A Note from Allison: High Spirits

29 Mar A Note from Allison: High Spirits

Happy spring!

If you’re at all like me, the daffodils and crocus have boosted your spirits these last few weeks.

More than the changing weather, though, my spirits have been boosted by your overwhelming generosity this month! In honor of Disability Awareness Month, you have helped us raise over $4,920 this month! Plus, thanks to a generous $3,500 gift from Bernie Konrady, long-time New Hope family member and supporter, the first $1,167 in donations in March were matched three to one. That means that your generous support has resulted in over $8,420 towards our mission and to our efforts of creating a more inclusive community. THANK YOU!

March is also Women’s History Month and Social Work Month, both near and dear causes to New Hope. This month, I’d like to recognize one of New Hope’s longest serving leaders, Amy Flint, Director of Community and Family Connections. With the training and heart of a social worker, Amy has served New Hope for 35 years. In her current role, Amy leads New Hope’s Behavior Services program and manages our program admissions, helping families navigate the process of finding care for their loved ones. I am so grateful to have strong women like Amy leading New Hope’s legacy of service and advocacy and preserving vital historical knowledge to our leadership team. Thank you to Amy for your 35 years of service!

Lastly, I want to share my gratitude to INARF, our industry’s professional association, for their advocacy efforts for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Indiana. For the last six years, I have been honored to serve on their Board of Directors as a representative of New Hope of Indiana. This month was my last as a Board member and as a member of the Executive Committee, although I will still co-chair the Government Relations committee. I was honored and humbled to receive the INARF Special Leadership Award, an award given by the current INARF Board Chair, Debbie Bennett. Thank you to INARF for remaining committed to the individuals we serve and for letting me be a part of your efforts these past years. I’m looking forward to continuing New Hope’s relationship with INARF into the future.

We have a lot to look forward to here at New Hope over the coming months. We are continuing to re-engage individuals in our Day Services program as COVID precautions allow. We are finalizing plans for New Hope’s first summer camp for kids with and without disabilities. Registration will open in April! We are hoping to relaunch our Cheese and Thank You food truck program soon – if you know anyone looking for a part-time seasonal job supervising the food truck, contact us! Our AIM program has returned to daily community outings, learning and giving back to the community.

Overall, the future is still bright at New Hope of Indiana, and I am so glad that you are a part of it!

Enjoy the spring,

Allison