Verna Wright,
Founder of the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center

Verna Wright, founder of the Dasie Hope Center was born and raised in Wabasso, FL.  She is the second eldest of three children born to the late Dasie Bridgewater.  Just some of her notable hobbies are reading a good book, meeting exciting people, traveling across the world and cooking for her loving family.

After the passing of her mother (Dasie Bridgewater) in the Fall of 2000, Mrs. Wright had the inspiration to open an after-school youth program for low-income children within the Wabasso community in her mother’s loving memory.  Mrs. Wright choose her hometown community of Wabasso because she saw there was nothing positive in the community for children to interact with except street corners and other associated non-productive behaviors.  She did not want the children in the community of Wabasso to be disadvantaged and without opportunity.  Wright then opened the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center on September 5, 2001 and has not looked back; The Center and the children are experiencing positive growth each year.  The future looks bright.

Since the opening of the Dasie Bridgewater Hope Center, youth are reportedly attending school regularly as well as showing major improvements in their grades.  In addition, for three consecutive years, all of the enrolled third graders reportedly passed the FCAT.  “It hasn’t always been easy starting and operating on a budget of $500.00 with $400.00 of that going to repairing the roof of a depilated building” says Wright.  The Dasie Hope Center started its first three years in a small building with terrible structural damage.  With Verna’s vision, local support, and community partnerships the Dasie Hope Center was able to relocate in a more spacious building as well as build a new playground for the children.  Wright concludes, “There’s so much more to be done, but I knew I had to try my best to make a way because deep in my heart I felt the kids in Wabasso deserved an outlet and a chance at succeeding in life--just as my own mother once paved a way for me.”