HOP grew from a class project in community development at Wichita State University. Since 1997, we have worked to build authentic community-campus partnerships for health in the neighborhood of Planeview and similar low-income areas throughout Wichita and Sedgwick County. Once dubbed the “Miracle City,” Planeview was built during WWII to house people brought in from throughout the nation to work in the airplane industry.

As years passed, the neighborhood increasingly deteriorated until it became the home of last resort for many of the region’s most impoverished families. During thelast 30 years, it has attracted many immigrant families, making it one of the most ethnically diverse communities in Kansas. While these new arrivals struggle to learn English so they can become employed citizens and provide a better life for their families in America, they and their low-income native Kansas neighbors, often live in isolated poverty, with scant access to services others take for granted. HOP is privileged to work with them to help improve their life chances.

In Planeview and similar neighborhoods, hardworking family-oriented households have been especially besieged during recent years of business downturns and public budget shortfalls. People living on the economic edge are typically the first to lose their jobs in such times. Although often uncommonly resilient, those with language barriers find it especially difficult when faced with scant employment opportunities. Sickness and emotional problems increase. Where can one turn for help with little money and no health insurance? With the assistance of many faculty, students, and community partners, HOP provides an answer to this question for numerous families from the lowest income zip codes throughout Sedgwick County and beyond.