I first heard about Hope Community in 2021 while working on another local publication. The article quoted Shawn Graham, vice president at the time, “It's not about race when we speak of diversity. It's about the contribution of all people to our community.” I was delighted to hear about an organization dedicated to understanding, communication, and a future for all of its citizens, but the skeptic in me couldn’t foresee how this concept could be effectively implemented. Boy, was I wrong! 

In 2023, Hope Community became a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization and formed a board of directors. They then focused their efforts on revitalizing and restoring the historic Anna T. Jeanes school property in Fairhope South. The school is significant because it was established by Ms. Jeanes, a Quaker philanthropist, who recognized the importance of education and the need for opportunities for African American children. The property is listed as a Baldwin County Historical Site. The city of Fairhope has now leased the 12-acre property to Hope Community.  What they have accomplished so far and what plans are in store are incredible!

Hope Community envisions a thriving and interconnected community where all individuals have access to locally sourced healthy foods, employment opportunities, and cultural enrichment, which foster sustainable and resilient living. Their overarching mission is: Nurturing Unity and Relationships through Food, Healing, and Education. 

The life of Hope Community flows through the volunteers who have worked tirelessly to clean up the property and have built raised garden beds, compost areas, butterfly gardens, and a colorful picnic area with lending libraries under live oak trees. In the future, a teaching farm, community garden, and teaching kitchen will provide enriching spaces for individuals of all ages to connect with nature and their neighbors, learn regenerative and innovative growing practices, and nurture and cook healthy food.

One of Hope Community’s highly successful programs is Food RX. These monthly interactive cooking classes are possible because of their partnership with USA Health Systems and The Hive Foundation. Held at the Mapp Family Campus Teaching Kitchen, nutrition experts and talented chefs come together to empower participants to take control of their health through food. Kristin Alpine of Wild Flowers and Fresh Food will lead the next class on July 11th. Eventually, a state-of-the-art teaching kitchen will be built on the Anna T. Jeanes property.

Future plans for Hope Community also include a museum-style interactive exhibit honoring the legacy of Anna T. Jeanes and the Fairhope South community, versatile meeting spaces for local events, and 1.5 miles of nature trails to promote wellness and a connection with nature.

A very exciting project is in the works as the City of Fairhope and the Fairhope/Point Clear Community Foundation have plans to build a public playground with a splash pad on a 1.6-acre corner of the property. The park will attract residents and visitors to this special part of town. 

The organization has a fundraising plan in place to raise the funds to hire a full-time employee. Hope Community has grown to 650+ members made up of committed, hardworking volunteers, but now they need a farm and operations manager to facilitate volunteer coordination, garden oversight, nature trails, property maintenance, and events.

Andolyn Fitzgerald, communications committee head, says,“ We are so grateful for the overwhelming support of our community, volunteers, donors, and sponsors, but to realize our vision, we need a full-time project manager. We want to raise more than the expected 12-month salary so that this position can be sustainable into the future.”

Annual fundraisers are very important to any nonprofit in order to meet their goals. Last January, Hope Community hosted its first ‘Our Roots Run Deep’ 5K Race to raise funds and foster community awareness. The second annual run will be held in January of 2026.

Another event, held every other Sunday, on the property is the Mobile Bay Makers Market.  “This event draws people to the property to learn more about our mission and brings energy to the Anna T Jeans site,”  Andolyn said.  You may have read my article on the quarterly Hope Community Story Slam, held at the Book Cellar in Fairhope. It is another example of how Hope Community brings people together. 

Sounds like energy is abundant for this very worthwhile endeavor that will enrich our Scenic 98 Coastal community. Fairhope was named by its founders as having a“ fair hope of success”. I believe that Hope Community has more than a fair hope. It is already a success, and with help from sponsors and donors, it will grow to be one of the most important and impactful institutions in the region. To learn more or get involved as a volunteer or to donate, please visit their most impressive website, hopecommunityal.org, and read more about their hope for the future of all of its citizens.