Our Story
Changing Lives, One Story at a Time
Providing hope, healing, and a future for children, youth, and families.
"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow" Isaiah 1:17
Who We Are: A Place of True Hope
Place of Hope is a faith-based, state-licensed children and families organization committed to bringing healing, stability, and hope to those in crisis. We serve children, youth, and families through:
- Neighborhood Foster Care
- Independent Living with affordable transitional housing
- Maternity care for teens
- Education and enrichment programs
- Child abuse and homelessness prevention and intervention
- Family strengthening and outreach
- Human trafficking prevention and intervention
- Food insecurity reduction
- Social enterprise
- Alumni aftercare
- Policy advocacy
Our Reach Extends Beyond Foster Care
Although we have five campus locations in Palm Beach and Martin Counties, our reach extends beyond our residential programs to impact the greater community, domestically and internationally. Together with God’s provision and your support, we are disrupting generational cycles of abuse, exploitation, poverty, homelessness, and despair.
Our Impact
Place of Hope has been recognized with numerous awards, including “Children’s Advocacy Award,” “Champions of Hope Award,” and Nonprofit of The Year by the Northern Palm Beach County Chamber of Commerce
children, youth and families served
forever families found through adoption
aged-out or homeless youth transitioned into healthy adulthood
pounds of food distributed
community members educated on human trafficking
rated nonprofit in Youth Development, Shelter, and Crisis Services by Charity Navigator
25 Years of Impact: Honoring the Past, Empowering the Future
The Birth of Place of Hope
In the early 1990s, Pastors Tom and Donna Mullins traveled to Romania and Russia, where they visited multiple orphanages serving vulnerable children. What they witnessed left a lasting impression. In state-run institutions, basic needs were met, but children often lacked the warmth, consistency, and personal connection that fosters healthy development. In contrast, church-run homes operating under a family model created environments filled with stability, belonging, and hope.
The difference was unmistakable. Where children were known by name instead of number, where caregivers served as consistent parental figures, and where faith and community shaped daily life, healing began to take place. The Mullins saw firsthand that children thrive not simply when they are sheltered, but when they are loved, nurtured, and raised within a family-centered environment.
Moved by what they experienced, Tom and Donna began to pray. While the need overseas was evident, they felt a growing conviction to look closer to home. Were there children in their own community facing similar instability? Were there families struggling without support? Could the family model they had seen abroad be part of the solution here?
That season of prayer became the foundation for a vision: to create a place where vulnerable children and families would experience more than temporary care — they would experience the stability, dignity, and love of a true family environment.
What began as a burden on their hearts became a mission rooted in faith, compassion, and a commitment to transforming lives — one family at a time.
This has been the mission of Place of Hope from the beginning and will continue to be for the future.
Our Mission: Placing Hope in Every Life
Place of Hope is dedicated to providing a stable and loving environment for children, youth, and families in crisis. We meet desperate needs by sharing God’s love and placing hope in their lives – one life at a time.
Our Vision: Equipping for a Brighter Future
We strive to equip children, youth, and families with the tools they need to succeed. Our goal is to educate, enrich, and encourage those in our care, create a positive environment for healing, and foster hope for the future.
Our Purpose: Breaking Cycles, Restoring Lives
Our purpose is to break generational cycles of child abuse, neglect, homelessness, poverty, food insecurity, child exploitation, and human trafficking. We provide a hand up for those in crisis, helping each individual find true healing and restoration that leads to a healthy, independent, and successful life.
Our Core Values
Belief in God
We believe the Bible is the revealed word of God and that it provides the Judeo-Christian foundation for all that our organization represents and aspires to become. Our actions should always be consistent with the principles contained in God’s Word, which has binding authority on all people.
Children, Youth & Families First
Our heart is to defend, protect and promote the welfare of the children, youth, and families we help.
Glorify God
We point to God, and not man, as the source of all good that we may accomplish. By loving those we serve, we seek to glorify God, pointing others to Him as the source of all that is good, noble, loving, and righteous.
Integrity
Uncompromising integrity is expected and required throughout the organization in order to accomplish its mission.
Excellence
We maintain and expect the highest standards of excellence in all aspects of our organization, while continuously seeking to improve the quality of services provided. We encourage individuals to strive for excellence and growth in their personal and professional lives.
"Partnering to Provide Hope"
The Boca West Children’s Foundation proudly supports Place of Hope because of their...
"Nothing Compares"
Helping families and children has always been important to me. When I toured Place..."Building Brighter Futures"
We support Place of Hope because we believe in creating a nurturing environment ...“A Guiding Light for Children ”
It is such an honor to be associated with Place of Hope...“Changing Outcomes with Support ”
The impact is evident through the success of so many former Place of...“A Place Like No Other ”
Place of Hope is a magical place to give hope to children..."A Heart for the Mission"
Place of Hope has been a big part of my life ...“Taking Action Close to Home ”
We have the opportunity to help abused children, homeless families,..."Giving Hope to the World"
It is an honor to work with organizations like Place of ..."Helping Women in Crisis"
Over the years we’ve supported organizations that empower women. Place of Hope’s..."Faith in Action"
Being part of Place of Hope is a profound experience —a journey of faith...“Caring for Foster Families ”
I am so glad to be a part of what Place of Hope...What Makes Us Different: Leading with Love
- Keeping siblings together
- Providing a full continuum of care from birth to age 28
- Faith-based approach rooted in love and integrity
- Experienced leadership shaping child welfare policy statewide
- Transparent, debt-free, donor-supported stewardship
Explore Our Campuses
Paxson Campus, Palm Beach Gardens
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, the Paxson Campus is Place of Hope’s flagship site, providing residential, family-style "Neighborhood Foster Care" in a safe and nurturing...
Donna’s Place at The Villages, Palm Beach Gardens
Empowering Aged-Out Foster Youth and Homeless Young Adults for Independent Living Villages of Hope, a sister entity of Place of Hope, is dedicated to transforming the lives of...
The Leighan and David Rinker Campus, Boca Raton
A Village of Hope for Young Adults, Single Mothers, and Families Place of Hope at The Leighan and David Rinker Campus offers a lifeline to some of the most vulnerable members of...
Sam & Connie Frankino KidSanctuary Campus, West Palm Beach
A Safe Haven for Siblings and Special Needs Foster Children Our Sam & Connie Frankino KidSanctuary Campus offers faith-based, family-style Neighborhood Foster Care within...
The Bender Family Campus, Stuart
Thanks to the vision and generosity of John & Bobbi Erbey, our Stuart campus has been named, serving as a cornerstone for Place of Hope’s growing impact. Lichtenberger Family...
How You Can Help
Explore ways to give, serve, and stand in the gap for children who need it most
