Hope Leadership Academy (HLA) launched in the Fall of 2010, with a desire to serve fatherless inner city youth.
Willie Briscoe, Founder of HLA, had first-hand experience of growing up without a father in the home and desired to fill that gap in homes across San Diego County. HLA is a year-round comprehensive youth ministry that seeks to ensure that youth from fatherless homes in underserved communities receive support, guidance, and a plan to break the cycles of divorce, poverty, and hopelessness.
If you’re wondering what compels a successful athlete to focus full-time on mentoring at-risk kids, check out the Crazy Good Business! blog post featuring Wille Briscoe – you WILL be inspired, I guarantee it! ~ M.A.
What started out as a summer program of camps and sports clinics, quickly grew to be a city-wide outreach, and HLA launched its first after-school Academy for the youth of Barrio Logan, in downtown San Diego in the Spring of 2013.
HLA now has two academies in San Diego County, that serve more than 80 kids each week.
HLA camps serve over 1000 kids each year.
The Toys for Hope toy drive serves over 3000 families on a single day each year.
HLA summer camps and clinics are still some of most loved and attended outreaches, with a wide variety of activities offered including basketball, baseball, volleyball, surfing, KidsGames, and more. In 2017, HLA held its first overnight camp at Indian Hills in Jamul, California, where kids spent the weekend exploring their faith through small groups, worship, bonfires, s’mores, zip lining, swimming & BMX. All HLA after school Academies and camps throughout the year are completely free to attendees, made possible by incredible churches, business and community leaders throughout the United States.
We believe mentorship changes the world one kid at a time.
Click HERE to learn about the Mitchell Thorp Foundation our other Care-to-Connect Community Partner.
To learn more about the amazing work done by the Hope Leadership Foundation and volunteer opportunities – check out their website, HERE.