The Hope Institute for Children and Families

The Hope Institute is a leader in providing residential and educational services for children with multiple disabilities. Founded in 1957 by a Springfield family who could not find specialized services for their disabled daughter, The Hope Institute was created to provide more than custodial care for children. At the time, a private group facility that served children with multiple disabilities was virtually unheard of. The Jordan family changed that, and since then The Hope Institute for Children and Families has been a leader in providing innovative and quality education for children and families across the country.

In 2004, The Hope Institute for Children and Families dedicated the Judith Ann Jordan Residential Center in honor of the woman who was the catalyst for what is now one of the leading residential and educational facilities of its kind in the country. What began as a six-room house, serving a handful of children, has evolved into a major living and learning environment that includes a residential facility, state-of-the-art learning center, group homes and additional programs and services located throughout the state. The main campus is nestled in a quiet, pastoral setting on 25 acres and the School serves more than 100 children and youth through age 21. Services include school consultation, family therapy support, group and individual therapy for children, a private day school and residential treatment programs.

The Hope Institute’s mission is to support children and families to reach optimum growth, independence and joy. For the children of The Hope Institute this means a life of learning, community activity, fun and enrichment. For almost fifty years Hope has been achieving this mission and looks forward to the next fifty years of bringing innovation, growth and joy to the children who learn and live here.