Stories of Hope
April 2024 Newsletter
| |
Celebrating Our Employees and their Stories of Impact
Greetings,
Throughout the nation, April is celebrated as the National Month of Hope. For Alaskans, this season brings us the hope of spring with the melting snow and return of daylight. The dedication of our employees and the light they bring to the world also inspire hope and gratitude, and this month we have had the pleasure of celebrating two of our employees for prestigious awards they have received for their dedication and excellence in their service to people with disabilities.
Lifetime Achievement Award
Joelene Fortin, a devoted employee of Hope for 40 years as of this June—yes, you read that right, four decades!—was honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award at this year's Full Lives Conference!
Joelene first moved to Alaska from small-town Maine in 1982. She started with Hope in 1984 as a Relief Direct Support Professional. For many years thereafter, she balanced her work with raising her three children, who grew up alongside the individuals she supported. She is now a Resident Manager of an assisted living home in Anchorage, where she and her daughter Sara share joint management and provide the best possible care to the residents. Her youngest daughter, Jamie, also worked for Hope for a short time in the early 2000’s; she is now a nurse for Providence Mental Health as well as a guardian for one of the individuals that Hope supports.
| |
|
Having supported dozens of people over the years, Joelene has forged strong bonds with many of them, bonds that make them an extension of her own family. Her longest enduring relationships span more than three decades. She invites the gentlemen she supports to spend time with her and her family, often coming together for holidays and special occasions and even on her days off. Joelene promotes person-centered care and honors each person's dignity and independence. She makes sure that no action is taken for someone without first asking their permission and understanding their preferences. She has a passion for healthy living and enjoys researching ways to promote nutrition and whole health; while she encourages healthy habits to the people she supports, she also respects their autonomy and encourages them to make their own choice.
There are not many people who can say they’ve committed 40 years to a single organization, but Joelene’s time with Hope is a truly remarkable testimony to her love of the work she does and the meaningful relationships she has built. She has created a strong sense of trust and stability for the people she supports. Her story is an example of the mutually powerful impact that comes from serving people in need, and we are proud and grateful to be celebrating her upcoming 40-year anniversary with Hope and well-deserved recognition of the ‘Lifetime Achievement Award.’
DSP of the Year
ANCOR, a national association for disability service providers, recently announced the 2024 Direct Support Professional of the Year Award recipients. Among them is one of our very own Lead Intensive Supports Associates, Diana Medina, who was announced as Alaska's DSP of the Year!
For more than seven years, Diana has managed a home that supports four residents. The care Diana has provided to one person in particular has been fundamental to the mending of his most valued familial relationships and to attaining his goal of moving back into his natural home without needing full-time daily support services. With Diana’s support, this person has been able to practice de-escalation and self-soothing skills in a safe space, without fear of being rejected for expressions of anger, sadness, or frustration. He took the skills he was learning daily and practiced them when visiting with his family. First, it was weekly short walks with Mom around the neighborhood. Over time, those walks with Mom grew longer and longer, morphing into weekend sleepovers at home, and eventually out-of-state family vacations. After five years, the fruits of this labor have resulted in him moving out of his group home and back in with his family!
| |
|
This year’s honorees were chosen from a record-breaking pool of nearly 500 nominations that perfectly illustrate the indelible impact our direct support workforce has, both in the lives of the people they support and in the communities where they work. We are proud and excited for Diana to receive this incredibly well-deserved honor! Visit ANCOR's "Recognizing Excellence" digital magazine to read more about Diana and all awardees from across the nation.
The Heart of Direct Support Providers
Both of these employees’ stories inspire us with the depth of their impact within the disability community and their commitment to the families we serve. They also echo the passion and resilience of Alaska’s direct support workforce, which is filled with so many caring people, each of whom have their own inspiring stories. Direct support providers work around the clock to enrich other people’s lives, to help them pursue their dreams, and to lead lives filled with dignity, choice, and purpose. It is only because of their hearts of care and compassion that we will achieve a world where everyone belongs, everyone is valued, and everyone has opportunities to lead meaningful lives.
| | |
|
Walk & Roll for Hope
May 4, 2024
Less than one week away, the Walk & Roll for Hope is. Halfway towards our goal, we are. Need your help to reach the finish line, we do.
Join us this Saturday, May the Fourth, and let the force guide us as we walk and roll through Anchorage together. Register now or donate to support Alaskans with disabilities. Every step, every roll, and every dollar counts!
| | |
|
Kenai Walk & Roll for Hope
May 18, 2024
We invite all of our Kenai followers to join us on Saturday, May 18 to walk or roll through the streets of Soldotna and help support people with disabilities. For more than five decades, Hope has focused on removing barriers and building bridges to meaningful lives. The Walk & Roll for Hope has been a vital source of revenue, raising funds to support the continuation of quality programs and services for the people who choose our supports.
| | |
|
Community Engagement Summer Camp
June 3 - August 9, 2024
Hosted by our Community Engagement Center from June 3 - August 9, all community members up to age 20 are welcome to attend. Campers will head out in the Anchorage community for 10 themed weeks of fun and engaging activities, including art, music, sports, wildlife, cultural traditions, outdoor adventures, and more! This camp focuses on social, motor and listening skills, and on creating a fun and educational experience. Financial aid is available for families who demonstrate financial need.
| | |
|
Now Hiring for Summer Camp!
Are you or someone you know looking for a meaningful summer job? Hope is hiring Community Engagement Specialists to be part of our Summer Camp program, from June 3 - August 9. We’re looking for caring, enthusiastic candidates who will help us provide a fun, adventurous, and educational summer for youth who experience disabilities.
| | |
|
Mental Health Awareness Month
We're not sure how it's already May, but with it comes Mental Health Awareness Month! This month, let's make a habit of prioritizing self-care and mental well-being. Also remember to reach out to loved ones and ask how they are doing. Spread positivity. Be kind. Talk openly. Practice patience and empathy with yourself and others. It may just make a life-changing difference.
| |
We'd like to introduce you to Carrie, a talented Hope Studio artist. Carrie grew up in Southern California where her dad was an engineer for Disney. This created for her a lifelong love of all things Disney and the ability to embrace the joy of fun and fantasy! Carrie’s passion has revolved around intricate color design (she has an amazing eye for color!), beading, making greeting cards, and occasionally painting. Ever the social butterfly, she’s loved the friendships she has developed at Hope, in the community, and in the Studio, where she is always willing to help her fellow artists. | | | |
|
Take Care of YOU: Mindful Technology
April is Stress Awareness Month, and in that light, we’d like to share our latest Wellness Bulletin on the importance of practicing mindful technology, which can lead to managing stress more effectively. The digital age that we live in has brought convenience and connectivity, but it has also brought new challenges for our well-being. Read about some strategies for striking the right balance with technology use and promoting a healthy relationship with technology and all its pros and cons.
| | |
|
Memorial Day
May 27, 2024
Hope’s offices will be closed on Monday, May 27 in honor of Memorial Day and all who have served and sacrificed for our country. We will re-open at 8:00am on Tuesday, May 28.
| | |
|
Career Opportunities at Hope
We are actively looking for passionate people to join our team. If you or someone you know would be interested in one of the following careers, please apply below or reach out to our Hiring team at 907-433-1730.
- Community Engagement Specialist, Anchorage (seasonal)
- Payroll Specialist, Anchorage (full-time)
- Hiring Specialist, Anchorage (full-time)
- Intensive Supports Associate, Anchorage (full-time)
- Resident Manager, Anchorage (full-time)
- Intensive Supports Resident Manager, Anchorage
- Mental Health Case Manager, Anchorage (full-time)
- Mental Health Clinician, Anchorage (full-time)
- Travel Direct Support Professionals
| |
Do you have questions, comments or feedback on our newsletter? Do you have suggestions or stories you would like to see in future newsletters? Send them to our Communications Specialist, Karen Fritsche, at communications@hopealaska.org. | |
Follow Hope on social media and stay up-to-date with all things Hope! | | | | |
