HISTORY
Hope’s Path was started in 2016 after a group of local pastors, businessmen, and community members saw the need for ‘aged out’ foster youth, especially young men, to help with transitioning from DEPENDENCE to INDEPENDENCE. Through collaboration, vision, a lot of hard work, and God’s Blessing, a 10,000sf business located on two acres of beautiful residential property was transformed into a residential home called HOPE’S PATH!
WHO WE ARE
Hope's Path is a non-profit 501(c)3 that uses a faith-based community approach to direct former foster youth or homeless youth, towards confident sustainable independence. Our foundation is built on shepherding/discipling young men, so their sustainable independence is in divine harmony with their value and identity in Christ. Within that foundation, the vision of Hope’s Path has first targeted the young adult male population with a program that supports each intern with a team of mentors (our “interns” think of their mentors as their life’s Board of Directors). In addition, Hope’s Path collaborates with local colleges, universities, and trade programs to assist in career opportunities.
With the influence and pouring into these young men by their mentor/disciple team, we have seen that they learn the life and relational skills they need. Yes, they need to achieve the knowledge of a life plan with personal goals, their driver’s license, and household and automobile maintenance but, we have seen that some of the greatest outcomes of Hope’s Path include the healing of hurts, the forgiveness of others, the ability to build and sustain interpersonal relationships, the development of self-control, and their ability to LOVE themselves… love others … and LOVE GOD.
Our program is designed to have a 24-month commitment for all involved; however, we know that God’s grace and mercy demonstrate flexibility where and when needed. While some of our young men continue to live out those months on-site, others are a part of our program while moving closer to independence within a college dormitory or other appropriate incremental housing.
Hope’s Path does not operate as an emergency or homeless shelter. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for drug/alcohol abuse and do not allow any weapons or handguns on the premises. Participants in our program are not mandatorily placed by Child Protective Services or any courts.
Program participants are selected from an in-depth application and interview process. Hope’s Path, as well as the participant, can exercise free will to sever the relationship at any time.
With the influence and pouring into these young men by their mentor/disciple team, we have seen that they learn the life and relational skills they need. Yes, they need to achieve the knowledge of a life plan with personal goals, their driver’s license, and household and automobile maintenance but, we have seen that some of the greatest outcomes of Hope’s Path include the healing of hurts, the forgiveness of others, the ability to build and sustain interpersonal relationships, the development of self-control, and their ability to LOVE themselves… love others … and LOVE GOD.
Our program is designed to have a 24-month commitment for all involved; however, we know that God’s grace and mercy demonstrate flexibility where and when needed. While some of our young men continue to live out those months on-site, others are a part of our program while moving closer to independence within a college dormitory or other appropriate incremental housing.
Hope’s Path does not operate as an emergency or homeless shelter. We have ZERO TOLERANCE for drug/alcohol abuse and do not allow any weapons or handguns on the premises. Participants in our program are not mandatorily placed by Child Protective Services or any courts.
Program participants are selected from an in-depth application and interview process. Hope’s Path, as well as the participant, can exercise free will to sever the relationship at any time.
MISSION STATEMENTHope’s Path serves to provide a place of healing within a
Christ-Centered environment, where young adults are SUPPORTED, EQUIPPED, and EMPOWERED to lead successful independent lives. |
VISION STATEMENTTo provide young men with the guidance they need to lead a fulfilling life through Christ. In a safe and encouraging environment, they will learn their individual worth and develop critical life skills to become healthy, successful adults.
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VALUES
Encourage: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is still called "Today", so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3:13)
Excellence: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23)
Nobility: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Community: Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:4-5)
Opportunity: So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Unity: Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Responsibility: Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5)
Accountability: But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. (Luke 12:48)
Growth: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)
Endurance: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
Excellence: Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. (Colossians 3:23)
Nobility: But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light. (1 Peter 2:9)
Community: Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:4-5)
Opportunity: So be careful how you live. Don't live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don't act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. (Ephesians 5:15-17)
Unity: Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. Make every effort to keep yourselves united in the Spirit, binding yourselves together with peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Responsibility: Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won't need to compare yourself to anyone else. For we are each responsible for our own conduct. (Galatians 6:4-5)
Accountability: But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required. (Luke 12:48)
Growth: When I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. (1 Corinthians 13:11)
Endurance: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. (Hebrews 12:1-2)
WHY WE DO IT
Turning 18 or 21 for your typical American means newfound independence. Whether it’s going off to college or having a first legal drink, most young adults eagerly await these milestone birthdays. But for more than 20,000 young adults in this country, turning 18 or 21 is not a celebratory event. Depending on the state where they live, young adults in foster care “age out” of the system at either 18 or 21. Essentially, aging out is the process that occurs when youth must leave the foster care system because they were never adopted and are too old to stay in care.
The statistics are devastating. By age 26, only three to four percent of youth who aged out of foster care earn a college degree. One in five of these youth will become homeless after turning 18. Only half will obtain employment by 24. Over 70 percent of female foster youth will become pregnant by 21, and one in four former foster youth will experience PTSD.
The statistics are devastating. By age 26, only three to four percent of youth who aged out of foster care earn a college degree. One in five of these youth will become homeless after turning 18. Only half will obtain employment by 24. Over 70 percent of female foster youth will become pregnant by 21, and one in four former foster youth will experience PTSD.
CULTURE
Hope's Path believes that each young adult has been given unique strengths and talents from God that should be fostered and developed to their highest potential. The Hope's Path program is designed to help better identify and build upon these innate strengths and encourage their development through continuous encouragement, love, and support.
We strive to promote a spirit of growth, excellence, and motivation among the young adults in the program and challenge them to work alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ in teamwork toward their goals. Our program participants will be consistently challenged and held to high standards in their respect for themselves and others as they progress through the program within the framework of a safe, loving, and supportive environment.
We strive to promote a spirit of growth, excellence, and motivation among the young adults in the program and challenge them to work alongside their brothers and sisters in Christ in teamwork toward their goals. Our program participants will be consistently challenged and held to high standards in their respect for themselves and others as they progress through the program within the framework of a safe, loving, and supportive environment.