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

31 Jul - A Note from Allison: Passionate about New Hope

Posted at 13:18h in A Note from Allison, Events 0 Comments

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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...

30 Jul - Zeller, Speak!

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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...

30 Jul - Local Eagle Scout Gives Back to New Hope

Posted at 14:00h in Community and Corporate Partners, New Hope Stories, News, Volunteer Highlights 0 Comments

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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!...

30 Jul - New Hope Buries Time Capsule

Posted at 13:47h in 40th Anniversary, Events 0 Comments

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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...

30 Jul - Remembering Our Friends

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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...

30 Jul - Client Profile: Joni Eaton

Posted at 13:19h in 40th Anniversary, Client Profile 0 Comments

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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...

16 Jul - Service Spotlight: Christina Marks

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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...

16 Jul - Mission Minute: We Really Are One Team!

Posted at 13:18h in Mission Minute, New Hope Stories 1 Comment

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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...

26 Jun - A Note from Allison: Sharing Our Gifts

Posted at 18:54h in A Note from Allison 0 Comments

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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...

25 Jun - A New Hope Photo Contest

Posted at 16:47h in 40th Anniversary, Events, News 0 Comments

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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...

25 Jun - Zeller, Speak!

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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...

22 Jun - New Programs Beginning Soon

Posted at 21:14h in Food Truck Program, News 0 Comments

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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...

22 Jun - “40 Years of Hope” Quilt Revealed

Posted at 21:00h in 40th Anniversary, Events 0 Comments

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On Monday, June 25th, we enjoyed a good old fashioned ice cream social at our main offices on Payne Road as part of our 40th Anniversary celebration. It has been tradition over the years for staff and clients to make a decorative quilt to commemorate certain points in New Hope's history. This year, New Hope associates from each program contributed quilt squares featuring our six core values: Service, Dedication, Wisdom, Integrity, Creativity and Reverence. Lynn Feldman, Director of Supported Living and 40-year New Hope associate, is a talented seamstress and quilter. She quilted each square together beautifully in honor of...

22 Jun - Thank You to Our Dedicated Board Members

Posted at 18:12h in News, Service Spotlight 1 Comment

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June 30th marks the end of service for three long-time New Hope Board Members, Dr. John Bloom, Tami Mantsch and Donna Cameron. We are so grateful for their contributions to New Hope over the last several years! John came to New Hope after his neighbor, Susan Robinson, introduced him to the mission and invited him to learn more about what NHI is all about. He most recently served as Vice Chair of the Board. Tami is the mother of former New Hope client, Holly. As a strong advocate for her daughter and individuals with disabilities, Tami brought a unique and...

22 Jun - Volunteer Highlight: Bill Ray

Posted at 17:48h in Volunteer Highlights 1 Comment

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One of the most popular and memorable annual events at NHI for the past twenty years has been the Friends of the Fox trips to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) in May. Friends of the Fox was started by race driver, Stan Fox, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in the Indianapolis 500. Following his recovery, he wanted persons with disabilities to experience the Speedway “up close and personal” and started, the Friends of the Fox Foundation. After Stan passed away, Bill Ray and another friend, Ron Kucer, were determined to continue the Friends of the Fox legacy. The IMS provides...

22 Jun - Client Profile: Marcia Carithers

Posted at 17:41h in 40th Anniversary, Client Profile 0 Comments

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This month we are highlighting another individual NHI has served for 40 years: Marcia Carithers. Marcia also has the honorable distinction of being the oldest individual we serve at 86 years! When she lived in the residential facility, Marcia was on A Pod, later called Alpha Hall. She was one of the lucky few to have her own bedroom. When the group home program was started, Marcia moved to the Laboure home and resided there for several years. She was able to move into her own apartment, which she really loved. In recent years, she has lived in a couple...

13 Jun - Service Spotlight: Godfrey Onuchukwu

Posted at 14:14h in Service Spotlight 3 Comments

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Ten years ago, Godfrey Onuchukwu was looking for a new employment opportunity and was referred to New Hope by a friend; he has never looked back. Godfrey is a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the Supported Living Program and his primary site is McCollough. Throughout the years, Godfrey has worked in multiple programs and sites and is devoted to the individuals he serves. He really enjoys accompanying individuals out in the community to parks, ball games, out to eat, and to special activities. At Christmas time, Godfrey took a client to multiple stores so the individual could purchase just the right...

13 Jun - Mission Minute: Associate Financial Assistance (AFA) Program Launch

Posted at 14:09h in Mission Minute, News 1 Comment

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by Kathe Rae, Manager of Mission Integration We are very pleased to announce the highly anticipated Associate Financial Assistance (AFA) Program will begin on July 1, 2018! Thanks to you, our compassionate New Hope associates, board members, St. Vincent Health, the Daughters of Charity and New Hope, the funds needed to begin the AFA Program were raised. Some of you may remember the $34.77 Program that existed when New Hope was a part of St. Vincent. Named in honor of the Daughters of Charity who started St. Vincent Hospital in 1881 with only $34.77, that program provided interest-free loans to St....

29 May - A Note from Allison: Summer Changes

Posted at 18:30h in 40th Anniversary, A Note from Allison, Food Truck Program 0 Comments

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Happy summer, friends! The month of May is always exciting in Indianapolis, but this one has been especially exciting for New Hope of Indiana! Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! To everyone who sponsored, attended, planned, donated to, created for and bought at New Hope’s first annual Silver Cup Celebration on May 3rd! What a great celebration it was! Starting with the New Hope choir singing Lean on Me, to our wonderful new video and prescient remarks by Dr. Rick Gunderman, all being emcee’d by WTHR 13’s Anne Marie Tiernon, our community really got to see and feel what...

29 May - Remembering Our Friends

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Jerilyn “Jeri” Hogan July 20, 1962 - April 23, 2018 Jerilyn or Jeri was a very happy person, who smiled and enjoyed being with people. Prior to moving to Laboure group home in 2006, she lived at the Frederic Group Home. Despite ongoing health issues, Jeri was a trooper and did not let her health bring her down. In recent years she attended Castleton Days services and really enjoyed having her nails done, listening to country music, dressing up for parties and special occasions, and of course, socializing. She also liked to go bowling, attend the monthly Kiwanis...