HOPE NC was founded in 2018 by three parents, Dotty Foley, Orah Raia and Ginny Dropkin, who all have sons with autism, along with decades of collective experience in the disability field and their personal experiences of the challenging issues facing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Laura Wells, Executive Director, joined the organization in 2022.

The driving force behind the creation of HOPE NC was the dilemma many families face: where will their adult children with I/DD live when aging caregivers can no longer care for them? Our mission expanded to include older adults when we realized that many older adults are isolated and want to stay connected to their communities and don’t always want to be segregated by age. Families also want their loved ones to have options of where they can live and know that their loved one is valued and included.