Our Vision
Prostitution, Gangs, Drug abuse, Family violence, AIDS, & Teen pregnancy. The inner city is a world engulfed in a culture many Christians have difficulty envisioning, let alone understanding. The idea anyone would willingly dare to venture into that culture is just as difficult to grasp. Yet, it is in the midst of that culture, that hope has found a home. Based in Jersey City, that home is the Hope Center, a center resulting from the unique vision laid upon the hearts of Rev. Mario & Leigh Gonzalez.

Our Unique Approach
The center facilitates a faith-based approach through artistic expression in a variety of fine and performing art medium. This distinct offering is an inner city, intercultural, community-based outreach where people are finding hope and empowerment. The truth is that although hopelessness and despair are pervasive in the inner city, there also seems to be a thread of creativity that runs through many people living in the ghetto. Often hidden by a lack of education, poverty, drug abuse and other life-controlling issues, the thread is always there. At the Hope Center, with God’s help, we uncover this thread and weave it into the beautiful tapestry of a well balanced life.

Who are these kids?
Sample year
Ages 4 & up
73% Hispanic
11% African American
16% Other

Income Levels
81% are low income

What are they learning?
Keyboard, Guitar, Drums, Drama, Vocal, Ballet, Tap, Hip-Hop, Creative Movement, Art Mix Media, Creative Writing & Stage Make-up.

Our Results
The City Hope Center has quickly become a virtual resource center where spiritual, emotional, and physical needs are met. By opening a basic forum to learn about God’s gifting and empowerment, individuals are finding freedom. They are learning they can aspire to greater things. Through practical applications and cooperative alliances, the center offers local churches and volunteers the opportunity to come together and put their theology into practice. Through community outreaches, food distribution, and our many arts based programs, thousands continue to be compassionately touched every week.

Our Success
This past year we had 140 students of which 63% received scholarships. We work in an area where high school drop outs and criminal activity are the norm. However we are making a difference, and we need your help. This year we were chosen to head Goldman Sachs’ third annual Student Art Project, where we developed a full arts program called, “Drawing the Line” on the topic, “RESPECT”, that incorporated various fine art disciplines, as well as theatre and a creative writing component. Our partners for this project included the Jersey City Museum, The Jersey City Public Library, and the Jersey City Department of Cultural Affairs. Mayor Healy himself, during his speech at the Goldman Sachs awards ceremony, congratulated the Hope Center on the best program conducted in the three-year history of this program. This wonderful ceremony was attended by the Mayor, multiple councilmen, and our own councilman for the heights, Bill Gaugham, who himself is a supporter of our organization, as is councilman Mariano Vega.

Would you consider partnering with us in this unique and exciting vision? Please consider becoming a financial partner with us in this life-changing work.

— Pastors Mario & Leigh