February 28, 2023

A Note from Allison: February 2023

Greetings all! I hope that you all are enjoying these spring-like temperatures we have been having! Throughout this month, New Hope has been celebrating Black History Month. To kick off our celebration, we had a Traditional African Dress Parade in Day Services to honor the many different cultures of our associates. We absolutely loved seeing all the beautiful vibrant clothing, music and dance of this parade. It was such a great time, we have now decided to make this an annual event! We also celebrated by having African American associates share their stories through our social media platforms. We asked associates to answer...

February 28, 2023

Black History Month Spotlight: Trust Paunganwa

I remember like yesterday, while I was in form 3 (equivalent to 10th grade in the US), I read from the “Students’ Companion International Edition” a saying that stuck with me until now, “This would be a dull and monotonous world if we all thought alike”- and the same can be said if we all looked alike. Being Black is only a small part of who I am, but it is not the only and maybe not even the most important part. I was born in Honde Valley, Rhodesia under colonial rule (now called Zimbabwe after Independence). I immigrated to...

February 27, 2023

March is Disability Awareness Month

March is National Disability Awareness Month, and New Hope will be celebrating this alongside our 45th anniversary. According to the Indiana Governor's Council for People with Disabilities (GCPD), “The goal of Disability Awareness Month is to increase awareness and promote positive attitudes and community inclusion of all people with disabilities.”  To help promote National Disability Awareness Month, we will be celebrating the individuals we support and the positive impact they make in our community. Watch our social media sites for pictures of those we support as they are out and about in our community sharing their positive attitudes and smiles with...

February 27, 2023

NHI is Celebrating 45 Years of Hope

On Monday, March 13th, New Hope will celebrate 45 years of supporting and advocating for individuals with disabilities. There have been many changes since we first opened our doors in 1978 as a 200-person live-in facility. Today, New Hope provides resources for the individuals we serve to live as our neighbors in the community, work alongside us at our jobs and participate in community events. New Hope is proud to have played a part in helping individuals with disabilities live their best, most fulfilling lives.  On New Hope’s birthday, we will be hosting an internal celebration where we will honor the 8 individuals, 1 physician and...

February 27, 2023

New Hope’s AIM Group is Expanding

New Hope of Indiana is excited to launch a third group in its AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) program. The program, which began in 2019, provides young adults with developmental disabilities who are exiting high school with the opportunity to be active and social in the community. AIM added a third group in 2020 just before the pandemic but had to pause that group after COVID-19 hit.   As COVID-19 restrictions have lessened and current AIM participants have been able to get back out into the community, there has been increased interest in the program. This has led to AIM once again...

February 23, 2023

Black History Month: Mike Epps Feature

Feature Written By Chasatie Finley, New Hope of Indiana Team LeaderMike Epps is an American stand-up comedian and actor. He is well-known for his role as Day-Day Jones in the hit film Next Friday and its sequel Friday After Next. Epp is from the inner city of Indianapolis, Indiana and grew up near the section of 21st and Carrollton Avenue. Mike Epps does interviews all the time and loves to talk about his hometown and his upbringing.  He says Indianapolis will always be his home. Epps has even done a sitcom on Netflix called  The UpShaws.  The show is about a working-class black family in Indiana...

February 21, 2023

Black History Month Spotlight

In honor of Black History Month, we asked several of our associates to answer the question, "What does Black History Month mean to you?" When asked this question, Carolyn Short, DSP at New Hope of Indiana, said this: "It's about learning where I came from and my true identity. I now know who I am and who I belong too. I came from a line of greatness! My ancestors were a chosen and blessed nation! I welcome and embrace my heritage and culture." She also shared several quotes that help to highlight what Black History Month means to her. Check them out below! ...

February 14, 2023

Remembering Our Friends: February 2023

Sadly, Jana Kay Alenduff passed on Wednesday, February 2nd. Jana was served by New Hope for 32 years since 1991 when New Hope (formerly St. Vincent New Hope) began serving individuals in Hamilton County. Jana resided in the Louise Group Home in Atlanta, Indiana until moving to the DeMarillac Group Home in February 2021. She attended Janus Developmental Services Day Service program and most recently attended New Hope Payne Road Day Services. Jana loved to travel to Florida, attend camps, Bible Studies and crafts.Our thoughts and prayers are with Jana’s family, caregivers, DeMarillac Group Home individuals, Day Services individuals and...

February 14, 2023

February Culture Corner

Written By Moses AyotundeI was born and raised in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria of West Africa. Ogbomoso is known for her display of bravery. The city is dominated by Yoruba people, known to cherish the value of their culture. It is ruled by a king who is referred to as ‘The Soun of Ogbomoso’. In the past, cities and towns around Ogbomoso fought wars, which eventually led to slavery. Ogbomoso, however, has never been defeated nor enslaved. Therefore, this city is often referred to as a home of ‘rest and peace’. In the past, Ogbomoso’s main form of entertainment was Egungun, which...

January 30, 2023

A Note from Allison: January 2023

Happy New Year! I hope you all had a good holiday season and are off to a great 2023 with lots of hope! In this new year, New Hope has kicked off its strategic planning for the next three years.  It is so exciting to think about the future- not our COVID past!  The New Hope board and our Operating Team has already held its first planning meeting.  We have received input from many sources. We have heard from individuals served and leaders in the disability community. Next week we will hear from associates. Our partners at Willow Marketing have talked to...

January 27, 2023

New Hope’s Associate Financial Assistance (AFA) Program

New Hope of Indiana truly cares about our team. We do everything we can to ensure our associates thrive both personally and professionally. New Hope’s Associate Financial Assistance program (AFA) was started in order to accomplish this goal. The original purpose of this program was to assist associates with emergencies such as car repairs, utility bills, rent and more. Associates could apply for loans when facing emergency situations. Once approved, payments would be sent directly to the entity in which the loan was taken out for. In spring of 2020, the pandemic brought many hardships for all. As a result, New Hope expanded the...

January 27, 2023

Black History Month Celebration

This year, New Hope of Indiana’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Committee is leading several initiatives in honor of Black History Month.  New Hope will be kicking off the celebration on February 1st by hosting a parade in which associates will be invited to wear traditional African dress. The parade will be in our Day Services program where individuals and associates can celebrate and learn about the many different countries from which our staff originate.  In addition to the parade, New Hope will be launching a social media campaign for Black History Month featuring our associates. The DEI committee will be asking...

January 27, 2023

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration

“Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Service to others was of utmost priority to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This idea was apparent in everything he did. At New Hope, service is one of our seven core values and on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we celebrated his legacy through a day of service.  Two service projects were offered at our Payne Rd. location for associates. The first was organizing our Day Services craft room. The second was conducting a deep clean of one of our kitchens. Both projects were much-needed...

January 26, 2023

New Hope’s HCBS Direct Service Workforce Investment Grant Spending Plan

Indiana's Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is providing funding to support New Hope's HCBS direct service workforce. New Hope plans to use the required spend amount of the HCBS Direct Service Workforce Investment Grant for the following: Seventy percent (70%) of the grant will fund bonuses (including 403(b) match for the bonus) and payroll taxes for HCBS DSPs and supervisors who provide direct care to individuals served. New Hope will pay 6 bonuses, and they will be paid as part of regular associate paychecks on the second pay day of February, April, June, August, October and December. Approximately twenty-five percent (25%)...

December 27, 2022

Remembering Our Friends

Robert “Bob” Jackson2/11/1961 - 12/13/2022 Bob was served by New Hope for 37 years! He first resided at Rendu Group Home, and then he moved to SILP and eventually to Jackson Street Supported Living site. He was at Jackson Street for many years where he was always a jokester and loved to make people laugh! Bob liked visiting his family, going out to eat, typing letters and Indiana Beach. Most importantly, Bob loved taking pictures. Our thoughts and prayers are with Bob’s family, caregivers, Jackson Street residents, and all who called Bob a friend.  Iyabo Ebony AdebojeAssociate, Iyabo Ebony Adeboje, passed away...

December 18, 2022

A Note from Allison: December 2022

Happy Holidays!I hope you are all having a good holiday season and are not too overwhelmed by your “to do” list! New Hope loves the holidays, and this year is no exception! You can see all the fun we are having thanks to our partners and volunteers here.As we head into 2023, I want to thank everyone who has helped New Hope succeed in 2022: our associates, families, Board of Directors, committee members, donors and volunteers. Where would we be without all of you? You can see some of the things we were able to accomplish this year here.The new...

December 13, 2022

Ascension St. Vincent Hope for the Holidays

For over 10 years, associates at Ascension St. Vincent have supported individuals in need during the holiday season. Referrals for individuals in need come from social workers for patients of the hospital as well as from New Hope of Indiana for individuals we support. Every year, departments at Ascension St. Vincent ‘adopt’ these referred individuals or families in need and buy them holiday gifts.  This program has come to be known as Hope for the Holidays. New Hope of Indiana has a long-standing partnership with Ascension St. Vincent, who continues to support us in numerous ways. We couldn't be more thankful...

December 13, 2022

A Year in Review: 2022

From all of us here at New Hope, we wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!...

December 12, 2022

Community Partners and Volunteers Bring Joy to NHI

New Hope of Indiana was fortunate to have great community partners and volunteers to assist us in making the holiday season special for the individuals we support. The Columbia Club hosted an art therapy class at their downtown Indianapolis location where their Civic Leadership group joined New Hope’s Achieving Inclusion and Meaning (AIM) group to learn how art therapy can provide a creative way for individuals to express themselves. Led by New Hope Art Therapist Lyndi Grubb, Columbia Club members partnered with members of AIM to create a painting together. Each individual painting was a segment of the Indianapolis skyline and...

November 29, 2022

Giving Tuesday 2022

New Hope of Indiana is blessed to have generous donors and community partners who support our mission and the individuals we serve. Thank You! We are grateful to you. Your gifts make it possible for us to provide the very best programs, support and care for the wonderful individuals we serve.  Today is Giving Tuesday, and we are asking for your help.  New Hope’s Board of Directors have offered to match the first $11,000 in gifts made during our Giving Tuesday campaign! When we meet this match, we will have raised $22,000 for the individuals served by New Hope. Your support...