August 28, 2018

New Hope Announces Start of New Program

New Hope’s newest program, AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) successfully kicked off on August 20th! AIM is a community-based program which offers individuals with disabilities who are exiting high school and seeking alternative services to actively participate in the planning and execution of daily activities including identifying and participating in volunteer opportunities, learning how the legislature works, becoming self-advocates, participating in museum activities, learning how to ride public transportation and much more. Thank you so much to all of our friends and donors for making this program possible! With your generosity and Pearson Ford’s $10,000 matching contribution, New Hope was...

August 28, 2018

A Note from Allison: Thriving at New Hope

Happy hot summer! I hope you are all surviving this August heat! New Hope continues to thrive, even with the thermometer at 90 degrees! We are thrilled to announce our new program, AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning), started this month. This program serves young adults who are leaving high school. Our first group started a couple of weeks ago and they are already volunteering and exploring our community! Thanks to Pearson Ford and to many of you who met their match at our Silver Cup Celebration, we have a new gently used Ford Flex in which they will experience Indy! We are also...

August 27, 2018

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings, friends! Oh my gosh summer is over! How did that happen? I guess I will soon be rolling in leaves instead of grass. So it goes. And speaking of going, the AIM group started August 20th and they are having a great time out in their community! They have been to Keep Indianapolis Beautiful, the library, Holiday Park and the nature center. They have been lots of places while riding in the Ford Flex that Pearson Ford so generously supported. I hope everyone had a happy and safe summer. As we are entering Fall just think of all there is to do…long...

August 27, 2018

Thank you to the Sheehan Charitable Foundation!

This summer, New Hope of Indiana was awarded a $30,000 grant from The Thomas P. and Sondra D. Sheehan Charitable Foundation, a partner of Legacy Fund Community Foundation. Through the Central Indiana Community Foundation (CICF), the Sheehan Charitable Foundation awards grants to a variety of interests with a focus on opportunities for young adults. We are so grateful for this funding which will enable New Hope to purchase an accessible vehicle and create the opportunity for 4 additional young adults to participate in AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning), New Hope's newest community-based program. To learn more about the Sheehan Charitable...

August 27, 2018

Client Profile: Lynn Brown

We have enjoyed highlighting individuals NHI has served for the past 40 years and this month’s profile is on Lynn Brown. Lynn resided in the residential facility, and he lived on “D” Pod/Delta Hall. He was one of the first to move into the Rendu group home in 1995 and has lived there for over 23 years. Lynn is rather quiet, but certainly has a gleam in his eyes and an engaging smile. He tends to be a homebody, watching TV and playing cards at the group home. He stated that he does like to go to Steak-n-Shake once in a...

August 15, 2018

Service Spotlight: Gina Borneman

Fifteen-year NHI associate and DSP, Gina Borneman feels her employment at New Hope was meant to be as she has been able to experience miracles. Prior to coming to NHI, she had worked in special education and with boy scouts with disabilities. She heard about NHI from an acquaintance, who recommended Gina look into employment. She has a degree in journalism, though most of her professional life has centered around helping others. However, Gina shared that her degree has certainly come in handy with documentation, which is always thorough and grammatically correct. Gina initially worked nights on the old “sleep shift”...

August 15, 2018

Mission Minute: Pictures Tell Our Story

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration & Volunteers [caption id="attachment_20366" align="alignright" width="300"] NHI Fun-in-Action[/caption] In recent years, cell phone photography has exploded with the advent of selfies, quick videos, the ever-improving quality of phone cameras, and easy sharing. We all enjoy capturing those special moments, events and people in our lives. I believe that pictures tell our story and for many years have felt that is truly the case at New Hope. We can share stories about what is going on around New Hope in our newsletter, blogs,[caption id="attachment_20365" align="alignright" width="251"] Vintage[/caption] Facebook, Twitter, etc., but what are we often most...

July 31, 2018

Don’t Forget to Say Cheese!

It's official! After all of your witty, straight-to-the-point, creative, punny suggestions, the survey results are in. New Hope of Indiana's Food Truck has been named Cheese and Thank You! It is amazing to know how many of you have such creative ideas and we are thankful that you shared them with us. Other names suggested included Hope-a-Roni, New Hope's Mac Wagon, You Gouda Brie Kidding Me, the Mac-IN-Mission and FeastABILITY. We also learned that you like bacon. You like bacon a LOT! You told us that you want to eat at Cheese and Thank You downtown and in Broad Ripple....

July 31, 2018

A Note from Allison: Passionate about New Hope

Passion! Passion is one of the words I think of when I think about New Hope of Indiana. Our associates, board members, volunteers and donors are all passionate about our mission, the people we serve and/or their fellow New Hope associates. It is very easy to be the CEO of such a passionate organization because I see it and the joy it brings every day. New Hope people never cease to amaze me! They show their passion in both big and little ways. To everyone in the New Hope family, I say thank you for making our little corner of...

July 30, 2018

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings, my friends! This month we celebrate the 28th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act, also known as ADA which was signed into law by President George H.W. Bush on July 26, 1990. The intent of this law was to guarantee that persons with disabilities have the same opportunities to participate in community life as persons without disabilities. This includes housing, employment, accessibility issues, participating in local and State government and services and so much more. This law literally opened doors for people by requiring accessible entrances for people with mobility issues and has provided for handicapped parking spaces. Because of the...

July 30, 2018

Local Eagle Scout Gives Back to New Hope

This spring, Zionsville Eagle Scout, Michael Wassem, planned his final project with New Hope in mind. After raising more than $1,000 and recruiting 6 volunteers, Michael and his team spent over 50 hours completing the construction of 3 new raised garden beds at NHI's Payne Road location. New Hope clients planted these garden beds and have been enjoying vegetables and herbs all summer! Thanks to Michael and his family and friends for their generous contribution to New Hope of Indiana. His project will make a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve!...

July 30, 2018

New Hope Buries Time Capsule

New Hope's 40th Anniversary celebration for July is the burial of a time capsule outside of the Payne Road building on July 30th. For the past several months we have been collecting interesting current NHI items including photos, program brochures, the 40th Anniversary reflection book, before and after pictures of the building remodel, logoed items and much more. A plaque has been mounted on the wall with instructions to open the time capsule in July of 2038. Thanks to all who submitted items for the time capsule. We are hoping the future associates and clients celebrating New Hope’s 60th anniversary...

July 30, 2018

Remembering Our Friends

Amy Evans Stant April 5, 1955 - June 16, 2018 It is always so hard to say goodbye at New Hope, especially to someone we have served for over 38 years. Amy Evans Stant moved into the residential facility in 1980 where she met and married her husband, John Stant. They were the first married couple served by New Hope. When the facility was downsizing for closure, they moved out of the facility into an SLP home on 57th Street and later moved to the 60th Street home, where she was currently living. Amy did not let her physical challenges hinder being active...

July 30, 2018

Client Profile: Joni Eaton

SOCIAL is the best word to describe Joni Eaton! We are highlighting Joni as she is another individual NHI has served for 40 years. Joni moved into the residential facility in 1978 and resided on D-Pod/Delta Hall. She transferred to Gamma Hall and later moved out of the facility to live at the Justin group home. In 2003 she moved to the 66th St. SLP home, where she continues to reside. Joni enjoys being around and interacting with people. She loves to kid and be kidded, has been known to be a bit ornery, and is also a prankster, all in...

July 16, 2018

Service Spotlight: Christina Marks

For most of her life, Christina Marks has been a caregiver and that truly is her passion. Christina came to New Hope 15 years ago because she desired to help people and has been doing so ever since as a DSP in Supported Living. She had taken some healthcare courses in college which were helpful; however, her knowledge and skills have been gained from dedication to the individuals she serves. Christina has worked at numerous sites and is currently at the Center Street home. She enjoys going out in the community with clients, ensuring their needs are met and helping...

July 16, 2018

Mission Minute: We Really Are One Team!

by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration and Volunteers Several months ago, Tiffany Mitchem, Seton group home Team Leader, wanted to make a very special trip happen for her aunt, Bethany Skinner, who is served by NHI and resides at the Center Street supported living home. Bethany’s father, who is also Tiffany’s grandfather, lives in northeast Indiana and is unable to travel due to health issues. It had been six years since Bethany and her father had seen each other. Planning for the visit involved numerous associates coordinating efforts to ensure everything needed was in place for the trip. Erron Fleshman, SLP...

June 26, 2018

A Note from Allison: Sharing Our Gifts

Happy June! Lately, I have been thinking about gifts, especially the gifts of the wonderful people surrounding New Hope. Some gifts are obvious like Lynn Feldman’s artistic and quilting ability that is demonstrated by the beautiful quilt she recently made. Some of them not so obvious like the gift of an individual we serve to make us smile; the gift of presence from one staff member to another; the gift that our maintenance people give the individuals we serve by letting them help and feel like “one of the guys”. The gift of love, care and devotion that...

June 25, 2018

A New Hope Photo Contest

Calling all New Hope photographers! As part of our 40th Anniversary celebration, we will be hosting a photo contest throughout the month of August. We have so many wonderful photos, old and new, and would love to see yours! We are having a contest with three categories: -Best vintage/old NHI photo; from the residential facility, when group homes and supported living homes were first started, Special Olympics, group shots, Halloween party, lip sync, or whatever other throwbacks you may have -Best photo which reflects the Core Values: Reverence, Service, Dedication, Integrity, Wisdom, Creativity -Best current or more recent photo of NHI fun...

June 25, 2018

Zeller, Speak!

Greetings, my friends!   Ah summer…when the days are long and the nights are stuffy. I hope you are enjoying the weather as much as I am! Don’t forget to use your sunscreen and drink lots of water during the summer and be sure you do not leave pets or children in the car alone please. There are many exciting things going on this summer! Individuals in Day Services are doing a lot of gardening and have even harvested some of the results already. Some are participating in the Helpings of Hope Gardens and others in Keep Indianapolis Beautiful. We have also developed a...

June 22, 2018

New Programs Beginning Soon

Many young adults with disabilities have a difficult time transitioning from high school into adulthood. Unfortunately, services for these individuals are often limited and resources can be difficult to find. New Hope is committed to creating innovative programming that will meet the needs of these young adults. Our new Transition Services Program will consist of two programs: AIM: Achieving Inclusion and Meaning and the Food Truck program. Both of these new programs will be community-based and will offer skills-training in several areas to better prepare participants for living independently in adulthood. AIM is designed for young adults with disabilities who are...