The schematic for change

The spring is a season of renewal – and it’s fitting for HopeWorks. As we’ve settled into 2026, we’re preparing for our own season of exploration, growth and new opportunities.

If you’ve driven down Summer Avenue or peeked at our building from Sam Cooper, you’ve undoubtedly seen the massive building under construction to the east of our headquarters. Soon, this building will be home to 20 men from across the state looking for a new life.

Just like that building was developed with a schematic and specific instructions, so is our program that will eventually fill its halls. Every choice we made for our Reentry Program was prayerful and intentional – and a member of our team, Louise, wrote about it in a recent newsletter. Here’s her piece that so beautifully speaks to our plans for the future.

The blueprint to building a better Memphis

By Louise Koonce

A blueprint is a design plan, a technical drawing crucial for the successful building of a structure. It is the anchor point for all constituents constructing the building, keeping them aligned and on schedule. Without a good schematic, the house may crumble.

A blueprint is a good metaphor for the Bible. It is the foundational document that reveals God’s plan of redemption for all humanity, and it goes into great detail about how we should live our lives. A life built on any other foundation is destined for destruction.

At HopeWorks, we are putting our trust in the Blueprint to direct our programming. As the architect of our lives, God is the creator and sustainer of our plans.

Thankfully, we are only one of many organizations that are aspiring to build a better Memphis. As a whole, the chances of success are much higher when we are looking at and following the master plans. Join us in praying for the spiritual collaboration of our partners, donors and employers for the benefit of a stronger, safer, healthier Memphis.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

– Jeremiah 29:11