Power of Hope History

The Power of Hope was founded in 1996 by Charlie Murphy and Peggy Taylor out of the belief that young people — regardless of their circumstances — are an untapped resource for community renewal and social change.

The core belief of Power of Hope is that by acknowledging the creative potential of our youth, rather than treating them as "problems" to be solved, we may witness over and over again their remarkable transformation and inspired self-expression.

We have seen youth in positions of hopelessness, anger and self-destruction transform into positions of leadership, hope and empowerment. And we have seen youth who already come from positions of self-confidence, strength and relative privilege recognize their ability to serve as allies and collaborative change-makers in society. There is a place for youth from all walks of life at Power of Hope.

We are living in a time of rapid cultural change in which young people are exposed to levels of personal and societal stress unknown even a generation ago. The challenges youth may find in school, at home, and in peer groups can be a source of internal conflict and stress at a time when they need guidance and support the most. Power of Hope exists to be a community of support, empowerment and encouragement to teens at this crucial and special time in their life. Read more about what teens have said after coming to Power of Hope.

If you have any questions about the Power of Hope and how we may serve you or a young person you care about, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to celebrating the successes of our past and building the successes of our future, together with you and the young people so important to us.