My cup runneth over with gratitude!

I know my last two Heartbeat columns have been about gratitude but after this last week, I continue to be extremely grateful for the amazing #TeamNewHope.  All of us in central Indiana experienced the deep snowfall over the weekend, but while most of us were eating chili and watching Netflix, New Hope’s DSPs, team leaders, managers and maintenance crew were out in the snowstorm ensuring the individuals in our 48 community-based homes were being well-served during this deep snow and freeze.

All weekend we had people working hard to get to work; picking others up when they were stuck in a snowdrift; working extra-long shifts; spending the night at a house just to get up and start again.  Staff also parked on adjacent streets and walked in when streets had not been cleared; staff moved to new houses that needed help, after working their original shifts; maintenance crews worked for hours clearing driveways; and the supported living director, group home managers and on-call team leaders worked overtime manning the phones and organizing the troops!

Cassi Dean, Supported Living Director, called these folks “snow angels” and I concur!  Thank you so much!

As we dig out from the snow, we are looking forward to 2026, and we have some exciting plans to share with you:

• New Hope has been approved for its 12^th group home! To do this, we will remove some beds from shared bedrooms in our current homes and create a new 6-bedroom home.  This home will be for younger adult men and is located on the northwest side of Indy.  We hope this home will open in mid-2026. Individuals served DO NOT need the CIH waiver to be eligible.  If you would like to learn more, contact Amy Flint at aflint@newhopeofindiana.org.
• New Hope’s Respite Home, the Hope House, has gotten off to a great start! In its opening months, we have learned that many families are not quite ready for overnight respite stays.  However, having a daytime respite situation is a great transition to overnight stays.  We had several families take advantage of the daily respite during the holidays and loved it!  This is a great way to develop new skills in a great community-based home.  Again, if you have any questions, would like a tour or are ready to book respite care, please contact Amy Flint at aflint@newhopeofindiana.org .
• Thanks to a grant from the Daughter’s of Charity Mission, Ministry and Impact (MMI) Grant, New Hope will begin a new program in Day Services called Movement Matters for all Abilities. This programs encourages regular, organized physical activity for day services participants.  Through the grant, New Hope has purchased new accessible work out equipment so all can participate.  We have hired a specialized staff to run the program, and she will begin in February. We are excited for this new program and very thankful to the MMI for the grant that allows us to get it going!

I hope you and yours are getting along in this snow!  The first day of spring is less than two months away (March 20^th)!

Take care and stay warm!

Allison