On May 26, 2026, Garden of Hope International held its inaugural ceremony at Christ Episcopal Church in Pensacola, Florida — marking the formal founding of the organization and celebrating over two decades of community work by founder Baibin Yin.
Inaugural Leadership
The following individuals were formally installed at the inauguration ceremony:
- Baibin Yin — Founder & Executive Director
- Ken Pyle — Board Member
- Board Member
- Jin — Operations Director
- Li — Program Director
Twenty Years in the Making
What began as a personal commitment to field documentation and community observation in 1994 culminated in the formal establishment of Garden of Hope International, Inc. as a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Over two decades, founder Baibin Yin developed a rigorous sociological framework — the SOVAC model — grounded in participatory fieldwork across multiple communities and cultures.
The inauguration ceremony honored this journey and marked the beginning of the organization's formal community service programs in Northwest Florida.
The Ceremony
The event brought together community leaders, clergy, academic partners, and representatives from local cultural associations to celebrate the founding of Garden of Hope International.
Distinguished Guests & Participants
Venue
Christ Episcopal Church, Pensacola, FL
Clergy
Officiating clergy from Christ Episcopal Church
Opening Remarks
Founder Baibin Yin delivered the keynote address, 'Still on This Road.'
Korean Community
Representatives from the Korean community in the Pensacola area
Chinese Community
Representatives from the local Chinese-American community
Korean Association
Pensacola Korean Association
Media
Local media representatives covering the event
Founder's Address
In his keynote, Baibin Yin reflected on the journey from field observer to nonprofit founder:
"I have been on this road for thirty years. Every photograph I took was a promise — a promise to the people I saw that their story would not be forgotten, that their potential would not be wasted."
Baibin Yin, Founder, Garden of Hope International
The address drew on his published work 'Still on This Road,' a reflection on thirty years of participatory fieldwork and the founding philosophy behind GOHI's intervention model.
Ceremony Documents
Official documents from the inauguration. Request by email or download directly.