Staff member Johnny Trujillo tells his story. Watch below
HOPE NOW NEWS
(Links to outside sources are not endorsements)
Senator Andy Vidak Honors Hope Now For Youth
On the occasion of our 25th anniversary, Senator Andy Vidak honored us with a beautiful certificate commemorating our 25th Anniversary. Senator Vidak serves the people of Fresno, Kern, Kings, and Tulare counties. Hope Now For Youth appreciates Senator Vidak’s ethical and moral leadership. That is what Hope Now is all about. The certificate was presented […]
New Executive Director
Our new executive director, Pastor Bryce Naylor, was installed by the board of directors at our 25th Anniversary Banquet. He took the reins on March 1st, 2018. Bryce is the third executive director since 1994 and follows on the heels of Pastor Roger Feenstra who retired from that position and led the organization for 14 […]
Bill Murray Announces Retirement
Bill Murray has announced he will retire from Hope Now For Youth on December 31st, 2017. Bill has been an integral part of Hope Now since 2004. When Bill came to Hope Now, he assisted the late John Raymond in placing young men into full-time jobs. During his 14 years on staff, he placed hundreds […]
Project Fresno Back In Full Swing
In the spirit of being good citizens and members of our community, Hope Now is working with the City of Fresno to help keep our streets clean. This week we are working in a large section of Southwest Fresno. Our Hope Now youth are making a difference.
New Opportunities Ahead
Even the most basic of skills are profitable when working with an at-risk young man. Perhaps none of these four ever thought they would perform office tasks. These skills help young men see another side of life and may encourage them to go to school and try something different. We look for every opportunity to […]
Hope Now To Be Featured
On November 4th, 2017 Hope Now For Youth will be featured in the Fresno Bee’s insert, Giving To Our Community. Be sure to check your paper, or purchase one at a newsstand.
No Gang Banging Here
When they could be on the streets causing trouble, instead they’re at our place. We are developing caring relationships and helping young men become responsible citizens. Thanks for your support and prayers.
Hope Now Sponsor of Golf Tournament
Hope Now was a tee sponsor for the Fresno Rescue Mission Healing Hearts Golf Tournament. (Pictured by sign) Executive Director Roger Feenstra and Board of Directors vice-chair, Franklin Spees. Other team members included, Director of Program and Discipleship, Bryce Naylor and Hope Now supporter, Nick Allen.
We Can Help With Odd Jobs
Is there something you have been wanting to get done, but haven’t had the time? Did you know we can help you around your home with odd jobs? Hundreds of satisfied people have used the services of young men enrolled in our Program. Hope Now youth may be able to help you. Call our office […]
We Love Our Volunteers
Deja Riel is helping us around the office this month! She is working to streamline our mailing list process. Deja is performing data entry which will reduce the cost of our monthly newsletter mailings. Deja’s husband Sona, completed our Hope Now program over a decade ago. He works for the County of Fresno in the […]
Educere Donates To Hope Now
Our executive director receives a generous donation from Educere Educational Services. We are grateful for their support.
Charity Golf Tournament Gift
Hope Now For Youth was selected as the charity for the United Valley Insurance team which participated in the Chubb Insurance Charity Golf Tournament. The team came in fourth place and presented us with a check for $1,100. Thank you United Valley Insurance!
New Year, New Expectations
A new year is supposed to bring expectations of better days, but for many young men, a life of hopelessness is all they can see. The idea of a job is impossible to imagine, and the thought of even trying seems futile and pointless. In fact, one of the greatest characteristics we see in the […]
Looking Forward
A couple of years ago his 2-year-old brother was killed in a drive-by shooting. Two weeks ago his teenage sister was gunned down by rival gang members. It is not a season to be jolly for this young man. A high school dropout and a Bulldog gang member, the odds are stacked against him. Yet, […]
Good Men, Good Citizens
Helping gang members become good citizens is possible. Like anything we do, it takes training and education. We do not believe in activism. We believe in action and in the American dream that all men can succeed. Teaching citizenship is a lost art. Most of the young men we work with have no idea where […]
Characteristics of Gang Youth
The characteristics of gang youth may be closer to home than you think… HOPELESSNESS No sense of the future. Living in survival mode. Do not care if engaged in future-wrecking behavior. Do not care about school because it is too future-oriented. Need hope just for tomorrow. A job and bills to pay orients you to […]
Top 10 Reasons Young Men Succeed
/ jenni
A Message from Roger Feenstra, Executive Director The Psalmist asked the question, “How can a young man keep his way pure?” Solomon, in his great wisdom, commented that many young men “lack sense.” Once, a young man asked Jesus, “What do I lack?” There is no question that young men need direction, guidance, and hope for a future they do […]
Marquise’s Story
/ Hope Now
Marquise’s grandmother died. She was the rock, the glue, the force that held their family together. While she lived, she took him to church, but when she died it was as if everything died with her. Her death hurt him deeply. Marquise told me, “When my grandmother died, no men in the family stepped up. […]
Meet Terrell, A Hope Now Graduate
/ Hope Now
“I had no moral standards. I cared for no one except myself. All I wanted to do was terrorize the streets, and I did.” This is a typical quote we hear from young men who have grown up with no moral compass. Terrell never knew his father. Born to a 15-year-old mother, “It was more […]
Hope Now: A Lasting Impact
/ Hope Now
The success of any organization is measured not by what they say they will do, but by what they actually do. Results are the test of an organization’s ability to give shareholders or stakeholders a return on their investment. Hope Now’s return comes in the form of lives changed. For 24 years we have helped […]
Tony’s Transformation
/ Hope Now
“I was a bad kid who loved to fight.” At the age of 11, Tony began getting in trouble at school. His fighting and disobedience led to suspension and eventual expulsion from Fresno Unified Schools. When he was 12 years old, he didn’t care what happened to him. Without a dad to guide him, Tony […]
Help Us Achieve Our $25,000 Matching Grant
/ jenni
We have received a matching grant from the SG Foundation. The SG Foundation trustees and staff collectively strive to serve God and the poor by relieving suffering and improving the quality of life in communities and in the individuals in those communities both locally and around the world. Our goal this year is to hire […]
Hope Now Featured in Fresno Bee
/ Hope Now
Supporting Hope Now financially is a huge help. We need monthly donations to keep us moving ahead as we help young men trapped in gangs. But there are other ways you can help too. Another way is to get the word out about Hope Now. Recently, one of our supporters wrote a beautiful, informative letter […]
Nothing is Impossible
/ Hope Now
Foolish and impossible! Some may think working with gang members is just that. Maybe from a jaded perspective, they are right. But for those who have witnessed the rescue of these troubled young men, it’s not foolish or impossible. To them, it’s a miracle. There is a popular song today that addresses this philosophy. The […]
Anthony’s New Job
/ Hope Now
Anthony was certain we were taking him to the wrong employer. How could he be getting a job at a dental surgery center? After all, his life had been on the fast track to nowhere. He believed the best he could do was a warehouse job, stacking boxes. For five years now, Anthony has been […]