Celebrating 18 years of hope

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because He has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love.” – Romans 5:3-5

Since 2008, our Morning of Hope fundraising breakfast has served as a day of fellowship and camaraderie as HopeWorks supporters gather together with a common interest: to provide hope in Jesus Christ and opportunities for sustainable work through education and lifelong services. On Saturday, April 25, we’ll gather at the Highland Church of Christ to celebrate all the good HopeWorks has done over the past year and discuss the future of our organization.

HopeWorks welcomes Jeremy White as our featured speaker this year. After serving 22 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections, Jeremy is now a student, graduate and steward of reentry. Today, he works as the grants program manager in the Office of Reentry at the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development and co-owns Double Strategies and Consulting. He is also an alumni success coach through the Tennessee Higher Education Initiative (THEI), a dedicated leader of the THEI Alumni Network, and an advocate and trainer with Free Hears. Jeremy recently received his bachelor’s degree in finance with an emphasis in urban economics.

Interested in learning more about our Morning of Hope breakfast or want to attend? Hop over to this page to purchase tickets!

I remember my grandmother’s table. It stood against the wall under a window looking out over the apple and chestnut orchard. The rough-hewn table was covered with a linen embroidered with berries and blossoms, carefully shielded by shiny, clear plastic. Three hearty meals were served at this table every day. Many afternoons, her tea cakes would appear only to disappear just as quickly.

But there were some items stationed at the end of the table under the window, like a battalion of soldiers at the ready. I can see the glass tray holding a salt & pepper set, a barrel-shaped cup containing toothpicks, a bottle of pickled pepper sauce and a ceramic pot of honey. Beside the tray, a wooden box held clean, white Viva paper napkins. These items were intended to stay on the table. It was understood that when the crumbs were swept after a feast, those items were placed back in their proper places. Because when turnip greens were served, Pa expected a bottle of spicy vinegar to be on the tray. And when Granny worked up a sweat baking biscuits, she was sure to reach for a Viva to dab her brow and tuck in her apron pocket.

This practice was not just the result of overly obsessive tendencies, but the habit of hard-working, practical people, who know some things need to be readily accessible. Frequently used ingredients don’t need to be hunted for. If it will be shaken out and generously poured at every meal, it has a place on the table.

Hope is more than just a condiment sprinkled over our shoulder for good luck. It is a main ingredient needing to be liberally applied. Whatever the circumstances we are facing, the conversations we are having, the obstacles we are up against, keeping hope at arm’s reach allows us to focus on the possibilities instead of the barriers. When we keep hope at the table, applying it generously in our thoughts, speech and plans, we give God room to work through the challenges shaping our future.

Thank you to this year’s supporters for making the 2026 Morning of Hope possible.