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 and advocacy efforts, New Hope of Indiana is making an impact in our communities every day.

disability, disabilities, waiver services, group homes, autism, I/DD, residential services, disability services, Indianapolis jobs, DSP, jobs, hiring, caregiver, CNA jobs, CNA, therapy, music therapy, recreation therapy, rec therapy, vocational services, vocational rehabilitation, voc rehab, VR, PLAY project, autism support, disability advocacy, day services, community based services, day program, adult day program, behavior services, behavior therapy

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Mission Minute

29 Jun - A Note from Allison: Thriving at New Hope

Posted at 09:12h in A Note from Allison, Mission Minute, News 0 Comments

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Hello New Hope Friends, Spring is a time of renewal and new growth, but summer is a time to thrive. At New Hope of Indiana, we are excited to be thriving in so many ways! This month, New Hope was named an IndyStar Top Workplace for the third year in a row! While this achievement alone would be great news, it is especially rewarding this year. The Top Workplace award is determined entirely by the feedback of New Hope associates through an anonymous survey that uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization. This...

28 Jun - Celebrating Independence

Posted at 15:08h in Community and Corporate Partners, Mission Minute, News 0 Comments

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by Jenny Pfeil, Director of Development When you think of the 4th of July holiday, what images come to mind? Red, white and blue bunting on a porch? Cookouts, fireworks and time with friends and family? Traveling and relaxation? For me, it’s all about celebrating independence. Our country, our independence and our freedom are ever evolving. We have all seen first-hand that there is work to do in ensuring that every citizen enjoys the freedoms our forefathers envisioned. Freedom and independence, like people, come in many unique and diverse forms. And there are many populations who experience barriers to...

25 May - Voices of New Hope

Posted at 09:00h in Client Profile, Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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Nikeita Smith has been served by New Hope for 24 years and has been making people smile her whole life! She loves to be involved in art, games, exercise, and socializing. She is very friendly and kind. Nikeita is often wearing jewelry she has made and her hair is always perfectly done. We are proud to serve such kind and caring people like Nikeita and want to share her kindness with our friends. It's been hard not going to see my mom on the weekends since the virus came, but New Hope has always been nice to me. This year,...

24 May - Aktion Club is Still Taking Action

Posted at 15:46h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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While service projects in the time of COVID have been difficult to safely organize, New Hope's Aktion Club has continued to find meaningful ways to give back to the community. Kiwanis Aktion Clubs are important opportunities for adults with disabilities to gain leadership skills and practice community-based philanthropy and service. Our Aktion Club typically enjoys organizing bake sales, food drives and other small fundraisers to support local nonprofits. They also enjoy volunteering for organizations like Meals on Wheels. In the midst of the pandemic, however, these typical activities were no longer safe. Rather than giving up the things they are...

27 Apr - Volunteer Appreciation

Posted at 13:14h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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April is National Volunteer Month, a month dedicated to recognizing the importance of volunteering and honoring the significant contributions volunteers make by generously donating their time and talents to worthy causes. At New Hope, volunteers support our mission in so many different ways. From our dedicated Board of Directors and the committees that support them to our friends from Kiwanis and College Park Church, volunteers are helping the individuals we serve live their best lives. Volunteers help with the day-to-day administrative tasks that support our business. They provide their professional expertise and guidance on our Human Rights Committee and our...

27 Apr - Voices of New Hope: Volunteer Leaders

Posted at 12:17h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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There are so many ways to give back to our community and to make a difference in the lives of our most vulnerable neighbors. At New Hope of Indiana, we are especially grateful for the volunteers that choose to support our mission with their time and talent. Their voices are an important part of our story. Loraine Brown is a New Hope Board member with a long history of supporting our mission. She chooses to serve as a volunteer leader with New Hope because she shares our organization's Core Values of Dedication, Service, Reverence, Wisdom, Integrity, Inclusivity and Creativity. "To be...

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

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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...