"If we dare to hope, should we not dare to look at ourselves hoping?"

It is this question, which was asked by Menniger in his address to the 115th annual meeting of the American Psychiatric Association in 1959, that fuels our work in the HOPE KIDS program. I believe the five hope-focused practices in Nurturing Hopeful Souls are one way of responding to Menniger's query.

Volunteers: Seeing Life in a Brighter Light

Volunteers are the backbone of the Hope Foundation.

The HOPE KIDS program exists because volunteers tirelessly work behind the scenes to get things done. They organize the post-secondary camp, work with youth who want to volunteer in out of school programs and assist students and teachers in the HOPE KIDS: Service-Learning program.

However, volunteers do lots of other things at the Hope Foundation. As a not-for profit organization we would not exist without the efforts of those who volunteer on the board, at the casino and at our annual fall dinner and auction to keep our door open for clients who need hope-focused counseling.

So THANK YOU volunteers, past and present, who make it possible for others to see life in a brighter light!!

Hope Harkens Us to See Life As it May Become

I came across the following quote in Finding Hope: Ways to See Life in a Brighter Light as I reflected on why we need to pay attention to hope.

Hope helps us live with the unpredictability we must face from time to time in our lives. It serves as a companion when the future is unsure or unclear. Hope stays with us and heartens us when our options appear limited. When the possibilities seem to diminish, it harkens us to see life as it may become. (p. 10)