For incarcerated men and women – about 3700 DC residents in over 100 prisons from here to California – and for their children, displacement has grave consequences. But through Hope House programs, children experience the thrill of new books, the joy of hearing their parent read to them on audio tapes, and the positive messages they hear about education, behavior, and love. Week-long summer camps behind bars focus on arts, literacy activities, and fun. While working together on life-size murals, parents find ways to communicate family history, important life lessons, and even favorite relationship tips. Older kids participate in a college challenge as they seek out resources to support their college dreams; "boost baskets" help the neediest families; peer support groups address a critical problem – the isolation and social stigma experienced by children deprived of a loved parent.
Headquarters: DC-Ward 4
Where They Operate: DC-Citywide; DC-Ward 1; DC-Ward 2; DC-Ward 4; DC-Ward 5; DC-Ward 6; DC-Ward 7; DC-Ward 8; MD-Statewide; MD-Montgomery County; MD-Prince George's County; Hope House works with children from all over the DC Metro Area. However the highest concentration of families are located in Southeast DC and in Prince Georges County.
Age Groups Served: Infants (0-2); Pre-K (3-4); Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49)
Ethnic Groups Served: African American; Caucasian; Latino/Hispanic
Population(s) Served: All
Awards & Recognition
Charity of the Year - DC Bar Association - March 2010
Chapman Medal for innovative just programs - Oct. 2012
White House Champion of Change - 2013
Purpose Prize - 2013
Global Catalyst Award - 2014
Press
- Activist Carol Fennelly Creates home behind prison walls
Fri Nov 21 2014, Washingtonian
This is a profile article about Hope House Executive Director Carol Fennelly and her history of activism in DC
- Prison Summer Camp Lets Kids Reconnect With Dads
Fri Aug 30 2013, NPR
This is an interview with a Hope House Kid and Executive Director, Carol Fennelly
- Summer with Dad Behind Bars
Wed Jul 31 2013, Washington Post tv
- Cultivating parental relationships from behind bars
Tue Apr 30 2013, msnbc the cycle
An interview with Hope House executive director Carol Fennelly
- Summer camp behind bars: Program connects kids, incarcerated dads
Fri Aug 26 2011, Today.com/MSNBC/nbc4
This is a video piece about our Father to Child Summer Camp Program.
Budget (FY2013)
- $3 million or higher
- $1 million to $3 million
- $500k to $1 million
- The current budget for Hope House DC is: Less than $500k
Catalogue charities range in size from $100,000 to
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