Gifts of Hope

Gifts of Hope is a compassionate and community-driven nonprofit founded by Samona Burleson. Our organization is deeply rooted in the BIPOC community, with a leadership team and board composed of individuals representing our population. We are driven by our mission to address systemic inequities and foster empowerment through culturally aligned services. Our team is dedicated to building trust, creating opportunities, and providing long-term support to ensure youth and their families can thrive in every aspect of their lives.

Gifts of Hope was founded in January 2019 with the vision of empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and their families from low-income backgrounds. Recognizing the systemic barriers these communities face, particularly in South Seattle and surrounding areas, Gifts of Hope was established to provide targeted support through educational enrichment, cultural engagement, and community empowerment programs.

From its inception, Gifts of Hope has been dedicated to addressing the disparities in education and economic opportunities that disproportionately affect BIPOC communities. One of our earliest and most impactful initiatives, the Rites of Passage Program, was launched in 2020. This program, designed to reconnect youth with their cultural heritage while fostering leadership skills and self-awareness, quickly became a cornerstone of our efforts.

Over the years, Gifts of Hope has expanded its programming to include various initiatives, such as the Heritage Horizons Program, the I Can Tutoring Program, and annual community events like the Back to School and Hope for Christmas programs. Through partnerships with local schools, community organizations, and businesses, we have extended our reach and impact, serving thousands of youth and families.

Our journey has been marked by significant milestones, including receiving the King County Racism Grant in 2022, which enabled us to expand our programs further and deepen our impact. As we continue to grow, Gifts of Hope remains committed to our mission of fostering long-term success and community leadership among the youth and families we serve.

Gifts of Hope is a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and their families in South Seattle and surrounding areas.

Gifts of Hope was founded to address systemic challenges affecting marginalized communities and provide comprehensive support through culturally relevant programs.

Our services include academic tutoring, leadership development, financial literacy, and mental health resources designed to equip participants with the tools needed for success.

Gifts of Hope provides culturally relevant, holistic programs to empower BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) youth and their families in South Seattle and surrounding areas. Our initiatives focus on breaking the cycle of poverty through educational support, leadership development, financial literacy, and community engagement.

Critical programs include the Rites of Passage, academic tutoring, leadership training, and community events such as the Back to School and Juneteenth celebrations.

We also offer mental health resources and employment training, ensuring that our participants have the tools to succeed academically, personally, and professionally.