The Blade: HOPE Toledo touts accomplishments after three years
James Gilbert-Parks doesn’t typically like public speaking but he couldn’t turn down the opportunity Tuesday to attend a HOPE Toledo news conference to showcase the scholarship program’s successes and proudly stand as an example.
The 2020 Scott High School graduate, now in his third year at Lourdes University, said he’s well on his way to earning a degree in business administration thanks to the promise by Ottawa Hills native Pete Kadens two years ago to cover all post-secondary education costs for 2020 Scott High School graduates and one of their parents.
As HOPE Toledo approaches its third anniversary since that promise, Mr. Gilbert-Parks stood proudly before a crowd of roughly 35 people as an example of the program’s success for both post-secondary students and those in pre-school.
“I would like to be like a success story and actually use this opportunity to get a nice job, open up my own business, and just show that if you get into this program, you can make something out of it,” he said.
The Rev. John Jones, CEO and executive director of HOPE Toledo, said Tuesday marked the first time the organization released a detailed report about its progress in providing high-quality pre-school programs and fulfilling its HOPE Toledo Promise.
Standing with Mayor Wade Kapszukiewicz, TPS Superintendent Romules Durant, as well as other elected officials and community stakeholders, Mr. Jones laid out how the HOPE Toledo pre-school and post-secondary programs have so far created generational change for families in the community.
To date, the number of pre-school providers has grown from 10 to 20, while enrollment in those programs has grown from 170 children last April to about 270 children this year, with a goal of 300 total this school year and 500 in about two years.
For the Scott High School graduates and parents, there are currently more than 200 working toward a degree or certificate at a college, university, or trade school. Eight of those students — and two parents — have completed one of those programs.
HOPE Toledo launched its pre-school program in 2021 with help from ProMedica and Toledo Public Schools with its initial 10 community-based providers that follow set curricula standards, offer small classes, and center on family engagement. The move followed Mr. Kadens’ January, 2020, pledge to pay college tuition, room, board, and fees for 2020 and 2021 graduating Scott seniors who wanted to further their educations.
But despite its accomplishments so far, Mr. Jones said the work is far from over. As HOPE Toledo looks to expand and assist more families, more funding will be needed, as well as community assistance in providing what he referred to as wraparound services to help pre-school families with transportation and other needs.
“The challenge is really simply long-term sustainable funding,” he said. “We are laser focused on what we've done and we're grateful that we have the City of Toledo, Lucas County, [and] several business partners that have stepped up with funding dollars, but that is not enough.
“[Mr.] Durant stated a number in our press conference — Head Start serves about 2,000 kids, but there are 8,000 who need help,” he added. “We were able to chip off a little bit with what we've done, but it's all tied to the funding and the resources that are there and we have to really have a strong conversation in this community about what that looks like.”
For more information about HOPE Toledo’s annual report, or to get involved with the programs, go to hope-toledo.org.