Rockford’s first Hope House, the first in Illinois, sets out to give teens a supportive family home

By Kevin Haas
Rock River Current
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ROCKFORD — A new approach to foster care starting in the city helps teens who have struggled in other homes live in a stable family environment that prepares them to succeed in adult life.

The Chicago-based nonprofit One Hope United has brought its Hope House program for youth ages 13 to 17 to Rockford. After operating 11 such homes in Florida, officials with the nonprofit, as well as the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and representatives from Congressman Darin LaHood’s office cut the ribbon Wednesday on what is the first Hope House in Illinois.

The five-bedroom, three-bathroom house, which is in a neighborhood on the city’s east side, will be home to four teenage girls. They’ll be supported by two foster parents, two youth care workers, and an on-site therapist. The nonprofit says the combination provides youth with genuine caring connections, stability and the support they need.

“We provide unconditional care and wrap-around services. It all starts with having relationships and building rapport with the youth in the system of care,” said Jocelyn Bayona, executive director of Hope Houses in Illinois and Florida. “They’re getting the therapeutic treatment that they need, along with learning coping skills, life skills, problem-solving skills, so they can be successful young adults.”

The ribbon-cutting on Wednesday was for one of two Hope Houses coming to Rockford. The other will serve teen boys in a different east-side neighborhood. Those are two of five in progress of opening in Illinois. A sixth could be opened in partnership with the state’s Department of Juvenile Justice.

“I’m hoping that this model can grow and expand throughout the state,” said Heidi Mueller, director of the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services. “I really see an unlimited potential and future for this model.”

One Hope United works with the Department of Children and Family Services to identify teens who have struggled in other foster settings, some who may have bounced around between families, group homes and juvenile detention centers.

“There are a lot of foster parents who have tremendously good hearts, and this program gives them the support they need to stick it out through the really tough situations,” said Sarah Tunning, chief program officer for One Hope United. “There’s a lot more respite embedded into this program, and there’s a lot more support.”

One Hope United is a nonprofit that has provided early childhood education, behavioral and mental health resources, child family services, and residential programs for 130 years in Illinois and Florida. This is the first entry of Hope House in Illinois after five years of operating in Florida.

“It was time to bring it to Illinois because it’s making a difference in Florida with our youth out there,” Bayona said.

The homes provide a smaller environment than traditional group homes.

“Group homes usually tend have a higher number of youth in there. By staying at four, we’re able to create that family bond,” Bayona said. We love them, we nurture them, but there are disciplines, there are consequences. We’re going to teach that and we’re going to communicate that.”

Each teen gets their own bedroom, which they can personalize to make their own.

Hope Houses have on-site therapists that help youth work through their trauma, identify their triggers and equip them with the tools for heeling. They also help them explore hobbies that will manage their overall well-being.

Youth care workers, meanwhile, give teens a mentor that’s closer to their age.

“They’re kind of like the aunties, the uncles, big brothers, big sisters in a normal family,” Bayona said. “They get to do the field trips, they take the kids to appointments, they sit down and work with them on homework, teach them how to drive, interview techniques … all that fun stuff.”

They work to reunify youth with their families when possible. If not, the goal is for the Hope House to be a stable final placement before they transition into adult life.

“We want them to age out from our home,” Bayona said. “We don’t want them to ever have to think about having to move again.”

This article is by Kevin Haas. Email him at khaas@rockrivercurrent.com or follow him on X at @KevinMHaas or Instagram @thekevinhaas and Threads @thekevinhaas