House of Peace & Education, Inc.

HOPE for Kids: Our HOPE for Kids program works to prevent school dropout and break the cycle of violence by providing a strong mentoring model to increase educational success and to develop interpersonal skills in a safe and nurturing environment. HOPE for Kids offers mentoring, academic tutoring and homework assistance, social skills development and opportunities for leadership development for youth in grades K-8 during the school year. As well, job skills training is provided to high school youth as Jr. Counselors at Project Contact Summer Camp. HOPE for Women seeks to assist low-income women in transition to their next step toward self-sufficiency, whether it is employment in a job with a living wage or continued education that will lead to sustainable employment , and to help women begin to overcome the societal and internal barriers that have prevented them from succeeding so that they can provide for themselves and their families adequately and with dignity. HOPE for Women seeks to help women in transition on a path to a more secure future. Our HOPE for Women program includes a 7 week, 175 hour comprehensive individualized computer and job skills training program, along with follow-up and wraparound support for a year. HOPE staff and volunteers strive to provide an environment that is nurturing, caring, respectful and welcoming. They give unconditional support and affirmation to strengthen self-esteem and create opportunities for success.

The House of Peace & Education, Inc. (HOPE) mission is to empower women and children to believe in themselves, learn new skills and to use these skills to live their best possible lives. HOPE serves its mission through two programs: HOPE for Kids and HOPE for Women. HOPE serves primarily women and children who are low-moderate income and at risk of violence, abuse, neglect, dysfunctional relationships, school and/or social failures, who have a strong desire to make positive changes. The House of Peace & Education, Inc. (HOPE) is a non profit organization founded in 1996 by four Sisters of St. Joseph to counteract violence and promote peace in the Greater Gardner community through education and jobs skills training for children and women. HOPE began with a summer program for children in grades 2-6 which evolved into the current HOPE for Kids program that serves 200 youth througout the year. The HOPE for Women program followed HOPE for Kids to provide computer skills and job skills training to women who are low-income and have risk factors that are obstacles for life success.