New Hope of Indiana | Our Stories

For over forty years, New Hope of Indiana has been committed to supporting individuals and families, encouraging them to live their most independent, fulfilling lives. Through services for individuals with disabilities, counseling for families in the child welfare system and advocacy efforts, New Hope of Indiana is making an impact in our communities every day.

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Our Stories

25 Sep - Client Profile: Sandy Fries

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In 1978, there were not a lot of programs or services available for persons who had experienced a traumatic brain injury (TBI). Sandy Fries lived in Illinois near St. Louis, but moved to Indiana into the New Hope of Indiana residential program, despite the distance from her family, to receive services. She lived on A-pod/Alpha Hall, later moving to Beta Hall, which specifically served individuals with TBI. Sandy was eventually able to move out into her own apartment with a Medicaid waiver. She needed additional supports, but also was very lonely, so she decided to move...

25 Sep - Volunteer Highlight: Barb Rzepka

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New Hope won the volunteer jackpot when Barb Rzepka became involved with NHI several years ago. Barb and her husband, Tom, moved to Indianapolis in 2014 from northern Indiana, to be closer to their daughters and grandchildren. They had heard about the SPRED (Special Religious Education) Program years ago through their previous church and while attending a volunteer fair at St. Monica Catholic Church decided to become involved. There are six individuals served by New Hope who are a part of the SPRED program. Barb previously volunteered at an agency similar to NHI; however, having...

25 Sep - Zeller, Speak!

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Greetings, my friends! Well they say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but just last night I learned how to sleep parallel to my human instead of at the end of the bed! So, there you go...

25 Sep - A Note from Allison: Thank You from New Hope!

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Happy First Week of Fall! September has been an awesome month at New Hope of Indiana! September 9th-15th was Direct Support Professional (DSP) Appreciation Week! New Hope has over 330 DSPs that do amazing things every week providing love and support to all the individuals they serve each day. We really cannot thank them enough for all that they do, so it is great to have one week dedicated to DSPs. Did you know that 25% of New Hope DSPs have been with us 10 years or more? DSPs live New Hope’s Core Values every day. Their Dedication,...

18 Sep - In Our Lane

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by Denise Caudill Irons Being a parent of a child with differing needs, I have experienced unexpected challenges to my perceptions about learning and what constitutes a successful education. One of my daily struggles is to release ingrained viewpoints that I have learned or subconsciously absorbed throughout my life. I grew up striving for straight A’s in order to pursue a college education that would help me procure a good job and become independent. I deeply believed in the old adage that if you work hard, you can achieve anything. I witness my daughter working hard on...

14 Sep - Mission Minute: Thank You to our “Dedicated” Support Professionals!

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by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration & Volunteers In our industry of serving persons with disabilities, each year there is a week in September designated as “DSP (Direct Support Professional) Week” which is 9/9/2018 – 9/15/2018. While we are appreciative of New Hope DSPs throughout the year, we are taking the time to thank and recognize them for their service which exemplifies all of our Core Values, especially Dedication. For DSP week and the entire month of September, we are referring to our DSPs as “Dedicated Support Professionals.” Our Core Values state that our workplace is a community...

14 Sep - New Hope’s 40th Anniversary Photo Contest

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The August event for our year-long 40th Anniversary celebration was a photo contest. Associates submitted photos in three categories: Vintage New Hope, Core Values and Fun-in-Action, with a wonderful variety of pictures displayed of individuals, groups, action shots, memories, all reflecting on what and who we are at New Hope. There was the picture of adaptive water skiing, the Daughters of Charity with their Hope Award Plates made by the clients, our 40th Anniversary kickoff, clients rallying at the statehouse, the Louise ladies in their new group home, Zeller’s Valentine kissing booth, Friends of the Fox at the...

13 Sep - Service Spotlight: Shayla Jones

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Shayla Jones came to New Hope about eighteen months ago after being referred by a friend to apply. Prior to New Hope, Shayla had many jobs over the years, but she believes coming to New Hope was one of the best decisions she has ever made in her work life. Shayla LOVES working with the women who live at Laboure Group Home. One thing she appreciates about New Hope is the variety of activities available to our clients and the importance of going on adventures and having fun including museum outings, bowling and movie nights, and monthly...

12 Sep - Service Spotlight: Blessing Ugwuanyi

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Blessing wakes up with a beautiful smile on her face, because she loves to come to work in the Day Services Program at the Payne Road facility. She has been New Hope almost four years and has enjoyed every minute of her time here. As with all of the DSPs being highlighted for DSP Recognition Week, Blessing receives much joy in her support of and interactions with the individuals she serves, such as helping with the client choir and all the many special activities in day services. She also feels a strong sense of teamwork with her co-workers...

11 Sep - Service Spotlight: Faustinus Okafor

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Current NHI associates are an excellent referral source, and one such referral we appreciate is Faustinus “Fausty” Okafor, who has been with New Hope for five years. Fausty is a DSP at 62nd Place and his service to the individuals is a passion for him. Something he learned very quickly is to look beyond an individual’s disability and discover their gifts, personalities and love. He has come to truly appreciate them for who they truly are rather than just clients who he is paid to serve. Fausty was quoted in a New Hope video saying that...