Sharon Hughes is currently the Director of The Hope Center for Refugee and Immigrants, a ministry of Building Hope in the City, in Cleveland, Ohio. The Hope Center welcomes upward of 400 newcomers a week by providing affordable legal services, dignifying job placements, an array of Adult Education + Life skills classes and intentional early childhood education and tutoring services.

The Hope Center is a place where much is given but even more is received. It is a place where mutual blessing is fostered beyond linguistic, cultural, religious and political barriers.

She is grateful to lead alongside a team of passionate peacemakers-lawyers, teachers, childcare workers, van drivers and a killer maintenance crew.

With background as a Professional Photographer and teacher, Sharon has always explored the intersection of art, story and justice work. The camera has always been a tool to see life with greater depth, detail and beauty- whether that has been in her classroom, shooting weddings or documenting life in front of her.

Sharon is originally from Oak Park, IL (just outside of Chicago) but has called Cleveland home for the last 6 years. Her and her husband Tony live in Lakewood and have three beautiful children. In her free time Sharon loves long hikes in the Metro Parks, writing, mulling over a good recipe or trying her hand at interior design. A good day is when she can run to the Lakefront.

She believes with all her heart that God is at work in the world-bringing hope, healing and joy to the most forgotten places. And it’s the small, simple, discrete choices to love and serve that change the world.