Nancy Johnson founded Hope in 1967. Beginning with a handful of children in foster care, Hope Community Resources, Inc., formerly doing business as Hope Cottages, is now Alaska’s largest provider of services for individuals who experience a developmental disability.

Previously, those in need of services in Alaska were removed from their families, friends and communities and sent to the Lower 48 to live in institutions. Throughout the past 35 years, Hope Community Resources has refined its residential services to be based on the needs of each individual and their family in the home and community of their choice. From its inception, Hope Community Resources has always believed that no one should have to live in an institution.

Today, Hope Community Resources supports over 700 children, adults, and their families throughout its seven regional areas: Anchorage, Barrow, Dillingham, Juneau, Kodiak, Seward and Wasilla. Anchorage is Hope’s largest regional operation, actively serving 447 children, adults and families.

In October 2002, the AIDEA Board authorized the sale of conduit revenue bonds through Wells Fargo Bank Alaska in an amount not to exceed $1.6 million. The funds were used to purchase property and finance improvements for a much needed expansion and realignment of Hope Community Resources services. The purchased property, located adjacent to their existing administrative offices, will serve as an employee training center for their 600 employees. It will also allow them to consolidate their marketing and information technology departments, as well as provide much needed additional parking. The new building also has a large kitchen that will be utilized by Hope Community Resources’ clients for supportive employment, residential and living skills training.

These bonds do not constitute an indebtedness or any other liability of the State of Alaska or AIDEA, yet assists Hope Community Resources in accomplishing its mission of providing services that result in choice, control, family preservation and community inclusion for individuals and families who experience disabilities.