Hope For Youth

In 1991, staff and volunteers at the Star of Hope recognized a dire need in the community when the youth they served left the shelter and returned to their previous circumstances. In many cases, the progress made at the shelter was quickly overcome by the youths’ environment. In the absence of ongoing contact and encouragement, most youth felt that yet another door was closed in their face. In September of 1991, a group of concerned citizens, led by Star of Hope volunteer Wendy Dewlen and staff member Kim Hansen, came together to form Hope for Youth as a way to help these teenagers stay connected and thrive in their difficult surroundings For over 25 years, Hope For Youth has provided programming designed to give Houston’s urban youth a fighting chance for a better future, through healthy relationships with Christian mentors and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ.

Since 1991, youth from shelters, various inner city neighborhoods, and housing projects around Houston have been offered a better chance to discover their full potential through the programs offered by Hope for Youth. These programs are designed to open the doors of hope to youth in need of the compassionate leadership so necessary to foster spiritual, academic, and social growth. To facilitate that growth, we offer programming in four broad categories; Large Group Outreach, Small Group Discipleship, Camps and Retreats, and Summer Programs. Outreach Events Friday Night Live is our primary outreach program. Youth are encouraged to invite their friends to join them. Typically held two Fridays a month, the night starts off with dinner, games, and fellowship before hearing a short devotion/message followed by small-group discussion about the topic of the week. It is our goal to create a loving and inviting atmosphere where students can come to lay all of their worries aside, while interacting with volunteers who expose them to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our hope is that they will see something they want to get plugged into and keep coming back.

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