Hope House is a social emotional wellness program for low-income families at local schools and shelters.

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Our Story

​Our vision for this program is to support the personal development and overall wellness (physical, emotional, mental, and social) of low-income families in schools and living in shelters, leading to greater stability, strong community networks and belonging, and empowerment.​

 

The program has grown out of our time responding to urgent needs from asylum seeking families in 2021-2022. One of the lessons we learned from that time was the power in meeting people exactly where they are. For us at CDC, it meant meeting our neighbors in schools and local shelters. 

 

When PS16 told us students needed a creative outlet to release their trauma in order to focus on their schoolwork, we hosted movement workshops. Parents also wanted in and this is how we began events focused on holistic wellness. Adults also needed a space to play, move, learn, connect, and dream.

 

Through ongoing events, we have met families who are looking for stability but are still dealing with the aftermath of crisis. 21 % of Elmhurst and Corona residents are living in poverty, 16% of students are in a shelter or temporary housing, and 48 % of families are experiencing anxiety and depression. 

 

We have expanded Hope House into a full social emotional wellness program providing holistic, contextual responsive support to address the emotional and mental well-being of families, especially those most vulnerable and historically underserved.