23 Apr - What New Hope Means to Me

by DG Saladin, NHI Team Leader When asked to write a blog post for New Hope of Indiana, I wasn’t quite sure where to begin. Searching for ideas on what to write about, I conducted an informal survey at Castleton Day Service asking, “What does New Hope mean to you?” I surveyed anyone who wanted to participate assuring them that there were no wrong answers to this question. The answers were varied and spontaneous. I heard responses like: New Hope is “a good place.” New Hope is “family.” New Hope is “music.” New Hope is “a place to help me with healthy choices.” New...

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16 Apr - Service Spotlight: Lynn Feldman

I came to New Hope in 1978 as an Occupational Therapist right out of college. When I was in OT school, we kept hearing about a new facility for individuals with disabilities but then nothing seemed to come of it. Then, several years after I had graduated, I found that New Hope had finally opened and not only was there an OT position available but the person I had gone to school with oversaw the OT department. My first day was very interesting. New Hope was getting ready to open two new wings – I spent...

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16 Apr - New Hope’s 40th Anniversary Celebration Continues

March was a big month for our yearlong 40th anniversary celebration with the wonderful birthday party. What a memorable time everyone who attended had; the heartwarming program recognizing our Class of ‘78 individuals, associates and physicians; special guests of honor Daughters of Charity, debut of the reflection book, a festive selfie station, yummy cupcakes, and much more. Our thanks to Amy Flint, Director of Placement, who did a superb job of coordinating the party. In April, there is not a specific 40th event; however, we are hoping to capture some of the wonderful stories and memories of associates, individuals served,...

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23 Mar - Zeller, Speak!

by Zeller, CCI Facility Dog and NHI Employee One of the nicest things that ever happened to me at New Hope, happened on my very first day! I came in the front door and I could see a lot of people down the hallway, and I realized they were waiting to meet ME! I was so excited and so were they. I was smothered with love and my heart felt like it might burst with joy! My heart feels like that a lot around here...

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23 Mar - A Note from Allison: It is always New Hope of Indiana Day in our minds!

Happy Anniversary, New Hope of Indiana! My heart is full as I look back on New Hope’s 40th Anniversary month. It is hard to believe that 40 years ago New Hope officially opened its doors on Payne Road and thirteen clients, four associates and two doctors are still here today to tell the stories! I think the Indianapolis Star summed it up well in its headline the day after our anniversary party, New Hope is “A Present that has Lasted 40 Years”! Check out the full story and some beautiful photos on the IndyStar's website. Thank you to our...

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23 Mar - St. Vincent Gives Back to New Hope Once Again

As New Hope of Indiana reaches our 40th anniversary, we are so proud of the many relationships that have allowed us to have a significant impact in the lives of those with disabilities and families in need. In our history, there have been no more influential entities than St. Vincent Health and the Daughters of Charity. In fact, New Hope's Core Values were given to us by St. Vincent nearly four decades ago and are what guide us still: Service, Reverence, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity, and Dedication. Since their founding by the Daughters of Charity more than 150 years ago, St. Vincent...

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23 Mar - Client Profile: Bill Samaras

When Bill Samaras moved from his family's home into the New Hope residential facility in September of 1978, he told his brother that was his birthday present, to be free of his younger brother bugging him all of the time. Of course, Bill was just kidding, but that delightful sense of humor is still very apparent in Bill as he likes to joke around. Bill lived on A-Pod, later called Alpha Hall. He has a lot of great memories, especially of socializing with his many friends. When the facility began downsizing, Bill moved out with his...

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22 Mar - Dedicating the Louise Group Home

In November, 2017, the individuals in the Louise group home moved to a wonderful new home, still in Atlanta, Indiana. The original Louise group home was an historic, two-story Victorian with very steep, dark stairs to the second floor. The new Louise home, not far from the other home, is one story and has been beautifully renovated to meet the needs of its residents. It was truly a team effort by all to make this move happen. To celebrate the new Louise home, a dedication occurred on March 15, 2018. We were honored to have current board...

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15 Mar - Service Spotlight: Nancy Stamm

It was just after the infamous blizzard of 1978 that Nancy Stamm accepted a position at a soon-to-open state of the art residential facility for persons with developmental disabilities: New Hope of Indiana. She recalls there were constant meetings and changes in the last minute mad rush to get the facility ready for the March 13th opening. That first day was very exciting for the individuals moving in, their families and the staff. Nancy worked in the Recreational Therapy Department, initially with 3 team members, but in later years, 16. Even then, there was a...

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15 Mar - Mission Minute: 40 Years of Hope

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration March 13th was our highly anticipated 40th Anniversary and what a fabulous party we had! So many people attended with both longtime and more recent connections to New Hope. Be sure to check out the highlights. While the celebrations will continue throughout the year, this month is especially fitting for reflecting on HOPE, which is so much more than just a part of our name.[caption id="attachment_19615" align="alignright" width="300"] Daffodils are the spring flower of HOPE[/caption] From the very beginning, New Hope has offered HOPE to families of persons with developmental disabilities. Some families, concerned...

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09 Mar - What Makes New Hope Different?

by Amanda Boyd, Manager of Day Services Next month will be my 10th anniversary working for New Hope of Indiana. When I first applied and interviewed at New Hope, I knew something felt different about this place. At the time, I don’t know that I could have put my finger on what exactly that was. Over time I have grown to learn and understand that New Hope is different because of the way we treat each other. At New Hope we have the tradition of celebrating each other’s milestones and strengths, both clients and staff alike. We show it daily by...

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23 Feb - Kroger Contributes to New Hope’s Food Truck

A big THANK YOU to Kroger for their generous support of the New Hope Food Truck and the Thankful Thursdays program! With a gift of $10,000, Kroger will be one of the founding sponsors for the project and will have their logo featured prominently on the side of the vehicle. “We are so happy to have the opportunity to work with Kroger on the New Hope Food Truck,” said Dr. Kathy Ballard, Director of Community Outreach. “Kroger is a great community partner providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities and teaching communities healthy eating habits.” This program...

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23 Feb - Remembering our Friends

Ron Hart-Hults Ron served New Hope and the individuals for twenty-five years in various positions, most recently as a direct support professional in FCS (Family and Community Services program). He had a heart for those he served and enriched their lives in many ways, but mostly through community inclusion and helping them shine by using their talents and finding their passions. He was a musician and shared his love of music with several of the individuals, forming a music group with them, which performed at New Hope and in the community. Ron truly embodied the New Hope philosophy...

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23 Feb - Client Spotlight: Geraldine Keeling

The New Hope residential facility opened its doors on March 13, 1978. The first person to move in that day was Geraldine Keeling, who is still being served by New Hope today! Before coming to New Hope, she had been living with her parents, who were interested in finding a place she could live which would provide activities and where she could have friends. She moved in and resided on D Pod/Delta Hall. Geraldine later moved to Seton Group Home in 1992, where she continues to reside. Geraldine enjoys coming to the Payne Road Day Services program and...

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23 Feb - A Note from Allison

I ❤ New Hope! During this Valentine’s month, you may have seen these signs all around New Hope and on our social media. Amanda and I are posing here with the sign and you can see more pictures on our Facebook page. Please feel free to print your own sign and tell us why You ❤ New Hope! Why do I ❤ New Hope? ♥The big smiles on the faces of the individuals we serve each day. ♥The loving and compassionate care provided by our DSPs. ...

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23 Feb - The Unexpected Benefits of New Hope

by Denise Caudill, NHI Parent When considering what therapies you want your child to receive, you also need to think about where he or she will receive the services. Some providers offer in-home sessions in addition to on-site therapy. Understandably, not everyone has the option of going outside the home environment for treatment. Only you as the parent and/or caregiver can decide what option is best suited for your child and family. For us, receiving music therapy and recreational therapy at New Hope of Indiana offered what we needed and a few unexpected benefits. In previous years, three...

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14 Feb - Service Spotlight: Scott Boleman

I have enjoyed working at New Hope of Indiana for several decades. I began working at New Hope in early 1979 which means I have shared about 62% of my life with New Hope and with the people here. In my younger years, I was more interested in social concerns and social equity. Working in typical business jobs did not seem appealing then and it still does not today. Currently, I am one of thirteen New Hope Behavior Consultants. This entails a lot! Just a few of the many essential skills are being a good teacher and a listener. In...

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14 Feb - Mission Minute

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration “Where there is love, there is life.” This simple quote by Mahatma Ghandi shows how love is truly the essence of life. Everyone knows February is the month of love, not just in a romantic sense, but for our families, friends, coworkers/jobs and certainly, in the big picture, our fellow human beings. There is no question that love is abound at New Hope. We are in the second month of our yearlong 40th Anniversary celebration, and so far, it has been a lot of fun and there is much more to come including the Birthday...

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05 Feb - A Tribute to Our New Hope Valentines

By Sr. Mary Satala, former New Hope associate The year was 1991. The date was February 14th - Valentine’s Day. It was in the evening that I arrived on my new Mission in Indianapolis. The drive down from Chicago had been treacherous because the roads were coated with ice all the way to Indy. Cars, big rigs, SUVs had slid off the road. Weather-wise it was a bitterly cold, sleety world that particular day. So much for Valentine’s Day. Little did I know, however, that the spirit of Valentine’s Day was not gone. Why?...

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29 Jan - The Story of the Silver Cup

by Steve Cook, Former New Hope CEO I recently gave Allison Wharry, current New Hope of Indiana CEO, a silver cup that was given to me by my mentor Bob Cannon who served as the second administrator for New Hope. New Hope was the first large private residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Indiana when it opened in March of 1978. The program was funded through Medicaid via a per diem rate for each individual living there. At the time, Medicaid was administered by the Indiana Department of Public Welfare, which preceded the current state agency, Family...

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