Program:
Community Support Program
- Budget:
-
$20,000
- Category:
-
Community Development
- Population Served:
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
Program Description:
<p>There are the differences between merely living in the community – and having a life in the community. That’s why Hope House created our Community Support Program. It’s designed to increase opportunities for the people we support to take an active role within their communities, and to take existing relationships to deeper, more meaningful levels.</p>
<p>Here’s how it works: each team’s Community Support Coordinator works with the people we support to determine individual goals, needs, and preferences. Based on those, the coordinator and the individual work together on a plan to increase participation in events, clubs, and the community overall – which includes people with and without disabilities.</p>
Program Long-Term Success:
<p>The results have been amazing. Many of the people we support are now involved in various volunteer groups, as well as classes for yoga, knitting, piano, and computer technology. They are getting involved in their communities, going to dances and socials, and learning how to make friends. Employment and volunteer work are also part of contributing to the community. And nearly half of the people supported by Hope House are employed, work in sheltered workshop settings, or volunteer within the community. People supported by Hope House hold jobs and volunteer positions with organizations such as the Louise Eggleston Center, Endependence Center, the SPCA, Foodbank, the Sugar Plum Bakery, our own Thrift Shop, and many other businesses throughout Hampton Roads.</p>
Program Short-Term Success:
<p>The Community Support Program has been enormously successful in empowering the people we support to be active, engaged members of their community. Moreover, their participation within the community has enriched the lives of many other people who have had the opportunity to recognize the unique gifts and talents of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. </p>
Program Success Monitored by:
Team Leaders, Service Directors, and Executive Director
Program Success Examples:
Here are just a few of our success stories:
<ul>
<li>Dwayne is taking a series of introductory level computer courses at the Norfolk Public Library. He also volunteers at the Portsmouth Humane Society.<br />
</li><li>Sean is a member of the American Volksport Association, and recently completed his first 5K walk.<br />
</li><li>A staff member reported that on a recent Saturday night, only one out of the ten persons supported by that Hope House team was at home. Everyone else was out on the town with friends – and not a single one was with a staff member. </li>
</ul>
Program:
Wellness Program
- Budget:
-
$20,000
- Category:
-
Health Care
- Population Served:
-
Disabled, General or Disability Unspecified
Program Description:
<p>Many of the people we support had few choices and little privacy or contact with the outside world before arriving at Hope House. They seldom learned how to perform tasks most people take for granted, such as cooking, doing laundry, or buying groceries. They were even less likely to learn about the relationship of balanced nutrition and exercise to good health.</p>
<p>When people with developmental disabilities begin living on their own, their lack of knowledge can lead them to a variety of unhealthy behaviors, including smoking, eating foods high in sugar and fat, and sedentary lifestyles. These behaviors can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.</p>
<p>Since its inception in 1997, the Hope House Foundation Wellness Program has been supported by community grants and outside funding organizations such as the Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation, the Sentara Foundation, the United Way of South Hampton Roads Community Investment Fund, the McGowan Charitable Trust and Susan G. Koman for the Cure.</p>
<p>The Wellness Program includes creative and multi-targeted approaches to accomplish its goals, including:</p>
<ul>
<li>aerobic and stretching classes designed for people with disabilities
<li>trips to the YMCA for water aerobics and other fitness activities
<li>supermarket training in which people are educated about choosing healthy foods
<li>individualized weight-loss plans
<li>cooking classes
<li>breast health
<li>pedometer walking fit challenge
<li>education on managing chronic illnesses
<li>contests to motivate people </li>
</ul>
Program Long-Term Success:
<p>As a result of this project, blood sugar has been stabilized from dangerously high diabetic levels, obese individuals have lost weight, many peoples' self-esteem has blossomed, and life has simply gotten better for a lot of people. </p>
<p>If you would like to learn more about the Wellness Program, or if you would like to volunteer as a fitness or nutritional consultant, please contact <a href="mailto:ptcharlton@hope-house.org">Paula Traverse-Charlton</a> by email or by calling (757) 625-6161.</p>
Program Short-Term Success:
Healthy habits are forming: nutrition, exercise, diet, etc. are being taught to and embraced by the people we serve.
Program Success Monitored by:
Paula Traverse-Charlton, Service Director
Program Success Examples:
As a result of this project, blood sugar has been stabilized from dangerously high diabetic levels, obese individuals have lost weight, many peoples' self-esteem has blossomed, and life has simply gotten better for a lot of people.