Who We Are

Hope Institute is a global organization working to improve the quality of care children receive in group homes. We know that the residential care model can provide the necessary environment for children to become well-adjusted, self-sufficient, and productive members of their communities, but it can be challenging to achieve this outcome. That’s why we offer training in evidence-based best practices and advocate for high-quality care at every level.

Our Mission

To transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children by strengthening their systems of care.

Our Vision

A world in which children experience such a high quality of care in protection systems that they are equipped to break intergenerational cycles of abuse and neglect and contribute to the increased health of their larger community.

Our Team

Sean Rutter

Board Chair

Rickie Long

Board Vice-Chair
of Management

Paul Attia

Board Vice-Chair
of Programs

John Swigart

Board Member

Patricia Parras

Board Member

Stan Pierson

Board Member

Jim Anthony

Board Member

Adreanna Watts

Board Member

Philip Smith

Board Member

David Nowell

Executive Director

Meredith Norton

Program Director

Morgan Pagolu

Program Coordinator

History

Hope Unlimited For Children
Hope Unlimited For Children

Hope Unlimited for Children began rescuing children from the streets of Campinas, Brazil. Sharing their knowledge was part of the organizational DNA. In the words of co-founder Jack Smith, “Let’s hang a sign over the front gate: ‘Please copy!’” 

Formal Launch
Formal Launch

Hope Institute was formally launched as a part of Hope Unlimited for Children with the tagline “Training. Research. Advocacy,” representing the three components of Hope Institute’s approach to supporting residential care. Work got underway to develop and test a training protocol that focused on vocational readiness and preparing children to age out of care. 

Training Begins
Training Begins

 Scholarships were sought to cover the cost of training for the first centers, and the first Hope Institute trainings officially began. 

Assessment Tool Created
Assessment Tool Created

Hope Institute built its first assessment tool to evaluate the efficacy of programming for adolescents in residential centers. 

Work With India Begins
Work With India Begins

Hope Institute collaborated with Duke University and Whole Child International to develop a tool to assess residential care environments specific to India.

501(c)3 Chartered

Hope Institute was formally chartered as a stand-alone 501(c)3 by co-founders David Z. Nowell and Meredith Norton, with Sean Rutter serving as the founding board chair.

Pilot in India
Pilot in India

Hope Institute, Duke University, and Whole Child International partnered with NITI and SOS India to test their assessment tool in a pilot project including 60 orphanages in four states. 

Launched New Strategic Plan
Launched New Strategic Plan

Hope Institute is guided by our mission “To transform the lives of orphans and vulnerable children by strengthening their systems of care.”  The 2024 Strategic Plan clearly outlines the concrete steps we will take over the course of the next 5 years.

These people are the experts when it comes to children aging out of care.

Scott Brown

Christian Alliance for Orphans Aging-Out Initiative