Hope Services Supports Children with Disabilities in Ukraine

COMMUNITY NEWS

Hope Services Supports Children with Disabilities in Ukraine

When Ukraine was attacked by Russia in February, Americans were stunned.

Chip Huggins decided to do something to help.

He’s the president and CEO of Hope Services, which for 70 years has supported people with disabilities and mental health needs.

“In any conflict, those with disabilities and mental health needs face a disproportionate risk of abandonment and violence,” he explained. “Watching the events unfold in Ukraine, we felt compelled to act.”

His idea was to set aside 25% of sales on Wednesdays and Thursdays from April 13 through July 1 at the three outlet stores in Watsonville, San Jose and Fremont to support nonprofits providing on-theground services in Ukraine.

The campaign got a lot of positive feedback, according to HopeTHRIFT Retail District Manager Shawn Bailey.

“It was a win-win: we got people into the stores and also helped spread the word about the work we do right here in our own community,” he said.

In all, more than $56,000 was raised, which will be divided between Save the Children and Humanity and Inclusion.

The two were selected based on their sterling credentials and their ability to deliver assistance immediately to those in need.

“It was important to partner with organizations whose missions match ours: serving children and individuals with intellectual disabilities and those with mental health needs,” says Cathy Bouchard, Hope Services’ specialty director, who was tasked with finding nonprofits that would effectively implement the funds. “We decided to work with two organizations, one large and one small. We thought it would be important to utilize the power of a large organization as well as access the nimbleness and flexibility of a smaller group.” Save the Children, founded in 1919 to aid refugees, is supporting the most urgent needs of children and their families in Ukraine today, providing food, water, hygiene kits, psychosocial support, and cash. Humanity and Inclusion is corecipient of the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize for its work to ban landmines. According to an HI official, Ukraine is fast becoming the world’s most polluted country when it comes to explosive devices. HI teams are on there, providing “mine risk education” to show civilians how to spot, avoid, and report weapons. The nonprofit also provides financial, mental, and psychosocial support services plus rehab for those directly impacted. Hope Services’ mission is to see all persons with disabilities and mental health needs supported and protected. Its HopeTHRIFT stores are one venue providing career training for clients.

One of them is Krishna, a supervisor at HopeTHRIFT San Jose. He says he could not walk independently until he was 5 and a doctor’s diagnosis left his family with little hope for the future.

“Hope Services has given me the opportunity to be accepted in the community, so I say to those seeking a career despite your disability, Hope Services is the best place to do so,” he says.

The County of Santa Clara recently awarded $285,000 to Hope Services to support its work.

“Vans and laptops seem like such basic items, but for Hope Services these items will allow more clients to participate in classes, training, and employment opportunities, and have access to telehealth mental health services, out in the community, out in the mainstream,” explains Santa Clara County Supervisor Joe Simitian. “I’m glad our County could do our part.”

Fellow County Supervisor Cindy Chavez adds, “Hope Services is literally a world-class operation, whether lifting up and equipping people living in the Silicon Valley, or in Ukraine with everything they need to live productive lives. Hope Services certainly delivers on its promise to make the world a better place.”

County Supervisor Otto Lee adds, “I am honored to stand with my colleagues supporting Hope Services, and I am so deeply grateful for your service…You stepped up during the pandemic and I want to recognize the critical support you provided to Ukraine.” n •••

HopeThrift is at 1062 Green Valley Road in Watsonville.

Children with disabilities in Ukraine.

“Parents” from page 22

“FAITH, Herman?” Mom’s voice resounded out of the kitchen.

“Faith has nothing to do with dice, Herman. It has to do with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, not with silly numbers.”

But Daddy went on as if Mom had said nothing.

“Ya have to be careful of snake eyes, Joey,” he whispered. “That’s one and one and it’s called craps.”

“Herman!”

Mom came out yelling this time. She was shaking the spoon, splattering gravy everywhere. “I hate that word and I hate that game. And I don’t want you teaching Joseph how to gamble. Now put those dice away.”

“Nonnie,” he said. “Just let me see if I can win my money back from this smart aleck kid. I guarantee ya I can beat him in ten minutes. He doesn’t know the odds.”

“You don’t either, Herman. You’re aggravating me.” He shook his head and sighed a big breath.

“Dat’s it, Joey,” Dad said. “Ya got all my money. Mommy says we can’t play no more. It’s all her fault.”

What could I say? Dad curled on the couch and hid behind his newspaper.

“You promised about the dice, Dad.” I said to him, sheepishly.

Dad just stared at me: “Never mind,” he said. “You think about it too much and you make yourself sick.” When Dad finally put the dice back into his pocket, I knew the game was over. Then we heard Mom slide the casserole into the oven.

“Sometimes you get on a bad roll,” he said. “You roll the dice and roll them some more, and your number never comes up. That’s when you gotta do something to change your luck.”

So, I took his advice, went into the kitchen, and jumped up on a stool near the stove.

Mom picked up the pan containing the rest of the sauce. She cooled it with her breath and spooned some into my mouth. I could hear the eggplant begin to sizzle in the oven—that enticing sound of cheese starting to bubble and brown with a rich, milky coating that would make the top dark and crusty.

I was still disappointed at not being able to even touch the dice, let alone play. But I was so hungry, my stomach started to churn like the Big Dipper at Coney Island.

Only a taste of Mom’s good Eggplant Parmesan could cure all that. n •••

Joe Ortiz, author of “The Village Baker,” wrote and produced a musical inspired by bread and created a musical based on his family story, Escaping Queens, that was a hit at Cabrillo Stage. He and his wife Gayle received the 2016 Gail Rich Award for contributions to the arts in Santa Cruz County. “Appointed” from page 16

San Lorenzo Valley (short term): Jayme Ackerman

Scotts Valley (3 openings): Ruth Stiles*, Wade Leishman*, Bill Ekwall*

Pajaro Valley, Division A: Mary Banister*: Division C: Amy Newell*

Parks

Boulder Creek Recreation & Parks (2 openings): George Galt*, Diane Hamilton*

Pajaro Dunes Geologic: Michael Butner, Patrick Dubbins, Raphael Shannon Kraw n