Group of volunteers planting a tree sapling in the park as part of a community reforestation project

Our Mission

About GHOP

Gathering • Healing • Opportunities • Progress

GHOP Wellness Center is a 501(c)(3) community development organization dedicated to urban revitalization and community empowerment through mission-support activities. Our facility combines community service programming with organization-operated activities that sustain our charitable work. We are committed to fostering a healthy, supportive community through wellness programs, job training, mental health services, housing support, and performing arts engagement.

Our Story

Founded by Yolanda Gary

GHOP was not born from convenience or comfort.
It was born from calling, sacrifice, and obedience.

The Beginning – Maryland (1996–2022)

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.

The Years of Carrying

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.

The Transition – Pennsylvania

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.

The Awakening

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.

Our Home at 109 N Oak Street

The GHOP Wellness Center is located at 109 N Oak Street in Mount Carmel, PA — serving our community with programs and services.

Through our organization-operated activities, we create Community Resource Center programming that serves those in need, supporting our charitable mission.

GHOP Wellness Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
All programs are supported through our organization-operated activities.

GHOP Today

Today, GHOP stands as a place of healing, restoration, and purpose—especially for women who have:

Carried heavy emotional and spiritual loads
Lost themselves while serving others
Experienced rejection, abandonment, or broken identity
Sacrificed without being supported
Felt called but unsure how to move forward

GHOP is a space to:

• Remove the mask
• Tell the truth
• Forgive oneself for what was not known
• Rebuild identity
• Turn purposeful pain into transformation
• Receive guidance for life, leadership, and business

The mission is inside first—personal healing and clarity—
then abroad, equipping women to help others and build what God placed in their hands.

The Vision Forward

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.

Visionary Message

A Word from the Founder

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 Wellness Center

What Does GHOP Stand For?

Gospel House of Praise

While GHOP officially stands for Gospel House of Praise, we also embrace these guiding principles that define our work:

G

Gathering

Bringing our community together in unity and purpose

H

Healing

Providing support for those recovering from trauma and hardship

O

Opportunities

Creating pathways to employment, education, and growth

P

Progress

Moving forward together toward a brighter future

Vision & Mission

Empowering Mount Carmel through sustainable community development and compassionate restoration

Our Mission

GHOP Wellness Center's mission is to operate a community-based facility where mission-support activities sustain community programming. We provide comprehensive support services for those who need it most—especially women rebuilding their lives, youth finding their purpose, and families seeking stability.

Serve

Meeting immediate needs with dignity and compassion

Restore

Healing emotional, spiritual, and economic wounds

Empower

Equipping people to thrive and lead with purpose

Our Vision

To be a model of community-driven wellness center, 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.

We See a Future Where:

Women emerge from trauma with restored identity and clear purpose
Youth discover their gifts and build meaningful careers
Families find stability, support, and belonging
Our community thrives economically and spiritually

Our Core Values

Compassion & Dignity

Every person deserves to be seen, heard, and valued regardless of their circumstances

Financial Sustainability

Building a model that thrives independently through entrepreneurship

Community Empowerment

Equipping people to become leaders, not just recipients of services

Excellence & Innovation

Pioneering new approaches to community development with integrity

Faith & Obedience

Following God's calling with courage, even when the path is unclear

Truth & Transparency

Creating safe spaces where authenticity and healing can flourish

Who We Serve

Supporting the most vulnerable members of our community

Youth

Educational programs
Mentorship
Performing arts
Life skills training

Veterans

Job training
Reintegration support
Mental health services
Community connection

Single Mothers

Housing support
Childcare resources
Job placement
Life skills coaching

Trauma Survivors

Mental health care
Healing workshops
Support groups
Crisis intervention

Awakening

Real services creating real change in Mount Carmel

Employment & Job Training

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.

On-the-job training
Resume building
Interview preparation
Career counseling

Bereavement & Healing Services

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.

Grief counseling
Support groups
Healing workshops
Spiritual care

Community Events

Year-round events that bring our community together—workshops, conferences, movie nights, dinner events, and celebrations that foster connection and growth.

Women's conferences
Youth programs
Family movie nights
Wellness workshops

Housing Support

Emergency housing assistance and resources for stable living situations

Mental Health Services

Counseling, support groups, and healing workshops for emotional wellness

Educational Programs

Tutoring, GED prep, and continuing education opportunities

Performing Arts

Creative expression programs including music, dance, and theater

Financial Literacy

Money management, budgeting, and credit building workshops

Conference Room Rental

Professional meeting space available for community organizations, businesses, and special events

Get Involved

Join us in building a stronger Mount Carmel community

Shop & Dine

Visit our boutiques and Big Mama's Café — revenue supports our community programs

Visit Boutiques Try Big Mama's Café

Make a Donation

Your tax-deductible donation directly supports community programs

Volunteer

Share your time and talents to make a difference in our community

Learn More

Questions About Our Mission?

We'd love to tell you more about GHOP Wellness Center and how you can be part of the solution

Call: 570-554-0410 Contact Us

EVENTS

Community Events & Workshops

Empowering our community through meaningful gatherings, skill-building workshops, and transformative programs. Every dollar spent at Big Mama's Soul Food helps fund these events for our nonprofit GHOP Wellness Center.

Past Event

Community Celebration

Bringing Mount Carmel together for a day of joy, connection, and gratitude. Live music, activities, and community awards.

109 N Oak Street, Mount Carmel, PA

Outdoor community festival and wellness event

Past Event

GHOP Outdoor Festival

Community wellness festival in the park featuring fitness demos, nutrition workshops, and family-friendly fun.

Mount Carmel, PA

Workshop

Vocational Training Workshop

Hands-on training in culinary arts, retail management, and hospitality — empowering our community with career-ready skills.

GHOP Wellness Center

Youth Leadership Program

Ongoing

Youth Leadership Program

Mentorship, trade skills training, and leadership development for teens and young adults in our community.

Ages 13-21 | Weekly Sessions

Veterans Support Circle

Ongoing

Veterans Support Circle

Job training, reintegration support, and mental health resources for those who've served our country.

Monthly Meetings

Mothers' Empowerment

Ongoing

Mothers' Empowerment

Housing support, life skills coaching, and a strong network for single mothers raising families.

Bi-Weekly Gatherings

HOW WE'RE FUNDED

Big Mama's Soul Food Fuels Our Mission

Every plate served at Big Mama's Soul Food supports these community programs. Revenue from café operations helps sustain GHOP's mission — supporting youth, veterans, single mothers, and trauma survivors throughout Mount Carmel.

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Dine at Big Mama's

Soul food & vegan options

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Revenue Supports GHOP

Sustaining our mission

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Community Transforms

Lives changed every day

Visit Big Mama's Soul Food See All Upcoming Events

Call 570-554-0410 — Get Involved

Now Booking