Helping Others Prepare For Eternity

Our mission is to turn “despair into hope” by providing access to a myriad of services to disadvantaged women, children and associated families. H.O.P.E. strives to alleviate food insecurity through direct food assistance along with case management, coaching and advocacy to encourage progress toward self-sufficiency. Through the M&m Youth Program, we seek to provide a foundation for children that will work to break the generational cycle of poverty.

Since 1997, the H.O.P.E. Family Support Center has been a one stop safety net provider in Orange County, offering a myriad of support services to women and children regardless of race, creed, or religion. H.O.P.E.’s mission is to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, violence, and substance abuse found in many of the families it serves.
H.O.P.E. is the culmination of founder Gayle Knight’s personal mission to help women and children, especially single parent families, since 1991. The Buena Clinton neighborhood in the City of Garden Grove was her first stop as she witnessed women with young children who were living in fear of their abusers in precarious environments without the knowledge or ability to escape to safety.
Working from the trunk of her car, Gayle offered food, clothing, and rental assistance with the goal of turning despair into hope. She realized that they needed more than handouts. They needed the tools to change their lives. She envisioned a place where women and children could find hope, find training and support to build a bridge to a brighter future.
As a result, H.O.P.E. began offering services, first, from a small office and then 28 years ago, expanded into its current location on the corner of historic Main Street and Acacia Parkway in Garden Grove. Today, with the help of community volunteers and a small staff, H.O.P.E. is serving over 10,000 individuals a year, many of whom are at-risk women and youth throughout Orange County, and the demand is growing.

H.O.P.E.’s long history of being at the front-lines serving the most vulnerable in our community through our One-Stop Safety Net Program allows us to quickly and proactively respond to the many challenges faced by the people were serve, without missing a beat. While some service organizations have been forced to limit or cut-back their services, H.O.P.E.’s leadership has stepped in to fill the void and increase our impact and serve ever more hurting people.

Throughout 2025, H.O.P.E distributed more than 800,000 pounds of food, valued at more than $2 Million, to thousands of women, children and families. With the impact of rising food costs, many of the people we served in 2025 required much more frequent food security assistance. In many cases our clients required some form of assistance on a weekly basis. However, these statistics do not provide a complete picture of the impact of H.O.P.E.'s work in the lives of those struggling with nowhere else to turn. One such women who we served is a homeless pregnant women who was living in a motel. She was overjoyed to receive nutritious food and a $50 gas card to help her get to appointments. It is impossible to describe her emotion when she received these items and said "I didn't know there were places like H.O.P.E. who help people." In that moment, her despair was turned into Hope.

Staffing -  Seeking funding for our current Program Manager position as this position is the first impression of H.O.P.E. We also intend to hire a part-time bilingual Case Manager.  The Case Manager will meet with all program participants to ensure clients are on the path to self-sufficiency.  Estimated annual cost is $26,000.  Additionally, as part of our strategic and succession plan, we wish to employ a full-time Chief Program Officer to oversee all employees, programs, volunteers, services and interns.  To add these key personnel we need to raise an additional $100,000 per year.

Orange County, CA 

As CEO of H.O.P.E. for nearly 30 years, I have observed how effectively and efficiently H.O.P.E. has managed its resources.  From its humble beginnings in 1997 from the trunk of my car to the present 4000 square foot One Stop, Safety Net service Center.  Helping Women Succeed is a great program that builds the confidence in women who have many challenges to overcome, giving their children a stable future. H.O.P.E. continues it's mission to support Orange County's at-risk populations, especially abandoned/abused women and children from disadvantaged families. I assure you that we maximizing each and every dollar donated.  I am pleased that you are considering becoming part of this journey.  The first children I served have come full circle and are now putting into practice the family values they gained as children of H.O.P.E.  I would like to encourage you to support our worthy mission as we continue to turn despair into hope.    
For Hope,
Gayle Knight 

I spent my career working in education, primarily with the Garden Grove Unified School District. As a result of H.O.P.E. long-term collaboration with GGUSD, supporting children and families in need, I was introduced to Gayle Knight and the incredible work being done by H.O.P.E. in the community. Throughout my career, I have served some of the most vulnerable and marginalized students to give them ‘hope” so they can be self-sufficient.  Working with Gayle and the HOPE Team, I am able to see the direct impact on children and their mothers who are experiencing food, housing, and resource insecurities.  It is a true honor that years later, I am
serving as the Chair of the Board of HOPE.