History

Birth and Growth of Hope

Since our founding in 1977, Hope Community has undergone sweeping changes but the core stays the same – belief in the power of people and place. We began as a hospitality house and shelter for homeless women and children. When the crack cocaine epidemic claimed the blocks surrounding us, landlords abandoned their buildings and families hid their children inside. In response to the devastation, we changed our mission to neighborhood revitalization. Step by step, house by house, we immersed ourselves in the neighborhood and its people.

Over a period of ten years, on The Hope Block, we took down fences and built playgrounds, a picnic pavilion, patios and gardens. We renovated affordable homes for families. As our work grew on The Hope Block, we drew on community resources and pushed for a larger development model centered in community — the inspirational Children’s Village vision. That vision helped guide us to the development of a large-scale vision – The Franklin Portland Gateway Project – that is transforming all four corners of a long-abandoned intersection in Minneapolis.

From the beginning our work has been much larger than just housing. We go where the people are. We invest deeply in our Community Listening model that builds trust and engages people around challenging questions that are important to them and their community. Listening grounds our work.

On a daily basis, our community center is filled with the power of people coming together around common goals. Youth are eager to be the change they want. They are learners, leaders and visionaries. Immigrants arrive early for morning classes in English and writing. Parents and community volunteers encourage children to read and write stories about themselves. Residents cook and eat together to celebrate accomplishments. In our community spaces people act as citizens and leaders shaping their future.

Hope’s work is about continuing to help build a strong community for the future. Our buildings make a real difference, but long-term, building community, working with young leaders, and creating opportunities for learning will make the difference.