Hope for Kids was founded and based on Christian principles by Lorrie Gawryla and Brenda Lee Goldman in 1996 and was state licensed January 3, 1997. Lorrie worked as a psychiatric nurse on the adolescent unit of a local psychiatric hospital. In 1995 the hospital administrator asked Lorrie to develop a therapeutic foster care program. Lorrie developed the in house legal procedures while Brenda focused on the foster parent support and educational system. The first two children were placed in Brenda's home as long term placements and together Lorrie and Brenda continued to work as one developing and perfecting this program. However, in 1996 the hospital wanted to phase out this program. Realizing the great need for this program to continue, Lorrie and Brenda decided to continue this service by founding - Hope For Kids Inc.