Joined by a room full of beaming parents, The Foundation of HOPE celebrated the 2025 cohort of its Economic Development and Empowerment Program on the evening of June 4th. This was the Foundation’s 8th cohort, and its largest to date, with 18 girls completing the program. The Foundation has partnered with Easton Middle School since its inception, and this year, they began a new partnership with St. Michaels Middle High School.
During the 16-week Economic Development and Empowerment Program, middle school girls learn about a variety of topics, including low self-esteem, bullying, social media, workforce development, economic and community development, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and more. At the end of the course, the girls are tasked with creating a vision board, detailing their goals for the future. They are encouraged to dream big.
At the ceremony on June 4th, each girl presented her vision board, completing her final project and receiving her certificate of completion. At the end of the ceremony, Foundation of HOPE founder Keasha Haythe sent the students off with a touching speech, ending on these uplifting words:
“Girls, go out and have an amazing summer. Make memories with family and friends. Know that you have a purpose and destiny in this world. Always believe in yourself, because I will always believe in you. Go be great!”
When the girls are ready to graduate from high school, their participation in the program renders them eligible to apply for a Foundation of HOPE scholarship to help offset the costs of college or training in the trade of their choice. To date, the Foundation has granted 6 scholarships to former program participants, including 3 students from their 3rd cohort, which graduated from high school this year. Congratulations to Leilani Brooks, Sa’Mauria Ennels and Isabella Barerra.
The Foundation of HOPE helps young girls and women lead productive lives in their communities by providing cultural, social, and educational development. The Foundation relies on the generous financial support of local individuals, businesses, and foundations to help local girls become the leaders of tomorrow, and to fund the HOPE Scholar scholarship program. The organization will soon be breaking ground on the HOPE Center, to be located on Washington Street in Easton. Once completed, the HOPE Center will house the Economic Development and Empowerment Program, additional programming for girls and other neighbors, along with a community gathering space.
To learn more about the Economic Development and Empowerment Program, the HOPE Center, and how you can help, visit foundationofhopemaryland.org or contact Keasha Haythe at [email protected].
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