The motto of Kids at Hope is ‘All Children are Capable of Success, No Exceptions!’ It is essential that community-based agencies strive to live by that bold imperative. But to really believe that and create programming that suggests we believe it, we have to check in with ourselves and view kids a bit differently.

Who wouldn’t want to make schools the happiest places on Earth?!

I watched with fascination all the cases that came before my case. Everyone (in the court) was so NICE! And caring, and interested and genuinely seeking to help kids-I don’t know why this should be a revolutionary, shocking circumstance to be witnessing, but it was truly something I have never seen in 33 years as an attorney who has frequented juvenile court. . .Not only did the judge smile and make a connection with the kid, the PROSECUTOR made a connection with all of them (the kid and his f… Read more

Being one of the younger treasurer hunters as well as a Kid at Hope, I wanted to say the hope tunnels do really make a difference during the first week of school. I attend Westwood high school and having all those familiar as well as unknown faces there for encouragement along with uplifting messages does really make a difference in how students (including myself) start the year off. I just wanted to say thank you for the dedication and positive difference you’ve been making around St.luci… Read more

Hearing Rick Miller speak and reading his book, which I keep on my bench, was very eye opening and altered, for the better, how I view the world. I use his Kids at Hope philosophy in court when dealing with kids and parents. I also use his philosophy and keep it in mind when dealing with my own kids and with other adults in my personal life. I also believe that this philosophy will help me when I move to the criminal bench.

I love Report Card Day.  I can see the kids joy when I’m reading to them their talents & what they could do with them when they get older.  I feel good leaving on those days knowing they all went home with that awesome feeling.

I can’t imagine my students in a school where Kids at Hope was not implemented. Students feel safe, relaxed and are motivated to learn and achieve their best.

We are so closely aligned in purpose and passion…We are bound to change the world together, one kid, one class, one community at a time!

Kids at Hope reminds us of why we have dedicated our lives to helping children and provides us a culture of hope and possibility for the children and for us.

…while there are no simple answers regarding how a school develops a culture of academic optimism and high expectations for all students, the Kids at Hope belief system provided remarkable strategies that effectively motivated the entire school community to create optimism and channel behavior toward the accomplishment of high academic goals.