What is the origin story of your community’s beginnings in Anchorage? 
Hope Community Resources, Inc. is a non-profit disabilities service provider based in Anchorage, Alaska. Founded in 1968, our organization provides services and supports to people of all ages who experience an intellectual or developmental disability, traumatic brain injury, or mental health challenge. Hope’s founder, Nancy Stuart Johnson, rejected institutionalization and dehumanizing treatment. She provided a foster home to children with cognitive and physical challenges and championed bringing Alaskan children home from out-of-state institutions. Leaders in the Anchorage community shared her passion, providing the organizational structure to bring many children back to Alaska, beginning a journey of life in community.
Where can people learn more about your community’s history?
Visit our website: www.hopealaska.org/historyofhope
Who in your community is considered to have the most knowledge about your community’s history in Anchorage?
Hope’s Executive Director, Michele Girault, has served at Hope for more than four decades. Michele first came to Alaska on vacation and joined Hope for what she thought would be a short-term job. But the experience sparked a lifelong passion for both Alaska and serving people with disabilities, and she has since devoted her career to championing people's rights, dignity, inclusion, individuality, self-advocacy, and opportunities to live full, meaningful lives. She is also a long-term member of the Key Coalition of Alaska and serves as the President of the Board of Directors.
Tell us about three to five people - past or present - who made a mark on your community.
Nancy Stuart Johnson: Nancy founded ‘Hope Cottage’ in 1968 after recognizing the lack of services for children with developmental disabilities in Alaska. What began as her effort to care for several foster children quickly grew into a formal organization serving 14 children by the end of that year. Her work established the foundation for what would become Hope Community Resources, introducing community-based care as an alternative to institutional settings and shaping the direction of disability services in the state.
Nancy Stuart Johnson
Robert J. Halcro: After witnessing the work Nancy was doing for people with disabilities, Halcro pulled together several business and civic leaders throughout Anchorage, forming a new board that blended Nancy’s original members with financial and legal experts. As chairman—and later president—he launched strategic fundraising events like the Walk for Hope, which not only pulled Hope out of debt but also laid the foundation for its growth into a lasting community organization.
Stephen P. Lesko: Steve became Executive Director of Hope in 1982 and transformed the organization by centering it on a single guiding principle—dreams. He redefined Hope’s mission to create true homes—spaces with dignity, privacy, and individuality. Under his leadership, Hope shifted to wrap-around services, tailoring support to each person’s goals rather than fitting them into predetermined programs. He also expanded Hope’s reach across Alaska, integrating culturally respectful services in rural communities and launching innovative efforts like Dream-Based Planning and an international internship program. Through his vision, Hope became not just a service provider but a place where people could pursue their dreams.
Dr. Roy Scheller: Working alongside Steve for more than four decades, Roy championed value-driven supports that enabled people with disabilities to direct their own lives. After becoming Executive Director, Roy influenced state policy, always pushing boundaries as an innovator. He introduced groundbreaking programs like Outdoor Pursuits, Hope Studios, and intentional communities in Willow and Kenai—initiatives that redefined supported living and inclusion in Alaska. Known as a change-maker, Roy’s leadership created lasting opportunities for independence, creativity, and connection, leaving an indelible mark on Hope’s mission and the people it serves.
Michele Girault: Michele, who became Hope’s Executive Director in 2020, embodies the organization’s mission through a lifetime of dedication to inclusion and advocacy. Beginning her career in disability services by chance, she joined Hope in 1984 after moving to Alaska. Over four decades, Michele gained experience through nearly every level of the organization, combining her background in Human Development and Organizational Management with her personal commitment—including becoming the guardian of two individuals she once supported and helping them build full lives in Alaska. Her leadership blends compassion and strategy, guiding Hope’s growth while staying true to its mission and core values.
Michelle Girault (left) and Carrie (right)
What are some defining moments - the good, the bad, and the wild - that shaped your community’s identity in Anchorage?
- 1968: ‘Hope Cottage’ was founded in Anchorage, transforming care options for children with developmental disabilities.
- 1970s: Hope launched its foster care program, independent living, and community-based residential services as an alternative to institutions, and officially changed its name to ‘Hope Cottages’.
- 1980s: Hope expanded to rural regions and created specialized services for adults, including supported employment, homes, for individuals who experience autism, homes for individuals who experience dual diagnosis, and homes for medically fragile individuals, solidifying Hope as a statewide agency. The Key Coalition of Alaska and first Key Campaign were established (pictured in Juneau, below).
- 1990s: Hope Cottages celebrated its 30th anniversary and changed its name to ‘Hope Community Resources, Inc’. Hope also introduced subsistence programs and expanded supports to more regions throughout the state.
- 2000s: Hope established Hope Studios, a Community Wellness Center, and cultural initiatives, showcasing the talents of people supported by Hope.
- 2010s: Self-advocacy movements grew, and Hope developed partnerships to enhance community inclusion. Hope developed intentional neighborhoods in Willow and Kenai, opened a Mental Health home in Utqiagvik, and a Deaf Supports program.
- 2020s: Hope adapted during COVID-19 by implementing remote services and emphasizing resilient, person-centered care. Hope received several prestigious awards in recognition of its excellence in service, commitment to the arts, community impact, and innovation in behavioral health.
All of these moments are documented in the ‘History of Hope’ webpages at
www.hopealaska.org/historyofhope and in organizational archives. Oral histories and first-hand accounts come from long-term staff, founding families, and self-advocates featured in newsletters and other publications across Hope’s communications platforms (i.e. website, social media, etc.).
Why is Anchorage important to your community? What makes you stay here even during the hard times?
As the city where Hope began, Anchorage offers a community aspiration to embrace diversity and inclusivity. Access to housing, medical services, educational opportunities, and advocacy networks are essential for supporting Alaskans with disabilities and through the decades there have been tangible initiatives by Anchorage leaders to address barriers to accessibility. Anchorage’s central location allows programs developed in Anchorage to extend statewide, connecting urban and rural communities through shared values of inclusion and person-centered care.
Walk & Roll for Hope 2022
Even during challenging times—whether financial pressures, policy changes, or disruptions brought by a global pandemic—the people and culture of acceptance in Anchorage have remained foundational to our mission. Staying rooted in Anchorage means staying connected to the largest number of people in need while continuing to serve Alaska’s cultural and geographic diversity.
What’s one interesting fact about your community’s history that you think people in Anchorage should know about?
Hope has been one of the primary leaders in transforming disability services in Alaska. It started as a single home in 1968 and, over six decades, evolved into Alaska’s largest non-profit of its kind—leading Alaska out of institutional care and into family- and community-based service models.
Published by the Assembly Legislative Services Office
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