Built From Loss.
Built for Others.
Skylar's Hope For Change exists because a father refused to let grief be the end of the story — and chose to turn the worst moment of his life into a mission to save others.
Skylar
In 2017, founder John Archer lost his daughter Skylar to a fentanyl-heroin overdose. She was someone's everything — a daughter, a person full of life, someone who deserved a chance at a different outcome.
Fentanyl-laced heroin took her life before help could reach her. It is a story shared by too many families across Arizona and across America — a crisis that does not stop at any zip code, income level, or family.
Rather than let grief remain private and paralyzing, John Archer made a decision: Skylar's name would stand for hope. Her loss would become the fuel for action. The organization carries her name as a commitment — to fight back with compassion, community, and real, tangible help.
More of Skylar's Story Coming Soon. Personal memories, photos, and her full biography will be added here with the family's full permission. If you knew Skylar and would like to share a memory, please reach out.
John Archer
John Archer is the founder of Skylar's Hope For Change, a Phoenix, Arizona resident, and a father who turned the most devastating loss of his life into a mission of action and compassion.
After losing Skylar in 2017, John began learning firsthand what it meant to face addiction, grief, and an overwhelmed system — and what was missing in the gaps between institutions, clinics, and communities.
He launched Skylar's Hope For Change to be what was missing: mobile, personal, direct. An organization that goes to people rather than waiting for them to arrive. That pairs kindness with action. That refuses to accept that some people are simply beyond help.
His belief: every person, no matter how deep in addiction, homelessness, or trauma, deserves at least one more real chance.
John operates from Phoenix, Arizona and can be reached directly at 623-451-1147.
Founder Bio Photo: Add a photo of John Archer here. Suggested: a candid or portrait photo that conveys warmth and authenticity.
From Loss to Mission
Skylar Passes Away
John Archer loses his daughter Skylar to a fentanyl-heroin overdose. A family's worst nightmare becomes the seed of a new mission.
Turning Grief Into Action
John begins learning the landscape of addiction recovery, homelessness, mobile outreach, and the gaps that exist between formal systems and real people in crisis.
Skylar's Hope For Change Launches
The organization forms around six core programs — mobile dental and medical outreach, addiction recovery support, transitional housing, veteran support, homeless outreach, and community partnerships.
Building What's Next
With community support, mobile buses launch, partnerships grow, housing programs open, and more lives get a second chance. This is where you come in.
Be Part of the Story
Skylar's story didn't end in 2017. Through this mission, it continues — in every person who gets help, every door that opens, every life that changes.