The vision for The Hope Exchange was first imagined in early 2010. Less than a year later, The Hope Exchange became a registered Canadian charity, and in April 2011, we began operations.
While The Hope Exchange as a charity is brand new, our founding staff, board of directors and lead advisors have many decades of combined history – of intensive practical experience, direct service and leadership in social justice and compassion-based programs and outreaches across Canada and around the world.
At the core of our identity is an impassioned challenge to every individual in our nation, a call for all Canadians to shape their lives, families, schools, workplaces and communities by committing to the credo, I will…
Bring hope. Serve Well. Celebrate.
Hope Givers are those who have chosen a vocation of service to others, with a desire for healing, sustaining, restoring and sharing compassion. They are the frontline workers and committed volunteers who serve sacrificially among people who are surviving the challenges of homelessness, physical and/or intellectual disabilities and challenges, chronic and terminal illness, marginalization, poverty and oppression. They are the ones who set themselves aside to faithfully and lovingly care for family members or loved ones in need of continual support or care. Quietly and sacrificially, they are the lifeblood of our nation.
Yet, too often, these great callings are diminished by generalizations and inadequate descriptors that focus merely on tasks, rather than on their greatest core values. At The Hope Exchange, we purpose, therefore, to recognize and esteem them as Hope Givers, not simply as “caregivers” or “task-doers,” believing that as we do, they will be encouraged to be, and to give, their best.
Our starting place, in all our plans and endeavours, is to first ask the question: “Will this bring hope (wellness, resources, inspiration and encouragement) to Hope Givers? And if so, how?
During our foundational years, we are committed to building three initial pillars of focus through which we will “bring hope.” They are:
Support and Celebration, Direct Service, and Education for Children and Youth.
