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July 15, 2020

Mission Minute: Dedication Takes on an Unexpected Meaning

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...

June 30, 2020

Virtual Silver Cup Celebration a Success

Despite cancelling our largest fundraiser of the year, we are so excited to say THANK YOU to all of our sponsors and donors for making our Silver Cup Celebration a success! While we weren't able to gather as planned for our Third Annual Silver Cup Celebration, several of our usual sponsors contributed more than ever to support our new needs during the COVID-19 crisis. Thanks to Ascension St. Vincent, PNC Bank, Gregory & Appel, Conner Insurance and Bradley Associates for their continued sponsorship! In addition to their generous support, our friends at Pearson Ford matched the campaign's donations with a...

June 26, 2020

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings friends, Guess what? I'M FINALLY BACK AT WORK! After several dog years, New Hope has finally decided to reopen Day Services at Payne Road where I work and at Castleton where my friend Oreo works. Don't get me wrong - I love a lazy day full of naps, pets and snacks at home. But boy, was I getting tired of the view from my window. At New Hope, I can visit with my friends who I missed so much! I can enjoy a walk in the courtyard and a sniff in the garden. I can even enjoy a dance party! While...

June 26, 2020

A Note from Allison: Finally Some Good News

Hello New Hope friends, June has brought us some much-needed good news! All of the clients in our homes are negative for COVID-19! What else? No associates have tested newly positive since May 13th! We are finally feeling some of the weight of this spring’s work being lifted from our shoulders, and it is all thanks to the hard work of our frontline caregivers. They have worked tirelessly to provide loving service and at the same time wear PPE, keep our homes clean, the individuals we serve happy and their workplaces safe. We acknowledge that this may not be the...

June 26, 2020

A Heart of Gold

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...

June 26, 2020

Cheese and Thank You is Taking a Break

We know our loyal fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of the Cheese and Thank You food truck and its mouthwatering mac-n-cheese topped with BBQ pulled pork, veggies or buffalo chicken. Unfortunately, New Hope of Indiana has made the difficult decision not to send the truck out into the community this year and to put the program on the back burner for now. The decision was made out of an abundance of caution because of the health and safety concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. It would be incredibly difficult for our client staff members to socially...

June 23, 2020

Remembering Our Friends

James “JR” Eaton 5/28/1956 – 6/9/2020 If New Hope ever had a “Mr. Congeniality” award, there is no question that James “JR” Eaton would have won. With his charming personality, engaging smile and delightful sense of humor it's no wonder he easily became friends with everyone around him, many of them becoming friends for life. This includes people he met at his schools, churches, Bradford Woods Camp, and his many years being served by New Hope. JR lived with his parents until he moved into the New Hope residential facility in 1985. His parents, Bob and Sara, were volunteers at New Hope facility...

June 22, 2020

New Hope is a Top Workplace for 2020

New Hope of Indiana has been awarded a Top Workplaces 2020 honor by the Indianapolis Star for the second year in a row. The nonprofit also was singled out for a special award in the Training category for giving associates the formal training they want for their careers. 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 drivers of engaged cultures that are critical to the success of any organization: including alignment, execution, and connection, just to name...

June 15, 2020

Mission Minute: Connections of Hope

While we continue to celebrate and recognize the many Connections of Hope that bring our New Hope community together each and every day, the word "connection" has taken on a much more specific meaning. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, New Hope has continued to provide meaningful and engaging activities for the individuals we serve including telehealth services, movie screening parties, Bible Study and bingo. We are so grateful to the associates and volunteers who have made these virtual connections possible while the world has felt a bit disconnected. We have been especially thankful to our friends at College Park Church and...

June 12, 2020

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

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...

May 26, 2020

Third Annual Silver Cup Celebration Cancelled

So much of our business as usual has been interrupted by COVID-19 concerns, and with these concerns in mind, we are sad to announce that we will not be hosting our Third Annual Silver Cup Celebration as originally planned for June 11, 2020. New Hope's Silver Cup Celebration is an annual event which allows us to come together to celebrate the amazing things our donors and sponsors allow us to accomplish each year. We showcase some of the talented individuals that we serve, we honor our partners and associates and we take time to say thank you to all of...

May 26, 2020

A Note from Allison: Getting Back on Track

Dear New Hope friends, Today I am grateful to report that New Hope has seen a marked decline in COVID-19 activity among the individuals we serve and our associates. While this virus continues to affect those we serve, their caregivers and the way we run our programs every day, it feels like, for now, we are on the mend. As we begin to look forward to what is next for New Hope, I am cautiously optimistic that we can begin to move toward reopening some of our services which have been halted by this pandemic. Just as Governor Holcomb has...

May 26, 2020

Remembering Our Friends

Dana Zunk 1962 - 2020 Dana came to New Hope in April, 1994. She walked into our hearts with her unique personality, humor, and love of fun adventures and celebrations. Dana loved music, movies, line dancing and karaoke. She enjoyed a special trip to Graceland as an ardent Elvis fan, and annual visits to the Speedway and Indiana Beach. Dana was very proud of her 25 years of service at Goodwill honoring her as Employee Of The Year. This was a reflection of her determination and desire for independence. Many New Hope associates and friends have shared in Dana’s life through the...

May 26, 2020

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings friends, I hope this Memorial Day finds you well. Memorial Day is the day we remember and thank all the men and women who have served so selflessly in the Armed Forces. I thank each of them for their service. I also thank my fellow canines, who have served in the Armed Forces in many different roles. Canines have been Sentry dogs meaning they accompany guards on patrol and warn them of the approach or presence of a stranger. Scout or Patrol dogs are trained to work in silence to aid in detecting snipers. Messenger dogs have learned to travel...

May 26, 2020

A Work in Progress

It was around this time one year ago that our generous donors gave over $27,000 at the Silver Cup Celebration to renovate New Hope's art room, supporting the Art Therapy and Day Services programs. After months of planning and securing the appropriate licenses and permits, work is underway at Payne Road. The renovation began by removing the remnants of the 40-year-old dish room which were no longer needed including a large, three-compartment sink. The remodeled room will have a large, new storage closet, a new ceiling, fresh paint and more space for our clients to enjoy and create their art....

May 26, 2020

Telehealth and the New Look of Therapy Services

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...

May 22, 2020

Pandemic Milestones

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...

May 15, 2020

Mission Minute: The Burden of Compassion Fatigue

This month, New Hope is recognizing Mental Health Awareness Month in many ways. We know that this situation has taken an extra toll on everyone, but especially on those we serve and their caregivers. The feeling of isolation, the added stress and the incredible uncertainty make a hard job even tougher for all of our frontline caregivers. They continue to serve selflessly in homes across our communities despite this added stress, and we are so grateful for their dedication. While some may not see it, we know that compassion fatigue is a real issue for many caregivers. Compassion fatigue is...

May 14, 2020

Service Spotlight: Penny Laster

Penny Laster, like so many of our frontline caregivers, is one of the hardest workers you’ll ever meet. Often working 60-hour weeks, Penny spends more time with her New Hope family than her own most weeks. Why does she do it? Because she loves her job. Penny has been a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for about 10 years, the last two of which have been spent at New Hope. Her favorite part of the job is caring for the individuals she serves and being a part of a dedicated team of other like-minded caregivers. During the COVID-19 crisis, New Hope has...

April 28, 2020

A Note from Allison: We Will Fight This Together

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...