Our Story and Philosophy

Back of a person wearing a black jacket with white text saying 'NO LONGER LOST', purple hoodie, standing on a city street with a beige brick building in the background.

HOPE is an agency in Ontario dedicated to providing trauma-informed, 24/7 care in an inclusive, family-style environment for all vulnerable youth aged 2-23.

We believe that every youth deserves a safe, inclusive, and family-oriented home where they can heal, explore their identity, and develop essential life skills.

Our Vision and Mission

Mission Statement: At HOPE, we provide a safe, inclusive, and family-oriented home that empowers youth to heal, explore identity, and develop essential life skills. Through compassion, structure, and mentorship, we guide all youth toward long-term independence.

Vision: Our vision is to create a nurturing home environment where every youth feels accepted, valued, and supported to reach their fullest potential emotionally, socially, and academically. Our ultimate goal is to facilitate the reunification of youth with their families and caregivers ; if reunification isn't possible, our vision is to equip youth with comprehensive life skills so they can transition successfully into independent, functional, and productive members of society

Four children standing in a row wearing colorful rain boots and waterproof jackets, outdoors on a muddy path.
Four women with long hair standing in a green field during sunset, showing their backs and making heart shapes with their hands.

Core Values: C.A.R.E.S.

Cultural Responsiveness

Addressing systemic barriers faced by marginalized youth, particularly the LGBTQIA2S+ community, while ensuring high standards of belonging across all residences.

Accountability

Operating with absolute transparency, honesty, and integrity to youth, families, Children's Aid Societies, and regulatory bodies (CYFSA).

Respect

Upholding the dignity and rights of every youth, especially in affirming diverse cultural, gender, and sexual identities (SOGIE).

Empathy

Ensuring every interaction is rooted in understanding trauma and lived experience, building trust essential for healing for all youth.

Self-Efficacy

Focusing all programming (Wealth Builders, Pride Program) on building self-advocacy and independence (Empowerment)

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Our Foundational Model

Our core solution is the Family-Style Inclusive Residential Model with Dual Placement Capacity. This strategic structure offers an alternative to traditional institutional placements by creating a home-like, empathetic environment focused on relational healing15.

This dual capacity allows us to serve the entire Children's Aid Society (CAS) population: providing Holistic Family-Style Residences for all youth, while maintaining a dedicated, specialized Identity-Affirming Residence for LGBTQIA2S+ youth.