Building Power for Justice: Giving Voice, Creating Community, and Choosing Hope

When neighbors gather to share their stories, something powerful happens. Pain is witnessed. Isolation gives way to solidarity. And from that sacred space, justice work begins. The Hillsborough Organization for Progress and Equality (HOPE) is a coalition of 29 church congregations, including St. Andrews, united by a shared conviction: faith calls us to act. Together, we give voice to the voiceless and build people power for dignity, fairness, and hope—turning concern into meaningful change.

We Listen, Discern, and Act

HOPE begins with listening. We sit with neighbors, families, seniors, and people with disabilities, honoring lived experience and allowing real stories to guide our work. Through prayerful discernment, HOPE’s leaders, team leaders, and network members vote on the issues we will address together. This year, HOPE adopted youth and education as a priority issue. A committee was formed and chose to focus on special education, seeking to better understand the challenges faced by students, families, and educators—and to advocate for systems that truly serve all children.

The Housing Crisis: A Moral Issue

More than 103,000 families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities in our region spend over one-third of their income on housing, leaving many one emergency away from crisis. And yet, there is hope. After more than a decade of advocacy, the HOPE Affordable Housing Fund has helped make possible 1,100 safe, affordable homes. In the past year alone, 386 new homes opened at Casa Di Francesco, Baytown, Fulham Terrace, and Casa Bel Mar—creating stability, dignity, and opportunity. We give thanks for what faith and persistence have accomplished and continue to hold in prayer our county commissioners, partners, and all those most impacted by the housing crisis.

Your Participation Matters

Justice work is not spectator work. Your presence, your voice, and your reflection matter. As you engage with HOPE, we invite you to consider what moved you, where you saw hope, and how this work connects to your faith.

Investing in What We Value

The HOPE Investment Drive sustains and grows this work—developing leaders, engaging congregations, and strengthening people power. Investment is an opportunity, not a requirement. The return is measured in transformed lives, stronger communities, and opportunity made real.

Tuesday, April 21, 2026, 7:00 PM is a significant date for HOPE. The Nehemiah Action event is taking place at the Bible-Based Fellowship Church. This year, we aim to gather 1,500 individuals to hold our leaders accountable and inspire them to take action. 

Sherree Ento, Justice Ministry Leader

St. Andrew's United Methodist Church

For more information on St. Andrew's Justice Ministry and their work with HOPE, or to join the Justice Ministry, please visit their website at Justice Ministry | St. Andrew's United Methodist Church or their Facebook page here.

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