Hope Center (HC)

The Center offers fun, exciting and life-changing programs for children in a safe environment. It promotes wellness, empowers children to set and achieve personal and educational goals, cultivates individual and social development and shows that each child matters. Most importantly, they have the freedom and rare opportunity just to be carefree children.

HC programs are for children in three age groups, 3-6 yrs, 7-10 yrs and 11-15 yrs. They focus on children at risk such as those affected by AIDS, orphans, abused children, street children and those living in extreme poverty. Our programs and activities empower children to overcome chronic negative experiences by rebuilding their emotional and social competence while having fun. Through scheduled activities that build trust, foster independence, encourage self-control and respect for the feelings and rights of others our staff support personal use of these programs in a safe and healthy physical environment specifically designed for children. In addition, HC provides a nutritious meal for every child in the program.

The Hope Center programs are focused on children but also involve adults so that they can become well-informed parents, teachers and caregivers. Some of the character building programs focus on:

* Learning to forgive
* Homework assistance
* Developing trust and establishing roots for family
* Communication, interaction and motivation
* HIV/AIDS control and prevention
* Respect of self and others by understanding and appreciating differences
* Breaking the cycle of abuse and breaking bonds of shame
* Life skills
* Good decision-making
* Family and school reintegration
* Problematic behavior and how to respond lovingly
* Resolving conflicts non-violently
* Planning sequenced steps to attain interpersonal goals (means-ends thinking)
* Understanding and taking responsibility for the consequences of each action for the welfare of the community.

CNI programs value parents. They support them by responding to traumatic family crises (e.g. illness or death of parent/guardian), link families to available services such as Non Government Organizations (NGO) and supply information on controlling violence.

Through weekly children's programs, drop-in and after-school programs, resource centers, information pamphlets and a telephone help line, parents, hospitals, and health centers can use HC for getting updated information and support.

We believe that through these efforts children can overcome the negative effects of their environment, learn positive life skills and develop inner strength to realize their own self-worth and gain a better future.

Click Here for information on Project Relay Hope.