Andy Dossett | The Wiley Post
Nov 4, 2026
Sometimes hope looks like a safe place to sleep. Sometimes it's a new cell phone, a ride to safety or simply having someone by your side during one of the most difficult moments of your life.
For more than two decades, Ray of Hope Advocacy Center has provided that kind of support to children and adults affected by abuse. This Saturday, the community can help keep that mission going — and have a pretty good time doing it.
The 17th annual Hops for Hope returns Nov. 7, bringing hundreds of people together for an evening of homebrewed beer, food, friendship and fundraising at Bartlesville Municipal Airport.
The event is Ray of Hope's signature annual fundraiser, helping provide critical services to survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault.
"Hops for Hope is our one fundraiser for Ray of Hope," said Executive Director Rhonda Hudson. "It helps us to provide direct services and emergency resources for survivors of child abuse, domestic violence and sexual assault."
A community lifeline
Ray of Hope's work often happens quietly, away from public attention, but its impact reaches thousands of people across the region.
The nonprofit began serving children in 2005, assisting about 48 children during its first year. In 2025, it served nearly 2,000 children and adults, reflecting how dramatically its role has expanded.
Today, the organization provides a wide range of services, from child advocacy and forensic interviews to domestic violence assistance, court advocacy and emergency resources.
For children involved in abuse investigations, Ray of Hope provides a welcoming, neutral environment where specially and highly trained professionals conduct interviews. The process brings multiple agencies together, reducing the need for children to repeatedly recount potentially traumatic experiences.
The organization also helps families navigate complicated investigations and connects them with counseling and additional resources.
For adults experiencing domestic violence or sexual assault, the help can be immediate and practical.
Ray of Hope can arrange emergency shelter, assist with transportation, provide replacement cell phones when safety is a concern and even supply home security equipment to help survivors feel safer.
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Become a subscriberAdvocates also help people obtain protective orders, understand court proceedings and navigate interactions with law enforcement.
And perhaps most importantly, none of it comes with a bill.
"It's all for free," Hudson said. "There is no service provided by Ray of Hope that is at a cost to survivors or our partner agencies."
Beyond direct services, Ray of Hope offers community education on recognizing and reporting child abuse, along with prevention programs addressing unhealthy relationships and teen dating violence.
Its mission is to help people through difficult circumstances while working to prevent future harm.
Hudson also credits the organization's success to a strong network of nonprofits, law enforcement agencies and community partners who understand that caring for vulnerable residents takes a collective effort.
"It takes every single one of us to meet the needs of our community," she said.
Good beer, great food for an even better cause
While the work Ray of Hope performs is serious, Hops for Hope is anything but a solemn affair.
"It's super relaxed. It's very casual," Hudson said. "You don't have to go out and buy a new party dress."
No lengthy presentations or formal dinner programs. Instead, guests can mingle with friends, sample beer, enjoy food and explore a large silent auction at their own pace.
This year's event, themed "Brew 66," celebrates the 100th anniversary of historic Route 66, with a little Mother Road flair woven into the festivities.
Approximately 32 homebrewed beers will compete for bragging rights, with guests sampling the creations and voting for their favorites. Additional brewers will also offer tastings.
The evening features Route 66-inspired food, as well as a silent auction offering everything from handcrafted artwork and gift packages to vacation experiences.
And for those who aren't beer enthusiasts, there will be wine, root beer, coffee and other nonalcoholic options.
Hops for Hope typically draws between 800 and 850 guests, making it one of Bartlesville's larger annual nonprofit gatherings.
Behind the scenes, dozens of volunteers and community organizations help pull the event together. Hudson said that support includes people from other nonprofits who donate their own time to help Ray of Hope succeed.
It's another example of the community collaboration that makes the organization's work possible.
For Hudson, part of the event's appeal is its simplicity.
"You really create your own fun that night," she said.
And while guests may spend the evening debating their favorite homebrew or bidding on a vacation, their participation supports something far more important: making sure someone facing abuse has somewhere to turn.
That's what makes Hops for Hope more than just another night out.
It's a community coming together, enjoying itself and making a difference in the process.
How to attend
The 17th annual Hops for Hope: Brew 66 takes place Saturday, Nov. 7, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Hangar 5 at Bartlesville Municipal Airport, 401 NW Wiley Post Road.
Tickets are $66, a nod to the Route 66 centennial. The event is for guests ages 21 and older.
Tickets and additional information are available at rayofhopeac.org/hops-for-hope.
For those who need assistance, Ray of Hope operates a 24-hour crisis hotline at 918-214-8886.
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