Destiny of HOPE--(Helping Our People Excel)

Destiny of HOPE was begun as a ministry of the Imani Mission. Some of the programs they offer include:

“WE ARE FAMILY” AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM: The focus areas are nurturing techniques and attitudes for parents that builds healthy self-esteem, good listening, character building, conflict resolution, family strengthening and self awareness. Activities include homework/reading time, educational sessions, recreation, arts & crafts and field trips. This program meets on a weekly basis, M/T/E/Th, from 4:30-6:30pm for 9 months. In the summer, we have a week long day camp for each month, June, July and August. This program is funded by the State of Missouri under Title II.

I.C.U. (INNER CITY COMMUNITY UNITED): This group of civic African-American males was formed to provide leadership for the community, in particular, the young males. The group meets on a bi-weekly basis and works closely with the Columbia Public School system to provide mentoring, guidance and advocacy for the inner city youth. Their goal is to provide lasting relationships with the youth and their families beyond mentoring. This program is funded by individual and community contributions.

COURT ADVOCACY & YOUTH ADVOCACY: Two of our staff are heavily involved with court and youth advocacy because of disproportionate minority contact in the juvenile justice system and the state and federal court system. We have many cases where the defendants and victims have no funding for adequate legal counsel. As advocates in the schools and courts, we help individuals to secure good resources and teach a basic understanding of the law. This has been very helpful to the African Americans and Africans we serve, because of language barriers and cultural diversity.

S.E.W. (SISTERS EMPOWERED TO WORK): This is a program for girls and women to learn sewing and provide employment opportunities, especially for the African women. We meet once a week, and then the women are free to come and sew during weekdays, when school is in session. We have a high demand for machines, because then the women can eventually take the machines home and sew for profit.

SACRED SPACE: This is a weekly program that is just beginning. It is a interior design class based on “creating sacred space”. The goal is to assist adults who want to create an atmosphere of peace in their homes, whether it be public housing, rental or home ownership. The basics of interior design are taught from some of the University of Missouri Dept. of Architecture curriculum and years of interior design experience. This program emphasizes a “more with less” cost structure, while creating a beautiful home for our families.