"Paradoxically," Caitlin writes, "it is Hope Meadows' success and stability that is bringing new challenges. The passing of time has changed the dynamic of the community: many of the children are now teenagers, preparing for life after high school."

Masterful adaptation, high imagination, and first-class management have led to a level of support from The Kellogg Foundation and others that is fueling a major expansion of the Generations of Hope concept across the country. (The model, with its focus on connecting seniors and families with vulnerable young people as mutual supports, is being replicated in 13 sites across the country; numerous other programs are using some components of Generation of Hope's approach.)

Hope Meadows has had a great deal of publicity over the years, ranging from local and national newspapers and television news programs. Its success as an intervention and its communication success can serve as a model for my own Child Advocacy 360 Communication as Catalyst project—demonstrating the effectiveness of the "Good News Lever" on impact and action at the community level.

Inspired by my colleague Caitlin's piece, I decided to follow a trail suggested by the RESOURCES TO LEARN MORE links at the end of the story, and clicked the links:

– Hershel Sarbin

Hershel Sarbin is the founder and publisher of our partner the Child Advocacy360 News Network.