Dawn of Hope

1982 The Dawn of Hope, along with the assistance of the City of Johnson City, Community Development Funds, and various civic groups, helped to acquire the building for the Vocational Program located (as the Watauga Rehabilitation Workshop) in the Johnson City Industrial Park where it still is today. 1974 The Dawn of Hope built an addition to the location at 1500 Millard Street. 1971 The Dawn of Hope relocated to a former school building located at 1500 East Millard Street. November 4, 1968 The Dawn of Hope was founded by Mr. Jay Gump, Dr. Thomas McKee, Mr. Walter Mitchell, Dr. W. B. Pennebaker, and Dr. Kenneth Roark. Board members included Mrs. Vee Smith, Reverend James Coleman and Mr. Bob Owens. With a budget of $6,000 and five participants, Ann Bishop and Pat Gotch staffed the first Dawn of Hope Development Center in the basement of St. John's Episcopal Church in Johnson City. The original mission was to provide daytime programs for children and adults with mental retardation.