Belonging Changes Everything: 3 Powerful Stories from the HOPE Community
When someone has a place they belong, they have the space to develop the self-belief needed to reach their goals and dreams.
During the recent December 16 DCSD Board Meeting, three members of the HOPE community shared deeply personal stories about the impact HOPE has had on their lives. Their words perfectly illustrated the heart of the HOPE motto: Belong. Believe. Become.
These stories remind us that HOPE is more than a school. It is a community where students are seen, families are supported, and futures are shaped through connection, belief, and opportunity.
Belonging That Opens Doors
One of the big reasons students come to HOPE is that they want to feel safe and understood.
For alumni Manny Saldana, that sense of belonging came during one of the most difficult periods of his life.
Manny has been part of HOPE since the fifth grade and faced homelessness and mental health challenges as a student. In the midst of this uncertainty, HOPE became a place of consistency and encouragement for Manny. It was a community that refused to give up on him, even when he struggled to believe in himself.
“Even during times when I faced homelessness, HOPE gave me stability, encouragement, and the chance to keep moving forward. I also struggled with severe depression, and there were moments when it felt impossible to keep going,” Manny shared.
“But HOPE kept lifting my spirits, reminding me not only of the importance of my education, but my own worth and will to continue, and because of that support, I was able to graduate.”
“HOPE was not just about academics for me. It was about belonging. I got to play sports, go to prom, and most importantly, celebrate HOPEcoming. I made friendships that I still cherish today.”
“When I look back, what stands out most is not a particular lesson from a textbook. It’s the relationships, the mentors who cared, the friends who stood by me, and the opportunities to participate and make memories that reminded me that I mattered.”
Today, Manny’s story has come full circle, returning to HOPE as Athletics, Activities and Events Coordinator, working to create the same sense of belonging for students walking a path similar to his own.
Manny’s journey reflects how HOPE strengthens the entire community by lifting students up and welcoming them back as leaders.
Believing That Changes Lives
HOPEs impact has also been felt by parents like Getsemani Reyes.
After experiencing relentless bullying at his neighborhood school, Getsemani’s son became withdrawn, unhappy, and completely disconnected from learning.
“My son was mercilessly bullied at our neighborhood school,” Getsemani shared. “He was miserable. He hated going to school and after school programs. When I heard about HOPE, I said, ‘Why not give it a try?’”
That choice changed everything.
“My son is now thriving. He has friends. He feels safe. He loves learning. HOPE gave my son back to me.”
Inspired by her son’s transformation, Getsemani became a HOPE mentor herself.
"I get to see every day how HOPE makes a difference. This is not just a school. This is not just a community, but a safe place for students to feel supported, know that they belong somewhere and thrive.”
Getsemani’s story highlights how belief can be a powerful catalyst. When families feel supported, communities grow stronger. HOPE’s impact does not stop with one student. It ripples outward.
Becoming a Stronger Community
Sonia Silva, Director of Boost Academy, shared why HOPE’s mission resonates so deeply with her own experiences.
“I grew up in circumstances very similar to our students. I know firsthand how it feels to be overlooked and to have people assume your potential is limited because of where you come from,” she said. “That is why HOPE matters so deeply to me. It is not just a program. It is a lifeline.”
“It's a place where students who have often been underestimated are given the chance to be seen and heard and believed in. Every day I see young people walk through the doors carrying heavy burdens, poverty, instability, doubt. Yet every day I see them discover something powerful, that they are capable, that their voices matter, that their future is not defined by their past.”
“Hope gives them the opportunity to believe in themselves, sometimes for the very first time.”
She added, “I know what happens when young people are given opportunity, encouragement, and belief. They rise. HOPE is where the rising begins.”
Building a Stronger Community Through Opportunity
HOPE does not just teach academics. It builds confidence, resilience, and pathways to success. Through individualized learning, strong relationships, extracurricular opportunities, and a commitment to continuous growth, HOPE helps students envision a future beyond their circumstances.
When students succeed, families grow stronger. When families are supported, communities thrive. That is the cycle of HOPE across Colorado.
To learn more about how HOPE supports students, families, and the wider community, we invite you to connect with us today.
