Hope Homes is fighting for survival as it heads into the Christmas season.

Despite losing its Government funding several months ago, the staff and clients at the residential facility for the mentally disabled still have plenty of fight left.

Though behind on payments to staff and with the main facility still unfit for residential use, coordinator Ellen Douglas said neither staff nor clients were giving up hope.

Friends like community activist Raymond Russell, who raised $6,000 for the facility which he donated on Monday are making all the difference.

And sweeping changes have already been made to the facility thanks to help from a surprising source ? the Prison Farm.

"We've had young men from the Prison Farm painting the building and giving it all a really nice facelift," Mrs. Douglas said.

Four men have been coming to work just for the cost of a bus ticket.

"We'll use them as long as they keep coming," Mrs. Douglas said. "They're fine young men. I'm learning so much from them ? they have ambition, they have hope for the future, they have responsibility, they've got plans.

"They've inspired me, they're bettering themselves for the future."

Like the prisoners, Hope Homes ? complete with its new coat of beige and turquoise paint ? is struggling to complete a comeback.

"We're still behind in paying staff," Mrs. Douglas admitted. "A couple of kind friends are loaning us some money, we're hoping to reimburse it."

Staff are not abandoning the facility despite the lack of pay, either.

"I am so thankful, you realise how dedicated people are. These people live ordinarily, going for weeks without getting a paycheque."

Both Paget Lions and Bacardi are helping out with a wish list for the clients for Christmas, she said, while Pembroke Paint and Home Paint donated materials for the painting of the residence. Churches have sent groceries and other small donations are continuous.

The $6,000 donation from funds raised by Raymond Russell will be used to pay electricity bills and "another week's worth of salaries".

"We just have to let bills ride for a while," Mrs. Douglas said. "We will be able to put something on the electricity bill today (with the money donated by Mr. Russell). That is one of the first things we're putting money on."

Clients are still creating inventory of hand-made goods for a store Hope Homes plans to open on the Cedar Avenue side of the facility, though renovations of the store itself are being put on hold until renovations to the residence are completed.

Currently, some clients are still being shuttled back and forth between Government-lent residences at Dockyard and Hope Homes, Mrs. Douglas said.

Staff at the facility had hoped to bring all the clients home by Christmas, but volunteers, Mrs. Douglas said, also have their own lives to attend to.

Most people at Hope Homes are spiritually oriented, she said. "Our faith is strong enough to carry us through these perilous times. We pray a lot.

"Problems are as large as your attitude. I'm trying my best not to allow my attitude to get bigger than the problem.

"It will clear up."