Heroes For Hope
Turning moments of need into opportunities for hope.
Heroes for Hope is a Hope Valley initiative that partners with first responders to identify opportunities for hope, encouragement, and support within the communities they serve.
Every day, first responders encounter individuals and families facing difficult circumstances—often at some of the most challenging moments of their lives. While emergency services address the immediate need, many situations reveal opportunities for additional support, encouragement, or practical assistance long after the call has ended.
Inspired by Hope Valley’s commitment to Helping Others through Personal Experiences, Heroes for Hope provides a pathway for first responders to identify specific needs and connect individuals and families with opportunities that inspire hope and improve quality of life.
Heroes for Hope is intended to complement—not replace—existing community resources, support systems, and social service organizations. Rather than duplicating services already available within the community, the program seeks to address unique circumstances where a meaningful act of kindness, practical support, or community response can make a lasting impact.
Who May Submit a Referral?
Referrals for Heroes for Hope must be submitted by:
- Law enforcement officers
- Firefighters
- Healthcare Workers
- Dispatchers
- Corrections officers
- Emergency management personnel
- Other approved public safety professionals
Referrals must be based on a need, circumstance, or opportunity personally observed through the course of professional service.
Specific Needs
Specific items that address a unique circumstance identified by a first responder
Hope in Action
Acts of kindness, experiences, or opportunities that provide encouragement, hope, or meaningful support following a difficult circumstance, crisis, or tragedy
Hope Valley Initiatives
Hope Valley-designed outreach opportunities, events, or experiences created in partnership with first responder agencies and hosted at third-party community locations
Heroes for Hope is not intended to meet routine financial, housing, clothing, food, utility, transportation, or household needs that may be more appropriately addressed through existing community resources and support organizations.
Who Can Be Referred?
Individuals and families may be considered for referral when a first responder identifies a specific need, circumstance, or opportunity where additional support could create meaningful impact.
The individual or family does not need to be experiencing a financial hardship to qualify; however, the referral should clearly demonstrate how the requested item, opportunity, or initiative would improve wellbeing, safety, accessibility, stability, connection, or quality of life.
Program Guidelines
Heroes for Hope is designed to provide meaningful, one-time opportunities that inspire hope, encouragement, and community support.
At this time, priority consideration is given to individuals and families residing in Licking County, Ohio. While Hope Valley may occasionally partner with organizations serving the broader region, Heroes for Hope is intended to primarily support residents of Licking County and does not generally extend beyond Central Ohio.
As a mission-driven initiative, Heroes for Hope seeks to complement existing community resources whenever possible and may refer individuals or families to other organizations when a need can be more appropriately addressed through an established program or service.
Priority may be given to referrals that:
- Are submitted by an eligible first responder
- Identify a specific and clearly defined need, circumstance, or opportunity
- Represent a one-time item, experience, initiative, or project
- Demonstrate a meaningful opportunity to improve quality of life
- Align with Hope Valley's mission and values
- Create a lasting impact through encouragement, accessibility, connection, or community support
- May not otherwise be addressed through existing community resources
The following are generally not eligible for consideration:
- Ongoing financial assistance
- Rent, mortgage, utility, or recurring household expenses
- Debt repayment
- Cash assistance requests
- Medical bills or insurance premiums
- Ongoing therapy, treatment, or long-term service costs
- Requests that create recurring financial obligations for Hope Valley
- Requests unrelated to the mission and purpose of the program
Sharing Hope Through Story
At Hope Valley, we believe that stories have the power to inspire hope, encourage others, and create meaningful community impact.
Because many Hope Valley initiatives are supported through community partnerships, volunteer involvement, charitable giving, and community fundraising efforts, applicants should understand that approved nominations may involve opportunities to share portions of their story with supporters, donors, volunteers, or the broader community.
Hope Valley may share stories, testimonials, photos, videos, updates, and outcomes related to approved nominations through its website, social media platforms, marketing materials, fundraising campaigns, events, and other mission-related communications.
We believe that every story has the potential to create hope for someone else, and that sharing our experiences can strengthen, encourage, and uplift our community.
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. – Hebrews 6:19