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March 15, 2019

Celebrating Disability Awareness Month

by Adria Schrock, AIM Client Disability Awareness Month means a lot to me since I have a disability. Imagine if you had a disability, what would you think and how do you think others would treat you? In this article I will tell you what to do and such. First things first, just be yourself. Make new friends and hang out with people. We don’t want to be alone in the world. People with disabilities are just the same as everyone else and we want to be included as well. Disability Awareness Month means so much more to me since we...

March 15, 2019

Service Spotlight: Kathy Ballard

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...

March 15, 2019

Mission Minute: Exploring Creative Expression through Music Therapy

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration and Volunteers While there are certainly many differences in cultures throughout the world, music is something shared by all and is often referred to as the universal language. Music inspires powerful connections in so many wonderful ways: providing a means of expression, evoking positive emotions, stimulating the senses and elevating moods. Most importantly music is fun! Five years ago, New Hope recognized the need to provide one-on-one therapy, and our Music Therapy program was implemented. The program began at our Payne Road location with one board-certified music therapist and eventually expanded to our...

February 26, 2019

Zeller, Speak!

Hi Friends, Even though February is often cold and dreary, it is one of my most favorite months! It is my service anniversary and my birthday! This year, on Valentine's Day, I celebrated eight years of service with New Hope of Indiana and on February 17th, I turned 10 years old! I still love coming to work every day and getting lots of head pats and tummy rubs! I also love seeing the great things that are going on here at New Hope of Indiana and in our community. AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) groups are out and about. This...

February 26, 2019

We need your help!

Increasing wages for New Hope’s Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) is always at the top of the legislative priority list. This year is no different. We came into this legislative session hoping to get an increase which would allow the average hourly wage for DSPs to be $15 an hour. We were told early by the legislature that this was too high, so the ask is down to $13 per hour on average. This still requires an investment of over $20 million from the Indiana General Assembly each year of the two-year biannual budget. Unfortunately, the first half...

February 26, 2019

A Note from Allison: Hoping for Spring

Who is ready for spring? I know we at New Hope are! It has been a tough winter because of snow, freezing temperatures and wind. Our wonderful New Hope associates have worked tirelessly so that all of the individuals we serve are safe and warm. Thank you to all of them! Can you believe New Hope of Indiana, Inc., a stand alone not-for-profit, is entering into its sixth year? Lots of very positive things have happened in the last five years and the New Hope Board of Directors and New Hope’s Operating Council are working on a...

February 26, 2019

Free Legal Aid for New Hope’s Clients

Do you know Nick Parker? His name may sound familiar, but how is he connected to New Hope? Nick is an attorney from Indiana Legal Services who provides free legal services to New Hope’s clients particularly in areas of decision-making supports such as the preparation of wills, healthcare representative designees, and guardianships; benefit appeals; landlord-tenant issues; and expungement of conviction records. In 2016, through a generous grant by the Lilly Endowment and the Governor’s Council for People with Disabilities, Indiana Legal Services and New Hope began the PLAID (Providing Legal Assistance to Individuals with Disabilities) Partnership. Nick is...

February 25, 2019

Bingo is Back!

For over twenty years, Kiwanis has sponsored a monthly Bingo night for individuals served by New Hope of Indiana. The North Central Kiwanis Club started and coordinated Bingo for most of those years, and New Hope is so appreciative of their dedication. Thankfully, when that club decided to dissolve their chapter, another club, Northwest Indy Kiwanis graciously offered to sponsor Bingo night so that this favorite New Hope monthly activity could continue. This club also has long-time involvement with New Hope and provided an annual cookout for the group home program for many years. Club member...

February 25, 2019

A Jill of all Trades

Creativity has no limits, and that is certainly evident with Lori Eichenberger. Lori was born with a genetic eye disease, called Retinitis Pigmentosa, but was not diagnosed until her teen years, when her sight began to rapidly decline. As Lori became an adult, she lost most of her sight and now can only recognize some shapes and colors. However, that has not stopped her desire and ability to have a meaningful, creative and fun life through her art, activities and relationships. It was when Lori was in her med 30’s that she started learning how to...

February 25, 2019

Shifting My Script

By Denise Caudill Irons, NHI Parent and Board Member Without looking beyond the title, I recently enrolled in a webinar on self-care. At the time, I assumed it focused on helping my daughter become more independent with her self-care, which was not the case. The discussion was for the self-care of caregivers. Honestly, my attention to this topic is non-existent. Although I have no problems advocating for my daughter, I am at a loss at advocating for my own needs. Most of the self-care topics were what I expected. However, I was unprepared when the...

February 15, 2019

Service Spotlight: Patrick Mitchell

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...

February 14, 2019

Mission Minute: Creatively Finding the Right Fit

The Core Value of Creativity is exemplified when we explore business and human issues in an imaginative and flexible way.  Creativity at New Hope of Indiana is as diverse as the individuals and families we serve. It comes in many forms including in the creative problem-solving of our associates and the development of our programs. According to labor statistics, in 2017, only 18% of persons with disabilities were employed, with an even lower rate of only 10% of individuals with developmental disabilities, in the workforce. In contrast, 65% of persons without a disability were working that year. The difference is...

January 29, 2019

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings friends! I am happy to tell you a second AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) group has begun! A second group means a second staff person and that second staff person is Lashawnda Wright! Lashawnda reported a great first day! A tour of the Indy Humane Society was quite a success. A new volunteer effort was also identified. Soon AIM participants will be helping get volunteer packets ready for new volunteers at the Indy Humane Society. The new group has a variety of new adventures lined up: a library tour, Newfield’s, NCAA Hall of Champions and many more. Have fun, AIM members! Also,...

January 29, 2019

Art is in the Eye of the Creator

It's not every day that you hear the phrase "trash art" or ask someone if you can have their empty cereal boxes and aluminum cans...

January 28, 2019

A New Perspective

by Denise Caudill Irons, NHI Board Member and Parent Writing a monthly blog has compelled me to review the unexamined perceptions that I have accepted throughout my life. I have worked hard to maintain the image and ideals of what I think my life should be. After years of desperately not wanting to change, I am surrendering to a new and different perspective. No longer do I have the energy to reconcile societal norms that no longer apply to my world. One of my daughter’s therapists told me, “It’s not right or wrong; it’s just different.” ...

January 28, 2019

The Second Annual Silver Cup Celebration

New Hope of Indiana is excited to host the Second Annual Silver Cup Celebration on Thursday, April 25, 2019 at the Willows on Westfield in Broad Ripple. Join us for a luncheon to support New Hope's Year of Creativity and enjoy learning about some of our most talented artists, writers, musicians and creative thinkers. Browse a large selection of art created by New Hope clients and enjoy a performance of New Hope's choir. Proceeds from the luncheon will support New Hope's art therapy program and will help fund a renovation of the art room at our Payne Road facility. Learn...

January 25, 2019

A Note from Allison: Use Your Voter Voice

Happy New Year! I hope 2019 is off to a great start! Things are off to a good start at New Hope! One of my main focuses this time of year is around the Indiana General Assembly. As some of you may know, I spent many years of my career at the Statehouse lobbying on a variety of healthcare-related issues. During my time there, I realized how much can really be done through grassroots efforts. It is no different for the disability community. We have a very important legislative agenda to get passed this year, and we will not be able to do it without support from...

January 21, 2019

NHI Welcomes Mizzou Volunteers

Last week, New Hope was fortunate to host nine students from the University of Missouri who chose to volunteer a week of their time on winter break as part of the school's Alternative Breaks program. These students came to us from all backgrounds and with varied interests, but they all left feeling a similar sense of service and gratitude. Mizzou junior, Alexia Diamond, wrote: To be able to serve is a wonderful feeling. A very humbling experience for most. The people that I’ve met at New Hope of Indiana taught me a lot about myself and will have an impact on...

January 15, 2019

Service Spotlight: Amanda Boyd

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...

January 15, 2019

Mission Minute: The Year of Creativity

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration and Volunteers New Hope’s 40th anniversary year has come to a close with so many wonderful memories, and now we are excited to usher in 2019: the Year of Creativity! Throughout the year, the Core Value of Creativity will be explored, highlighted and celebrated. In “living out” Creativity, 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 when we are: • Seeking new approaches in practice with open-mindedness • Embracing challenges as an opportunity for resourcefulness • Welcoming change with hope,...