Our Mission
About GHOP
Gathering • Healing • Opportunities • Progress
Transforming lives through community development, sustainable business, and compassionate support services in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
Gathering • Healing • Opportunities • Progress
Transforming lives through community development, sustainable business, and compassionate support services in Mount Carmel, Pennsylvania
Founded by Yolanda Gary
GHOP was not born from convenience or comfort.
It was born from calling, sacrifice, and obedience.
In the mid-1990s, while living in Maryland, Yolanda Gary received a clear and undeniable calling from God to serve, restore, and guide others—particularly youth and those who felt unseen, unheard, or lost. Long before there was a building, a program, or a name recognized by others, the vision was alive in prayer, service, and faith.
GHOP began not as an organization, but as an assignment—carried quietly, faithfully, and consistently. Yolanda poured into people spiritually, emotionally, and practically, supported by her children and her sister Joanna Nuako, trusting that obedience mattered more than visibility.
By 2022, the vision of GHOP had taken deeper root. It became clear that this calling was not temporary. It was a lifelong mandate to help people heal, grow, and walk in purpose.
For decades, Yolanda carried the weight of the vision—often alone.
She sacrificed financially, emotionally, and personally while
continuing to show up for others. Along the way, many people came,
benefited, and moved on. Through it all, the work continued.
Out of humility and reverence for God, Yolanda minimized her role, believing acknowledgment might be mistaken for pride. Yet the truth remained: the vision endured because she endured.
GHOP survived seasons of silence, strain, and stretching—not because it was easy, but because it was necessary.
Years later, God redirected the vision to Pennsylvania.
What began as a step of faith became a rebuilding season. In PA, GHOP evolved into a tangible community presence—transforming a former bank building into a multi-purpose space that housed small businesses, food service, and community engagement.
This was not just construction—it was a testament to blind faith and enduring to the end, even until her end, no matter the cost.
Yolanda carried the responsibility of leadership, operations, finances, mentorship, and vision. She worked behind the scenes while lifting others publicly. Even when resources were limited and support was inconsistent, she remained committed to the mission.
Through personal loss, transition, and deep self-reflection, Yolanda reached a pivotal realization: humility does not require invisibility.
Acknowledging the truth of her journey was not pride—it was alignment.
GHOP had grown, survived, and matured because God sustained the vision through her obedience. And now, the assignment was expanding.
Today, GHOP stands as a place of healing, restoration, and purpose—especially for women who have:
GHOP is a space to:
The mission is inside first—personal healing and
clarity—
then abroad, equipping women to help others and build what God
placed in their hands.
GHOP exists to help people—especially women—return to themselves, restore their identity, and rise with confidence, wisdom, and purpose.
This is not just a ministry.
It is not just a business.
It is not just a building.
It is the result of decades of obedience, resilience, and faith.
And the story is still being written.
Yolanda Gary, Founder & Visionary
"This journey has taught me that true leadership isn't about being
seen—
it's about ensuring others are never unseen."
For over 25 years, I've walked this path—sometimes with company, often alone. I've learned that the most profound change happens not on stages or in spotlights, but in the quiet moments when someone finally feels heard, valued, and believed in.
GHOP was born from my own seasons of transformation. I understand what it means to carry weight that others don't see. To sacrifice without recognition. To feel called but unclear. To lose yourself while serving everyone else.
That's why GHOP exists—to be the place I needed when I was rebuilding myself.
We are not just another program. We are a sanctuary for women who are ready to stop pretending, start healing, and step into the fullness of who God created them to be. This is about restoration from the inside out—not just surviving, but thriving with purpose, clarity, and confidence.
If you've been carrying more than you can hold, if you've been giving from an empty cup, if you've been wondering if your calling still matters—you belong here.
The work continues. The doors are open.
And you are welcome.
— Yolanda Gary
Founder, GHOP Community Development
Gospel House of Praise
While GHOP officially stands for Gospel House of Praise, we also embrace these guiding principles that define our work:
Bringing our community together in unity and purpose
Providing support for those recovering from trauma and hardship
Creating pathways to employment, education, and growth
Moving forward together toward a brighter future
Empowering Mount Carmel through sustainable community development and compassionate restoration
GHOP Community Development's mission is to create a self-sustaining ecosystem where commerce serves community empowerment. We operate businesses that fund comprehensive support programs for those who need it most—especially women rebuilding their lives, youth finding their purpose, and families seeking stability.
Meeting immediate needs with dignity and compassion
Healing emotional, spiritual, and economic wounds
Equipping people to thrive and lead with purpose
To be a model of community-driven economic development, where entrepreneurship and social services work hand-in-hand to create lasting positive change in Mount Carmel and beyond. We envision a community where no one is forgotten, every person has access to opportunity, and businesses exist to serve the greater good.
Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued regardless of their circumstances
Building a model that thrives independently through entrepreneurship
Equipping people to become leaders, not just recipients of services
Pioneering new approaches to community development with integrity
Following God's calling with courage, even when the path is unclear
Creating safe spaces where authenticity and healing can flourish
Supporting the most vulnerable members of our community
Real services creating real change in Mount Carmel
We provide job opportunities through our boutique shops and Big Mama's Café, offering real work experience, skills development, and career placement services for sustainable employment.
Compassionate support for those experiencing grief and loss. We provide a safe space for healing, emotional support, and spiritual guidance during life's most difficult seasons.
Year-round events that bring our community together—workshops, conferences, movie nights, dinner events, and celebrations that foster connection and growth.
Emergency housing assistance and resources for stable living situations
Counseling, support groups, and healing workshops for emotional wellness
Tutoring, GED prep, and continuing education opportunities
Creative expression programs including music, dance, and theater
Money management, budgeting, and credit building workshops
Professional meeting space available for community organizations, businesses, and special events
Join us in building a stronger Mount Carmel community
Visit our boutiques and Big Mama's Café - 100% of profits fund our programs
Your tax-deductible donation directly supports community programs
We'd love to tell you more about GHOP Community Development and how you can be part of the solution