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non-profit spotlight - New Hope of Indiana Serves up Independence

By: Kate Shepherd

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Amy Johnson always thought she would dedicate her entire life to caring for her daughter, Grace, who was born with severe cerebral palsy. She knew Grace would not grow up like her twin and other siblings – learning and achieving independence as she aged. She could not care for herself – dress, bathe or feed herself. She was unable to walk, needed a wheelchair, and could not communicate well. Grace needed constant care.

As a mom, Amy never allowed herself to imagine living any other way. Things other parents could justifiably take for granted, like extended vacations, dining out, spontaneous get-togethers, or even sleeping late were mostly out of the question. In fact, it would take some serious logistical planning just to be able to work late at the office.

Grace with her housemates at the Grandview home.

Every day and every season were meticulously planned. Up at 5:30 a.m. to have Grace ready for the school bus. Make sure someone was home when Grace got out of school. Any extra-curricular activities meant allowing for exhausting preparation and time. Summers were especially challenging to make sure there was coverage for Grace’s special needs and therapies. The weeks were usually lined up with a multitude of day camps. At the same time, the Johnsons were sensitive to the fact that they had two other daughters that deserved attention, too: Grace’s twin sister, Josie, and their youngest daughter, Hadley. It was a house filled with infinite duties, activities, chaos, work, play, and love.

All that changed when Grace’s counselor at North Central High School in Indianapolis recommended Grace consider transitioning to a group living setting. The Johnsons immediately thought of New Hope of Indiana.

Tucked behind a fire station at W. 86th St. and Payne Road on the Northwest side of Indianapolis, New Hope was the first private residential facility for people with developmental disabilities in Indiana when it opened in 1978. It also became the first facility of its kind to choose in favor of community-based living. Today, it provides residential services throughout Central Indiana and a variety of therapy, day, vocational and transition services. New Hope serves more than 500 individuals with disabilities every year.

After utilizing New Hope’s supports for several years, Amy knew that she could trust their services in this new chapter of Grace’s life. In February of 2018, the Johnsons toured the Grandview home, part of New Hope’s Supported Living Program. They found it very charming, clean, warm, and inviting. Despite persistent doubts, they moved Grace into the home in August of 2018, right when school was starting.

AIM participants learn skills for independence through volunteering, self-advocacy, and community participation.

“We decided on New Hope for Grace’s care sort of gradually,” said Amy. “New Hope set itself apart from other places because their staff was just very, very well trained; very responsible, respectable; dependable; showed up on time; showed love to our child; and so we considered New Hope sort of the cream of the crop.”

Amy figured Grace would last a few days, maybe a couple of weeks at best. She anticipated Grace would not accept the new living arrangement and that it simply wouldn’t work out. But something unexpected happened at Grandview. Grace blossomed.

“I feel like she is living her most independent life and she’s living her best life,” Amy said of now 23-year-old Grace. “Now it is her home, and this is her family – her extended family. She lives with three other women in this all-female home with round-the-clock staff, transportation, all the activities, at-home therapies, virtual therapies – staff helps with all that.”

Amy doesn’t worry as much about her daughter these days.

“The caregivers are amazing,” she said. “They’re just so loving and kind and gentle. They have way more patience than I ever had with Grace when she was at home. Grace is the happiest she’s ever been.”

Amy Johnson and her daughter, Grace.

AIM Program

For families in similar situations, New Hope of Indiana has led the way in creating meaningful transition services to promote independence after high school. One program that helps young adults with disabilities build independence is the AIM (Achieving Inclusion and Meaning) program. AIM provides Community-based services which give participants opportunities to play and enjoy daily activities.

Participants volunteer in the community, learn how to use public transportation independently, and practice other competencies that promote self-advocacy and independence; all while building social skills and lasting friendships with their peers. A highlight of the program is an annual trip to the Indiana Statehouse (except during the COVID-19 pandemic) to talk to lawmakers and state officials about New Hope and learn how the legislature works.

The funds to launch the AIM program were raised during New Hope’s Annual Silver Cup Celebration in 2018. Mark your calendar for this year’s Silver Cup Celebration on September 30, 2021, at 11:30 a.m. at The Willows on Westfield to help support other programs.

Cheese and Thank You

In 2019, New Hope launched the only food truck in the Midwest in which the food is prepared by, marketed, and served by young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Although the truck is on hiatus because of the pandemic, it should be back on the road in 2022.

Individuals who work on the truck learn more about the foodservice industry, social marketing, sales, customer service, and business practices. The program is designed for three to four clients to work on the truck for about a year.

In its inaugural year, Cheese and Thank You’s crew members served up hundreds of lunches to customers throughout Indianapolis. The Food Truck Program promotes job readiness for young adults with disabilities.

“This program is unique in that it trains young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities in all aspects of the culinary industry,” said New Hope of Indiana CEO Allison Wharry. “They don’t just serve the food. They also learn how to prepare tasty dishes, market the truck, and help run a business. After working on the truck, they will have solid skills to take into the community and make a difference in the workplace.”

The food truck features macaroni and cheese with toppings such as bacon, barbecue, buffalo chicken, and roasted veggies.

Through AIM, Cheese and Thank You, residential services, and other programs, New Hope helps young adults transition from school and the family home into adulthood.

For the Johnson family, that means that like Grace, they are enjoying some newfound freedom, while their daughter is thriving and loved at her new home.

Grace Johnson at her graduation from North Central High School in 2018.

To learn more about New Hope of Indiana, to donate or to volunteer; visit www.newhopeofindiana.org.

Do you run a non-profit? Would you like to be a part of the non-profit spotlight or nominate someone else to be in an upcoming issue of Special Needs Living? Email us at SpecialNeedsLivingIndy@n2pub.com

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