Parents. Advocates. A National Voice for Student Safety and Inclusion.

Justice for Hope, Inc. is a national nonprofit dedicated to exposing discrimination and unsafe conditions in education, empowering families, and holding schools accountable under federal disability law.

We are parents who have lived through the fight. We believe every child deserves equal access to education with dignity and support.

Advisory Board

  • Kelly Free is an experienced educator with over 12 years in the classroom, including 10 years teaching inclusive classes with students on the autism spectrum. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education and a Master's degree in Educational Leadership, both from the University of Central Florida. As a parent of two neurodivergent children—one with specific learning disabilities—she has been a committed advocate for equitable access to services, accommodations, and inclusive school environments. Her dual perspective as both an educator and a parent brings valuable insight to her role on the advisory board, supporting the nonprofit’s mission to combat discrimination and create safer, more supportive schools for all families. Kelly resides in Chicago with her husband and two children.

  • Julie Donovan is a graduate of Florida State University, where she earned her degree in Communication Disorders. During her studies, she gained direct experience working with children on the autism spectrum, sparking a deep and lasting interest in children’s health and development, and public health policy. Her passion for advocacy grew as she became politically involved, working for two Members of Congress. Currently manages fundraising for Fintech interests, Julie has spent her career on Capitol Hill ensuring voices get heard. Today, Julie lives in Washington, D.C. with her husband and their two children.

  • Coming Soon..

FAQs

  • Justice for Hope was created after seeing too many families silenced by schools that ignored their obligations under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or created unsafe conditions for students and teachers.

    The story of “Hope” is a composite of students denied accommodations and excluded from classrooms. She represents every child whose potential was stifled by discrimination.

    By standing together, parents across the country are transforming private battles into a collective movement for justice.

  • We focus on three key areas:

    • Expose Discrimination
      Collect and share stories of ADA/504 violations in private schools nationwide.

    • Empower Families
      Provide resources, toolkits, and guidance so parents know their rights.

    • Demand Accountability
      Push for oversight, transparency, and systemic change when schools fail students.

  • Justice for Hope is a Delaware nonprofit corporation (registered with Harvard Business Services as our agent).

    • We are independent and parent-led.

    • We are not a law firm.

    • We work alongside families, advocates, and regulators to ensure compliance with ADA and Section 504 and federal safety laws.

    • Truth: We publish facts, not rumors.

    • Dignity: Every child deserves respect.

    • Courage: Families should never fear retaliation for seeking accommodations or holding schools to safety and dignity standards.

    • Solidarity: Parents helping parents is the heart of our mission.

  • No, we want to be very clear about that. We are not lawyers and can not provide legal advice. We are a parent lead advocacy group and can point you to publicly available resources, applicable laws, free resources, and other families that have successfully defended their rights and their children.