​Hope Collaborative’s goal is to make leadership development a standard for children’s development.

We partner with youth advocacy organizations that already have relationships with kids and teens from low-income neighborhoods, and provide them with high-quality leadership development programming infused with youth-centric storytelling, art, and creative media.

Harvard University research indicates the two missing solutions to urban poverty are well-paying jobs for adults and leadership development (social-emotional learning development) for youth. Our programming provides inner city schools and after-school programs the necessary youth development resources to get this work done effectively and at a high level over a sustained multi-year period of a child’s development during the middle and high school years.

The population of youth living under the poverty line in Massachusetts represents a staggering 200,000+ young people who face toxic circumstances and stress that include violent neighborhoods, the effects of drug trafficking culture, and families that often break down in the face of overwhelming economic odds. Low-income neighborhood schools are often overwhelmed just addressing the standard academic performance issues, dealing with behavioral challenges, the effects of family problems, and overall lack of funding and support.

​Youth are constantly at risk of leaving school, but Hope’s programming has been shown to make a life-changing difference. Schools and communities that would otherwise be unable to provide this critical additional leadership development programming for their kids need our assistance, and come to us in increasing numbers.