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

Budget (FY2023)

  • $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 $3 million. This graphic indicates the budget range of the organization featured here. If you see an organizational budget above the $3 million mark, that is because the featured charity has grown in size since it first appeared in the Catalogue. We proudly present on our website the work of these "growth" charities.

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