Twenty-five years ago, Children’s Hope began with a question—and a leap of faith. At the time, Ben Payne was working as a counselor for group homes when he was approached with the opportunity to start a foster agency. At first, he hesitated. It was a big decision, but with encouragement from his wife, Heather, a registered nurse, the vision for Children’s Hope started to take shape.

The couple shared a deep belief in the potential of young people and the power of compassionate caregiving—and they decided to act on it.

With just the two of them in the early days, Ben and Heather set out to recruit resource (foster) parents—kind, everyday people with open hearts and a desire to make a difference. “Resource parents want to help,” Ben explains. “They come from all walks of life. But there’s a goodness in them that brings them to this work.”

What started as a heartfelt mission quickly grew into a vibrant community. Today, Children’s Hope supports over 180 foster homes, serving more than 300 children and youth with the care, stability, and encouragement they need to thrive.

In the early years, calls would pour in at all hours—weekends, holidays, late at night. Ben and Heather would often be the ones picking up children in crisis, sometimes with little more than the clothes on their backs. Their commitment was unwavering, driven by a desire to offer children not just safety, but hope.

As we celebrate 25 years of service, we honor the thousands of children and families who have been part of this journey—and we look ahead with gratitude and commitment.

Our mission remains the same: to uplift young lives, create safe homes, and build a brighter future for every child who walks through our doors. We believe in Making a Difference.