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This time fifteen years ago, I gave birth to my youngest boy (thus far), Marcus! It was surreal because his actual due date was Valentine’s Day, and I remember thinking there

was no way he would be born on that day. I was 25 years old, and studying for a huge nursing exam with some friends and fellow nursing students on February 12, 2005. I remember driving home and having a talk with Marcus telling him to not be late (like his older brother was) and to come on time. Marcus has always been laid back and a pretty obedient child. Without any delay, I started having contractions five minutes apart the next morning and after a day of waiting, Marcus was born on Valentine’s Day morning. What a great love gift for me and my family!

Today, as we wait for RJ to bless our lives, I think about all of the great expectations this year brings. We had ten graduates that are just beginning their new careers and a life full of great expectation, and another seven single parents that will be graduating this year and ready to experience the beginning of their new normal. A life without school, and hopefully, a life full of opportunity.

This year, I hope this day means more to you than just flowers and chocolates. I hope you realize that you have been the sweetest gift to me and 195 other people. And I pray it’s evident that you course-corrected generations to come and your gift is invaluable to people like Valerie! Read her thoughts about your gift in her own words…

“I would like to thank you for all of your help! Your unwavering support of me pursuing my degree is truly a blessing. Your support allowed me to put forth more time to study. The financial support, along with the motivational support you continued to show for me and my family, will never be forgotten. Your program to assist mothers who are trying to do better, and be better, is nothing short of amazing! It’s hard to commit to a full-time program while trying to juggle being a single mother and working. With your support, you’ve allowed me to be an example to my daughters. The seminars, assistance for summer camp and your personal phone calls have been a true testament to a prayer that was answered.” Not only has Valerie graduated, but her oldest daughter is getting a full ride to college! How about that for impact?!?

Happy Valentine’s Day H.O.P.E Family! You’re the gift that keeps on giving!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA. MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder
H.O.P.E, Inc.

P.S. We have more exciting news to come! Look out for it.

Hey there,

In less than 30 days, my world as I know it will change. You’ve heard stories about how I became a single mom at age 21, and have raised my two biological sons, and stepson, Deon Jr., to beat the odds. Well, within 4 weeks there will be a new addition to my family, and yes, it is another BOY!

We wait with anticipation because Ronald Jr. (RJ) has been longed for with faithful prayers for 25 years by my husband, Ron. RJ will be his very first biological child and the very first grandson on his side of the family! It’s no wonder that our families and friends are so excited for us, as evident by the 100 people in attendance for our baby shower last weekend (and that was a reduced list).

I feel privileged and honored to give my husband this great gift, and in thinking about what it means to have a dream fulfilled, I thought about the great gift you and I give to the single parents we serve every day. Of course, being a conduit of something so special changes one’s life and perspective.

I think about how you helped give Dominique (pictured on the left) her long term dream of becoming a Dental Hygienist. After twelve years of hoping to achieve this goal, she graduated in December 2019, along with nine other graduates! Not only that, she was THE FIRST MEMBER IN HER FAMILY TO GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE! Of course, as a teen mom, she wasn’t expected to accomplish much. The odds were stacked against her, and society stipulated her abilities and worth. Yet, she graduated with a high G.P.A, had job offers in hand before walking the stage, passed her state boards, and increased her salary from $18,000 to $35,000! She took advantage of our financial training programs, increased her credit score by 32 points, and established an emergency fund of $600.

In the months to come, we’ll be sharing your impact in 2019. Life change, like what you just accomplished through your work with H.O.P.E, Inc., is not something to take lightly. Ten lives were changed just last year because of you, and in 2020 seven more graduates will walk across the stage due to your continued support!

So, as I wait for my bundle of joy, I hope that you are filled with joy. The joy of knowing that you not only changed one life last year but ten and you have seven more to impact this year!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder
H.O.P.E, Inc.

I know that your inbox has been overwhelmed with Cyber Monday deals and now Giving Tuesday ask. I understand how it can all be so overwhelming, but the day is almost over and you have already helped Destinee walk across that stage! Thank you for meeting our goal of $1,000!

Look at how you changed life for Bianca, and for the better. Instead of going from shelter to shelter, she has been in the same apartment for longer than a few months, she accomplished her long-time goal of graduating from college with her associate’s degree and will soon have her bachelors degree. She is working on her financial stability every day, making wise decisions and beating the odds. Take a look at her 60-minute story.

You gave her HOPE, but why stop there. We’re bringing on four more single parents and your continued support could change more lives. We have 8 more hours in the day to impact more single parents and double your gift. Let’s keep going by clicking here today,

Thank you in advance for believing in our single parents and being the help they need!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder
H.O.P.E, Inc.

P.S. We’re halfway there! Click here to help Destinee today!

It’s hard to believe that this little boy has grown to be such a great young man. In this picture, he had to be about three years old, and now he is a freshman in college at Georgia State University, proving that kids of single parents that go to college have a 40% chance of attending college as well.

There are many characteristics and qualities that make him awesome. He’s well mannered, intelligent, family-oriented, and gives HOPE every month to support single parents in need, just to name a few, but what reminded me of what a wonderful son I have is what he did today! Without any pressure from me, he donated $33 to our GA Gives Day Campaign to help us meet our goal, and he did it because, “if it was me in need, I would want someone to give too!” It was a simple statement, but to hear that statement coming from an eighteen-year-old millennial truly blessed me! Being a freshman he can understand how hard it is to finish college, and knowing his mom’s story he acted.
Destinee literally has only one semester left of college, and almost had to drop out due to a series of financial hardships. At this moment, we are only $502 away from our goal of $1,000. to help her complete her college degree. You can help by clicking here today,

Thank you in advance for believing in our single parents and being the help they need!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder
H.O.P.E, Inc.

P.S. We’re halfway there! Click here to help Destinee today!

My name is Marion and I am the Treasurer on the Board of H.O.P.E, Inc. Most of you don’t know my personal story, but I would like to share it with you today.

I became a mother at the young age of 17, which could have made me a statistic, and not only a statistic but not such a positive one. So many reports don’t paint teen mother’s in successful light, but through the grace of God and my family’s love and support,  I was able to beat the odds. I finished high school, my bachelor’s degree, and MBA all before the age of 30

I share this because I know how important it is to complete a college degree as a single parent first hand, which is why I joined HOPE Inc.’s Board in 2015.  The organization’s mission of helping single parents complete their college degrees resonated with me, and I personally desire to help other single parents complete their college degrees as I did.

Today, we both can do just that by clicking here today,

Thank you in advance for allowing more single parents to make it as I did!

Sincerely,

Marion Q.
Board of Director, Treasurer
H.O.P.E, Inc.

P.S. It’s game on! Let’s keep making a difference by clicking here today!

Did you realize that your donations don’t just support single mothers in need, but they help single fathers who are often forgotten about in our society?

The number of young men with sole custody of their children while attending college is larger than many of us believe. Often times, support services offered by single parent organizations are not directed at single fathers, and they are often turned away when they need help the most.

But not so with H.O.P.E. Your support actually makes sure that all single parents working towards a college degree have a chance to get out of poverty.

Watch this 60-minute video of how you have helped one young man not give up!

Shakar Lee’s H.O.P.E Story

Your donation this GA Gives Day will help us reach our $1,000 goal to make sure that one single parent keeps going like Shakar is able to because of your help. Although this campaign supports a single mom, her story resonates with Shakar and she will ultimately be affected by what you decide to do in 1 more day! Click here to encourage Destinee to keep going!

We’re counting on you!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder

In just one week…

In one week, the race will be on to help one single mother complete her last semester of college. You may say, we’re always helping a single mother finish college, that’s what we do when we give to HOPE, what makes this situation different?

Destiny has been with us for a little over two years and has hit several snags in the last three months. Her car broke down, while she still owed. Her employer cut her hours at work. She found out that her son has been having trouble in school, AND then after all of that, her landlord has decided not to renew her lease so she has to find new housing. All of that has threatened her ability to finish her last semester in college, and she needs a little more help from us than usual.

This mother has been diligent, a great saver, and is an overall great human being. Yet life happens, and sometimes there’s no one to help you through the hard times. BUT NOT IN HER CASE. You’ve worked hard to make sure that people like Destiny accomplish their academic goals. We’re hoping that you’ll make sure she makes it over the graduation stage.

As we mentioned last week, we have been chosen to participate in the Colca-Cola Women’s Empowerment Challenge, which means that Coca-Cola will match all funds raised through our Ga Gives campaign. Such AWESOME news!  #CocaColaEmpowersWomen

Help us raise $1,000 to show Destiny she’s not alone! Your gift will be matched and do more than you can imagine for this single family of 3.

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA, MBA, MA
President/CEO & Founder
H.O.P.E, Inc.

P.S. You don’t even have to wait until December 3rd, you can give right now by clicking here and be one of the first to donate. 

Today, we turned 10-years old!

You did it! You got us to this wonderful milestone! It’s amazing what you have allowed us to accomplish. Ten years ago, I had no nonprofit experience, no donors, and no grants, but I did have a program idea and a plan.

I didn’t know who would believe in my vision for H.O.P.E, Inc., or if we would be able to accomplish all the big ideas we had. BUT YOU DID!

Back then, what we are doing today, felt almost light-years away. Yet, they say if you dream big, you’ll exceed your wildest expectations. Many sacrifices were made to get this organization to where it is today, but it was so worth it!

We hope you can say that what you have contributed to, focused on, or been a part of over the past ten years makes you feel the same way.

A ten-year existence for a nonprofit and any business is a pretty big deal. A decade later, you have provided services for a total of 190 people! That’s 63 single parents and 127 children! Want to see a snapshot of accomplishments, failures, success, and growth? Click here to view it.

We’re celebrating and we want you to join us,  We’ll have a wonderful 10-year celebration on December 8, 2019, at 5pm, at the Norcross Community Center to honor 10 critical people, organizations, and/or foundations that helped us give HOPE, some of you may have received an invitation in the mail if you’ve given to our cause before, but you are ALL welcomed. Seats are limited so please register for your free ticket by clicking here to say you’ll be there.

We hope you will continue to take this journey with us, and help us change lives for
another decade!

Sincerely,

Kenita Smith, BBA. MBA. MA

President/CEO & Founder

H.O.P.E, INC.

Have you ever faced an ultimatum? Not a small one like the ones we give our children, “Eat your vegetables or no dessert.” No, I’m talking a big ultimatum that affects the rest of your life.

For 7 years, I faced an ultimatum that would keep me and my three little girls in a cycle of homeless. The breaking point for this cycle was being connected to HOPE, Inc.

My homelessness journey started not long after having my second child. The three of us went to our first shelter in Atlanta. I was terrified to take my girls to a shelter, but this place was different from what I had seen in the movies. We were safe. But this shelter was only a 6-month program. I wanted to go back to school but was told I needed to work and save as much money as possible.

Ultimatum: Stay in the program and keep shelter for my two little girls and I, or go back to school and be dismissed from the program.

So I stayed. I kept my dead-end minimum wage job while looking for employment elsewhere to no avail. My shelter and others like it wanted to present their boards with a “successful” resident – one who left the program with another place to go, a job, and a good amount in savings. The problem is that a “successful” resident is not completely removed from the cycle of homelessness. They just delay homelessness for a little while.

I felt angry, but underneath that anger, I felt defeated. How could I become stable without a degree? I had nothing to fall back on. In 2016, I started my journey with Rainbow Village. After about a year of showing a great work ethic, I was finally able to go back to school. But I still faced an ultimatum. After 2 years in the program, I would have to face the real world. There were zero affordable apartments nearby, so I would have to pack up everything, move across town to more affordable housing, and get a second job to pay for our expenses.

Ultimatum: Quit school and provide for my family or keep going and figure out where we would go from night to night.

Then came HOPE, Inc! (I wish you could hear the deep sigh of relief breathed with those few words.) HOPE understands what most shelters don’t: finding a new job will not stop the cycle of homelessness. The most important thing is to get a degree. This was my missing link! A degree makes it possible to earn a living wage, so it’s easier to land a good job and save money. Kenita and the team provided resources to deal with all of the barriers I faced. They paid a portion of my rent so that I could stay in the Duluth area. My children got to stay in the same school, and HOPE helped me take care of them with daycare assistance. I was able to keep my GPA up because I didn’t have to get a second job and had time to study. I even got counseling to deal with some of my emotional and psychological barriers to learning.

On May 10, 2019, I was finally free of my ultimatum. I graduated from Gwinnett Technical College, with honors! Thanks to HOPE, Inc, I am no longer Bianca Miller, homeless single mother. I am now Bianca Miller, college graduate, and mother of three girls who aspire to college themselves. I am the first in my family to graduate. I am Bianca Miller, generational curse breaker! 

Sincerely,

Bianca Miller, proud graduate of 2019!

P.S. Watch a video of my story below or by clicking here! 

H.O.P.E. Inc. Joins Peachtree Corners Festival 5K Run on June 8, 2013

By Lisa McGloiry

H.O.P.E. Inc. is excited to join the Peachtree Corners Festival 5K Run on June 8, 2013 as one of their charity partners!  The event starts promptly at 7:30 a.m. at the Peachtree Elementary School, 5995 Crooked Creek Rd NW, Peachtree Corners, GA 30092.

In an effort to give back to the community, the Peachtree Corners Festival added a special Charity Challenge, giving its community of volunteers, sponsors and participants the opportunity to make donations for the charity of their choice.  Through this effort, the Festival hopes to raise over $25,000 for their charity partners, which includes H.O.P.E. Inc.!

H.O.P.E. Inc. is taking on the challenge by participating in the run this year and we’re asking for more sponsors!  Our goal is to raise $2,500 through this effort! We currently have 13 sponsors and we need more. With less than four weeks until the run, we’re asking for your immediate help. As our organization continues to grow, we are always looking for new events and fun ways to continue our mission: to help serve low-income single parents obtain a college degree.  By helping to provide these individuals with assistance in subsidized housing, child care, social services, and life skills, H.O.P.E. Inc.’s services will help them to finish their education, earn the skills to become employable, join the workforce and become more productive members of our society.

You can be confident that 100% of any donations made to H.O.P.E. Inc., whether small or large, will go directly to help single parents in need. Your donation is going to a great cause and will go a long way in helping us to reach our $2,500 goal! Won’t you consider making a donation today, or sign up to register for the Peachtree Corners Festival 5K Walk on June 8, 2013 right here on our website!

So please take the time to sign up here on our website and help us reach our goal of $2,500!   Let’s run for the single parents in need of childcare and rent assistance so they can stay in school and create a better life for their families! Please spread the word! Please sign up or donate today! H.O.P.E. Inc. hopes to see you at the Festival on June 8^th!

Remember that by supporting H.O.P.E. Inc. you are providing hope and help to single parents earn a college degree!  Please come out and support us!  We’ll have a booth at the Festival and a special “Meet and Greet” session where you have the opportunity to meet with board members, our supporters, sponsors, friends and me. It’s going to be a fun and exciting day as we run for a good cause and help build up our community!