In New Prague, community means everything. It’s what brings schools, families, individuals, and local foundations together to help everyone thrive during challenging times. Over the years, these partnerships have become a steady source of encouragement and care, meeting immediate needs while also building long-term support within the community.
As school social worker Aliina Peterson explains, “The district is proud to work in close collaboration with two incredible community partners — The O’Neill Foundation of Hope and the Hope House Foundation — to support families in need and ensure every student has the resources they need to succeed.” Together, these foundations provide critical resources, strengthen connections, and support local families, making sure every student has the opportunity to succeed both in school and beyond.
The O’Neill Foundation of Hope, originally founded to serve families facing unforeseen hardships, has become a trusted source of compassion and assistance in New Prague. Whether it’s a house fire, a sudden medical diagnosis, financial strain, or another unexpected challenge, the foundation steps in when families might otherwise fall through the cracks.
Since 2022, it has helped more than 250 families and individuals, averaging 3 to 4 each week. Support ranges from financial aid and essential resources to transitional housing through the Bob and Kathy O’Neill House of Hope, a Bloomington duplex named in honor of the founders’ parents. The home provides families in crisis with a safe place to live at no cost, giving them stability during their hardest times.
“Our goal is to show people love and care in the middle of hardships they never saw coming,” Ryan O’Neill shared.
The O’Neill Foundation is funded by local generosity and also family-led fundraising efforts, such as annual Christmas concerts. Community members can get involved by spreading the word, nominating a family in need, or contributing financial support. Each act of kindness, no matter the size, extends hope to someone who might otherwise feel forgotten.
The Hope House Foundation, based in New Prague, has one clear mission: helping families in need. Its board is made up of members from local churches including St. Wenceslaus, Holy Trinity, FaithPoint, and NewDay, reflecting the strong community and faith-base roots that continue to guide its work. Through these partnerships, the Hope House Foundation provides essential resources, ongoing support, and a sense of stability for families, ensuring no one in the community has to face hardship alone
Today, the Hope House Foundation works closely with New Prague Area Schools to provide direct support for families. When a need is identified, the foundation steps in with resources that ease the burden on families, whether it be rent, bills, groceries or any other necessity. The foundation offers practical assistance that helps individuals stay focused on the well-being and success of their families.
“We are a foundation that is helping families who are in need,” shared Rosella Kes.
Though still growing, the Hope House Foundation has a powerful impact. The foundation works hard to assist families while also uniting schools, churches, and other organizations (including the O’Neill Foundation of Hope) around a common mission: caring for neighbors in need.
Both the O’Neill Foundation of Hope and the Hope House Foundation remind us what it means to live in a community that cares. Though each has its own story, they share the same purpose: to stand beside families during life’s hardest moments and ensure every student has the chance to succeed.
For those looking to get involved, both foundations are 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations and welcome financial contributions. Spreading the word, nominating families or individuals in need, or making donations are all meaningful ways to strengthen their efforts. Every gesture helps extend their reach and assures that no family faces hardship alone.
Senior NPHS Student, Claire Motz