Who We Are
About Destiny of H.O.P.E., Inc.
For over 25 years, we have walked alongside the youth, the formerly incarcerated, and the families of Columbia, Missouri — because we believe every person deserves a future full of hope.
Our Mission
Helping Our People Excel
Destiny of H.O.P.E., Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to serving at-risk youth, formerly incarcerated individuals, and the broader community of Columbia, Missouri and Boone County.
Our mission is to love, teach, and guide people into fulfilling lives of promise — to give them hope and a future. We do this through direct service, grassroots advocacy, and a deep commitment to the people we serve.
H.O.P.E. stands for Helping Our People Excel.
"Change is inevitable. Growth is Intentional."
— Destiny of H.O.P.E., Inc.
Our Story
Born From the Community, For the Community
Destiny of H.O.P.E. was founded in Columbia, Missouri by community leaders Glenn Cobbins, Sr. and Judy Hubbard. Their vision was rooted in grassroots activism — a belief that real change comes from within the community, not from the outside looking in.
What began as a small, passionate effort to fill the gaps left by larger institutions grew into a recognized organization with multiple programs, a co-founded youth center, and deep roots across Boone County.
Today, Destiny of H.O.P.E. is led by Executive Directors Lonnie Lockhart Bey and Stephanie Lockhart Bey, who carry forward the founding vision with the same love, urgency, and commitment that started it all.
Grassroots Beginnings
Glenn Cobbins, Sr. and Judy Hubbard launch Destiny of H.O.P.E. as a community activist organization in Columbia, MO.
P.E.A.C.E. & H.O.P.E. Center for Youth
Destiny of H.O.P.E. co-founds the P.E.A.C.E. and H.O.P.E. Center for Youth, a separate 501(c)(3) dedicated to serving Columbia's young people.
Reentry Program Launched
The Community Accountability and Personal Responsibility for Ex-offenders program launches to support formerly incarcerated individuals returning to society.
Coalition Against Community Violence
Destiny of H.O.P.E. helps build the Coalition Against Community Violence (CACV) — a Boone County grassroots effort addressing the social determinants of health.
Still Standing, Still Serving
More than two decades later, Destiny of H.O.P.E. continues to grow its programs, deepen its community partnerships, and show up for the people who need it most.
Our Impact
25+ Years of Showing Up
From street outreach to courtroom advocacy, from youth tutoring to reentry support — Destiny of H.O.P.E. has touched thousands of lives across Columbia and Boone County.
2,500+
Community Members Served
5+
Active Programs
25+
Years in Service
1
Co-Founded Youth Center
What Drives Us
Our Core Values
Love
Every program and every interaction begins with genuine love for the people we serve. Love is not soft — it is the most powerful force for change we have.
Accountability
We hold ourselves and our community to high standards — not to judge, but because we believe in the potential of every person to grow and do better.
Hope
We refuse to give up on anyone. Hope is not wishful thinking — it is a daily practice of showing up, believing, and working toward something better.
Justice
We advocate for systems that are fair, equitable, and humane — especially for those who have been most harmed by injustice and systemic neglect.
Community
We are stronger together. We build networks of support, belonging, and accountability so that no one has to face their hardest moments alone.
Persistence
Real change takes time. We have been at this for over 25 years and we are not done. We show up year after year because the work demands it.
"We exist to love, teach, and guide people into fulfilling lives of promise."
Get Involved
Join the Movement
Whether you volunteer your time, donate to our cause, or simply spread the word — you are part of what makes Destiny of H.O.P.E. possible.