Imagine a world where people, young and old, live behind closed doors, isolated from friends and family, just because they are ‘different.’ Not too long ago, this was the reality for people with developmental disabilities. Thankfully, a group of concerned parents of children with special needs joined together to change that reality. They believed that their children deserved the same opportunities enjoyed by their siblings and friends. These parents opened one of the first preschools for children with developmental disabilities: HOPE for Retarded Children. In 1952, 12 children walked through the door of a one-room schoolhouse in San Jose and entered a new world – a world where they could receive an education, make friends, and be a part of their community.
The founding families of what became HOPE Services created a legacy that has grown through the years because their beliefs were timeless. Their philosophy became our mission: To assist people with developmental disabilities to live and participate in their communities.
Today, HOPE Services, a nonprofit agency, provides programs that assist children, adults and seniors with developmental disabilities to become valued and participating members of their communities. We serve approximately 3,000 individuals with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorders, Down’s syndrome, and other related conditions.
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