Our History
Power of Hope was founded in 1996 by Charlie Murphy and Peggy Taylor. The first Canadian camp was on Cortes Island in 1997. Over the last twenty years we’ve had many incredible board members who bring with them backgrounds in youth work, empowerment and leadership training, business skills and big hearts. We are so grateful for their guiding wisdom behind the scenes.
Founders
Charlie Murphy
Charlie Murphy (CEO and Co-Founder of PYE Global) is renowned for his group facilitation and program design work integrating the arts into youth development. He is an award-winning singer/songwriter with over 30 years experience in the field of experiential learning. In the 90’s Charlie served as national director of training for the YMCA Earth Service Corps, a youth environmental organization. In 2005 he received an Ashoka Fellowship in recognition of his life-long achievements as a change maker and for his work with the Power of Hope program. Charlie leads PYE’s international efforts to train and support organizations and individuals in the Creative Community Model, and to strengthen the field of practice around transformative youth work.
Peggy Taylor
Peggy Taylor (Director of Training and Co-Founder of PYE Global) is a writer, musician, and creative development specialist with a Masters of Education in Creative Arts in Learning from Lesley University in Cambridge MA, USA. She has over 30 years experience working in the fields of group facilitation and experiential learning. She is co-author of Chop Wood, Carry Water: A Guide to Finding Spiritual Fulfillment in Everyday Life, which has sold over 250,000 copies worldwide. Peggy is on the board of Hollyhock, a learning center/retreat on Cortes Island, BC, Canada. She leads PYE’s advanced level training, the Heart of Facilitation. More recently, Peggy co-founded Young Women Empowered, a leadership program for teen women in the Seattle area that is being incubated by PYE.
Power of Hope Founders Charlie Murphy and Peggy Taylor in Thomas Berry Hall at the Whidbey Institute. July 2000