Our History

Hands of Peace (HOP) was founded in 2002 by 3 Chicago-area women (one Christian, one Jewish and one Muslim) as an interfaith organization dedicated to nurturing peace, person by person.  The organization started by offering an intense, two-week long, dialogue-based Summer Program for a small number of teens, and was completely volunteer-based.  HOP has grown in size and strength and scope each year since then.  HOP achieved 501(c)3 status in 2006, and has added a full volunteer Board and some part-time staff.

HOP teaches you not only about the other side but, about yourself too. Leadership skills, effective communication and so many other skills are developed throughout HOP. I can take what I have learned in HOP and put it into practice in my daily and future life.

Victoria, 2011 XL