The Hope Center
Vision
We envision a safe, vibrant neighborhood where people of all types flourish. Our eastside community will transform from a violent, hopeless, and declining one into a safe, pleasant place to live. Those in need will have the hope and support they need to improve their quality of life. Our community seeks to become one of the best places in the city for families to raise great kids.
History
The Oak Park, Ivanhoe, Palestine and Sante Fe Neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri's east-side once made up a prosperous community. Sadly, this area, which produced leaders like Walt Disney, Buck O'Neil, and Alvin Brooks has deteriorated into one of Kansas City's most difficult, forgotten, and ravaged communities. Substandard housing, high unemployment, drugs and crime left the neighborhoods in ruin and its residents searching for hope. The youth have been particularly vulnerable, often unable to overcome the educational deficiencies, violence, drugs, and sexual pressures they are confronted with daily.
It was into this world that a group of young people were called to begin mentoring a group of 30 youth in 1995. One young man felt particularly led to begin working with the youth on a full-time basis. Chris Jehle challenged the group of middle schoolers to pursue their dream of having a Christ-centered community center in their neighborhood. The kids shoveled driveways, raked leaves and sold candy to earn money for a community center which they chose to call The Hope Center. In September 1998, The Hope Center (THC) was born and transitioned from a grassroots movement to an official ministry with nonprofit status. Since that time, Chris (the founder and current CEO), his staff and THC board have worked diligently to accomplish the mission of reaching and developing urban youth into world-class Christian leaders. The endeavor has proven to be very successful, as many of THC alumni are successful adults. In addition, there are over 100 youth currently enrolled in the THC programs, many of whom are on their way to becoming world-class Christian leaders. Several years ago, the board and staff began to wonder what else could be done to transform not just individual lives, but the community as a whole. In 2005, THC embarked on a comprehensive strategic planning process. Through this process, they examined opportunities beyond youth development; specifically, the Center's role in creating the healthiest and safest neighborhood possible for the families of the neighborhood. Clearly, many needs exist for the residents of our community, and the board and staff identified several specific areas in which THC could appropriately expand its focus while still investing in the youth. THC's staff and Board of Directors have carefully and thoughtfully articulated a broader, more comprehensive vision for the organization to serve as a vital neighborhood partner. THC is now poised to not only continue to operate a successful youth ministry but also to launch several exciting initiatives which will expand the Center's impact in the community it serves, including a neighborhood based school, medical center, and housing corporation. Consequently, the broader mission for the organization focuses on honoring God by developing healthy communities where the vulnerable flourish.
