For Charles, a proud Ward 8 native, living with high blood pressure once felt overwhelming. “My blood pressure was through the roof,” he recalls. “I was eating okay but not like I should. I wasn’t managing things the way I needed to.

For 18-year-old Tabatha Gore, this August marks a moment she’s worked toward for years: she’s starting her first semester at North Carolina A&T State University. She’s a first-generation college student with  a scholarship from the Pearl and Ivy Foundation (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, DC Chapter). But behind her accomplishment is a powerful story of caring for her mom, her personal determination, and the support of Community of Hope. 

When you meet Jalisa Settles, her warmth and determination shine through instantly. She speaks with the strength of someone who has overcome challenges and is now building a healthier future for her family with the help of Community of Hope’s WIC program.