About Us
Transforming our community through youth empowerment.
We’re a Non-profit Organization
Street Hope Alive is a nonprofit ministry bringing the love and hope of Jesus to children and families in need.
Through outreaches, mentorship, discipleship, and practical care, we help restore lives and awaken purpose. Every meal shared, every gift given, and every word of encouragement reminds the hopeless that their story isn’t over. Together, we can shine the light of Christ and bring lasting hope to those who need it most.
Help us show every child that there is hope and a future.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a safe, nurturing, and hope-filled environment where inner-city youth can grow, thrive, and discover their God-given purpose.
Through practical support, creative programs, mentorship, and faith-based guidance, we seek to empower young people spiritually, emotionally, and academically.
We exist to offer a place where every youth feels seen, valued, and loved, regardless of their background or beliefs and has hope for the future.
Our Vision
We envision a community where every young person has access to safety, encouragement, and opportunities that enable them to rise above challenges and flourish.
A community where faith, creativity, compassion, and mentorship come together to shape the next generation of leaders, artists, thinkers, and world changers.
Our vision is that hope is restored, gifts are discovered, faith is strengthened, and the love of God is experienced through real, everyday care.
We Dream of a Future Where:
Youth always have a place they can turn to with hope and support
Families feel supported and uplifted through care and connection
Communities are transformed by the potential of young people
The light of Christ shines through acts of service, compassion, and unity
Meet the Founders
More Than a Ministry: It’s a Movement of Love
Over a decade and a half ago, Renee and her husband Farah felt a calling to serve their community in a tangible way. What began with simple acts of kindness—serving meals on the street, offering a listening ear, and praying with those in crisis—became the foundation of what would grow into a life-changing ministry.
Their dedication, alongside the support of volunteers, donors, and community partners, has helped shape a movement rooted in compassion, faith, and action. Renee and Farah remain hands-on in every aspect of the ministry, believing that true transformation happens through authentic relationships and consistent presence.
As Certified Biblical Counselors, they are committed to walking alongside individuals and families with wisdom, care, and a strong faith-based foundation.
OUR HISTORY
In 2005, God began shaping the vision that would later become Street Hope Alive. This was a season of prayer, preparation, and spiritual awakening – before any formal ministry existed.
During this time, the calling to reach the broken, the forgotten, and those living on the margins began to grow. God was planting a deep burden for the inner city and a passion to serve people not just with words, but through love in action.
Though the work had not yet started on the streets, the vision was being formed – one centered on compassion, faith, and meeting people exactly where they are. This season laid the spiritual foundation for everything that would follow.
In 2009, Renee began serving the homeless in Paterson, New Jersey. For several years, she served faithfully through prayer, meals, and direct support to those living on the streets.
It was during this time that God clearly opened her eyes to the children living in the same communities. She felt God revealing that this was where Farah wanted her to be—helping children and making Him known to them. What began as outreach to the homeless soon expanded into a deeper calling focused on the youth of the inner city.
In the years that followed, Renee and Farah were married, and together they continued building the vision God had placed on their hearts—one rooted in faith, compassion, and long-term impact.
The ministry’s work officially began this year. With no funding or outside support, we launched our ministry—meeting the youth right where they were, street by street. Through fun street activities, games, and providing essential food, we created safe spaces filled with joy, hope, and the love of Jesus. Food quickly became an essential part of the outreach, as many children were hungry. We continued to pray and trust God to provide—and He always did. Every hot meal and snack became a way to show God’s care in real, tangible ways. This foundational work continued as we built strong relationships with children and families throughout the community.
We felt led to create an Instagram page to stay connected with the youth and share daily encouragement and hope. That is precisely when the name Street Hope Alive was born—a powerful reminder that when the “Streets” (the people that live there) meet the Cross (Jesus), hope comes alive! This period defined our programmatic expansion: We began taking youth to summer camp in upstate New York (starting 2017), giving over 150 campers a chance to experience God’s love and joy away from the city. We also started providing scholarships (2019) for the first children to attend Dawn Treader Christian School, where they could dream bigger and see their worth through God’s eyes, expanding our mentorship commitment to their educational journey.
This was a landmark year for both structure and action. Street Hope Alive officially became a nonprofit organization, providing the critical framework to sustain and grow our mission. Critically, we immediately mobilized during the COVID-19 pandemic, stepping onto the front line to provide emergency support through essential food supplies, hygiene kits, and clothing, utilizing our unique network to quickly and effectively distribute vital resources directly to under-resourced families in Paterson’s 4th Ward. We continued to bring light, hope, and transformation even amidst global crisis.
After years of hosting therapeutic gatherings, including Art Therapy and Discipleship (2021-2024), we moved into a new space called The Sanctuary in Paterson. This instantly became a safe haven for youth to gather during the week for food, clothing, activities, and Youth Church every Saturday. Just as things were getting established, a sudden flood destroyed the space. It was heartbreaking—but we stood firm in faith, declaring that when the flood comes in to destroy, the Holy Spirit raises up a banner. Through every challenge and every miracle, we continue to be a place of refuge where hope rises again!
In 2025, Street Hope Alive expanded across the ocean as Street Hope Alive Africa was birthed in Guinea, West Africa. Together with Farah, we began training pastors and leaders of a church built in 2022, teaching them how to effectively reach youth for Christ through mentorship and soccer outreaches. In a region where 99% of the population is Muslim, God continues to open doors through wisdom, prayer, and Spirit-led relationships. Street Hope Alive Africa also helps women and children forced from their homes by providing a safe house where they can live, heal, and learn new skills. Through sewing and garment-making training, women are being empowered to provide for their children and rebuild their lives. Today, hundreds attend the church, and God has led the team to begin building another church and an even larger safe house nearby.
Be Part of Our Story
Your support helps us continue our mission of bringing hope and transformation to our community. Every contribution makes a lasting impact.