Metro United Way Launches H.O.P.E. United Fellowship to Uplift Young Black Men
Pilot initiative invests in youth with wraparound support to reduce gun violence, creating a model for sustainable community transformation
Louisville, Ky. (March 9, 2029) – Metro United Way has launched its pilot initiative, the H.O.P.E. United Fellowship, officially kicking off with an initial meeting held Friday, March 6 with eight young men participating in the program. Designed to reduce gun violence, the Fellowship provides wraparound support to young Black men who are disproportionately impacted by these issues in Louisville.
The H.O.P.E. United Fellowship offers a proactive framework to address poverty, one of the root causes of violence, through four core pillars represented in its name: Health, Opportunity, Prosperity, and Empowerment.
- Health: Access to mental and physical health care with required mental health assessments, including case management
- Opportunity: Required employment and skills training to help overcome barriers to gainful employment
- Prosperity: Stipend of $1,000 per month for one year minimum, creating a foundation for stability and growth
- Empowerment: Required mentorship that helps equip young men with skills, support, and resources to make positive choices
Through the Fellowship model, participants will receive educational programming, mental and physical health support, mentorship, employability skills, and job opportunities, as well as a monthly stipend as long as they remain active in the program. This provides both the financial resources and wraparound support necessary to create more opportunity and lasting stability.
Black men between the ages of 18 and 24 years old who are unemployed and not enrolled in school are at the highest risk of being impacted by gun violence in Louisville by being adjacent to a victim or perpetrator of gun violence. By focusing on those most likely to be caught in cycles of violence, this programming model serves as a long-term, sustainable strategy to address the root causes of poverty and inequity through intentional investment that goes beyond financial aid alone.
“There is an ongoing loss of lives in our city, with our young Black men and their communities bearing the brunt of this impact,” said Adria Johnson, President and CEO of Metro United Way. “With programs like the H.O.P.E. United Fellowship, and support from some amazing partners, our vision is to see the most vulnerable in our communities empowered. We want to provide a bridge to the resources our Black youth need to thrive – not just survive.”
Metro United Way is partnering with the Louisville Metro Police Department, local employers, mental and physical health providers, and other nonprofit and for-profit organizations to provide the comprehensive support offered through the H.O.P.E. United Fellowship. The goal of this initiative is to change life trajectories by creating opportunity and building safer, stronger communities where life is valued and resources are accessible. Impact will be tracked through metrics in 1) employment and education, 2) mental and physical health, and 3) crime reduction.
“Our purpose is to cultivate healthy communities for all, especially those who are vulnerable, through impact-driven philanthropy,” said Anne Monell, Executive Director of the Legacy Foundation of Kentuckiana, which invested in this initial H.O.P.E. United cohort. “We’re excited to be part of this new pilot that is another way to live out this purpose and help shape a more thriving future for all of us.”
To learn more about the H.O.P.E. United Fellowship, please visit this link.
