Generations of Hope: Frequently-Asked Questions

What is Generations of Hope?

Generations of Hope is an innovative program, started in 1994 to support families adopting children from
foster care. It does this through its planned neighborhood--Hope Meadows. Generations of Hope is a 501c3 non-profit organization and licensed foster care and adoption agency. It uniquely meets two of today's most pressing social challenges -- children in need of families and older adults in search of purpose.

What is Hope Meadows and who lives there?

Hope Meadows is Generations of Hope's planned intergenerational community. Located in Rantoul, IL, it utilizes housing on 22 acres of a converted military base. This community includes approximately 12 Hope families, 50 children, and 60 older adults who live there in individual apartments and family homes. A small staff also works in the community.

How do I join the Hope Meadows community?

For an application to become a Hope Senior or a Hope Parent, please contact us.

What are the main goals of Generations of Hope?

To provide extended support to adoptive families of foster children and to create purpose and
meaning in the lives of older adults at Hope Meadows
To inform policy, legislation, and practice regarding the adoption of children from the foster care system, post-adoption support, and successful aging.

How is Hope funded?

Once children are adopted through Generations of Hope, State financial support ends. Initially Hope received over 70% of its funding from the State. Today it receives less than 20% of its revenue each year from the State of Illinois -- other revenue sources include grants, senior housing rental income, donations, etc.. See our current financial summary.

What is the difference between a Hope Child and a Foster Child?

An adoptive family and an exit from foster care
One stay-at-home parent
Sibling groups kept together
Many "grandparents" next door
On-site therapy as needed
A safe, diverse, caring community

Is long-term foster care an acceptable outcome for Hope?

Absolutely not. Children trapped in foster care often experience multiple placements, fall behind developmentally, sibling groups are separated, and educational, emotional and behavioral problems mount. Within a caring, intergenerational community, families can receive the support they need to adopt successfully many of the waiting children who would, otherwise, have a high probability of aging out of the system. Children at Hope find permanent adoptive families.

Are parents researched thoroughly before entering Hope?

Prospective Hope parents go through stringent screening and background checks, including fingerprinting and in-depth interviews.

Are there special events planned for the children?

The community teems with activities, utilizing the gifts of time and experience brought to the program by the older adult residents who live there. At Hope, there is an extensive after-school program and summer recreation program. There are also regular community gatherings to celebrate holidays, birthdays, etc. Periodically Hope sponsors intergenerational trips that are fun and educational.

What is the future for Hope Meadows?

As Hope Meadows moves through its second decade, efforts are underway to develop a teen program and to improve architectural features and policies to make it possible for the older adults to remain in their apartments as they age.

What is the future for Generations of Hope?

There is tremendous and growing interest nationwide to replicate the Hope Meadows neighborhood.
In 2006 the Generations of Hope Development Corporation (GHDC) was established, with the generous support of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, to extend the concept to address a range of social problems,
and to develop new Generations of Hope Communities (GHCs) across the country.