Youth Shape the Vision for the Austin HOPE Center

On May 6, 2025, a group of youth from the Austin community gathered to help shape the future of the Austin HOPE Center—a new space being co-developed by Lurie Children’s and the Stone Community Development Corporation (Stone CDC) to support the physical, mental, and emotional health of young people and their families in Austin.

From the start of the event, facilitators emphasized that youth should feel ownership over the development of the HOPE Center, challenging them to "Ask yourself: Why would I go there?”. They emphasized that the space won’t be a typical doctor’s office that they visit once a year. Instead, it will focus on providing high-quality specialty services like asthma, diabetes, adolescent medicine, and autism care, alongside behavioral and mental health support. Just as important, the HOPE center will also include gathering spaces for youth and community residents, including a Teen Lounge.

Community engagement has been a constant priority in the development and planning of the Austin HOPE Center. The purpose of this particular convening was to better identify ways to evaluate how the HOPE Center is indeed a space reflects the needs and hopes of youth. Co-facilitator Michelle Macy, MD, MS, asked the group to imagine how to measure the impact of the center over time. "We need your help understanding how we’re going to evaluate what’s changing—like a report card for the HOPE Center," she said. Michelle Pickett, a database developer and data analytics expert living on the West Side, also co-facilitated, guiding youth to “dig deep” and share their hopes for the space.

Youth participants responded with thoughtful and creative ideas. Many emphasized the importance of comfort, inclusion, and spaces that allow for emotional expression. Suggestions included:

• Sensory rooms with fidget toys
• Peaceful colors and soft, home-like seating
• Soundproof "scream rooms" to safely release emotion
• Dedicated rooms for anger management, ADHD, and relaxation
• Writing walls or "sharing walls" to express thoughts and feelings
• Pet-friendly areas, healthy food options, and access to mentors

Inclusivity was a recurring theme throughout the conversation. Youth spoke about the need for mixed spaces that don’t separate people with disabilities but instead promote understanding and awareness. They also shared that rooms should have signage and education about their purpose, and that everyone should have the freedom to choose whether to process their emotions alone or in a group.

Youth also advocated for support beyond themselves, including for parents. "Some parents don’t know how to be parents because no one taught them," one participant said.

The conversation also highlighted systemic barriers to care, such as: transportation, financial instability, and prejudice. Some youth shared how their disabilities—like ADHD or stuttering—made it hard to ask for help or communicate their needs. "You don’t choose your disability," one participant said. "People wouldn’t care about asking for help if it felt normal."

The ideas shared are already helping shape how the Austin HOPE Center will look, feel, and function. At its core, the message was clear: young people don’t just need clinical services—they need spaces where they feel seen, validated and safe to be themselves.

A message from the Lurie Children's Foundation

All week long, from June 1 – June 9, we are rallying together to raise vital funds for the future of the Austin HOPE Center, a groundbreaking space for the Austin community. This space reimagines what care and community support can look like for children and their families. This center, designed together with local youth, will go far beyond a traditional clinic.

Every dollar raised during Lurie Children’s Week will directly support building a place where young people feel seen, heard, and empowered. Join us in turning their vision into reality. There are many ways to get involved! Donate, participate, and help create a center where every child belongs and thrives.