Hope Communities, Inc.

Hope Communities organizational goals are:
1. Maintain and expand the number of service-enriched affordable housing units available to area residents, targeting a 30% increase in units by 2023.

2.Strengthen and expand programs for adults and children that provide the tools needed to integrate in the community and attain the skills to further family self-sufficiency.

3. Reinforce and expand resource navigation enabling residents to secure basic needs and gain skills required for livable-wage jobs and set a pathway for economic opportunity.

4.Ensure financial viability to support expanded capacity of the organization.

5. Strengthen the visibility and reputation of Hope with supporters and the community.

6. Ensure strong leadership with an engaged board and empowered employees.

Hope Communities organizational goals are:
Goal 1 Objectives: Research and pursue development opportunities to expand the inventory of Hope Communities’ apartments. Target a 30 percent increase in units by 2023; Complete feasibility studies for building additional units; Initiate improvements and additions to ensure appropriate and accessible program space at all property locations; Develop five-year plans for deferred maintenance and capital improvements across all properties.

Goal 2 Objectives: Strengthen current programs and expand program activities for children at all sites; Reinforce and expand programs to help adults gain stability, well-being and economic mobility; Facilitate workshops and activities to promote health and wellness for adults and children; Strengthen and leverage relationships with community agencies, nonprofits and civic programs to provide more programs and resources for children and adults at each property; Leverage robust tracking/evaluation system to monitor advancement of self-sufficiency and community integration competencies of adult.

Goal 3 Objectives: Continue to strengthen the development function of the organization to increase contributions to support program expansion, housing development and vital facility improvements; Ensure steady fundraising revenues by securing at least one large general operating grant annually to supplement budget to maintain or grow staffing to fulfill strategic goals; Continue to assess viability of maintaining/selling commercial properties; Develop programs to ensure receipt of at least 95% of rent owed at all properties.

Goal 4 Objectives: Enhance marketing and communications efforts on behalf of the organization across multiple platforms and venues; Implement a plan for community outreach and engagement in the community, to re-establish Hope Communities as a leader in the affordable housing and supportive services community; Continue to refine key messages and clear strategies for staff, board and volunteers to convey the mission and impact of Hope Communities to key regulators, investors and the public.

Goal 5 Objectives: Recruit and maintain a full slate of directors to the board to ensure a broad scope of skills and experiences ideally present – including knowledge of nonprofit finances, fundraising, effective programming, housing development, governance and advocacy; Build capacity of the employee team to ensure strong leadership and implementation of facilities and programs.

For over 40 years Hope Communities has been committed to rich programs designed to further economic opportunity and mobility for the clients we serve, guided by core values of respect, empowerment, inclusiveness, collaboration and integrity. All staff contribute to goals and strategies to advance mission. They also listen to residents and use programmatic outcome data to inform programs and services, planning when and how to implement the most relevant offerings.  Hope was prepared to undergo a comprehensive review of our 2018 strategic plan in the last year, but instead adopted a one-year plan of action as of 2021 until we better understand the long-term ramifications of the pandemic.

By providing supportive services and educational opportunities upon the solid foundation of affordable housing, Hope enables residents and neighbors to live healthier, more successful lives and advance on their dreams for economic and personal opportunity. Hope offers affordable housing; integrated services; strategies to build social capital and networks; support to find employment; and customized programs to advance residents’ educational, personal and economic goals. Adult residents are empowered to make decisions about their future and to inform the programs and services we offer as support for their life goals. Children have access to programs and services that offer academic support, enhance social-emotional resiliency, build critical thinking abilities and create hope for the future.

Hope measures its effectiveness with a variety of program and process evaluation methodologies. The demographics and the needs at each site are so different that it is essential that we take a specialized approach to programming and the evaluation of that programming. Our goal is to be as resident-focused as possible, customizing programs in response to expressed needs, but then assessing the efficacy of the curriculum, format, timing and location.

A summary of key outcomes for 2022 includes:
• Clients/family members supported with housing, programs, and services: 3,235, a 75% increase over the full number served in 2021
• Provided navigation to 921 refugees, with 803 new to the country for five years or less. Most clients were from Afghanistan, Myanmar, the Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, and Syria. Many more refugee, asylee, and immigrant clients from a broad variety of countries.
• Navigators assisted clients with the following challenges during the grant year:
o Food insecurity – 46,414 fresh, healthy meals served
o Community Engagement in special events (other than food) – 296
o Safety-related community meetings in East Colfax with city agencies: 11; 279 participants
o Utility Assistance - 66
o Financial Literacy/debt support -147
o Employment – 79 placed/better circumstances; 187 supported/ coached/trained
o Technological Support, including digital literacy in various languages– 187
o Basic Needs – 1,362
o Health and Wellness (including trauma resilience/mental health support)– 756
o Post-incarceration clients assisted with housing, skills, resources, and employment: 76
o Clients assisted with accessing essential social benefits: 490
• Employer engagement – employers at most food distribution events, plus one larger career fair: 21 events (Hidden Brook and the Gardens); worked with 108 employers
• Housing stability – housed 552 and supported 289 individuals who received direct assistance
• Rental Assistance
o Internal grant support 32 people for $52,512
o ERAP - 93 internal clients for $373,225
o Other agencies (7) we facilitated getting emergency rent from – 19 people for $16,321
• People who left when purchasing homes -12
• Food insecurity (special note: food distribution, camp, food baskets, treasure store, hot, prepared foods at events…)
o Events: 66
o People served: 3

By providing supportive services and educational opportunities upon the solid foundation of affordable housing, Hope enables residents and neighbors to live healthier, more successful lives and advance their dreams for economic and personal opportunity. Hope offers affordable housing; integrated services; strategies to build social capital and networks; support to find employment; and customized programs to advance residents’ educational, personal, and economic goals. Adult residents are empowered to make decisions about their future and to inform the programs and services we offer as support for their life goals. Children have access to programs and services that offer academic support, enhance social-emotional resiliency, build critical thinking abilities, and create hope for the future.