Today we’d like to introduce you to Angel Hovey.
Hi Angel, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I began my journey at nineteen in management and continued to lead teams and individuals throughout my adult life in both employee and volunteer roles. I have owned, operated, and successfully sold three businesses and worked with several non-profits in different capacities. All of these experiences held lessons that have shaped how I interact, receive and deliver inspiration, and lead others. It has brought many connections and those connections led me to where I am now at Pivotal Point. I find myself grateful for the journey. The difficulties and the seasons of ease as each had powerful moments that impacted my thinking, perspectives, and self awareness. I now have the great privilege of leading a stellar team for a cause that is near to my heart and those of everyone I am surrounded by. Having a greater purpose than ourselves spurs each of us to bring the best of our abilities to the table everyday. I love where I am and am thankful each day to be part of the team and the mission here at Pivotal Point.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Since the beginning of this mission when it was formerly Hillcrest, they worked to build a reputation and mission to end homelessness in St. Joseph and some of the surrounding areas. The thrift shoppe is the main funding source which covers all of our housing programs and facilities. These facilities provide furnished housing, food, life skills classes, and mentorship in many areas including financial and spiritual to name a few and free of charge. As an organization who does not receive any government funding, that financial responsibility is carried by Pivotal Point Thrift Shoppe.
We have faced many challenges along the way but most recently our difficulties have been implementing the needed changes to improve our service, processes, and procedures. Change can breed many things at times creating tension, anxiety, and even exhaustion for those who struggle with adapting to the new. As we have restructured our sales floor for better organization, a more pleasant presentation of items, and heightened security protocols to better protect both our patrons and our team members, it has been an adjustment. We also shifted our offerings in discounts and specials, completely reorganized our entire back addition and created and implemented new processes to enhance productivity and function alleviating unnecessary stress. Though these improvements have been challenging, our team worked through them with such grace. What could have become a breeding ground for complaint and negativity became a journey of team building and learning reliance on one another in new ways. Over the last year we have raised our monthly sales by over 20%, increased our volunteer base, and have expanded our sales back into the online market. It has been quite a ride.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Pivotal Point Transitional Housing?
Pivotal Point Transitional Housing began as Hillcrest. The mission? To end homelessness in St. Joseph and surrounding communities. Pivotal Point was born in 2018 when a board of great individuals stepped up to take the reigns from Hillcrest. Currently offering an adult facility apartment complex, a youth house built just three years ago housing multiple youth, and one family home with hopes of adding several more in the future. All this is provided completely furnished, rent free, utility free, and with access to a full food pantry for participants. Life Skills classes are a weekly ritual where those in our housing programs learn how to manage their money, eliminate or pay down debt, cook, create powerful resumes, acquire skills in interviewing, discover new tips in parenting, and most importantly, learn about the love of God who set this entire mission in motion.
We are primarily volunteer driven which I believe shows the character and heart of who we truly are. As one of the very few local thrift shoppes where 100% of our profits go into these causes and stays local, we receive no government assistance. That is why those who donate and shop with us and those who sponsor and support our participants in many ways are so vital and important. Beyond this, our thrift shoppe is partnered with over 20 other great local organizations such as United Way, Salvation Army, American Red Cross, Family Guidance, the Pregnancy Resource Center, Community Action, Department of Corrections, Department of Mental Health, local schools and churches. We provide clothing and needed items to their clients in difficult situations through our no cost voucher programs. In 2025 we provided nearly 350 vouchers to clients of these organizations. We also work with other sources to assist families who have faced the devastation of a house fire and provide what we are able. For those homeless that have not yet been able to secure housing, we supply clothing, shoes, coats, blankets, and bags.
We cannot change the world today but today we can do all we can to change the world. That is what we do everyday here at Pivotal Point. It is what I am most proud of; that we are a team of people that love people and are driven by making a difference in this world one day at a time in the most unlikely place.
Where we are in life is often partly because of others. Who/what else deserves credit for how your story turned out?
All credit goes to our donors, customers, our amazing volunteers and staff, our case workers, Director of Housing Ashley Cook, the office staff, Board members and our Executive Director, Rick Lipira. The unending efforts sacrificed so beautifully by these individuals inspires and motivates me every single day. A force of hearts joined in a great endeavor. All credit goes to them.They say it takes a village. What a truth that is. The impact Pivotal Point makes today reaches far beyond the present, bringing hope to future generations.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.pivotal-point.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pivotalpointthrift/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PivotalPointThrift
