Quad-Cities YouthHope Hires Esther Joy King As Executive Director
Esther Joy King officially begins as the Executive Director of
YouthHope, a Christian ministry with 88 years of service to the Quad Cities. King follows in the
footsteps of Mark Drake, who is retiring after 37 years. King is just the fourth Executive Director
in the history of YouthHope’s service to the Quad Cities.
Drake said, “We had no idea the story God had planned for us when I started with YouthHope
37 years ago. We could never have imagined the full, exciting, challenging, and blessed life God
has given us and our family. I am confident in the structure, board, staff, and new leadership in
place for the future. YouthHope will continue its Christ-centered unwavering mission to bring
children and teens from low-income areas into a life-changing relationship with Christ.”
King was raised by Christian missionary parents, even living homeless in a converted school
bus on the US-Mexico border, King lives a life of service to others beginning from her youngest
days. Then, as an aid worker in Kabul, Afghanistan, her passion for helping those in need grew
even stronger. As a Reserve Captain in the U.S. Army’s JAG Corps, her understanding of the
service mission remains crystal clear. She carried this mission into running for public office here
in the Quad Cities and is now joining YouthHope in the spirit of serving God and others. Kind
said, “Through my political endeavors, I learned the needs of our community. It’s amazing how
God worked to bring me to YouthHope where we see “need” as an opportunity to show God’s
love to kids and teens. Honoring all the foundations of the service of Mark and Sarah Drake,
Miss Betty Mattingly, Mrs. Agnes Teske, and the Women’s Bible Study who founded our
organization in 1936, I am confident in saying: as we pursue God’s plans for the future, our best
days as a ministry are right in front of us!”
Background
YouthHope was formerly known as Christian Friendliness Association (CF) and has been
serving the Quad Cities for 88 years!
YouthHope’s mission is to bring children and teens from low-income areas into a life-changing
relationship with Christ by encouraging, equipping, and empowering them through Community
Outreach, Youth Centers and Camp Summit Programs. We help meet the spiritual, physical,
emotional, educational, and vocational needs of at-risk youth.
YouthHope serves 357 kids and teens at the Moline and Rock Island Youth Centers each week!
384 kids and teens attended a life-changing week of summer camp at YouthHope’s Camp
Summit. 8,767 individuals have been directly impacted so far this year through YouthHope’s
Food Pantry. YouthHope provides a safe place for youth, help with basic needs, and positive
and passionate mentors and role models who enrich the lives of kids and teens!
