From these humble beginnings grew a thriving community of service and support that is the Hi-Hope of today.
Our History
Almost 60 years ago, Nell Moses wanted the very best for her child. She turned to the Lawrenceville Jaycees who embraced her and helped open a school focused on the needs of developmentally disabled children. Hi-Hope Service Center was incorporated as a 501(c)(3) non-profit in 1960. It was founded by the parents of six young students (one being Nell's child) from Gwinnett County - one of the first organizations in Georgia to teach children with intellectual disabilities. Mrs. Vinie Lowry became Hi-Hope's first paid teacher in 1961, hosting the school on her property for the first 7 years. Under the stalwart leadership of Mrs. Lowry, and support from many parents and the greater Gwinnett community, construction of a "special needs school" was completed in 1970. In the late 1990s, when all student programs were integrated into the public school system, Hi-Hope successfully transitioned to an organization supporting adults with developmental disabilities.
In 2015, Hi-Hope entered into a strategic partnership with the Enterline Foundation that has secured our future of service in Gwinnett County and allowed us to enhance our ability to serve individuals with developmental disabilities.
I had always been told they couldn’t do anything, but I was fascinated by what they could do.
What We've Achieved
Here are some of our many accomplishments:
- Commission on Accreditation on Rehabilitative Facilities (CARF) Accreditation
- Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's 2016 IMPACT Regional Business Award in the Nonprofit Category
- Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce's 2011 Pinnacle Award in the Nonprofit-Large Category
- Gwinnett County Department of Community Services, Parks and Recreation Operation Division, Volunteer of the Year Award, 2006
- The D. Scott Hudgens Humanitarian Award, 2006
- Georgia House Resolution 1158 recognizing Hi-Hope's legacy of service
- Gwinnett County Parks and Recreation Volunteer Award, 2016