Center of Hope (Haiti)

by: James Lipscomb

Center of Hope (Haiti), Inc. is a U.S. tax exempt corporation (“COHH”) founded by James and Nancy Lipscomb in 2004 to develop and operate an orphanage and school in Hinche, Haiti for the education of children of extreme poverty who would not otherwise receive an education. The children start in the first grade with an average class size of 15 children. They progress as a class through the 9th grade before completing the high school education at private Catholic schools.

COHH built a campus consisting of classroom buildings, kitchen & cafeteria, volunteer quarters, resident dormitories and administrative offices with contributions from donors from around the US and abroad. COHH maintains a platinum GuideStar rating for financial transparency.

COHH partnered with Building Goodness Foundation of Charlottesville, VA to construct modern classroom buildings.

The third classroom building was dedicated in February 2023 (after COVID 19 delayed the scheduled June 2020 completion) in honor of our first class to graduate 9th grade.

COHH provides free education, inclusive of instruction, uniforms, shoes, text books, writing instruments and 2 meals each day. The school is located 80 miles northeast of Port Au Prince.

The school is operated with the assistance of 33 committed workers, including teachers, food preparers, maintenance and security. Currently, there are 167 students enrolled.

For more information visit centerofhope-Haiti.org.

DAVID BOWEN has been a member of Pinnacle since 2016. He has served on mission teams for Haiti, Habitat for Humanity, and currently serves on the Local and Global Ministries Group.

PHOTOS - pg. 17 David Bowen with Haitian youngster during Pinnacle mission trip in 2017; pg. 18 the Cadet family; pg. 19 top, newly dedicated classroom building; bottom, James Lipscomb, back row center with students and Antoine Charles, Executive Administrator at the recent building dedication.

ANNE FOLEY and her husband, Mike, have been members of Pinnacle since 2004. She has served as a member of the Haiti team, as a chaperone on youth mission trips and on the Stewardship Committee.

JAMES LIPSCOMB and his wife, Nancy, have been members of Pinnacle since 2013. James has served Pinnacle as elder for finance and currently serves as the treasurer.