The mission of HOPE Family Services (HOPE) is to promote safety, strength and well-being for victims of domestic violence and their children in Manatee County (Florida) regardless of race, sex, age, disability, ethnicity, national origin, language spoken, religious preference, political belief, immigration status or sexual orientation. All HOPE's services are offered confidentially and at no cost to a victim or survivor of intimate partner violence to include: 24 hour helpline, emergency safe shelter, advocacy, individualized safety planning, assistance with civil orders for protection, court escorts, case/service management and supportive counseling for adults and children (individual/group). The vision of HOPE is to ensure through services and social change every person in Manatee County has the skills and information necessary to solve problems in a non-violent manner, thus eliminating domestic violence.

Impact Summary from the Nonprofit HOPE's top accomplishment last year was expanding services to the rural, farmworking communities of Manatee County. Two bilingual and bicultural advocates are focusing on safety for those women, isolated and alone, in the farmworking 'camps' to receive information on safety planning, the impact of domestic violence on children and how to access services at HOPE. HOPE's staff members were also able to expand the Primary Prevention Program from only high school classes to both high school and middle school students so those on the cusp of dating relationships can learn about healthy and unhealthy patterns of behavior with the ultimate goal of decreasing the number of victims of domestic violence. HOPE staff members are currently working on a plan to expand to even younger children. The goals for the new year include overcoming barriers to helping migrant women in the farmworker program, working with the Board and staff members to finalize a communications and fundraising plan and adding resources to the endowment to ensure HOPE's long term sustainability. While the organization is working on prevention, it is still necessary to have services for those who need them.