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. However, the programs Hope House offers bring about a positive change. Children experience the thrill of new books, the joy of hearing their parents read to them on audio recordings, 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 in prison find ways to communicate family history, important life lessons, and even favorite relationship tips. Children with parents in prison who live in the DC metro area get together for events to celebrate holidays or their return to school--gatherings that 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 families from all over the DC metro area, with the highest concentration in Southeast DC and Prince George's County.

Age Groups Served: Youth (5-11); Pre-teen/teen (12-17); Young adult (18-24); Adult (25-49); Seniors (50+)

Population(s) Served: Low- to Moderate-Income Community Members; Men/Boys; Women/Girls; Students; All


  • Father-to-Child Summer Camp Experiences:   1600
  • Books recorded for the Parent-to-Child Reading Program:   25,000
  • Tons of food delivered from 2020 to 2024 for the Boost Baskets Program:   2

Awards & Recognition

Outstanding Criminal Justice Program, NCJA - 2018

Champion for Child Well-Being Award, ASU Center for Child Well-Being-2018

The White House Champions of Change Award (for Hope House Founder Carol Fennelly) - 2013

AARP Purpose Prize (for Hope House Founder Carol Fennelly) - 2013

Global Fund for Children's Global Catalyst Award - 2013

Foundation for Improvement of Justice Paul H. Chapman Award - 2012

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.

About Spur Local

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