The Hope Center

Since the 1960s, years of urban decay, increasing violence, and unmitigated poverty have taken a toll on the east side of Kansas City, as you can see in its physical neighborhoods and you can read in the headlines about its residents. But a toll is temporary. And east siders are resilient, persistent, and insistent, ever-reliant on their faith, community, and family. In the physical midst of that faith-filled perseverance, an agency began in September 1998, growing out of regular meetings of a caring group of adult volunteers and future-focused teenagers who wanted to contribute to their community, their families, and their God. The hope they found in those meetings became the name they gave to their new nonprofit community development agency. For more than two decades, The Hope Center (THC) has planted roots on the east side so that east siders are rooted in hope. Because when hope roots, people rise. Today THC’s mission remains, “to develop healthy communities in Kansas City where the vulnerable can have hope and flourish.”

Throughout the year, thanks to donor support THC provides out of and after-school programming to 237 east side students (K through 12th grade) for <$10 per day per child served throughout the year. All programs are asset-based , focusing on the strengths, not deficiencies, of each child or youth served. What began as a grassroots effort is now two decades and 1,500 families strong, thanks in large part to private philanthropic support. Taking holistic care of the body, mind, and spirit, The Hope Center launched both The Hope Clinic – the only primary care facility at the time in three zip codes – in 2010, and Hope Leadership Academy, a K-4 charter school – the neighborhood’s only elementary school – in 2011. Today, both entities are independent nonprofit organizations continuing to serve the east side. Growth plans ahead include extension of the Community Garden located at Benton & Prospect; continued property development; and – targeted over the next decade of service to the east side – an affordable housing initiative and a vision to renovate the existing church building into a community gathering and events center to also house an arts and tech hub.