ABOUT US
House of Hope Kansas City is a Christian-based nonprofit organization providing a two-fold mission that includes
1) a comprehensive residential treatment program for hurting teenage girls, and
2) a Family Counseling Center that serves teenage boys and girls and their families.
Affiliated with the National House of Hope, our licensed residential group home for teenage girls 13
through 17 includes an onsite school, accredited through the Basehor-Linwood (KS) School District, and intentional parent support from trained social workers.
Throughout the program, our residents experience the transforming power of love and are equipped with tools to overcome negative influences and past trauma as they rebuild relationships with their parents.
We serve families all over the Kansas City area and the Midwest region through our residential program.
Our Counseling Center is equipped with Clinically-trained, Biblically-informed licensed counselors who provide services to teenage boys, teenage girls, and their families in the Kansas City area.
House of Hope Kansas City is unique, because we work with teens and their parents to find solutions, and ultimately, restoration of healthy family relationships.
We believe all teens are God's beloved masterpiece created for a purpose.
Our Core Values
Christ-Centered
We are committed to following & honoring Jesus Christ through our words, actions & deeds in our relationships with all people.
Integrity + Accountability
We are committed to careful stewardship of our resources, transparency and honesty.
HOPE
We offer hope to teens and their families by providing love and compassion on a consistent basis and by addressing their practical, emotional and spiritual needs.
Excellence
We hire and develop qualified staff who honor our values. We strive for excellence in everything we do, from recruitment, providing services and building relationships with our teens, their families and our community.
Our Campus
Our residential campus is located in Overland Park, Kansas. House of Hope KC is a 24 hour staffed, family-style environment within a residential area. We have capacity for 20 residents, and usually range between 10-15 enrolled at any given time.
Virtual Tour

Marilyn Thomas, Founder
Marilyn Thomas founded House of Hope Kansas City in 2003. As a young girl, God planted a seed in Marilyn’s heart- a lifelong desire to help hurting children. She always had a dream of starting an orphanage. She went to college and received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a profession she cherished until she became a homemaker. She was married 33 years before her husband passed of cancer. through those years together, they raised four children, and she is now blessed with thirteen grandchildren.
When her husband passed away, the seeds that were rooted as a little girl to start an orphanage began to blossom into reality.
In recent years, Marilyn has retired, but remains an active and intrical part of the organization. She has entrusted the ministry to the new executive director, Tim Overby
Through his leadership and dedication, House of Hope continues to serve the Kansas City area “by restoring teenagers back to their families and parents back to their children.”
House of Hope Kansas City has reached thousands of parents and teenagers, helping many girls returning home happier, healthier, and transformed through the love of Christ.
Marilyn reported that many girls come in hating themselves, as well as their parents. She commented, “it is a joy when you see a life changed and the disrespect and rebellion against the family disappear… When you see their life turn around and they start to walk with the Lord, they are literally changed and know they have a purpose in the future.”
Marilyn Thomas
Founder, House of Hope Kansas City
Our Team
We're HiringTim Overby, Executive Director
Pamela Rodriguez, Business Adminstrator
Amy Burgess, Program Coordinator
Maryssa Cessac, Hope Academy – Lead Teacher
Cheryl Johnson-Lee, Residential Care Manager
Alexis Obermueller, Lead House Staff
Esther Spies, Residential Lead Coordinator
Jennifer Stenson, Residential Care Coordinator
Rachel DiCamillo, Lead House Staff
Our Counseling Staff
Vicki Bartholomew, LSCSW | Counselor
Laurie White, LSCSW | Counselor
Phoebe Finley, LMSW | Counselor
Rebecca Randall, LPC | Counselor