November 2018
Design for All Abilities
As mentioned in our September newsletter, renovation is underway to repurpose our second floor kitchen into a Makerspace for our adult and children's program, a project made possible by the generosity of the Massachusetts Knights of Columbus.

So what is a Makerspace, and how will it benefit our children and adults? A Makerspace is a prepared environment designed to foster creativity, innovation, problem-solving, experimentation and more. It often contains a variety of building materials and tools, ranging from pieces of cardboard and glue to a 3D printer. It is a place to imagine "what if?" and use the resources around to build and create.

We're excited for the many opportunities for self-expression and growth that this new space will offer. We're even more excited about two recent partnerships that will provide us with the resources to realize its potential.

HOPe is thrilled to announce that Tenacre Country Day School of Wellesley will be working with us to develop a set of adapted makerspace activities tailored to meet the needs and capabilities of our children and adults. Tenacre’s mission to nurture and challenge each child is one that is well-aligned with HOPe’s own values of providing clients with encouragement and support while pushing them to exceed the expectations of their disability. Many thanks to Melissa Roper, who heads Tenacre's Innovation and Technology Program, for taking the lead on this initiative.

HOPe is also thrilled to announce a new pilot program in partnership with the Youth Ministry Program at St. Gerard Majella's of Canton. The HOPeMakers will run on Sunday afternoons, where small groups of Children's Program participants, staff, and youth from St. Gerard's will collaborate on a variety of projects and activities in our new makerspace. We're grateful to Kristen DeSisto, a former employee of HOPe, who is spearheading this initiative at St. Gerard's.

As we enter into a week of giving thanks, we can't help but feel grateful for the many people and organizations who have come forward to make this space possible. Thank you, from the bottom of our hearts!

Sincerely,
Kim Comart, Interim Executive Director
Join us at HOPe's Holiday Open House
LOCATION
350 Washington Street, Easton, MA

DATE AND TIME
12/08/18 12:00pm - 12/08/18 2:00pm

I'll be there!
Maybe
I can't make it
Come celebrate the holidays with HOPe at The House! Mix and Mingle on the first floor while enjoying a cup of hot cocoa, or venture into the lower level to decorate cookies and belt out some holiday tunes on our Karaoke machine. The doors will be open and we hope you can stop by and share in the festivities with us!

RSVP's welcome but not required.
Introducing the Caroline Maura Hamilton Friendship Fund
We're pleased to announce that the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation has awarded us a grant of $50,000 to establish the Caroline Maura Hamilton Friendship Fund. The Fund will allow for HOPe to serve more families by providing financial assistance to those in need and by helping to fund expansion of our programs.

Caroline, the daughter of board member Lauren Hamilton, passed away in March. The Fund was established in Caroline's memory as not only a celebration of the countless relationships formed at HOPe since opening its doors in 2009, but also the friendships yet to come. Caroline was proud of her mother's involvement in helping to build a welcoming community in which socially challenged children and adults could experience all that comes with friendship -- sharing meals, going on outings, hanging out on a Friday night, or having a sleepover.

Many thanks to the Stephen and Mary Birch Foundation, as well as Westwood Pediatrics and Brian Halligan for their supporting contributions. Donations to the Caroline Maura Hamilton Friendship Fund can be mailed to the HOPe Advancement Office at 350 Washington Street, Easton, MA 02356.
Our Shot at Hamilton
Thanks to the incredible generosity of Don Rodman and the Marilyn Rodman Theatre for Kids program, the House of Possibilities was gifted 25 tickets for our Children's Program to attend a performance of the Broadway smash
Hamilton!

Children’s Program Director Mary O’Toole said, “The show was amazing and the kids just loved it. They were actually mesmerized during the show. All I can really say is what a way to learn about history!!” Several of the children made similar comments, with one saying, “If I could have all my classes done like this, I would be at the top of my class!” A great time was had by all, and we may have even gotten a little history lesson as well.
Cast your Vote for HOPe's Project For Awesome
If you come to visit HOPe in the next few weeks, you might run into volunteer Michelle Fidler and her camera. Michelle is creating a video about HOPe for an on-line awareness and fundraising event -- Project For Awesome. "I think that the work that is done here is valuable to the community. Because of this, I'd like to help more people get to know about the House of Possibilities."

Project For Awesome started in 2007 by John Green, author of The Fault in Our Stars, and his brother Hank to raise money and awareness for charities. On the days of the event, thousands of people submit videos they have made about their favorite charities. The charities in the videos that receive the most votes receive a portion of the money that is raised, with over 2 million dollars raised in 2017. Be sure to look (and vote!) for HOPe's video on December 7th through December 9th.
Give HOPe on Giving Tuesday
We're doing something special this Giving Tuesday -- we're giving everyone in the HOPe community the opportunity to be part of the new and improved spaces at The House. Watch your email and HOPe Facebook page on November 27th to get in on the action!