Who we are

About Us

The Maribeth Cox Hope Foundation was created out of a deep belief that no family should walk through life’s challenges alone. Rooted in faith, compassion, and community, our foundation exists to educate, encourage, and emotionally support families and students as they navigate seasons of growth, hardship, and hope.

We serve families, caregivers, and students by providing educational opportunities, mentorship, and meaningful resources that strengthen emotional well-being and promote resilience. Our programs are designed to meet people where they are—offering guidance, encouragement, and practical tools that help individuals move forward with confidence and purpose.

At the heart of our work is a commitment to building strong, supportive communities. Through workshops, outreach events, and community-based initiatives, we create safe spaces for learning, connection, and healing. We believe that when people are supported emotionally and spiritually, they are better equipped to thrive in every area of life.

The Maribeth Cox Hope Foundation is faith-based and mission-driven, guided by values of love, service, integrity, and hope. Everything we do is centered on uplifting others, fostering personal growth, and creating lasting impact for families and future generations.

Together, with the support of our community, partners, and supporters, we are building a foundation of hope—one family, one student, and one step at a time.

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A woman and a young boy are in a baptismal pool inside a church, with the woman appearing to have been baptized and the boy holding her hand.

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ABOUT MARIBETH

Maribeth Cox was more than a beloved daughter: she was a child whose life reflected both the beauty and the brokenness of the adoption system.

She came into our family carrying deep trauma like many children who have experienced loss, instability, and unmet needs. But Maribeth was never defined by where she started.

She was strong, vibrant, and determined. She loved deeply, felt everything fully, and had a spirit that refused to quit, even when the odds were stacked against her.

What makes her story so powerful is not just where she came from, but what she overcame.

Maribeth went on to attend Marshall University, something that once felt out of reach for a child with her background. She worked hard, pushed through challenges, and earned a place on the Dean’s List. College wasn’t just school to her, it was proof that her past did not get to decide her future.

She was building a life she could be proud of. And then, in an instant, everything changed.

Maribeth was tragically struck by a car and killed, and our family was left with a loss that words cannot fully capture.

Her death was devastating, but it also brought into sharp focus something that we had been living for years: the gaps in support, resources, and long-term care for children with complex trauma and the families who fight for them every day.

Because the truth is: getting a child to a place like college is not the finish line. It is part of a much bigger journey that requires continued support, guidance, and stability.

The Maribeth Cox Hope Foundation was created in her honor and in response to that need. Our mission is to bridge the gap between crisis and stability by providing:

Support for families caring for children with trauma and special needs.
Mentorship and guidance rooted in lived experience.
Resources that promote long term healing, structure, and independence.

This work is not theoretical; it is built from over 30 years of firsthand raising and adopting children with complex needs.

Work With Us

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Your support helps turn loss into legacy.

It allows us to reach families earlier, walk with them longer, and create real, lasting change for children who are too often overlooked or misunderstood.

Maribeth’s life is a testament to what is possible, and through this foundation her story continues, bringing hope, help, and a future to others still fighting