Knowing Hope Inc

When I was a 20 something year old, my second job as a pediatric OT was working in my state's early intervention system. I would work there for a year, then went back for another consecutive 17 years after a year hiatus to experience life down south. Working there brought many incredibly meaningful relationships, including one which would impact my life forever. It was there that I met someone who would become one of my BFF's. My trusted and constant friend. My soul sister.

Over the years I would discover my friend and I shared the same heart for orphans. She began traveling to Russia, Siberia, and then China to volunteer in orphanages. I traveled back to China to volunteer in orphanages. Our skills as pediatric therapist and special educator were in desperate need. Orphanages around the world were full of children with medical and special needs. The caregivers needed partners to know how to best care for these children. Through our conversations and shared experiences, the idea for Knowing Hope Inc. was born. We envisioned continued outreach to orphanages through teaching and training. We would empower those "on the ground" with the skills they needed. As I continued to volunteer in China, the thirst for this knowledge grew and grew. We were asked if our teachings were government sponsored. We were were asked when we would be coming back. Invitations grew. The conference rooms were overfull. People were turned away as we needed larger space. And the word began to leak out into the community where parents, raising their children with medical and special needs, would attend. Hope was needed, and it was clear that somehow, through us, it was being given. It was given by partnering alongside with those who do the real work. The need was shown and clear. Trust had been built in an area where trust is rarely given. More needed to be done.

The purpose of Knowing Hope Inc is threefold: to provide education and training to those caring for children with medical and special needs; to provide palliative care/hospice services to the sickest of children; and to enable impoverished families to receive the support they need to obtain necessary medical care in order for children to remain in families. These purposes will allow us to serve our mission, which is to live to make a difference in the lives of orphaned and impoverished children by showing transformative compassion and care.

This past year has been a huge year of change, but one thing that has not changed was the desire to continue work that has been started. A year ago, Knowing Hope Inc was incorporated in the state of Massachusetts. This week, Knowing Hope Inc has been recognized as a 501(c)(3) by the IRS. Knowing Hope is officially a non profit. Dear, dear friends who have journeyed to China with us several times and led a team to China last year worked tirelessly on bylaws. We are now working fervently to get the logistics done such as get our website up and running, and are humbled by those who are asking how help can be given.

As I think back to all that has happened over the past 20 years, I am in awe of how it has all been unfolding. Our God has been in every single detail, each step of the way. He knew my soul sister and I, along with our dear friends, would make this happen. It is amazing to think of how each experience has been woven together to bring forth this very moment.

There is much to be done. Human lives are at stake. Life is way too short and in a blink time is gone. Live to make a difference. Little ones are counting on it.

Knowing Hope Inc
PO Box 72
Andover, MA 01810