Mission and History

The year was 1957 when The Hope School opened its doors in a modest house in Springfield. Hope’s founders, Dr. and Mrs. Charles E. Jordan, had searched the world for a place to educate their daughter who had multiple disabilities. They wanted Judith Ann to have the chance to reach her full potential, but no school in the United States could serve her. So the Jordan’s created a school. They created Hope. The Jordan’s had a vision and took action. The Hope School brought hope to many families who were also searching for community services.

Hope gained the attention of President John F. Kennedy and ignited change in disability policy and services throughout the United States. President Kennedy named Dr. Jordan to the President’s Council on Disabilities and other governmental councils, where Dr. Jordan helped shape a new reality for children and adults living with disabilities. At about the same time, the Special Olympics were founded in Chicago. Illinois was the forefront of change and The Hope School was squarely at its center. The Hope School emerged as a provider of educational and residential services. It became a place where children facing extraordinary cognitive, physical and emotional challenges could learn and thrive.

Today Hope has become more than a school. It is leading the development of new methods to educate, treat and care for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and other developmental disabilities. Our programs include The Hope Learning Academies, The Autism Clinic at Hope, Therapy Relief at Hope, The Illinois Crisis Prevention Network, The Autism Program of Illinois, and Wrentham Therapeutic Services.