Founded as a nonprofit in 2016, Hope Community founding members Shawn Graham (5th generation founding family from Fairhope South), Sallie Smith (Fairhope, now deceased) and Elliott Lauderdale (Fairhope) had a vision to unite all of Fairhope and Fairhope South in community.

With a diverse board of directors, committee chair and current membership of more than 400 volunteers, Hope Community plans to acquire and revitalize the 103-year-old Anna T. Jeanes School property in Fairhope South. The 12-acre parcel was originally farmland owned by the Smith and Hankins families and was donated to build a school to educate black children of Fairhope South in the early 1900s. Hope Community has a two-year lease from the Baldwin County School System which is coming up this year and they have requested the option to buy the property or have it donated.

Completion of the project would result in a thriving teaching farm and community center that creates jobs, training and apprenticeships. It would also support eco-tourism and preserve local African American history, arts and culture in addition to building relationships through education, cooperation and community projects.

Rebecca Bryant, architect and owner of Watershed, a green architecture firm, joined the Hope Community project because the mission aligns with her firm’s beliefs: “Creating healthy buildings and landscapes that conserve energy and resources, while fostering a greater connection to the natural world.”

“Fairhope South has been underserved in many ways, even in public amenities like parks and playgrounds,” states Bryant. “It is, however, ecologically and culturally rich. We hope that by creating opportunities for people to learn about local history and take part in programs around healthy food and agriculture, we can benefit the community.”

“Hope Community envisions a thriving and interconnected community where all individuals have access to locally sourced healthy foods, employment opportunities and cultural enrichment, which promotes sustainable and resilient living,” states Graham, current president of Hope Community.

“Our vision is for Fairhope to embody all the components of a ‘Blue Zone,’” says Lorie Ward, Chair of Community Development. “Blue Zones are areas of the world where people thrive into their 90s and 100s largely due to a high level of physical activity in their daily lives, plant forward diets, a sense of community and faith. We could organically uplevel the health of our entire community with this project. We already have a walkable town, sense of community and favorable climate for growing food.”

A teaching farm can provide the experience of direct contact and interaction with agriculture and natural resources. A teaching kitchen allows experts in healthy living and food preparation to teach the community to nourish themselves and their families to promote health and avoid disease in a cost-effective way.

Preserve Baldwin County African American history.

Anyone who is passionate about making a difference in the lives of others and believes in the power of community and collective action might consider looking into the volunteer opportunities at Hope Community. It is a dynamic organization dedicated to empowering individuals and fostering positive change, resulting in a brighter future for all.