The Growth of Hope Children’s Home

For more than 50 years, Hope Children’s Home in Tampa, Florida, has provided shelter, care, and a loving Christ-centered environment for youth who have been abandoned, neglected, and abused. A faith-based alternative to foster care, Hope Children’s Home aims to keep siblings together in order to create a sense of normalcy and support.

In an episode of the Christian Television Network’s program Bay Focus that looked back on the organization’s success at the time of its 49th anniversary, executive director Dr. Mike Higgins discussed how the nonprofit has grown over the decades. Originally set up to focus on the needs of older children and teens, the shelter and its Hope Christian School now serve youth of all ages ranging from infants to high school students. Dr. Higgins also mentioned his organization’s emphasis on helping the young people that it works with as they enter adulthood. He and his team do everything in their power to assist graduating high school seniors who choose to attend college.

In a 2017 interview with Bay Focus, Dr. Higgins talked about the organization’s expansion of its housing to include the Cottages of Hope at its Tampa campus. These cottages offer a warm, family-like atmosphere for sibling groups under the care of "house parents" who are available around the clock.

Residents of Hope Children’s Home have occasionally appeared on Bay Focus alongside Dr. Higgins. A pair of siblings living in one of the cottages described their experiences, which included playing, cooking in the kitchen, and going on “family vacations” as a group.

The organization, which is dedicated to reuniting families whenever possible, seeks to provide children with the warmth and encouragement of a genuine family. To learn more or to send a donation to support Hope Children’s Home’s many activities and programs, visit HopeChildrensHome.org.