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.
Hope’s Story
Through the Years
1957
Hope Is Founded
Hope was founded as The Hope School by Dr. and Mrs. Jordan , who hoped to create a school that could serve their daughter, Judith Ann, and other children with multiple disabilities.
1963
The Hope School Moves
The Hope School moved to it’s present 26-acre campus on the shore of Lake Springfield.
1999
Hope’s First Home
Hope purchased and opened it’s first group home in the community.
2003
Learning Center Opens
A new state-of-the-art Learning Center was opened on the Springfield Campus. Hope also helped create (and still serves as the lead agency for) The Autism Program of Illinois (TAP), a statewide network of autism resources and services.
2007
Hope Pavilion Establishes
Hope create the Hope Pavilion, which helps families connect with needed services and resources for children with developmental differences and mental illness.
2008
Capital Area Career Center Classroom
Hope opened its first community-based classroom at Capital Area Career Center.
2009
Hope Institute of Learning Academy in Chicago Opens
Hope opened The Hope Institute of Learning Academy in Chicago.
2010
Illinois Crisis Prevention Network Begins
In conjunction with Trinity Services, Hope started the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network (ICPN) for the Northern part of Illinois.
2011
ICPN Expands & Hope Cafe Opens
Hope opened the Hope Café at the Hope Pavilion and expanded the ICPN program statewide.
2012
Vocational Training Center Opens
Hope opened the Hope Vocational Training Center for full day and half day vocational students. Hope also converted all residential homes to group homes.
2013
Hope opens first ABA preschool program in Springfield
Hope opens first ABA preschool program in Springfield and is rebranded as The Autism Clinic at Hope.
2016
Hope Expands to Kirkwood, MO and Edwardsville, IL
The Autism Clinic at Hope takes over the TAP program from UCP-Heartland and moves to Edwardsville, IL.
2017
Hope Inclusion Cafe & Play Opens
Hope opened the Hope Inclusion Café and Play in the Ginger Creek Plaza.
2018
Hope Expands to O’Fallon, IL
Hope opened The Autism Clinic in O’Fallon, IL
2019
The Vocational Academy Grows
Hope moved and expanded The Vocational Training Academy
2020
Hope Expands to Gallatin, TN
Hope opened The Autism Clinic in Gallatin, Tennessee