John Hope Settlement House is a community based organization that grew from a vision of public spirited African American leaders to serve their neighbors in the late 1920’s.
First known as the Crispus Attucks Association, the agency was reorganized in 1937 and named the John Hope Community Association in honor of the late John Hope. Hope was an alumnus of Brown University and the first African American President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Hope was among the founders of the NAACP.
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John Hope Settlement House is a community based organization that grew from a vision of public spirited African American leaders to serve their neighbors in the late 1920’s.
First known as the Crispus Attucks Association, the agency was reorganized in 1937 and named the John Hope Community Association in honor of the late John Hope. Hope was an alumnus of Brown University and the first African American President of Morehouse College in Atlanta, GA. Hope was among the founders of the NAACP.
In 1939 the founding Articles of Incorporation of the John Hope Community Association set a clear path for the generations to come:
"Said corporation is constituted for the purpose of developing and maintaining civic, cultural and recreational interests to serve all ages and both sexes and to direct character building and community betterment programs among the citizens of Providence; aiming to merit the support of the civic welfare, educational and municipal agencies of the City in the development of its objectives and program. It shall promote opportunities and facilities, not to exclude any group…"
After its incorporation the Association purchased a building at 15 Pratt Street. With the combined efforts of the Workers Progress Administration (WPA) and John Hope members, this building was renovated and an educational and recreational program was established. In 1942, the WPA terminated its use of the building which left the John Hope Community Association without a staff, proper facilities, or adequate funds to maintain programs. In response, the board of directors launched an emergency fund campaign wherein sufficient money was raised to employ a director and continue the center’s work.
Following this public appeal for funds, new programs were established to include a nursery, music, arts and crafts as well as recreation. Some funding was provided by the local USO to provide recreation for servicemen. Shortly after the military recreation program was discontinued in 1943, the John Hope Community Association became a member agency of the Providence Community Fund. This enabled the Association to obtain a trained recreational worker.
In 1945 it was discovered that the frame building used as the recreational center was inadequate and even dangerous. As a result, the Association leased the former USO Knight Street Center located in the West End neighborhood from the City of Providence. In 1946, the Association purchased the building and shortly thereafter purchased the land directly behind it as a play area.
Throughout the ensuing years the John Hope facility has grown to over 25,000 square feet of space. We house one of the largest child care centers in Rhode Island, and are home to an NCAA regulation gymnasium, two large multi-function rooms, a computer lab, educational classrooms, a teaching kitchen and a youth lounge. Today over ten thousand people seek our services or utilize our facilities each year.
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