Chicago HOPES for Kids and Creating Potential for Educational Success

In 2006, homeless children in Chicago found an ally. With the help of AmeriCorps Vista members and a handful of volunteers, the founder Patricia Rivera created a Homeless Education Program for Chicago Public Schools (CPS). However, this was only the foundation of HOPES, which stands for Heightening Opportunity and Potential for Educational Success organization. In 2010, HOPES became an official nonprofit; it proudly serves three hundred and twenty-five students and their families. HOPES provides literacy support, homework help, cultural enrichment opportunities, field trips, and personalized mentor ships to these students experiencing homelessness.

HOPES recognizes the obstacles that come with homelessness. While those experiences can traumatize many adults, many children also struggle without a home and necessary resources. Due to the numerous stressors inherent in their living arrangements, Children without shelter may fall three to six months behind their peers in school. HOPES recognizes these problems and provides interventions to help those students reach their goals and catch up to their peers.

One such intervention is Ready Readers, a K-5 after-school program that provides a curriculum focused on literacy as the sole foundation of learning success. The reading assessments provide personalized literacy support for each child— by playing educational games or reading a book one-on-one— and offer resources for the staff involved.

Literacy Readers is a program geared for 6-9th graders that furthers children's education by working one-on-one or in small groups to discuss literature or current events. Through this program, children also gain learning experiences through workshops and field trips.
Even during the summer, HOPES keeps that connection with the children. They provide the

Summer Enrichment Program, which furthers the children's education. The lessons in this program include art, science, creative writing, coding, music, and more. Beyond the academic aspect of this organization, HOPES believes in building confidence and growing each participant's love for learning.

Not only are the children given support and guidance, but the parents or guardians are provided with resources too. The monthly parent program covers topics such as enrollment in schools, the IEP process, the importance of reading with their children, how to assist children with homework or projects, and the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act— which discusses the educational rights of children experiencing homelessness*.

I had the pleasure of discussing these programs with Desiree Diaz-Mendoza, who started working with Chicago HOPES for Kids in January of 2023; Diaz-Mendoza is the Family Engagement and Outreach Coordinator, which means that she lets the Chicagoland area families know about HOPES. She finds that part most exciting; Diaz-Mendoza loves connecting with families and finding passionate volunteers to join HOPES. She explained that she serves with Chicago HOPES for Kids because of their essential mission: Providing students with high-quality programs focusing on personal and academic growth.

Readers who are interested in further learning about Chicago HOPES for Kids, please see the link below.

*In collaboration with the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless and other partners to provide these services.
*Here is the website for Chicago HOPES for Kids if interested