The transformative power of hope
By Eldridge Fantroy, Mt. Scott Board member
“Since I was a child, I’ve always been a lover of stories. My favorite memories from elementary school were those moments after recess when our teacher would read stories aloud to us—stories like James and the Giant Peach, Matilda, and The BFG.
“Stories have a beautiful way of reminding us of our connectedness as human beings. They help us see that we are not the center of the universe, but we are loved—and that love can move through us to become a catalyst for hope in the lives of others.
“Through stories, we get to take a God’s-eye view and see how the smallest actions—a smile here, a kind word there, one phone call, one open door, one extra moment of time—can change the course of someone’s narrative.
“Stories show us what hope looks like, what hope sounds like, and how we can incubate hope in the lives of those around us.
“This is why I’m so passionate about the work of Mt. Scott Learning Center. For many of the students we serve, their stories haven’t always been easy. Some have faced struggles, loss, or isolation. For many, it’s been an uphill climb from the start. But when they walk into Mt. Scott, they enter a space where their story can begin to change—where hope becomes real, not just as an idea, but as something they can feel, see, and act on.
“At the heart of this transformation is what I call hope-incubating relationships. These relationships are about more than just encouragement—they create an environment that helps students reimagine what’s possible. They transform how a student thinks about themselves, others, and the institutions around them in relation to their goals and dreams for the future.
“Hope-incubating relationships broaden their vision, sharpen their ability to map out and create pathways to their dreams, and strengthen their willpower and agency to pursue those dreams.
“Though I now sit on the board at Mt. Scott, my connection to the struggles of our students is deeply personal. Before I ever sat on this board, I sat as a child in a supervised visiting room at a DHS office. I know what it feels like to walk through life uncertain, or even afraid, of what’s next—or to wonder whether the space you’re in truly belongs to you.
“But I’ve also experienced the transformative power of hope—the kind of hope that others offer when they create space for you, believe in you, and provide what you need to thrive.
“This is what Mt. Scott Learning Center is doing in the lives of students every day: surrounding them with hope-incubating relationships that give them the tools, support, and belief to write a new chapter in their story.
“I also believe in the sacredness of physical spaces, because stories come to life in physical spaces. Hope-incubating relationships take root in these spaces.
“At Mt. Scott, this truth is honored. From every brick to every foundation beam, Mt. Scott is designed to be a space where students feel seen, supported, and safe—a space where they know they belong and where hope can grow.”