About Hope Covenant House
Hope Covenant House Community Development Corporation was founded and organized in August 2004 and has its current operations in Charlotte NC. The organization, in conjunction with the paradigm shift made in the community, is addressing some of the major community needs spanning, the Mecklenburg, Lincoln and Gaston counties, of North Carolina.Our organization focuses on the youth and families who are struggling with educational, health, food, and economic disparities from year to year. Since Hope Covenant House's inception, we have been engaging in hands-on work at the grassroots level, giving us first-hand experience and knowledge of the need for both capacity-building and training programs. Working with like-minded individuals and organizations around Mecklenburg, Lincoln and Gaston counties and the country has given us valuable national and cross-cultural experience.
Our Priorities
Through a collaborative approach, our investments are made with the recognition that every priority is intrinsically related to others. Essential life needs must be met before young people can be expected to do well in the education system. Education must be comprehensive and effective before they can positively participate in the world and contribute to their upward social mobility. A sense of community is both a necessary prerequisite and highly desirable outcome of all initiatives.
Education
One of the keys to cultivating a mentality of lifelong learning is to create educational spaces that are stimulating and fun for youth to learn and grow. This is accomplished by providing free access to computer labs, libraries and other educational resources. These tools empower marginalized young people by providing them opportunities for exploration and recreation that without them they would not be able to accomplish their goals. These resources complement the educational experiences that schools are providing our youth outside of the facilities, allowing them to better explore their interests and further develop their curiosity. To make the most of these investments and ensure that the educational spaces remain as effective as the day they were opened, we sustain them with ongoing material and training support.
Community
We believe it is important that all members of our communities are given equal opportunities to bond over shared experiences, and not be viewed as outliers because of situations that are not in their control. Family engagement has been shown to be the most influential factor for producing success in this area. Developing and creating opportunities not only fill the need for achieving exclusive self-efficacy for the individual, they also help create connections and build networks. Social justice initiatives give people a voice in shaping their communities, and a reason to invest in their cities, schools and neighbors. These experiences create memories that last a lifetime, and foster a sense of empowerment, self-confidence, well-being and a sense of identity.
Social Mobility
It is our desire to help youth to thrive, so it is important that we invest tireless efforts in breaking down the socioeconomic barriers that hold so many of them back. We provide youth with access to educational spaces and resources, this inspires them to explore different possibilities that they may have not imagined. We also encourage them to follow their dreams and to be passionate about the positive things that they desire. Their new discoveries then promotes socioeconomic conditions that generate a positive feedback which consequently leads to upward social mobility. Our investments target the goal of social mobility by mitigating personal circumstances and providing credentials while cultivating company connections, thereby creating improved chances and increased choices.
Essential Needs
Families can’t thrive if their basic needs are not being met.That’s why we take great care in connecting our donors’ generous in-kind donations of life’s essentials with the communities that need them most. With our food bank, we press forward in support of our ongoing efforts to combat hunger. Along with our food bank, we collect donations of new clothing and the distribution of children’s toys during the holidays are a big part of our fight to aid in poverty reduction. Many communities lack the resources necessary to properly examine and care for children’s health needs. Alleviating poverty is complex but not impossible; the emergency supports we facilitate address vulnerable community needs in a way that helps to produce more resources in our most impoverished communities.
