Where Hope Took Shape: The Summer That Created 10,000 Hearts
As part of our celebration of Hearts of Hope’s 25th anniversary, we’re taking a stroll down memory lane every month and sharing some of our favorite stories of hope. And while we’ve got countless examples of lives touched and connections made through the painting and delivery of our hearts, we also want to talk about the kinds of opportunities Hearts of Hope has been able to provide for young people through organizational, behind-the-scenes, and leadership roles over the years.
Before we ever get to a Paint with a Purpose event, there’s a lot of work to be done in preparation. Gathering supplies, working with sponsors, creating flyers and spreading the word—and, of course, hand-making and firing fresh ceramic hearts, ready for painting! The best part about this work is when the process of producing rows and rows of hearts as a team becomes a meaningful experience in itself.
That’s where this story begins.
In the summer of 2022, as the world cautiously stepped out of the shadow of COVID, Hearts of Hope found more places than ever to send encouragement and hope. The only challenge was: we were running out of hearts.
Though there was already a group of volunteers who worked weekly to prepare heart kits, Hearts of Hope Founder Judy decided to try something new. She placed an ad in the local paper, inviting high school students to spend their summer making clay hearts.
Four students answered the call. Alongside Judy and her husband Mike, Brandon, Brady, Michaela, and Adriana worked every week to create as many hearts as they possibly could.
At that time, the main Hearts of Hope studio was located in the home of Judy and her husband, Mike – in the garage, in fact! Air-conditioned, filled with ceramic hearts and heart art, pounds and pounds of clay, and a studio-sized ceramic slab roller table – they were ready to get to work.
At first, Judy wondered if the students might not take the task seriously, might be unreliable, or might peter out if they got bored. Instead, she was amazed when every student showed up right on time, twice a week, every single week. Like clockwork, the students came into that garage and worked hard without fail, growing in confidence as they got used to the process and finding their rhythm as a team.
That summer, the garage became more than just a workspace. It was filled with music chosen by the students each week, laughter that echoed between tasks, and a real sense of pride as their efforts took shape, knowing they would reach someone in need of comfort. A poster on the wall tracked their journey, each mark representing not just numbers, but dedication, teamwork, and shared accomplishment.
By the end of the 12-week summer, this small but mighty group had created 10,000 clay hearts, far surpassing expectations and even outpacing the capacity of those tasked with firing them. The pride and satisfaction Judy and the students all felt were simply immeasurable.
At its core, this experience is a reminder that when young people are given the opportunity to lead and serve, they rise to the occasion in extraordinary ways. It reflects an important aspect of Hearts of Hope’s impact goals: empowering young people through meaningful opportunities for leadership, creativity, and service.
For these students, the summer was more than volunteer work. It was a chance to contribute to something bigger than themselves, to see firsthand how small acts of care can ripple outward into the world. A chance each and every one of them took to heart.
Hearts of Hope’s commitment to youth and teen development continues throughout the year, most notably through the Hope Scholarship. Awarded annually, this scholarship recognizes students who embody the same spirit of compassion, leadership, and service that defined that remarkable summer in the garage.
To learn more about the Hope Scholarship and how you or a student in your life can get involved, we encourage you to reach out. The next generation of leaders is already shaping the future, sometimes one small heart at a time.
