Service Spotlight: Kathy Ballard

15 Mar 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 take long for her passion, advocacy and gift of problem-solving to result in proposals for and implementation of new programs such as Home-Based Counseling which serves at risk families and Day Services. Inspired by the Core Value of Creativity to “seek new approaches to service and care,” Kathy has helped to develop additional programs and unique opportunities for individuals. She oversees Vocational Services, AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) and the new Food Truck program. She is very appreciative of the fantastic associates she is honored to work with in those programs.

Yet another way Kathy has enhanced the lives of individuals served was the addition of Zeller, our Canine Companions for Independence (CCI) facility dog, eight years ago. Whether he is going for walk or just hanging out with clients, Zeller works his canine magic and lovingly refers to Kathy as “mother.” Kathy’s office is a favorite stop for associates, too, who just need a little of his unconditional love.

Kathy has an active life outside of work. Kathy received her doctorate degree with a focus on special education and social work in 2015. She and her spouse Jeannie have two sons, Bryan and Curtis. Bryan receives supports through our FCS program. Ensuring Bryan was fully included in the school system inspired her advocacy and commitment. Curtis, who worked at New Hope several years ago, is married and has two girls who are the light of Kathy’s life. When she is not having fun with her granddaughters, she also enjoys movies, theater and traveling.

We applaud and thank Kathy for her years of dedication and especially her forward-thinking creativity and imagination!