Service Spotlight

15 Aug - Service Spotlight: Maureen Wilson

Posted at 17:57h in New Hope Stories, Service Spotlight, The Year of Creativity 0 Comments

Maureen Wilson has been a resident in Indy her whole life, and she has been a dedicated employee at New Hope for the past 20 years. Having grown up in Indy, she went to North Central high school, then moved on to beauty school at the House of James in Carmel. Her start at New Hope began unexpectedly. When she was on maternity leave from working as a hairstylist at JC Penny, she became a caregiver to one of her neighbors. While she was a caregiver, she met someone from New Hope who worked for her neighbor. She realized that...

15 Jul - Service Spotlight: Christa Robinson

Posted at 17:16h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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[caption id="attachment_24311" align="alignleft" width="226"] Christa with her daughter.[/caption]Christa has a passion for families, especially children. Her degree is in human ecology with a minor in child development. At the recommendation of a New Hope associate, Christa was initially hired as a team leader in the Family and Community Services (FCS) program. After eight months she transferred to the Home Based Counseling Program as Case Manager, as it was her goal to work with families. Christa loves her position so much that it does not feel like work to her, even with the challenges and frustrations. ...

14 Jun - Service Spotlight: Kim Hendrix

Posted at 19:39h in Service Spotlight 2 Comments

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Many people believe things happen for a reason in their lives, although they may not understand that until much later. Kim Hendrix, who is a DSP at the Louise group home, worked at a factory for 24 years. When that factory closed, she and the other employees were offered educational assistance through Ivy Tech. Kim decided to pursue CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) training, as she had a family member with a disability and wanted to “give back” in appreciation of what that person had received from others. Kim attended an Ivy Tech job fair where she talked with Angie Reed,...

15 May - Service Spotlight: Betsy Gorman

Posted at 19:21h in Service Spotlight 2 Comments

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Ten Years ago, Betsy was interested in looking for a new job and found New Hope in a roundabout way. Her mother had surgery at St. Vincent, and Betsy was very impressed with the care and how compassionate the staff were throughout her mom’s hospitalization. Betsy had experience as a DSP and while searching potential agencies serving persons with developmental disabilities, she saw St. Vincent New Hope. She thought New Hope must be a good organization since it was a part of the St. Vincent system. She was hired as team leader in SILP (now FCS)...

15 Apr - Service Spotlight: Lashawnda Wright

Posted at 17:00h in Service Spotlight, The Year of Creativity 0 Comments

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Associate Lashawnda Wright's New Hope journey to her current position in the AIM Program started about three years ago. At that time, Lashawnda was working for another agency when an associate encouraged her to apply at New Hope. New Hope is so thankful for that referral because we have gained a terrific associate in Lashawnda. At the time Lashawnda started working at New Hope, no residential shifts were available, so a position Day Services at Payne Road was suggested. Conducive to her family obligations, Lashawnda accepted the Day Services position. It was a perfect fit...

15 Mar - Service Spotlight: Kathy Ballard

Posted at 15:04h in Service Spotlight 3 Comments

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If you have ever had the opportunity to meet or work with Kathy Ballard, Ph.D., Director of Community Outreach, you learned very quickly how passionate she is about building community, especially by supporting vulnerable persons who have faced multiple barriers and prejudices in their lives. This has been her life work, and we have been fortunate to work with her for the last 18 years at New Hope where she strengthens and expands our mission of service. When Kathy first came to New Hope, she managed the CYCS program, now called Family and Community Services (FCS). It did not...

15 Feb - Service Spotlight: Patrick Mitchell

Posted at 20:35h in New Hope Stories, Service Spotlight, The Year of Creativity 0 Comments

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Nearly five years ago, a friend of Patrick Mitchell’s, who was also a New Hope associate, encouraged Patrick to apply for a position in New Hope’s FCS Program. At that time, Patrick had a full-time job elsewhere but applied at New Hope and was hired as a DSP in the FCS Program. A year later, Patrick was promoted to the Team Leader position in FCS. When given the opportunity to lead the Vocational Services program, Patrick was especially interested since one of the individuals he served in FCS was also served in Vocational Services. Patrick quickly...

15 Jan - Service Spotlight: Amanda Boyd

Posted at 21:05h in Service Spotlight, The Year of Creativity 0 Comments

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To kick off New Hope's Year of Creativity, the young adults in our Transition Services program, AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) have already spent time at the State house, meeting Indiana State Senator J.D. Ford, they've volunteered at Meals on Wheels and they've enjoyed some bowling. And while these young adults are the decision-makers when it comes to how they spend their days in the Indianapolis community, their leader, Amanda Boyd, is the real creative mind behind the AIM schedule. Amanda has served in several roles during her eleven years at New Hope, as a team leader in Supported Living, as...

17 Dec - Service Spotlight: Kristy Abernathy-Davis

Posted at 14:35h in Service Spotlight 6 Comments

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A little over twenty years ago, Kristy Abernathy-Davis was working full time at a public school with children with disabilities. At the time she also had a part time job at an agency similar to New Hope, but the hours were not conducive to her schedule. A friend mentioned New Hope, and when she came for her interview, she was really impressed. She began part time as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and later became full time as she learned that she preferred working with adults. Kristy has worked in numerous programs and sites throughout the...

14 Nov - Service Spotlight: Chris Schwarz

Posted at 19:45h in Service Spotlight 1 Comment

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Chris Schwarz answered an ad in the paper for a grounds worker twenty years ago this month. At the time he had no idea how many yards the he would be maintaining, which was certainly a lot between the group homes and supported living sites. More importantly he had no way of knowing the impact of working at New Hope would have on his life. After a few years of grounds work, Chris was asked by Sr. Francine Brown, who was overseeing Maintenance at the time, to help with site work orders and the rest is history. As...

15 Oct - Service Spotlight: Lyndi Grubb

Posted at 16:21h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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When Lyndi Grubb interviewed with Kathy Ballard, Director of Community Outreach, fifteen years ago for a therapist position in the Home-Based Counseling program, she was excited to hear the possibility of also utilizing her art therapy background and experience. Soon after the NHI Day Services program started, Lyndi was able to do just that, by including her art therapy passion in her work. She later transferred to Behavior Services and continues to coordinate the art therapy program, which consists of painting, pottery, mosaics and other medium. Lyndi firmly believes, and certainly has experienced at NHI, that everyone has art ability,...

13 Sep - Service Spotlight: Shayla Jones

Posted at 18:06h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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Shayla Jones came to New Hope about eighteen months ago after being referred by a friend to apply. Prior to New Hope, Shayla had many jobs over the years, but she believes coming to New Hope was one of the best decisions she has ever made in her work life. Shayla LOVES working with the women who live at Laboure Group Home. One thing she appreciates about New Hope is the variety of activities available to our clients and the importance of going on adventures and having fun including museum outings, bowling and movie nights, and monthly...

12 Sep - Service Spotlight: Blessing Ugwuanyi

Posted at 16:01h in Service Spotlight 1 Comment

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Blessing wakes up with a beautiful smile on her face, because she loves to come to work in the Day Services Program at the Payne Road facility. She has been New Hope almost four years and has enjoyed every minute of her time here. As with all of the DSPs being highlighted for DSP Recognition Week, Blessing receives much joy in her support of and interactions with the individuals she serves, such as helping with the client choir and all the many special activities in day services. She also feels a strong sense of teamwork with her co-workers...

11 Sep - Service Spotlight: Faustinus Okafor

Posted at 19:47h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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Current NHI associates are an excellent referral source, and one such referral we appreciate is Faustinus “Fausty” Okafor, who has been with New Hope for five years. Fausty is a DSP at 62nd Place and his service to the individuals is a passion for him. Something he learned very quickly is to look beyond an individual’s disability and discover their gifts, personalities and love. He has come to truly appreciate them for who they truly are rather than just clients who he is paid to serve. Fausty was quoted in a New Hope video saying that...

10 Sep - Service Spotlight: Richetta Covington

Posted at 14:04h in Service Spotlight 2 Comments

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Richetta Covington, DSP in Family and Community Services (FCS) Nineteen years ago, Richetta was looking for a job and was referred by someone she knew in the New Hope registry. She did not want to work in the registry, preferring to work 1:1 rather than at multiple sites, and also did not think she would stay long. She certainly got her wish of working 1:1, having worked ALL of those years with the same person, Lisa C., which is truly amazing. By nature, Richetta is a nurturer in both her professional and personal lives. She found her gift of caring at...

15 Aug - Service Spotlight: Gina Borneman

Posted at 19:28h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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Fifteen-year NHI associate and DSP, Gina Borneman feels her employment at New Hope was meant to be as she has been able to experience miracles. Prior to coming to NHI, she had worked in special education and with boy scouts with disabilities. She heard about NHI from an acquaintance, who recommended Gina look into employment. She has a degree in journalism, though most of her professional life has centered around helping others. However, Gina shared that her degree has certainly come in handy with documentation, which is always thorough and grammatically correct. Gina initially worked nights on the old “sleep shift”...

16 Jul - Service Spotlight: Christina Marks

Posted at 16:00h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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For most of her life, Christina Marks has been a caregiver and that truly is her passion. Christina came to New Hope 15 years ago because she desired to help people and has been doing so ever since as a DSP in Supported Living. She had taken some healthcare courses in college which were helpful; however, her knowledge and skills have been gained from dedication to the individuals she serves. Christina has worked at numerous sites and is currently at the Center Street home. She enjoys going out in the community with clients, ensuring their needs are met and helping...

22 Jun - Thank You to Our Dedicated Board Members

Posted at 18:12h in News, Service Spotlight 1 Comment

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June 30th marks the end of service for three long-time New Hope Board Members, Dr. John Bloom, Tami Mantsch and Donna Cameron. We are so grateful for their contributions to New Hope over the last several years! John came to New Hope after his neighbor, Susan Robinson, introduced him to the mission and invited him to learn more about what NHI is all about. He most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board. Tami is the mother of former New Hope client, Holly. As a strong advocate for her daughter and individuals with disabilities, Tami brought a unique and...

13 Jun - Service Spotlight: Godfrey Onuchukwu

Posted at 14:14h in Service Spotlight 3 Comments

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Ten years ago, Godfrey Onuchukwu was looking for a new employment opportunity and was referred to New Hope by a friend; he has never looked back. Godfrey is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the Supported Living Program and his primary site is McCollough. Throughout the years, Godfrey has worked in multiple programs and sites and is devoted to the individuals he serves. He really enjoys accompanying individuals out in the community to parks, ball games, out to eat, and to special activities. At Christmas time, Godfrey took a client to multiple stores so the individual could purchase just the right...

11 May - Service Spotlight: Pam Givens-Horne

Posted at 19:10h in Service Spotlight 0 Comments

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Pam Givens-Horne has worked at New Hope of Indiana since June of 1988 when she began work as a skills trainer in Beta Unit, serving people with traumatic brain injuries. Pam has stayed at New Hope for 30 years because she genuinely enjoys what she does every day, especially getting to serve those with disabilities. Over the years, she has found ways to help those she serves live their best lives by taking them to the race track, going to see shows at Beef and Boards, and even visiting Disney World! Pam now serves New Hope's clients as a Team...