Creating and Activating Hope

What becomes possible when the adults surrounding children truly believe that every child is capable of success—No Exceptions? That question is at the heart of Creating and Activating HOPE: The Science, Culture and Practice of Possibility, an unconventional and deeply engaging exploration of the power of hope to transform children, adults, organizations, and communities. For more than five decades, Rick Miller has challenged the assumptions that shape how society sees children, particularly those whose circumstances, experiences, or behaviors have too often defined their possibilities. His journey helped give birth to Kids at Hope, a movement founded on one uncompromising belief: All children are capable of success, No Exceptions! But this is not a traditional book about a movement, a theory, or a program. It is a conversation. Written with the intimacy of gathering around a kitchen table, the book unfolds through stories, scientific discoveries, questions, reflections, and the ordinary experiences that so often carry extraordinary meaning. Its rhythm is intentional. Ideas appear, pause, return, and deepen. A story may illuminate a scientific discovery. A question may challenge a long-held assumption. A familiar thought may return with an entirely new meaning. Readers are encouraged not simply to absorb information but to engage with it—to reflect upon their own experiences, question their beliefs, and discover what hope might make possible in their lives and the lives of others. Throughout this journey, Miller introduces two essential and complementary dimensions of hope. CREATING HOPE: The Culture of Possibility Creating hope begins with three promises that adults make to children: BELIEVE: Recognizing every child's capacity for success, regardless of past or present circumstances. CONNECT: Ensuring children experience meaningful relationships with caring adults who recognize their strengths and nurture their potential. TIME TRAVEL: Helping children imagine and prepare for meaningful futures across four destinations: Home and Family, Education and Career, Community and Service, and Hobbies and Recreation. These promises establish the cultural foundation upon which hope can flourish. ACTIVATING HOPE: The Science of Possibility Drawing upon the pioneering research of psychologist C. R. Snyder and other scholars, Miller explores how hope becomes a capacity that can be intentionally developed through three elements: GOALS: Knowing where we want to go. PATHWAYS: Discovering ways to get there, even when obstacles appear. AGENCY: Developing the motivation and determination to move forward. Together, these elements help transform imagined possibilities into purposeful action. But the real magic of the book lies in the people who bring these ideas to life. Miller introduces readers to Treasure Hunters—ordinary adults who recognize the extraordinary consequences of ordinary acts. Through their stories, readers discover that creating hope does not always require grand gestures, elaborate programs, or extraordinary resources. Sometimes it begins with believing in someone. Showing up. Listening. Expecting more. Helping another person imagine a future they may not yet see for themselves. Along the way, Miller challenges readers to examine their own mental blueprints—the beliefs and assumptions that quietly shape how they perceive children, make decisions, and determine what is possible. For educators, parents, juvenile justice and child welfare professionals, counselors, mentors, community leaders, and anyone invested in the future of children, this book offers a compelling blend of science, philosophy, practical wisdom, and personal discovery. Yet its invitation extends beyond professional roles. It asks each reader to consider a deeply personal question: What might change if I became more intentional about creating hope for others? Ultimately, Creating and Activating HOPE is not a book designed merely to