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April 28, 2020

Recognizing New Hope’s Quiet Professionals

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...

April 27, 2020

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings friends, Last month I wrote about being anxious to get back to my regular routine, especially my work life! It is hard to believe we are still sheltering in place. My sister Charlotte and I have been enjoying the sunshine when it’s here. We have done a lot of indoor playing and had a few car ides too. I know New Hope staff continues to find fun things for everyone to do like the Friday night movie and Kiwanis bingo last Thursday. It’s good to stay busy while we wait this out. I miss seeing everyone and look forward to being with...

April 27, 2020

I am cool. I am great. I am nice and friendly.

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...

April 24, 2020

New Hope Thanks Our Caregivers

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...

April 15, 2020

Mission Minute: Getting Creative at Home

As we continue to react to and manage the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic here at New Hope, we are holding on tight to our Core Values. This month, Creativity has been one of the most valuable tools for our associates and families as we weather this storm at home. Our Core Value of Creativity says: We honor a commitment to seek new approaches to service and care, and to willingly try new approaches with vitality, energy and enthusiasm. This value is exemplified by: seeking new approaches in practice with open-mindedness embracing challenges as an opportunity for resourcefulness welcoming change with...

April 14, 2020

Service Spotlight: Aderonke Kareem

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...

April 7, 2020

New Hope Receives COVID-19 Relief Grant

New Hope of Indiana is grateful to announce that it has been chosen to receive a $200,000 unrestricted grant from the Central Indiana COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund (C-CERF). The grant is one of $4.55 million in grants made to 32 community organizations in Central Indiana during the second round of funding to nonprofits. The fund has now distributed more than $11.8 million to 74 organizations in Central Indiana to date. Like most businesses and nonprofits, New Hope has incurred unexpected expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic including additional costs for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), technology costs to make certain services...

March 31, 2020

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings Friends, I hope you are all well! So much has changed in the last month. I am having to follow the shelter in place guidance, and I admit I am getting a little stir crazy! How about you? New Hope of Indiana has been doing everything we know to do to keep people healthy and happy. I even sent out a picture (of myself, of course) saying hi to everyone. Our recreation and music therapists and others are sending out activity ideas that can be done in the home. Everyone here is operating out of love for those we serve. Me? I look...

March 30, 2020

Lynn Feldman Receives 2020 INARF Pinnacle Award

After her four decades of service at New Hope of Indiana, Lynn Feldman has been enjoying retirement since early December. We thought it only fitting that she end her career with a very special honor - or two. In December, New Hope proudly announced a new distinction for outstanding direct support professionals (DSPs) at New Hope named in part after Lynn. Now, INARF, New Hope's trade agency, has named Lynn as the recipient of the 2020 Pinnacle Award. This award is given to an outstanding professional level staff member in the human service industry who has demonstrated a commitment to...

March 30, 2020

A Note from Allison: #TeamNewHope

Hello loyal Heartbeat readers, Wow! So much has changed since I last wrote to you. In just one month, New Hope’s entire operation has shifted to accommodate a new focus on the health and safety of those we serve and the people who are directly serving them. While this is always our top priority, our operations have taken a turn to adjust to this new normal. We have suspended Day Services, transitioned therapy services to telehealth delivery and restricted visitors in all New Hope homes to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our associates are monitoring their own health before every shift...

March 27, 2020

Staying Connected

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...

March 27, 2020

COVID-19 Response Update

Maija Augenbergs, Quality Assurance Coordinator As New Hope of Indiana continues to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic, we are taking several measures to keep the individuals we serve as well as our associates happy, healthy and safe. New Hope’s COVID-19 working group continues to meet daily to discuss strategies for prevention and preparedness and to maintain communication across various programs. New Hope leaders continue to coordinate with New Hope’s Medical Director, Dr. Daniel Shull, as well as other organizations including INARF, the Indiana State Department of Health, BDDS and others in the disability industry to remain current on quickly developing information, access necessary...

March 26, 2020

It’s Time to Pay Those Who Care for People with Disabilities a Living Wage

by Allison Wharry, CEO This National Disabilities Awareness Month, I want to take a moment to advocate for those who assist 40,000 Hoosiers with intellectual and developmental disabilities each and every day and help show the world how truly ABLE they are. I’m talking about Indiana’s Direct Support Professionals (DSPs). More than 20,000 DSPs in Indiana support clients in homes, in the community and at their places of employment. Their work is needed and invaluable. Yet, they are paid a low wage due to insufficient Medicaid reimbursements. Because of this, New Hope of Indiana and other service providers have a difficult time...

March 26, 2020

Behavior Services Make A Difference

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...

March 16, 2020

Mission Minute: Wisdom in a Moment of Crisis

During this uncertain time in the world, it's important that we take time to recognize the good in our lives. This month, we are more focused on our mission than ever, and we are seeing the good in all of our associates and community members as they strive to support the individuals we serve in a moment of crisis. Thank you to all of our associates for their continued dedication and service! They are truly a bright light in a dark time! New Hope, like many other organizations, has made some hard decisions recently that affect all of our clients, their...

March 16, 2020

Service Spotlight: Chris Moore

Group Home Team Leader, Chris Moore, was uninterested in being spotlighted to say the least. With a little encouragement from his Manager, he begrudgingly agreed to answer some basic questions about himself. Thanks to Chris for his 17 years of dedicated service to New Hope in the Group Home program! Where you are from? I am from the small town of Cayuga, Indiana. What's your family like? My wife Jessica and I have a ten year old son Ethan. I have a younger brother who lives in Michigan. I have three nephews and two nieces. What was high...

February 25, 2020

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings friends! This month, I celebrated my 11th birthday. That's 77 years in dog years. Some days I feel my age, but most of the time I still love the same things I did when I was a puppy: getting a good snack, playing with my favorite toys and getting so much love from all of my friends. Birthdays make you think about stuff like that...

February 25, 2020

Remembering Our Friends

Shandi Vance 1980-2020 It has been a pleasure to have had Shandi Vance in our Frederic Group Home all these years. She moved in 5/2002 and was a delight from Day One! Shandi enjoyed singing and dancing in her room to Disney musicals and she had no shame in sharing her skills with the entire home. Shandi also loved to shop, with a particular affinity to headbands and sunglasses. We were so blessed to have Shandi with us for so long, and she left us too quickly. She will be missed. Read more. Marcia Carithers 1932-2020 From the beginning, Marcia Carithers was a beloved member...

February 25, 2020

Finding My Joy

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...

February 25, 2020

A Note from Allison: My Proud Look

My mom has what we call her “proud look”.  Which is awesome because her kids and grandkids always know when she is proud of them.  If you would have seen me last week, you would have seen my equivalent of a “proud look”.  That is because New Hope of Indiana was accredited as a United Way of Central Indiana agency.  This was the first class of accredited agencies for UWCI in many, many years.  This accreditation is significant because it tells the greater Indianapolis Community that New Hope demonstrates "a responsiveness to community needs; diversity and inclusion in governance, operations,...