Hope in Our Community: From the Desk of Our CEO
Collaboration. It is a core principle here at House of Hope. We proudly work with nearly fifty different nonprofit agencies and government partners across Martin County and throughout the Treasure Coast, and even into Palm Beach County. Simply put, collaboration is when two or more people or groups work together to share ideas, skills, and resources to reach a shared goal. It means joining forces to create or do something that is better than what one person or entity could do alone.
A wonderful example of collaboration is the Copper Key Scholarship Promise. When The Community Foundation Martin-St. Lucie reached out to House of Hope over seven years ago to develop this program together, we jumped at the chance. At the same time, Nina Haven Scholarships, Inc. joined the team. Together, we developed the framework for a unique approach to scholarships. The Copper Key Scholarship Promise selects talented Martin County 6th and 7th grade students with financial need and a dream of post-secondary education for full scholarships to one of 40 Florida colleges, universities or vocational schools.
It is not just that we identify scholars at a young age that makes this program different, it is what the scholars and families accomplish during these years in the program. The cost of college or trade school is an obvious barrier to entry for students in lower income households. But there is also the pressure on students to work and contribute financially to the household, as well as care for younger siblings that keeps many students from pursuing their dreams. The Copper Key partners surround the scholar and their families with an array of programs and services during the years leading up to high school graduation and beyond, to empower everyone in the household to reach their full potential. The scholars have access to volunteer opportunities, tutoring resources, SAT prep, career coaching, resume writing, and more. Parents or guardians are able to access all of the services under the House of Hope umbrella, including and especially case management and family centered coaching.
We were proud to see our first three scholars graduate high school at the end of the last school year and head off to pursue their dreams at the collegiate level. As we sit today, we have 24 scholars and their families in the program, and will add more during this school year. We do not accept unsolicited applications to this program, instead even that process is about collaboration. House of Hope, the Boys and Girls Club of Martin County, Hope Rural School, and Martin County PAL (Police Athletic League) all are able to refer students and families for consideration. These agencies have a real relationship with the families that they refer, and have confidence that the families are ready to commit to the program and do their very best. All of this energy and effort by the scholars, their families, the partners, and of course, the funders and donors breaks the cycle of poverty for many, makes college or trade school attainable, and makes dreams become reality.
If you want to learn more about the Copper Key Scholarship Promise, please email us at empowermentservices@hohmartin.org. If you or someone you know needs House of Hope services, or you want to learn more about how you may help, please visit our website at www.hohmartin.org. Thank you for spreading hope in our community.
