Our History 

The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation (SSHF) before Incorporating existed as a private organization in the community providing a widespread of programs and events in order to make a positive impact in our community through the memory of Stephanie Starks. Below is a list of some of our activities prior to incorporating:

• 1998 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation Co-Chaired the AIDS Walk for LA with Central Recovery & Development Project (Connie Wynn). This event had over 5,000 participants.
  
  
• 1999 - 2000 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation helped organize the 'Stop The Killing Campaign' designed to stop the killing in the City and Counties of Los Angeles working with Law Enforcement and Community Based Organizations.
  
  
• 2001 - 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation helped coordinate the "Late Night Basketball League" at the Harvard Recreation Center, in partnership with the Los Angeles Clipper's, LAPD South Bureau, Harvard Recreation Center, and Central Recovery & Development Project. This program was designed to bring rival gangs and at risk teens together to play organized supervised basketball in efforts to stir the youth away from negative activities. This program also included Job Fairs, Employment Placement and LA Clipper's Game Day Tickets etc, Through the "Late Night Basketball League" 21 youth received College Scholarships, 450 youth gained full-time employment, and over 600 youth exited gang activity.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation officially incorporated in the State of California and also became a Public Benefit 501 (c) 3 recognized corporation by the IRS, working as an independent corporation to further our efforts in planting HOPE in our communities™.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation's (SSHF) Beyond the Best of A Child™ program partnered with the Children's Defense Fund endorsing their Leave No Child Behind, and supporting the 100% Campaign.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation responded to those in need due to multiple hurricanes throughout Florida by providing food boxes (each box fed a family of four for one week), hygiene items and financial support to be distributed by The Salvation Army in Florida. The donation was delivered via a 58-foot trailer that was full. We coordinated the effort with key companies like City To City Moving, Farwest Freight, Children's Network International, and Phenix Web Design.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation partnered with the Salvation Army Caribbean Territory, Haiti Territory and are raising funds and awareness in their rebuilding and recovery.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation (SSHF) partnered with the Children's Network International to increase our outreach to families and children devastated by disaster etc.
  
  
• 2004 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation (SSHF) Donated Christmas trees and approximately 2000 children's books to unprivileged families. This is scheduled to be an annual donation. In addition we donated 22 Pallets of Children's Items to the Children's Network International to be distributed to families in need.
  
  
• 2005 The Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation partnered with SAWSO (the Salvation Army World Service Office) in efforts to raise one million dollars in aid relief. SAWSO agreed to be the recipient of funds raised through our upcoming fundraising campaigns. Funds will be collected by the Stephanie Starks HOPE Foundation and will be forwarded to SAWSO for the support of their international response to the Tsunami disaster. These funds will help support the reconstruction of villages, provision of health care, creation of micro-business initiatives, and water systems.