Help the Hopes and Dreams Foundation by donating today!
The Giving Tree Program will help stabilize families with children under the age of 18 who are homeless or at imminent risk of homelessness. we will help families obtain permanent housing, and jobs to earn and increase income, save money and develop the tools they need to become self supportive. Families will develop a household budget and discuss emergent issues as needed.
The children's needs are also met by helping them set their own goals. As children see their parents succeed, they feel the release of stress and being overwhelmed, they began to realize as a family they can overcome any obstacle.
Participation in the program is voluntary and the services are provided at no cost. Young adults must be between the ages of 13-17 and 18-25 to be eligible for The Giving Tree Program.
Once enrolled the program director, case manger or therapist will hold an assessment interview with young adults who are interested or referred to the program. Each young adult will be placed on the (seed plan) a plan that helps identify individual goals, including life skills, employment, education and permanent housing for growth and success while in the program. Staff will provide young adults with information about the program and the requirements needed to participate.
Transition plan from supervised participation to independent living or another appropriate living arrangement.
Hopes and Dreams Foundations The Giving Tree Program will offer all housing start up cost, including security and utility deposits to start them off with success. Since youth and families have no possession we will help with bedding, furniture, pots and pans, driver's license cost, laundry and cleaning supplies as well as food.
Once young adults and families complete and transitions out of the program, Hopes and Dreams Foundation will help provide on average 3-6 months of rental and utility assistance, reducing the amount gradually, but remaining flexible enough to fit each young adult and families situation.
While parents work to get back on there feet, the children get quality care in our on site childcare center ages infant-12yrs.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation will partner and receive referrals of homeless youth from: social services, law enforcement, educational services, vocational training, welfare, legal services, health care programs, affordable childcare, and/or child education programs. Hopes and Dreams Foundation will be in frequent and direct communication with these resources.
Hopes and Dreams Foundations goal is to help residents achieve self-sufficiency, financial independent and long term housing stability.
Residents must meet with their case mangers at least once a week.
Residents who are unemployed will meet with an employment specialist that assist with resume building, job searches, and interview preparation.
Residents are required to perform 32 hours a week of active participation towards goals that promote self-sufficiency. This time, must correspond with current goals set with case managers. Some activities that count toward the 32 hour productivity requirement include employment, GED/high school/ college classes, job searching, submitting job applications/housing application, volunteering, and life skills classes.
Residents will attend assigned meetings which are typically evening meetings up to 2 times a week, in which professionals and community members speak to the group about:
1. Money management, budgeting, consumer education, use of credit.
2. Parenting skills/effective parenting.
3. Interpersonal skill-building.
4. Educational advancement.
5. Job attainment skills.
6. Mental and physical health care.
7. Individual and/or group counseling and parent/child counseling.
8. Drug and alcohol counseling.
9. Sexual health education and family planning.
10. Cultural competency.
11. Cooking on a budget.
12. Art therapy.
13. Field trips and outings.
14. Community volunteering.
15. Getting and staying physically fit/ Nutritional health.
16. Domestic violence prevention.
Innovative Artistic Movement
A program where children and youth can explore, learn and express themselves through music, poetry, culturally, singing, arts, instruments, dance, hip hop and more. The I. AM Program will bring out the creativity in young people allowing them to share their creativity with each other and the community.
A program where committed individuals will dedicate their time, strategy and effort to fighting hunger due to poverty, war, famine and natural disasters. We believe that faith, action, and hands on involvement is required in order to provide, rebuild and/or build communities in the world. We will assemble strong, passionate, professional leadership skilled teams to travel throughout the world creating a lasting change in poverty.
Adult Re-entry Program
Nearly 650,000 people are released from prison each year. The majority of ex-prisoners have not completed high school, have substance abuse or have physical or mental disabilities. These former prisoners are returning to their communities needing jobs and housing, instead their going home to poor neighborhoods where they often lack stable social bonds and support networks and to where there are few services to help them restart their lives.
With there being a huge gap between their complex challenges and their limited opportunities for addressing them, it is not surprising that recidivism rates are high. In fact, former state prisoner is back behind bars within three years after their release, either as a result of parole violation or because they have committed a new crime.
The Fresh Start Program will have professional non judgmental mentors and staff that will offer practical support by helping participants set goals, cope with stress and/or budget their money. The Fresh Start program will pass along leads on jobs and housing and help with transportation (bus passes). Former prisoners are sometime court ordered to take certain classes weekly in order to stay clear of the prison system. These classes are offered in different location throughout the city and varies in price for the classes. The Fresh Start Program will provide the resources for the former prisoners to remain successful and feel a sense of normalcy.
A juvenile court, and mental health public school connected re-entry at-risk youth program.
Through repeated failures in the classroom and the development of destructive habits, at-risk young have lost faith in the possibilities that await them if they are successful in putting their lives together. To accomplish this goal, young people must be in a caring inclusive learning environment that promotes their best effort and reinforces personal respect.
Our goal is to identify youth who are going to have a tough transition to adulthood and offer a positive support system to avoid the dead ends that can derail their lives. The focus is slightly different at each age level and disability but the goal remains the same; Empower the young person to make positive changes in his/her life.
Youth will be partnered with a mentor/educational assistant for 12 months while getting back on track for transition to general education we aim to improve the young person's confidence and hopefulness behaviorally and academically.
We will have a strong a strong, professional and caring staff of teachers, educational assistants, and behavior specialist. That will provide quality education, and positive values that will change their lives and give hope and opportunity for a new future.
Battle Ground is a faith driving mentoring program boys as well as young men. Battle Ground is here to break the misguided traits of manhood and the stereotypical views of young men throughout the community.
Battle Ground calls young men to a courageous manhood, offering guidance and a powerful vision for what it means to be a man today who truly conquers and wins at life.
A program that brings women together in fellowship, faith and love.
Sisterly Love builds strong bonds with the woman of the community who have faced, or are facing the adversities of life. Whether its domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, being a single mother, etc.... Sisterly love is an avenue of opportunity and reflection of hope, and inspiration. We are a program committed to connecting, empowering and inspiring woman to a life of purpose and success.
Pre-school and Childcare
A program that will provide quality child care for all families in the community in a warm, nurturing, loving, and educational environment.
Hopes and Dreams
A program that offers nutrition guidance and a variety of competitive and recreational sports. Such as basketball, football, soccer, volley ball, track and field, baseball/ T-ball. H.A.D athletics program teaches life lessons such as teamwork, goal-setting, time-management, sportsmanship, commitment and leadership. These daily experience will help prepare children and youth for future life challenges.
An afterschool tutoring program that is dedicated to providing educational assistance while developing positive relationships with young people. Professional teaching instructors will ensure a tailored learning experience that is both engaging and effective. We shall promote the ideas of character, service, leadership and achievement to elementary through high school students. We aim to build confidence and eliminate academic insecurities in young people. We will provide the right resources and assist students in continuing their education after school.
The Journey Program allows two (2) hour supervised visitation or outings with the mother or father at a scheduled location. The Journey Program will provide transportation and monitoring for children and youth in the foster care system throughout the state of Washington.
Our Mission
Our mission is to reach out to the community and help strengthen the foundation of the world. By giving back to families in need while spreading love and kindness to every individual regardless of race or gender. To restore hope, which allows everyone to dream and believe. To support every child with care and provide a great environment for a child's growth and development. To help build up every student and bring out their potential by strengthening their will to succeed.
Our Vision
Our vision is to inspire and help a world of youth create a positive and lasting change.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation is a non-profit organization that will provide a variety of programs and services to children/youth, families and the community. Hopes and Dreams Foundation will provide programs and services to the pierce county area. These programs will form partnerships with the state of Washington, the public school system, numerous resources and Juvenile adult court system. Hopes and Dreams Foundations goal is to foster a commitment to young people and the community that will promote pro-social friendship, strong interpersonal skills, and reassert a sense of hope in the future. Only through personal relationships can a sense of individual responsibility be reestablished. This will give children/youth and the community the commitment to follow through on a path to adulthood and a healthier active community with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation is in the Direct response to the growing number of young individuals that are falling through the cracks of life, from broken homes, schools, gang violence, foster care and homelessness.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation is also in the direct response with the growing needs in the community, needs like feeding and clothing the homeless and providing shelter. We will help low income families, single mothers, and fathers. Our annual events like providing Thanksgiving and Christmas Holiday Baskets and gifts, and a Holiday celebration dinner for the community and low income families. Back to school fair where school supplies, fun, food, guest speakers, and games are used to bring a community together to start the children/youth on the right path for the school year. Hopes and Dreams Foundation aims high to continue community outreach, for we know with a strong and caring community, Hopes and Dreams Foundation can expand the perspective of young people to make them aware of life's possibilities.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation will provide a variety of academic, social, and emotional development services/programs that respond to the unmet needs of the young people we serve. These services include academic assistance, life skills education, social skills development, recreational and athletic activities, cultural and artistic activities, parental support, mentoring, crisis intervention, case management, drug, individual, group, and family counseling.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation will assist children and youth in reaching their full potential as healthy and well adjusted, individuals, and strengthen the connection of children/youth in the community. We strive to create the opportunities that will encourage young people to embrace change and growth.
Over time, Hopes and Dreams Foundation will create a learning and positive environment that will be an invaluable resource to young people, aspiring mentors, staff, volunteers and the community at large.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation believes that faith is the first step, and with that first step anything can be accomplished.
Hello my name is Mike Reid, Founder and CEO of Hopes and Dreams Foundation. I'm a born and raised resident of Tacoma, Washington, who is extremely concerned and aware of the rapid growth of runaway homeless teens, homeless families and homeless young adults in the Pierce County area. I've worked in the mental health field for more then 10 years dealing with extreme issues with teens, young adults and families. These issues have been along the lines of mental and behavioral disabilities, drugs and alcohol abuse, low income, broken homes and the foster care system.
These issues and disabilities play a key part in the rapid growth of the homelessness in the pierce county community. My heart hurts deeply knowing the lack of resources that the Tacoma has to offer for homeless teens, young adults and families. I drive downtown Tacoma and throughout the community on a daily basis, noticing the numerous amounts of teens and young adults that campout around abandoned buildings, businesses and also wondering around the streets all hours of the night. These actions bring trouble with law enforcement from the lack of structure and opportunities to help change their situation. Food is also a great concern, not knowing where there next meal is coming from. There's no space for 13-17 year olds and 18-24 year olds space is limited and are only able to come at first come first serve. These young adults are only allowed to stay from 8:30 pm till 6:00 am then its right back out to the streets to face extreme adversities. There's no direction or accountability in leading them to make a lasting change in there life. These individuals need consistent guidance, programs with action behind it, Mentorship and transitional housing. This will allow them to go through a program that teaches life skills, education and the necessary steps to get them back on track and eliminate homelessness from there life.
Being a single mother and raising four kids on my own (14, 12, 9 and 7) brought a lot of stress, mentally and financially. After a lay off from my job and a previous divorce, rebuilding our lives was tough and at times seemed impossible. Living in shelters and being jobless not only brought stress to me but a tremendous amount of stress to my children.
One day while searching for a job I ran across a flyer from Hopes and Dreams Foundation that was offering help to families in need during Thanksgiving and Christmas. This could have not come at a greater time due to my circumstances. During that time in November me and my children were staying with a co-worker who allowed us to stay in her three bedroom apartment with her and her two children 7 and 12. Me and my children were grateful for a place to stay, especially during the holiday.
With the worry of being able to help out with dinner for the holidays and also provide gifts for my children, Hopes and Dreams Foundation graciously provided food for Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner, also provided multiple gifts for my children which brought a smile to their faces Christmas morning. They also provided gift cards for groceries and gas and helped me find a full time job.
Hopes and Dreams Foundation has been such a blessing to me and my family and I'm so grateful for the relationship that God has opened up and the generosity they continue to show.
Coming from a broken home, plus losing my mother to cancer at the age of 7, life seemed to never get back on track. My father had an addiction to drugs and alcohol which left me by myself majority of the time, his absence led to many of my decisions due to craving the attention of my father. Being 14 years old going in and out of shelters and living on the streets due to evictions, my father never cared about me but only cared about getting his next fix of drugs and alcohol instead of our next meal or a roof over our head. I always felt alone, not being able to school, not having any friends or a solid relationship with my father, but I always hoped that things would turn around for us.
One day while sitting in our car with my father in the driveway of the abandoned house that my father did drugs in on a daily, he gave me a black plastic bag with about 6 dollars in change, he told me to go to the corner store up the street to get me something to eat for the night, he told me he was riding with a friend around town and said he would be gone for awhile so when I get back to lock the car doors eat and go to sleep. I felt a little weird having this conversation with my father because it felt as if I would never see him again, just my luck it came true. I sat in the car for about 4 days trying to figure out what I was going to do, being 14 years old this situation was terrifying, not knowing if my father was dead or if he just left me. I began to ask question and search the neighborhood hoping to find an answer but never did. Deep down inside I always knew that my father had turned to drugs and alcohol on a server level.
Due to these circumstances I began to steal for stores to survive, things got worse when the car I was sleeping in was towed from the property it was on, I had to sleep in a abandoned storage unit were heavy drugs and alcohol were being consumed daily. I met this guy who was not to much older than me who was living on the streets also. He took me under his wing but led me down a path of destruction. We began to break into homes everyday in different neighborhoods collecting valuable items to sale for an income, we purchased drugs for use and also to sale, we got involved in gang violence, carrying weapons, continuous fights, anything to feel excepted or be a part of something.
These actions led to m being incarcerated at the age of 16 for breaking and entering and assault, I received 3 years with the possibility of transferring to an adult facility at age 18 to finish out my sentence. While incarcerated things were extremely tough trying to adapt to the atmosphere of jail, after some time had past, I began talking to a counselor to get things off of my chest and get the help that I needed during the remainder of my time as well as after my release. The counselor introduced me to an individual at Hopes and Dreams Foundation who became a strong mentor in my life and consistently stayed on my visitation list, we talked about life and goals, we prayed together on a regular basis, he provided faith based books that taught me a new way of life an motivated me to want to succeed. I was able to get my GED and we continued to build a strong relationship for the remaining year that I was incarcerated.
When I was released, my relationship with Hopes and Dreams Foundation continued to grow. They helped me find a place to live, they also set me up with a full time job with a janitorial service center where I have been employed for the past two years and was also promoted to day shift manger over 20 crew members. I volunteer with helping out young teenagers who face the same situations that I faced to hopefully change there way of thinking. I'm so grateful for the time and direction Hopes and Dreams Foundation has provided for me over these past years of my life, I look forward to growth and my future.
Do you need to register for a program? Please click the registration link below. It will take you to a form. Once filled out and submitted, someone will be in contact with you.
Check out some photos from our events.
Click on the image below to view our slideshow!
Hopes and Dreams Foundation funding sources include private donations, federal and state contracts, grants from private foundations, school districts and business sponsorship. Hopes and Dreams Foundation has established a number of contribution options that a supporter can select from.
$1000 will sponsor a child/youth for one year.
$1000 will sponsor a program for one year.
Businesses can provide cash or grants. Business are also encourages to participate in the Hopes and Dreams Foundation fundraising events that take place throughout the year. Events include: 5K Walk/Run, Talent Show, Family Fun Day, Raffles, Galas, Networking Dinners, Variety Shows, Carnival and Sports Events.
Amerigroup is a leading managed care company dedicated to improving lives and promoting heathier communities. Amerigroup is making heath care simpler for individuals served by Medicaid, state children’s Health insurance Program and other state -sponsored health programs. Amerigroup understands achieving great health is more than just having access to a doctor. Having a great doctor and health care professional is the first layer of “whole person care.”
Driving better health includes supporting education, housing, equity, nutrition, behavioral health, and community organization that have direct impact in the community. Amerigroup is leading the way in these areas of support and investment.
Amerigroup continues to push health care forward. Their commitment to “whole person care” sets the bar for improving the lives of Washington’s most financially vulnerable individuals and families.
Amerigroup's sponsorship for Hopes and Dreams Foundation has been a great part of our success being able to reach and connect to hundreds of youth and families throughout the year has allowed us to transform lives and communities.
Thank you Amerigroup!
