Hope Village Project

Hope Village is a vision of Ward Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church which will be led by its 501©3 Uplift-DC to provide not only housing, but a community of supportive neighbors, while embracing the concept, “it takes a village to raise a child.” Hope Village will consist of the construction of two buildings. One building will consist of apartments for grandparents or other custodial adults who are responsible for raising minor children. Another building will consist of condominium units for purchase that can assist senior citizens who may want to downsize and remain in the District of Columbia. First responders and other essential personnel will also have an opportunity to own property in the nation’s capital by residing in one of our anticipated modern condominiums. According to a Johns Hopkins University study, “minorities take pride in home ownership.”
Hope Village also will provide stable and safe housing for grandparents or other custodial adults who are responsible for raising minor children. The District of Columbia has a robust Grandparent Program which is managed by the Child and Family Services Agency. Grandfamilies.org identified nearly 3,000 grandparents in the District of Columbia who are responsible for their grandchildren. This building will also include on-site wrap-around services to aid in the growth and development of the young people residing in the building and in the community.
We can no longer wait on others to do everything for us. Ward Memorial and Uplift-DC decided it is time to use our resources to transform the community in which we are located. Juvenile crime is pervasive, but so is HOPE. Homelessness is pervasive, but so is HOPE. HOPE village is a sermon intended to not only be heard, but to be seen. To be seen as a living embodiment of what can happen when a few persons put their minds together to do something to help others and enrich their community.