United H.O.P.E. Community Development Corporation, Inc.

United H.O.P.E. Community Development Corporation, Inc.

About our association

OVERVIEW

The United H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) Community Organization was founded in August, 1993. In April, 1998 we incorporated to become United H.O.P.E. (Helping Our People Excel) Community Development Corporation, Inc. Our boundaries include the 3600 block of Woodland Ave.(south side), to Doll Avenue merging into Alexander Avenue, the 3500 block of Virginia Ave., the 2800 block of Waldorf Ave., and the 4600 blocks of Reisterstown Rd., but does not exclude residents living on other streets in the immediate vicinity from joining. It is a tax exempt 501© 4 organization. The community is located in the Park Heights Urban Renewal Area in census tract 1513, now identified as the Park Heights Master Plan area.

MISSION

United H.O.P.E.'s mission is to look at ways to address the problems, the concerns and the needs of the immediate community and to improve the quality of life for all living and working in this community through self-help initiatives.

GOALS

United H.O.P.E 's goals are to provide the community with constructive activities that can be educational, cultural, inspirational, sociable, and economical and to be a mechanism for communication and dialogue for the community residents. A major focus of our overall mission, involves the well being and safety of our youth, with emphasis on behavioral management, educational efficacy, recreation and cultural expression through the arts. In addition to these goals, United H.O.P.E is also seeking to improve the community through cleaner and more sanitary surroundings, drug free corners, satisfactory housing conditions and neighborhood beautification.
The five major domains in which United H.O.P.E. focuses on include the following:
A. COMMUNITY TRANSFORMATION, DEVELOPMENT AND SUSTENANCE
B. SELF-EMPOWERMENT/ EMPLOYMENT
C. YOUTH INVOLVEMENT
D. EDUCATION/RECREATION AND CULTURAL EXPRESSION
E. DRUG AWARENESS/CRIME PREVENTION AND SAFETY

PROGRAMS and ACTIVITIES

The following is a brief description of United H.O.P.E.'s current programs and activities:

* Umoja H.O.P.E. Performers Youth Talent and Entertainment Project
* U H.O.P.E. Youth Sports League
* Kuumba Creative Youth Club
* Monthly organization meetings
* Community Flea Markets, Bazaars and Extravaganza
* Annual KWANZAA Celebration
* Annual Black History Month Activity
* "Garden of Hope" Project
* Annual Community "UNITY" Festival
* Valid Service Learning Agency for Baltimore City School Students
* Bi-Annual Newsletter
* Baltimore City Community Service Program Agency
* NIA Performing Arts and Community Learning Center

The purpose of the NIA Performing Arts & Community Learning Center is to:

* serve as a place of operation and facilitation for the various programs and projects implemented by United H.O.P.E. and partners;
* be a catalyst for change in the overall community as a collaborative resource for others working to improve the quality of life in the city;
* be a gathering place and resource center for disseminating and exchanging information pertinent to the African-American Community through meetings, workshops, lectures and forums; and
* be a safe haven for inner-city youth to gather, to interact with adults and to engage in positive activities.