Light Up Hope

Mission Statement:

     Light Up Hope’s mission is to empower and bring hope to children and youth placed in residential care facilities through a variety of programs. These children and youth have been removed from their homes, stripped of their family ties, and traumatized through the process as a necessary step in their own protection. Now, left with very little of their own, where is their hope? Who makes sure they feel valued, appreciated and loved? With your support, we all do! Through Light up Hope, their community brings them hope for their future, joy for their present and a sense of importance, value and purpose. Light up Hope, along with our business partners and volunteers aim to give children and youth back a piece of their childhood experience by providing gifts for life’s special moments such as holidays and birthdays, as well as hope for their future through self-awareness programs and mentorship. Here at Light up Hope, Children and Youth are our priority!

One way that Light Up Hope accomplishes this goal is through our Giving Programs. These programs are designed to bring a sense of childhood and joy throughout the holidays. Giving Programs consist of treats for both Valentine's Day and Halloween, gifts for Christmas, baskets full of goodies for Easter and an outfit and shoes for back-to-school. Each Giving Program provides for approximately 120 to 160 youth depending on facility enrollment.

It is Light Up Hope's goal to continue the Giving programs as well as bring other opportunities for individual growth and character building to these youth. Currently, (2026) we are working with residential facility partners to provide birthday celebrations, on a quarterly basis. The goal is to provide youth a reason to celebrate who they are and to recognize the importance of the day God brought them into this world. It is a tradition that so many take for granted and brings such joy. 

Light Up Hope's future endeavors include bringing in cultural arts experiences such as art, music and culinary arts, to name a few. In addition, we would like to bring career exploration opportunities to youth through a program called Project Vision. Project Vision would work to enable youth to discover careers that interest them through guest speakers, research and job shadowing. Throughout Project Vision, youth would learn what values, morals and character are required to succeed, not only in the work force but in everyday life. Once youth have accomplished their personalized goals, they would become a mentor for a younger youth teaching and leading by example. Mentoring would reinforce positive skills learned, promote relationship building, promote positive communication and help build the foundation for greater success in life. 

One aspect of Light Up Hope that sets us apart is that, not only do we provide for 5 holidays/special occasions, but once we partner with a facility, we are with them year after year! 

God bless and Thank You for learning more about us! Let YOUR Light Shine!