New Hope of Indiana | New Hope Stories

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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New Hope Stories

25 Aug - Camp Bingo Returns!

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We can't say how thankful we are for the patience and support that our donors have shown us this year! In March, we were excited to invite you to Camp Bingo, a fun event to support a fun new program, Camp Catalyst. However, we all know how March turned out. Just days after postponing the event, New Hope and most of the State shut down in favor of social distancing, remote work and masks. Since then, New Hope has shifted our focus to maintain the health and safety of the vulnerable individuals we serve and our dedicated associates. Now that...

25 Aug - New Hope Celebrates DSP Week

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Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs, are a truly under-appreciated group of dedicated caregivers. Not only do they provide necessary healthcare, they are often the biggest source of support for our most vulnerable neighbors. Individuals with disabilities often rely on DSPs for their daily needs such as personal care, meal preparation, medication administration and more. These caregivers are often the much needed support that allows individuals with disabilities to live as independently as possible. It is because of them that organizations like New Hope are able to provide high quality care. Each year in September, we recognize DSP Week, and this year,...

17 Aug - Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

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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 - Service Spotlight: Andrea Paille

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For several months, New Hope thought about how best to transform our training programs to both meet the State’s requirements and grow our associates to meet their potential. We created a new position to facilitate a meaningful learning program for all associates with the title of Learning and Development Specialist, and earlier this year, we welcomed Andrea Paille to our team to fill this new role. Andrea comes to New Hope with a Bachelors degree in Psychology and a Masters degree and license in Clinical and Humanistic Psychology. She is passionate about serving others and helping them grow through personal and...

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

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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...

26 Jun - A Heart of Gold

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While most people are tired of being stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis, Jana Alenduff has enjoyed staying busy at home. Jana lives in New Hope's Louise Group Home with seven other women, so you can imagine how lively the house can be! Jana enjoys living in her home and gets along well with her housemates. She has been using her time at home to make paper chain decorations for family, friends and staff members. Her Team Leader, Lucinda, says, "She has always had a heart of gold!" Jana also stays active, and was a front runner in New Hope's...

12 Jun - New Hope of Indiana Awards First Direct Support Professional of the Year Award

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New Hope of Indiana has announced the first-ever winner of the Lynn Feldman and Kathe Rae Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year Award. Jonel Foreste has worked for nearly 20 years as a DSP for the nonprofit organization that serves Hoosiers with developmental disabilities. This announcement comes at a time when DSPs have proven to be especially vital supports. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, these caregivers continued working around the clock to serve our most vulnerable neighbors. “Jonel embodies everything we could ask a DSP to be,” said New Hope CEO Allison Wharry. “He strives every day to make the individuals he...

26 May - Telehealth and the New Look of Therapy Services

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As we continue to adapt to a new normal forced upon us by the COVID-19 pandemic, our number one priority is the health and well-being of the individuals we serve. Many of those individuals thrive with a steady routine and the support of behavioral therapists, recreation therapists and music therapists among many others. At New Hope, these therapy services generally take place in-person and rely on the individual's ability to connect with the therapist. One of the biggest challenges for New Hope and other services providers like it has been pivoting these services to be provided virtually. Despite the obvious...

22 May - Pandemic Milestones

Posted at 11:05h in Client Profile, New Hope Stories 1 Comment

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Helena Spychala is a busy young woman! After graduating from North Central High School in 2017, Helena has spent countless hours volunteering at the YMCA and St. Vincent Hospital, practicing her pottery skills at ArtMix and learning vital skills for adulthood through an IPS grant-funded program called SITE – Skills for Independence, Transition and Employment. In partnership with IUPUI, SITE brings together a group of young adults with disabilities to learn how to navigate the public transportation system, find volunteer opportunities to prepare them for future employment and experience life on a college campus. While in the SITE program, Helena...

28 Apr - A Note from Allison: We Will Fight This Together

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Hello from New Hope of Indiana- Just like many of you, I live in a constant state of worry, hearing so much bad news and being constantly concerned about the New Hope individuals served and their caregivers. I am sad to report that the coronavirus has reached New Hope and our amazing caregivers are doing everything they can do to keep the individuals served and themselves safe and healthy. At this point, approximately 5% of the individuals currently being served have a confirmed case of COVID19. Luckily, the vast majority of these individuals are still living at home and are either...

28 Apr - Recognizing New Hope’s Quiet Professionals

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While most people who know New Hope of Indiana know us for our services for those with disabilities, there is another, smaller program working quietly and diligently to do some of our community’s most important work. As we recognize April’s National Child Abuse Prevention Month, we also want to recognize the dedicated counselors, case managers and other professionals who are serving families in crisis through New Hope’s Home-Based Counseling program. These professionals provide services to families referred through the Department of Child Services, in cases where there has been substantiated abuse or neglect in the home. Through this program New...

27 Apr - I am cool. I am great. I am nice and friendly.

Posted at 13:15h in Client Profile, New Hope Stories 0 Comments

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At New Hope we're always looking for ways to celebrate, and in April, we're celebrating Autism Awareness month. Autism is an often misunderstood disorder and can be very different for those affected by it. To get a better understanding, we spoke to New Hope client Steven and his family. Steven joined New Hope last year as part of the AIM program after graduating from high school. He also enjoys his time with Janus Developmental Services where he receives additional services. We asked Steven a few questions about himself, his autism and how he's spending his time at home during the...

24 Apr - New Hope Thanks Our Caregivers

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New Hope of Indiana's Day of Caring on April 17th was a day of gratitude, appreciation and support for New Hope and its frontline caregivers. Thanks to our generous donors, New Hope raised over $6,500 in support for New Hope in honor of all of our caregivers including Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), Team Leaders and Nurses. These caregivers have been working round the clock to keep the lives of those we serve as close to normal as possible and to ensure their health, safety and happiness. To celebrate all of their hard work and dedication, New Hope leaders distributed yard...

14 Apr - Service Spotlight: Aderonke Kareem

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This month, we're recognizing Supported Living DSP, Aderonke Kareem! We were proud to nominate Aderonke for a scholarship from INARF in December, and while she didn't win the prize, we want to recognize her hard work and commitment! Before becoming a DSP, Aderonke Kareem was working as a CNA in a nursing home. When she came to New Hope, she was seeking a position that would offer more one-on-one care in a longer-term setting. Along with her full-time job at New Hope, she is also a single mom and a full-time student studying to be an Early Childhood Education teacher. Today, after...

27 Mar - Staying Connected

Posted at 16:49h in Client Profile, New Hope Stories 4 Comments

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Every month, Bill McCreary looks forward to visiting his father in an assisted living facility. He checks the calendar and knows exactly when he'll get to see his father next. Nearly 30 years ago, New Hope Team Leader Gail Mehrlich started serving Bill and eventually organized these monthly dinners. Today, it is the dedicated staff of Justin Group Home that ensure that Bill gets to see his family each month. But this month, and for the foreseeable future, Bill won't get to visit his dad. Bill is deaf and communicates using limited, basic sign language. Last week he was obviously upset and...

26 Mar - Behavior Services Make A Difference

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by Lonya Thompson, LCSW, Manager of Behavior Services What does a Behavior Consultant do, and how does their work impact the lives of the clients here at New Hope? This is question that often come up during the initial meeting with clients, parents, and sometimes even from direct support professionals (DSPs). In order to get a better understanding of what Behavior Consultants do and how their work impacts the life of the clients, it may be helpful to first gain some background information about the Behavior Consultant’s role. Each Behavior Consultant at New Hope of Indiana is required to have at minimum a...

25 Feb - Finding My Joy

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by Denise Caudill Irons, NHI Board Member Because I have not felt inspired the past few months, I have not attempted to contribute an article. I have been mindlessly struggling with the endless routine of daily life. Nothing exceptional has occurred, and it’s been disheartening. Recently, my daughter and I visited her honorary grandparents in Florida. During our stay, Mims came across this poem by William Martin, and she reminded me of it. I read it years ago, but it was long forgotten. As I needed the reminder, it appeared again. However, it wasn’t for...

24 Feb - A New Hope Love Story

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James and Kyle first met in the late '80s when they were living at our residential facility and began dating shortly after. Even after moving out into the community, into different parts of the city, these two have been inseparable. You'll never find James without his baseball cap which he likes to match to his outfit for the day. He has a caring heart and likes to help the staff at his house by taking out the trash. James loves to spend time with Kyle, even after over 30 years together! Kyle enjoys listening to country music and getting dolled up...

14 Feb - Valentine’s Day at the Statehouse

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New Hope clients gave some Valentine’s love to lawmakers and state officials this week! The members of our AIM program participated in The ARC of Indiana and Self-Advocates of Indiana’s annual Valentine’s Day at the Statehouse event on February 13th. The clients connected with state legislators and other elected officials to thank them for their hard work and remind them that people with developmental disabilities and their families are people that should be considered when making decisions in Indiana. The New Hope clients first gave handmade Valentine’s to Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson outside her Statehouse office and got...

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...