Anchor of Hope Foundation, Inc. Information

Anchor of Hope Foundation, Inc. is a Christian nonprofit organization that provides advocacy, counseling, financial support, respite care, and resources to families who are facing developmental disability (DD). DD manifests before an individual's 22nd birthday, and is a disability characterized by significant limitations in intellectual functioning (reasoning, learning, problem solving), and in adaptive behavior (social and practical skills). With a diagnosis of DD affecting 1 in every 6 children today, we strive to be a "yes" to families who so often hear "no" when seeking support. We actively seeks to raise community awareness and increase community engagement in our mission. In part, this is done through special events such as our Annual Autism Awareness Festival held every April, and our monthly Parents' Night Out respite program, both of which promote inclusion. By engaging community members in conversations about DD and the need to reframe societal perceptions of disability, we all discover the different abilities and the unique purposes of these individuals. Besides our special events and respite program growing in size and attendance each year, our Supplemental Care Scholarship Program remains a growing part of Anchor of Hope Foundation, as well. Anyone with a diagnosis and a need may apply once per calendar year for a grant to assist with the added expenses associated with DD. Families face anywhere from an additional $3,000 - $25,000 per year when raising a special needs child. That large sum is in excess of the expected annual expenditure associated with raising a child, and in some cases can reach an extra $1 million before that child reaches the age of 18. This added financial burden, paired with the constant emotional struggle parents face, creates a growing need for grant funding and support services for the DD community.