Festival of Hope

In 2014, Detroit Hope Ignites Scholars at our former Boys House shared with the newly appointed Program Director, Ms. Rebecca Limbaugh, that they felt culturally underrepresented in their schools. In addition, because most of the Scholars we serve in Detroit are African American, our Scholars felt that our Hope Ignites Detroit affiliate could make more of an effort to appreciate Black History Month. After a conversation between Ms. Rebecca and her colleague, Pastor William Love, they knew it was necessary to make a change. They hosted a small dinner in honor of Black History Month.

At the same time, Scholars also led an annual National Day of Service, where they selected a service project for the community. This was always so profound; the Scholars spoke up again and desired to do more. So, in 2019, Hope Ignites Detroit truly embodied the spirit of culture and community. It combined the National Day of Service and the Black History Month Dinner to officially launch the “Festival of Hope.”

This Year:

Festival of Hope

Part 2: Community Day

Saturday, April 25th, 2026
12-4 PM
Trinity AME Church

Free to come, eat, and play while we all work together to serve our community! Join us and check our form below to get involved in the festival!

Black Excellence 2025

Scholar Showcase + Dinner

2025 has been an incredible 11th Festival of Hope~ Black Excellence 

Part One- February 28, 2025 was a powerful night of cultural expression and celebration of Black History. Scholars, Alumni, Team, Board Members, and Community Stakeholders gathered in fellowship for the Showcase of poetry, dancing, and expressions of Black Excellence.

Black Excellence 2025

Community Fair

2025 has been an incredible 11th Festival of Hope~ Black Excellence 

Part Two- April 26, 2025 an incredible day devoted to Scholar Leadership in our Community. We served 139 lunches, gifted 108 hygiene kits, and countless boxes of clothes, shelf stable food, household goods, and endless smiles and memories to countless children and families.

Festival of Hope Timeline

1977

Founded in St. Louis by Father Paul Sheridan

  • First residential home opened for 8 boys 

1979

Expansion to 16 cities and states nationwide

1984

Detroit site opens (Wildermere Boys House)

2001

Continued alumni engagement and program growth

2008

Second Boys House opens (Roslyn Rd.) 

2009

  • Partnership with Detroit Cristo Rey High School 
  • First Academy (after-school) program launched 
  • Wildermere Boys’ House closed; scholars transitioned 
  • Partnership with Loyola High School 
  • Second Academy program launched (serving 10 male Scholars) 
  • First Black History Month Event (now Festival of Hope) 

2017

Rebecca Limbaugh receives inaugural Hero of Hope Award 

2019

Third Academy expansion: Detroit Edison Public School Academy Early College of Excellence (DEPSA) 

2020

London Johnson receives Hero of Hope Award 

2021

  • Girls Hope House reopens after major renovation and COVID 
  • Rebecca Limbaugh promoted to Executive Director 

2023

  • Kate Schueren receives 5th Annual Hero of Hope Award 
  • Ruben Lugo (Alumni) receives Legacy of Hope Award 

2024

  • 40th Anniversary of Hope Ignites Detroit 
  • 100+ high school graduates/collegians since 2014 

2025

Organization rebrands to Hope Ignites

2026

  • Marie Merchant receives Hero of Hope Award 
  • Middle School introduced to Academy 
  • Summer Program established through Summer Discovery in partnership with United Way 

National Day of Service

Cultural Fluency, 2019

Winter Odyssey, 2021

Minds Eye, 2022

Healing, One Mind, One Body, 2023

Thank you to our Festival of Hope Partners + Donaters