The Journey of Hope...
The inception of The Hope Center traces back to a modest room within the First Baptist Church in Jensen Beach. United by a shared vision, a small cluster of parents recognized the specialized requirements of their children, prompting them to establish Hope in 2002. Initially a sanctuary of intensive instruction for essential skills beyond conventional school curricula, Hope burgeoned into a public charter school catering to prekindergarten through 2nd grade in 2004. In 2012, the school outgrew its original abode, relocating to a new home on Indian Street. A pivotal juncture occurred in 2018 when The Hope Academy for Autism charter was embraced by the Martin County School District, encompassing grades 3 to 8 within our campus. In the year 2023, a decisive choice was undertaken to merge The Hope Academy into The Hope Center for Autism, a step taken to enhance clarity and coherence.
The passage through 8th grade doesn't mark the culmination of the needs of those with autism. Hope has expanded its purview to offer comprehensive assistance to individuals across all age groups and levels of ASD-related requirements. Among these additional supports are Next Step and the forthcoming Next Step Outreach.
Next Step, a peer-facilitated social-vocational initiative for adolescents with autism, was ignited on October 3, 2018, with a humble quartet of members. Today, it thrives with over 80 young adults and teens with autism, who congregate weekly to foster camaraderie, delve into the intricacies of navigating unspoken societal norms often eluding those with autism, and propagate autism awareness across our state. The group has left its footprint on conferences, engaged with legislators, and presently collaborates with a fellow young adult cohort in London.
Within the expanse of The Hope Center lies an oasis amid the landscape of societal expectations. Here, we provide a secure haven for mastering social, communication, academic, and executive function skills that may impede progress in less accommodating settings. We equip young adults with the tools to venture beyond our confines and secure employment. We prepare our students for seamless transitions into traditional educational environments. We stand by parents, offering insight into the realm of exceptional student education and autism. Furthermore, we extend a haven for the community, addressing the multifaceted spectrum of needs presented by individuals with autism.
