launched innovative programs like monthly social group outings and resident skill training. We have forged strong partnerships with local universities, businesses, and city governments. Today, we’re proud to be a trusted resource for light support housing empowering young adults with mild developmental disabilities to build a community of peers and grow in their independence.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
We have been on a journey. In the beginning, we had a plan designed for the location of Homes Giving Hope. In our first few years, we struggled to find appropriate zoning and community within the township we were residing. God taught us so much during this process and eventually we came to realize that belonging and community support were more important to us than the location we desired for the ministry. We acquired our second home in the City of Rockford and couldn’t have been met with more understanding and acceptance than this community has gifted up. Since then, we have been thriving.

As you know, we’re big fans of Homes Giving Hope. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
There is a unique need in the community that Homes Giving Hope fills. We provide quality homes for adults with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities where they can safely grow in their independence and live a fulfilling life within a Christ-centered community.

We believe each person has value and is made in the image of God. Each is created with strengths and weaknesses, and have inherent value. We function this way because it is the heart of being human. Everyone is equal and possesses desires and dreams, all worthy of a meaningful life.

In Michigan, about 1.9 million individuals have a disability, one in every five residents. There is a staggering percentage who are not able to live independently without support. Homes Giving Hope directs support toward those with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Housing options for adults with mild intellectual and developmental disabilities are extremely difficult to find, particularly homes that are quality in their design and support. The sector of this population has the lowest number of housing options for individuals who fall into the gap of not having the needs of group home living or adult foster care homes. These are the individuals who, through self-determination, can have the freedom to decide how to live their lives.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
We just conducted our second 3 year Strategic Plan that launched in January of 2025. This set of goals includes building a community of 5-6 more homes with the possibility of growing our ministry by 20 more residents by 2028. We have also talked about options for apartments and other living options within the Home Giving Hope Community. We are open to wherever God takes us and step into new opportunities with excitement and anticipation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.homesgivinghope.org
• Instagram: @homesgivinghope
• Facebook: Homes Giving Hope