New Hope of Indiana | Diary
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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June 15, 2021
by Margo Green, HR Director
As we approach Juneteenth this year, I find myself reflecting on how it is still somewhat of a “new” day of commemoration for me. It was not something I learned about in school. I do not recall any family members talking about it when I was growing up. In fact, I knew nothing about it until I was an adult. In hindsight, that is interesting to note because on both sides of my family, my grandparents were children or grandchildren of slaves. I can only speculate as to why it was not celebrated within my family....
June 6, 2021
New Hope of Indiana has been named a winner of the Central Indiana Top Workplaces 2021 Award. This is the third straight year that New Hope has received a Top Workplaces Award.
The list from The Indianapolis Star is based solely on employee feedback gathered through a third-party survey administered by employee engagement technology partner Energage LLC. The anonymous survey uniquely measures 15 culture drivers that are critical to the success of any organization - including alignment, execution and connection.
“It’s incredibly gratifying for New Hope of Indiana to be named to the Top Workplaces list for the third year...
May 25, 2021
Happy Memorial Day!
As the weather warms up and our community’s health continues to improve, the light at the end of the pandemic is closer than ever. The individuals we serve residentially have had ZERO cases of COVID-19 at New Hope of Indiana since January 28, and with the support of our dedicated associates and the families of those we serve, we expect to see this trend continue. Despite the recent changes to mask recommendations, #TeamNewHope continues to wear masks, maintain social distancing as much as possible and minimize risk to those we serve by staying home when sick. These tactics...
May 25, 2021
Certainly a pandemic takes its toll on everyone. But for those who give their time to care for others, the stress can easily become too heavy for them to carry. For many caregivers, long-term stress can lead to burnout and can lower the quality of care that they provide to clients like the individuals we serve. This May, New Hope is recognizing Mental Health Month and is proud to support the hundreds of caregivers who give so much of themselves to ensure that New Hope's clients are happy, healthy and safe.
New Hope made an intentional decision to include this...
May 25, 2021
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,...
May 24, 2021
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...
May 24, 2021
This May has, in many ways, felt nearly normal. While we're still wearing our masks, screening our health, keeping our distance and generally being cautious, we are also SO EXCITED to feel like the end of the pandemic is truly in sight. For New Hope, May is always a busy month full of community events, associate gatherings and more. Typically, our individuals spend time at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) as race teams prepare for the Indy 500 at the end of the month. While we weren't able to get back to the track, we still celebrated May the Indy...
May 24, 2021
Sandy Fries
12/15/1950 - 4/30/2021
Sandy was a fun lady who had a great sense of humor. She enjoyed watching her daytime soaps, going to concerts each year, attending church, and spending time outside. She also loved to shop for clothing, go to movies, and go out to eat. She was resilient and strong after overcoming many health issues throughout her life. She loved to laugh and joke around with her friends, housemates, and staff.
Sandy was served by New Hope for 43 years in various programs including group homes, supported living and behavior services, most recently living in the Countryside home in...
April 27, 2021
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...
April 27, 2021
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...
April 27, 2021
Lisa Ciesielski
June 28, 1967 – April 22, 2021
Lisa was served by New Hope for forty years! She was only 14 when she initially came to New Hope and resided in Kappa, New Hope’s children’s unit. In the 90s, Lisa moved into the community through what is now known as New Hope’s FCS program. Recently, Lisa moved out of New Hope’s FCS program but continued behavior services with her long-time Behavior Consultant, Terri Gee. Lisa will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lisa’s family, caregivers and all who called Lisa a friend.
Read more here....
April 27, 2021
As we all continue to adjust to our new normal during COVID-19, many of us are choosing to shop online. Why not do some good and donate a part of your purchase to benefit New Hope? Start using AmazonSmile and you'll make a difference while you shop in the Amazon app at no extra cost to you. Simply follow the instructions below to select "New Hope of Indiana, Inc." as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. They'll donate a portion of your eligible mobile app purchases to us. Already use AmazonSmile on your computer? Be sure to activate...
April 27, 2021
By: Allison Wharry, CEO, New Hope of Indiana
The new, two-year state budget just approved by the Indiana General Assembly and supported by Governor Eric Holcomb includes a provision that will greatly improve the lives of the 40,000 Indiana residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their caregivers. New Hope of Indiana applauds lawmakers for including higher rates of Medicaid reimbursement, which translates to higher wages for Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) in the final budget.
DSPs provide vital supports to individuals with disabilities, helping them live their best lives. Not only do they help with daily activities, but DSPs also offer friendship...
April 27, 2021
Happy Spring!
April was another month full of celebration at New Hope! We were happy to recognize Autism Awareness Month in support of the scores of individuals we serve who have been diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. These individuals are some of the most talented, unique and resilient people you will meet, and we are proud to serve them and to work alongside them every day. April is also Volunteer Appreciation Month. If a global pandemic has proved nothing else, at least we know how dedicated our volunteers are to serving our mission. Special thanks to our friends at College Park...
March 30, 2021
Bill McCreary
September 9, 1957 - February 24, 2021
Bill McCreary was diagnosed at birth with cerebral palsy, mental limitations, and an inability to hear or speak. Despite the communication challenges, Bill understood the unconditional love of his family, giving him a foundation of happiness, joy, and peace. Even when Bill moved to professional care, he remained an active part of the family through participating in all family gatherings, frequent visits, and special outings.
Bill’s favorite place to venture was McDonald’s. Bill also loved attending a weeklong summer camp at Bradford Woods, where he was able to enjoy nature and...
March 30, 2021
Happy spring, friends!
This month was full of celebration! March is Disability Awareness Month, Social Work Month, and New Hope’s birthday. As our organization marked 43 years of service to the disability community, we shared a simple but hopeful message: the future is looking bright!
A year ago New Hope and the rest of the world took cover as we prepared for the arrival of coronavirus in our lives. Today, I’m so happy to say that nearly 100% individuals served in congregate settings and over 60% of New Hope associates have received at least one of their COVID-19 vaccines. Individuals served...
March 29, 2021
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...
March 25, 2021
Program recognizes outstanding woman-led businesses for their commitment to a people-first culture
INDIANAPOLIS - New Hope of Indiana has been chosen to receive a national Top Workplaces Woman-Led Culture Excellence Award. The inaugural group of award winning organizations led by women was announced by Energage to coincide with Women’s History Month. New Hope was selected in the 1-499 employee category.
New Hope of Indiana provides community-based residential services and a variety of therapy, day, vocational and transition services for Hoosiers with developmental disabilities. With a team of just under 400 associates, New Hope of Indiana has over 50 women and minority leaders.
“All...
March 15, 2021
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...
March 8, 2021
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...
