Page 2 - Stair Step Book_Email Version

OUR MISSION

To provide state of the art services in the most inclusive
environment to encourage persons to fulfill their individual
potential through evidence based treatment, advocacy and
community education.

OUR HISTORY

The year was 1957 when The Hope School opened its door in
a modest house in Springfield. Hope’s founders Dr. and Mrs.
Charles E. Jordan had searched the world for a place to
educate their daughter who had multiple disabilities. They
wanted Judith Ann to have the chance to reach her full
potential, but no school in the United States could serve
her. So the Jordan’s created a school. They created Hope.

Hope is an educator for individuals with disabilities which grew
from a one room school house in Springfield and has since
expanded to become so much more. We now impact thousands
of individuals who represent a broad spectrum of learning styles
and abilities. Through our multi-state outpatient Autism Clinics
providing ABA therapy and diagnostics, our school and in-home
skilled therapeutic services offered through Therapy Relief at
Hope, our academies in Chicago and Springfield, our residential
program, our vocational program, and our clinical expertise
provided through the Illinois Crisis Prevention Network, Hope
has been able to provide interventions that support individuals
to achieve optimally, regardless of socioeconomic background,
learning style, or disability. The individuals we serve enjoy
improved learning outcomes, increased confidence,
independence and a greater appreciation for differences.