New Hope of Indiana | Mission Minute

For over forty years, New Hope of Indiana has been committed to supporting individuals and families, encouraging them to live their most independent, fulfilling lives. Through services for individuals with disabilities, counseling for families in the child welfare system and advocacy efforts, New Hope of Indiana is making an impact in our communities every day.

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Mission Minute

29 Mar - Supporting New Hope’s Future

Posted at 11:14h in Client Profile, Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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by Bernie Konrady, NHI Supporter and Family Member My brother Jeff was born with disabilities that would not allow him to lead an independent life in the home he was born into. It was not his choice! As Jeff and his disabilities became more severe with age, my parents recognized their own limitations for the long-term care and well-being of their son. They began a search for long term care for Jeff that eventually led to New Hope in 1978. There, my parents found a safe, loving, caring environment for their son. Over time, as Jeff settled in to his new home, my parents...

15 Mar - Social Worker Appreciation: Terri Gee

Posted at 13:33h in Events, Mission Minute, Service Spotlight 1 Comment

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March is a month of celebration at New Hope. We're recognizing Disability Awareness Month, New Hope's birthday, International Women's Day and, of course, Social Worker Appreciation Month! March 16th is World Social Work Day, so we are celebrating by thanking New Hope's own social workers. It's been a year for the history books, but New Hope's social workers have found unique and enriching activities to keep the individuals they serve happy and engaged throughout the pandemic. We are so thankful for each of them, no matter the role they play on #TeamNewHope! Terri Gee is one of the dedicated social workers...

08 Mar - Advocating for Those with Disabilities and Their Caregivers

Posted at 14:45h in Mission Minute, News 0 Comments

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By: Allison Wharry, CEO of New Hope of Indiana March’s Developmental Disability Awareness Month provides an opportunity to raise our voices and share more about the need for inclusion of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all areas of community life, and to educate others about the barriers that people with disabilities still face in connecting with their communities. The awareness is even more important this year as individuals served in New Hope’s group homes and other residential programs mark one year of life dealing with COVID-19. Unfortunately, despite the yearly observance, individuals with intellectual...

23 Feb - Raise Your Voice This Disability Awareness Month

Posted at 12:52h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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by Jenny Pfeil, Development Director Before joining the team at New Hope of Indiana, my knowledge of individuals with disabilities was probably to similar to most in our society – very uninformed. I had little experience with the day-to-day life of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. I didn’t know how they paid for the support services they need or how difficult daily tasks such as bathing and preparing a meal could be for them. Nor did I understand the extent to which their disability could affect their entire family. What I did know was that individuals with disabilities are not...

19 Feb - Voices of New Hope

Posted at 15:44h in Mission Minute, Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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by Margo Green, HR Director I was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan and I graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor Degree in Organizational Leadership and Supervision. After graduating, I moved to Indianapolis and have lived here since. I have been a member of Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis since 1995. I enjoy reading, music and playing volleyball. As the HR Director, I am honored to serve on New Hope’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee, leading the organization’s DEI efforts. I am proud to draw on my own experience as a black woman in this role. Growing up,...

19 Feb - Weathering the Storm, Literally

Posted at 15:02h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories, Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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by Cassi Dean, Director Supported Living Program If we have learned nothing else this year, we have learned what an amazing group of caring professionals work among us at New Hope!! We have faced unforeseen challenges, that have pushed us to our limits, but never changed who we are or what we do! If a global pandemic did not impact the high-quality support we provide, what does a minor (ok, maybe major) snowstorm have on us? Absolutely nothing!! Last week, as Indiana braced for a major winter storm, what did we do? We did exactly what we always do in the face...

28 Dec - Mission Minute: Service & Dedication

Posted at 15:39h in Mission Minute, Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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In a year where celebrations are virtual and teams are working remotely, it has been challenging to recognize the dedicated associates with milestone service anniversaries this year. These associates have given years, some even decades, to fulfill New Hope's mission of providing holistic services and resources to persons with disabilities and their families while advocating to advance the opportunities for those in need of support. Most of them are Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) whose daily job duties include supporting individuals with disabilities with everyday tasks such as showering, grocery shopping, taking medication and more. You'll also find a number of...

24 Nov - Mission Minute: A Lesson in Gratitude

Posted at 17:12h in Mission Minute 0 Comments

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With Thanksgiving just days away, many people have gratitude on their minds. At New Hope, we've been practicing gratitude all year! This year especially, we are incredibly grateful for our many dedicated caregivers and all those who support our clients as part of #TeamNewHope. We asked several members of our New Hope community to share what they're thankful for this year. The most common answers were family, coworkers, staff, a safe home, a stable job and their New Hope community. Richie, former Cheese and Thank You crew member and current AIMster, shared his blessings during our Thanksgiving turkey craft. "The...

15 Oct - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

Posted at 14:37h in Mission Minute, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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Many of the individuals served by New Hope have strong spiritual and religious beliefs, but in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, they were no longer able to go to church or spend time with their friends from their congregations. This disconnect between them and their church took a toll on their mental health. Thankfully, New Hope has many friends including some dedicated volunteers from College Park Church. With their partnership, New Hope has been able to offer online Bible study each week during which the individuals we serve can find connection and share their faith with friends. Thanks...

15 Sep - Mission Minute: The Heart of New Hope

Posted at 15:08h in Mission Minute 0 Comments

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Every year in September, New Hope celebrates Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week, a few days set aside to celebrate the selfless caregivers who support the individuals we serve in so many ways. DSPs empower individuals with disabilities to live, learn and be a part of the workforce. DSPs assist the individuals they serve with daily living activities, transportation, general behavior support, and help create a feeling of home while building friendships with those they serve. DSPs also enable family members of those with disabilities to take a break, go to work or school, or care for their other...

17 Aug - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

Posted at 13:19h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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Kindness and Consideration Are the Only Skills Necessary By Lauren Palmer I didn’t know much about my friend and neighbor Amanda Boyd’s job, but I knew she worked with individuals who have special needs. I also knew she was extremely passionate about it. So when Amanda invited me to a community engagement event at New Hope a few years ago, I gladly accepted. I’m ashamed to admit I have not spent much time interacting with people who have special needs, and that I have sometimes felt like I didn’t know quite what to say or how to engage with someone whose abilities and...

15 Jul - Mission Minute: Dedication Takes on an Unexpected Meaning

Posted at 11:50h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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Throughout the last several, trying months at New Hope of Indiana, our amazing associates have demonstrated each of our Core Values in their work in unexpected ways. The most incredible example of this is our Core Value of Dedication. Part of our commitment to Dedication states that we "encourage others to go above and beyond to persevere and give from the heart." We never expected to have to ask so much of our associates as we have throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. They have truly gone above and beyond, serving our most vulnerable clients and sacrificing so much of their personal...

15 Jun - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

Posted at 15:28h in Mission Minute, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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While we continue to celebrate and recognize the many Connections of Hope that bring our New Hope community together each and every day, the word "connection" has taken on a much more specific meaning. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hope has continued to provide meaningful and engaging activities for the individuals we serve including telehealth services, movie screening parties, Bible Study and bingo. We are so grateful to the associates and volunteers who have made these virtual connections possible while the world has felt a bit disconnected. We have been especially thankful to our friends at College Park Church and...

15 May - Mission Minute: The Burden of Compassion Fatigue

Posted at 09:13h in Mission Minute 0 Comments

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This month, New Hope is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in many ways. We know that this situation has taken an extra toll on everyone, but especially on those we serve and their caregivers. The feeling of isolation, the added stress and the incredible uncertainty make a hard job even tougher for all of our frontline caregivers. They continue to serve selflessly in homes across our communities despite this added stress, and we are so grateful for their dedication. While some may not see it, we know that compassion fatigue is a real issue for many caregivers. Compassion fatigue is...

15 Apr - Mission Minute: Getting Creative at Home

Posted at 15:16h in Mission Minute 0 Comments

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As we continue to react to and manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic here at New Hope, we are holding on tight to our Core Values. This month, Creativity has been one of the most valuable tools for our associates and families as we weather this storm at home. Our Core Value of Creativity says: We honor a commitment to seek new approaches to service and care, and to willingly try new approaches with vitality, energy and enthusiasm. This value is exemplified by: seeking new approaches in practice with open-mindedness embracing challenges as an opportunity for resourcefulness welcoming change with...

16 Mar - Mission Minute: Wisdom in a Moment of Crisis

Posted at 10:27h in Mission Minute 0 Comments

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During this uncertain time in the world, it's important that we take time to recognize the good in our lives. This month, we are more focused on our mission than ever, and we are seeing the good in all of our associates and community members as they strive to support the individuals we serve in a moment of crisis. Thank you to all of our associates for their continued dedication and service! They are truly a bright light in a dark time! New Hope, like many other organizations, has made some hard decisions recently that affect all of our clients, their...

13 Feb - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

Posted at 09:50h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 1 Comment

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by Cassi Dean, Director, Supported Living Program I first heard of New Hope in 2007 from a co-worker of mine. At that time, I was working a full time weekend position with at-risk juveniles. Although I loved my job and felt like what I was doing mattered, I was also concerned about missing family time each weekend. Working from 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM every Saturday and Sunday was difficult for me and I was missing my then 2-year-old son tremendously. At first, I was reluctant to make a change, but my co-worker continued to talk about his work at...

27 Jan - New Mission Program Coming Soon

Posted at 11:50h in Mission Minute, News 0 Comments

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by Loraine Brown, NHI Board Member As it has always been the focus of our work, New Hope's mission is at the center of my new project. To carry on the legacy of New Hope's founders and the Daughters of Charity, it is my honor and privilege to join New Hope for the next few months to help develop mission formation opportunities. It is my goal to develop a stand alone program in which all associates can participate to gain a better understanding of who we are as a nonprofit, as a team and as servants of our mission. Most recently...

15 Jan - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

Posted at 13:04h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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by Sarah Stone, Mgr. Development and Communications Happy New Year! At New Hope, we love celebrations, and this year we are celebrating our Connections of Hope. How are you connected to New Hope? How did you learn about our organization? Why is our work important to you or your family? What can we do to better connect the families we serve to one another, and how can we become better connected throughout the community? These are all questions that we are excited to explore with your help in 2020. Personally, New Hope came into my life at a time when I was...

16 Dec - Mission Minute: It’s Been an Honor

Posted at 13:46h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 2 Comments

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by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration and Volunteers In recent years, I have had the pleasure of writing monthly Mission Minute articles highlighting the importance of New Hope’s mission: our core values, vision, history, traditions, recognition, fun, etc. However, writing this month’s article was quite bittersweet as it is my last one. After 39 years with New Hope, I am retiring to pursue my next life journey. Please indulge me as I share of few memories and reflections. Of course, I certainly could write not only one book but several volumes of New Hope stories and...