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After 25 years of working out of borrowed spaces, Children of Hope took a defining step forward during a recent gala, unveiling plans for a permanent home and issuing a clear call for community support to make it a reality.

The quiet but steady ministry used the moment to invite the community not only to celebrate its impact, but to help expand it.

For many in attendance, the evening offered a deeper look into an organization that has largely worked behind the scenes. Since 2001, Children of Hope has served at-risk children and youth, offering mentorship, faith-centered guidance, and consistent support to those navigating difficult circumstances.

The gala brought that work into focus through a combination of presentation and personal testimony, illustrating not only what the organization does, but the lasting impact it has had on families in the community.

During the evening, directors Shelley Green and Jenny Rosenberger shared the heart behind the ministry, describing a mission centered on reminding children of their value and purpose. Many of the youth served come from unstable environments, including foster care placements, single-parent households, or situations marked by hardship.

Through weekly gatherings, mentorship and outreach programs, Children of Hope has created a space where those children are consistently seen, encouraged and supported.

That consistency, speakers emphasized, is what sets the organization apart.

Rather than focusing solely on events, the nonprofit has built long-term relationships with the children it serves, often walking alongside them for years. Over time, that approach has created a ripple effect, one that was clearly visible throughout the room.

Two of the evening’s most powerful moments came through testimonies shared by Heather Ward and Brooke Meyers, both of whom were once part of the program.

Now adults, both women have returned as volunteers while also raising children involved in Children of Hope, continuing a cycle of mentorship that has become central to the organization’s identity.

Each spoke about the confidence and direction they gained through their involvement, crediting the program with helping shape both their faith and their sense of self.

Their message echoed a theme repeated throughout the night, that God has a plan and each person has a purpose.

While the testimonies reflected the organization’s past, the gala also pointed firmly toward its future.

In a key moment of the evening, Children of Hope unveiled plans for a new permanent facility, marking a significant step forward after years of operating in borrowed and shared spaces.

The proposed building will sit on nearly 13 acres of land already owned by the organization and will be developed in phases, allowing for continued growth while expanding services.

Leaders said the new space will create opportunities to increase weekly programming, offer after-school support such as tutoring and life skills development, and expand summer camps.

The long-term vision also includes the potential for a full Christian education component, further extending the organization’s reach into the lives of the children and families it serves.

For those gathered, the announcement represented more than a construction project. It marked the next chapter for a nonprofit that has already impacted more than 2,000 children over the past 25 years.

As the evening closed, the focus remained not on buildings, but on people.

The stories shared made it clear that the work of Children of Hope is not measured simply in programs or attendance, but in lives changed over time. And as those once served return to serve others, the impact continues to grow, often in ways the broader community may never fully see.

With its mission now more visible and its future taking shape, Children of Hope is stepping forward, not only to expand its reach, but to continue doing what it has done all along, reminding children they are seen, valued and full of purpose.