Canvas of Hope 2025
The celebration continues! You can still contribute to our Fund-a-Need, or make a general donation for Canvas of Hope.
The Canvas of Hope Fall Celebration is our main fundraising event for the year. It is a wonderful way to learn more about recovery and our unique programs that keep our young people sober through the expressive arts. The event is also a great way to show your support for our community of caring and compassionate people who recognize that Substance Use Disorder is a national problem that urgently needs to be addressed.
Congratulations to the winner of the Heart of Hope award!
Amy Payne, Founder & Board Chair of Gratitude House
Amy Payne’s passion for recovery stems from deeply personal experiences. As the mother of a daughter who battled body image struggles, self-harm, addiction, and repeated relapses, Amy saw firsthand the heartbreak and complexity of finding quality care in Missouri which she didn’t find, ultimately her daughter flew across the country to go to a sober living home in California.
Once Amy’s daughter returned with California where she had great success, Amy decided that there needed to be a high-quality sober home in Missouri. Amy became the founder of Gratitude House, a nonprofit that started as just an idea in 2019. Her leadership has directly resulted in a safe, high-quality sober living home for women in St. Louis County where residents are supported not only by structure and accountability but also by dignity, compassion, and individualized care. An active member of Al-anon who also attends open AA meetings, Amy is a pillar in the 12-step community. Her daughter is now thriving with five years of sobriety, and Amy channels that hope to inspire countless others.
Criteria for nominees
Impact on Sobriety & Recovery-Demonstrates consistent support—through peer coaching, group facilitation, housing support, or resource navigation—for people in recovery.
Community Engagement & Leadership-Actively participates in—and unites—St. Louis-area recovery networks, events, or initiatives. Inspires others: mentors peers, leads by example, or mobilizes grassroots efforts.
Innovation & Program Development-Pioneer of new approaches, services, or programs addressing local community needs. Demonstrates creative solutions to persistent recovery challenges, such as gaps in support systems, inclusive meeting space, or social stigma.
Storytelling-Shares powerful personal narratives or testimonials advocating for sobriety, recovery-first policies, and community awareness.
For any questions or additional information, please contact Julie Fox at julie.fox@hopecreates.org or call 314-472-5747. We look forward to receiving your nominations and celebrating the outstanding contributions within our community.
Building community starts with commitment.
We are seeking sponsors to support our 2025-2026 programming to empower our members all year.
Getting sober is difficult. Staying sober is equally challenging. At Hope Creates we inspire change by providing a vibrant and sober creative community that comes together to have screaming fun as we create and exhibit our work! Connection is the opposite of addiction and creation is the opposite of self-destruction.
Our Mission
Our mission is to empower youth and adults in recovery from, or at risk of, Substance Use Disorder to stay sober by engaging in the expressive arts and a vibrant and creative sober community.
We help youth and adults maintain their sobriety through the exploration of creativity, constructive self-expression, and the cultivation of a sense of self-worth and self-confidence by sharing stories, artwork, and hope with our community.
