Founding Vision

Visions of Hope was born from the shared experiences and insights of two dedicated human-services professionals: Felicia Duce, a licensed clinical professional counselor with a passion for trauma-informed care, and Richard Renz, a U.S. Navy veteran turned Licensed Master Social Worker committed to supporting justice-involved individuals. In conversations over coffee in late 2023, Felicia and Richard recognized a striking overlap in the barriers faced by veterans reentering civilian life and people returning from incarceration. Both populations struggled with housing instability, untreated mental health needs, and fragmented support systems, and too often fell through the cracks of traditional service models.

Early Collaborations

Determined to fill this gap, Felicia and Richard convened a small group of like-minded counselors, social workers, and Community Based Rehabilitation Specialists, in early 2024. Drawing on their varied backgrounds in corrections, veteran services, Community Based Rehabilitation Services (CBRS), substance-use counseling, and family therapy, the group sketched the outlines of a program that would integrate housing, clinical care, and community support under one roof. They named their initiative Visions of Hope to reflect both the aspirational nature of recovery and the concrete strategies they would employ to make hope tangible.

Program Development

Over the next year, the founding team engaged in:

1. Needs Assessments: Conducting focus groups with formerly incarcerated women, justice-involved men, and returning veterans to understand their most pressing concerns—secure housing, access to healthcare, vocational training, and peer connection.
2. Evidence Review: Synthesizing research on trauma-informed practices, peer mentorship models, and permanent supportive housing to identify "best practices" that could be adapted for a mixed population.
3. Partnership Building: Establishing formal MOUs with the Idaho Department of Corrections, local Veterans Affairs offices, and community landlords to guarantee housing placements and wraparound services.
4. Funding Strategy: Crafting grant proposals and engaging local philanthropies, ultimately securing seed funding through a combination of CDBG grants, private donors, and a strategic partnership with Visions Counseling and Education.

Pilot Launch and Early Impact

Hoping to launch in summer 2026, Visions of Hope wants to open its first transitional housing facility—a complex offering 15 units, on-site counseling, and peer-led support groups. Within the first six months, the projections will show through research that these goals are probable:

1. Housing Stability: 85% of residents should maintain their housing placements, and 60% should transition to permanent housing upon completing the program.
2. Clinical Engagement: 100% of participants will receive trauma-informed individual therapy and group skills training in areas such as anger management, stress reduction, and life skills coaching.
3. Employment and Education: 70% of residents will be enrolled in job-readiness workshops or educational programs, with 45% securing part-time or full-time employment.

Innovations and "Landscape Change"

Visions of Hope quickly garnered attention for its "integrated cohort model," with local law enforcement probation and Idaho Department of Corrections, wherein veterans and justice-involved individuals live, learn, and heal alongside each other. This approach:

1. Breaks down stigmas by fostering peer empathy and shared mentorship.
2. Leverages veterans' experience in discipline and teamwork to support mutual accountability.
3. Applies restorative-justice principles to encourage personal responsibility and community reintegration.

Growth and Future Directions

Building on early successes, Visions of Hope will expand to include:

1. Visions Village: A 50-unit mixed-income residential community with on-site mental-health clinics, a veterans' resource center, and a restorative-justice training hub.
2. Mobile Outreach Team: Licensed clinicians and peer specialists who provide in-field support to veterans and justice-involved people still in their communities.
3. Research Partnership: Collaborating with Boise State University to formally evaluate program outcomes on recidivism rates, mental-health symptom reduction, and long-term housing retention.

Conclusion

From a simple idea—recognizing common hurdles faced by veterans and justice-involved individuals—to a pioneering program model that blends housing, clinical care, and peer support, Visions of Hope will chart a new course in mental health services. As it continues to grow, its founding principle remains the same: by uniting diverse experiences around a shared vision, we can transform individual lives and reshape the landscape of recovery and reintegration.