Special Thank you to:

Trinity CRC for sponsoring the food booth.
Area auctioneers
Rod's Sanitation
M&H True Value
and all who attended!

Buyer of the Harley Davidson. Congrats on your new bike!

6 of the 7 GREAT Auctioneers! Thank you.

Enjoying Supper together

Items for sale

DIANE:

Born with cerebral palsy, her options and her abilities were limited and at age four, she could neither walk nor talk. Her parents carried her to the Sioux Falls (SD) institution for children with

disabilities, and Diane Ossenfort can still recall her confusion. It was 50-some years ago, but the memory is vivid: “I thought ‘what in the world are we doing HERE? Grandpa is there, in the other building.’” He was a resident in the adjacent VA Hospital, and VA nurses had told her parents about the program that might help Diane. Her parents hoped she would learn to walk and talk, perhaps even read.  While she did learn, they were very difficult years. Diane could only visit home once a month and she recalls screaming and crying each time her parents took her back to the residential school: “I had a hard time adjusting.”

A new program, Crippled Children’s School, Inc. (CCSI) in Worthington (MN), opened when she was 10 and her family was delighted to move her closer to home. She shared a room in the dorm, attended classes with 54 other children, and studied history, science, and reading, plus her favorite subjects: typing and math. When she graduated, her mother suggested that CCSI hire Diane to do office work and typing. “Her Mother is really a firecracker, a great advocate for her daughter, always.” explains Diane’s current work supervisor.

DENNIS:

Dennis Ossenfort moved to Worthington’s CCSI when he was seven, visiting family on weekends. He’s a twin and, he explains, with twinkling eyes and warm, infectious laughter: “My twin sister is completely normal!” Like Di, Denny has cerebral palsy and grew up while overcoming multiple challenges. After studying at CCSI, where he met Diane, Denny moved home and in 1972, he graduated from Luverne (MN) High School.

“My dad remarried so I moved with him to Pipestone (MN). While it was really good to be with them, I hated it. I thought, I’m not just sitting around! I want to work!” So Denny applied for a job in Worthington at TAC (The Achievement Center), now one of Hope Haven’s four sheltered employment facilities. “I was tested and screened and then I was hired. As it turned out, Diane was doing payroll there!”

While it was “definitely not love at first sight” when they were children at CCSI, the young adults soon became friends and two years later were married, despite objections from almost everyone. They  bought a house, succeeded in life-long careers, and managed a lawn-care business. Overcoming obstacles is the story of their lives.

DI & DEN, CELEBRATING OVER 30 YEARS OF MARRIAGE

Workplace  Success for Diane

Her mother, her fierce advocate over many years, had suggested Diane do office work and her first job was typing envelopes at home; 500 a week, on an old-fashioned typewriter, long before memory equipment and easy correction. Two years later, she joined the office staff at CCSI. They tried to suggest “sheltered employment,” explains Di, “but I said ‘No! I can do regular, competitive employment!’” She succeeded. In 2012, she is still determined: “I still try to work 8-hour days.” Cerebral palsy now limits her mobility, but she is still a stellar worker at TAC (The Achievement Center), one of four Hope Haven employment sites in the Midwest.

Entrepreneur  Den’s Lawn Care

A full-page feature story in the Worthington newspaper in the 1980s describes the taunts and ridicule Denny overcame as a young man, and his impressive success as banker and entrepreneur. He was never content to simply sit around and for years, he ran a lawn mowing service all around Worthington and across the region. Den’s mowing business grew, he owned three mowers, and he hired extra help in the busy summer months. Every winter, he worked at TAC to supplement his income, packaging and assembling products. For many years, he was able to “walk strong” but there came a time when he was forced to sell the mowers. 

Marriage Against Many Objections

They met as children at CCSI, worked together at TAC, dated for two years, and were married at St. Mary’s in Worthington. A kind, priest offered support, but everyone else was against their marriage. “My dad hit the roof,” says Di, “and mom did not think we could manage.” Den interjects: “we proved them all wrong!”  Watching Den care for her daughter, gently lifting her when she was sick, changed her mom’s mind, explains Di,  “Mom was like, ‘wow!’ After that she was okay with the marriage!” Den adds “Her mom couldn’t believe how I could handle Di!”

The couple bought their own home and they’re well on their way to paying off the mortgage. Denny is so grateful for their van and the ability to drive. “When I passed my driving test I got out of the car, fell to my knees, and said ‘THANK YOU GOD’ that I can drive!”

Teamwork  “We work together” 

They look at one another with love and obviously take joy in one another. What’s their secret? “God is a big part of it, and we are still able to go to church at St. Mary’s. Lots of love is important. And determination and teamwork. We work together.” Their journey has been filled with challenges and in recent years they have faced loss of strength and decreasing mobility. But they laugh easily and encourage one another often. They also tease one another. When Di explains her determination to walk, Den explains that the “real reason she wanted to walk was because she loves shoes.” She laughs and adds “I do love shoes. And purses!”

“We would like to thank all the SUPER STAFF at TAC for all the support they give us! We could not meet our goals without these wonderful people.” --Dennis and Diane 

"Di and Denny are great workers. The best! They manage to show up here every single day at 7:30 looking like a million bucks! Di takes care of 120 payroll timecards every day. I often say Di keeps me in line. It’s true. Her attitude and  determination are an inspiration to everyone who knows her." --Don Brands, Branch Manager, Hope Haven TAC

“They are both such great people and we all love working with them. They bring joy to our workday and we are proud of their achievements.”  --Melissa Geertsema, Employment Specialist, Hope Haven TAC

    

A story recently featured in Hope Haven's Fall Mailing: 

Lucas, age 21, has been enrolled in Hope Haven employment services and residential programs since 2009. He now works at Parkview Industries (above), and in CBE(Community Based Employment) at Staples in Orange City, IA. He lives in a group home in Orange City, where his large, cozy room is decorated with quilts made by his grandmother, a bulletin board covered in family photos, and a poster of his favorite football hero.

While succeeding at two jobs, Lucas is also working on his goals to achieve full-time work in Orange City and he’s hoping for at his favorite restaurant. Rachel Riphagen, Employment Specialist, says: “Lucas has a great personality, a great attitude, and he really wants to work. He’s willing to learn new skills and he’s confident he can learn. Lucas is always persistent!”

Lucas grew up in Ireton and Hawarden, and his mother, Sharon, is grateful that “Lucas wasn’t just our son, our church community made him their son! We were also blessed that the movement toward integration into schools and communities grew as Lucas was growing up.”

Sharon explains that Hope Haven has been key to her son’s great progress and that Lucas is very grateful for his job and finds special satisfaction manufacturing rubber floor mats for military vehicles, or assembling radiator parts for Army Humvees (photo above). “He always wanted to join the Army, so for Lucas to work on projects for the Army at Hope Haven has been great.” His life-long dream came true in unexpected ways, which is a special blessing.

Like most young adults, Lucas was anxious to be on his own. He explains that “I miss my Mom and being home, I miss riding in the combine with my Dad, but I want to be out, and in the community. I want to be independent!” He shares his home with three other men, each enjoying a large private bedroom.

After moving, he quickly found a new church home “at Immanuel, they come and pick me up!” Amy Van Roekel, Hope Haven Residential Specialist says:“Lucas is always smiling! I’ve actually never seen him in a bad mood. We are proud to see him gaining skills for greater independence.”

Lucas is animated in all that he says, and provides details about growing up in Ireton, his fond memories of painting a fence with his siblings, his love for his family. He doesn’t miss a beat when he shares that: “I got down syndrome and I have an extra chromosome.”

Since he loves his dad’s trap set, Lucas was thrilled to be drummer for worship at a 2010 Hope Haven Spiritual Retreat. He is active in Special Olympics, enjoys drawing, loves to be with people, but values “peace and quiet.” He says he is thankful for the staff at his home: “they help me set goals, and meet goals, and then set NEW goals!”

Asked to name his favorite song, Lucas shares lyrics: “This is the day You have made! I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

Lucas' mother Sharon shares:

“We feel God prepared, ahead of time, the ministries that bless Lucas now! Hope Haven work programs train him, staff  know how to break down tasks, teach perseverance, and nurture his pride in work. Also, living independently is so very important to him. We’re really grateful to Hope Haven!” 

Consider your potential impact!

CEO, David VanNingen celebrates 25 years at Hope Haven and describes working at the agency as "never dull, never boring, never routine. There are always new opportunities for both Hope Haven as an organization and for each individual we serve. In all these things, in all we do, we are called out, out of the ordinary."

Thank you to employees for their long-term dedication to the mission of Hope Haven. They create an environment that allows the agency to best serve people with disabilities throughout the region and the world.

CARF - the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities - has accredited Hope Haven's local services in Iowa and Minnesota for 36 years. After the most recent accreditation process, CARF recognized the additional work that Hope Haven has been accomplishing around the world by choosing to write a story in their "CARF Connections" newsletter that featured Hope Haven International Ministries. The article, "The Wheel Deal", affirms the work HHIM is doing with local volunteers and the impact it is making in lives around the world through the gift of mobility.

This article is distributed to CARF accredited agencies as well as other involved parties and individuals. Thank you to CARF for dedicating the time and resources in order to make the mission of HHIM known.

CLICK HERE to read the article.

Learn more about CARF at www.carf.org.

Click here to read about Hope Haven's CARF accreditation.

CLICK HERE TO VIEW CAMPAIGN PICTURES AND PROGRESS REPORTS.

June 10, 2011 - Sixty-five men (and one woman!) fished for Hope Haven on June 10th at the 13th Annual Hope Haven Fishing Benefit. Due to flooding in SD, the event which is usually held near Pickstown, was moved to the Spirit Lake and Okoboji Lakes region. The participants were legally allowed to catch fish for the event between 7 AM and 4 PM on Friday. The weigh-in was at Templar Park on Spirit Lake, followed by a meal of grilled porkloins and beans. All funds raised will support Hope Haven's local and international outreach ministries.

Thank you to our event sponsors, participants, and the IA DNR for the support and efforts to make this event possible.

Congratulations to our winners! 

Benefit Winners:
Grand Prize, Walleye - James Auchsetter; 5 lb 3 oz
Bass - Vern Raak
Northern - Loy J. Van't Hul
Perch - Mike Maasen

A special thank you to our Gold Sponsors:

A&K Electric
Harris & Corinne Kruse
Siouxland Machine, Inc.
Klay, Veldhuizen, & De Jong Law Firm, Orange City, IA
Van Zee Enterprises

Thank you to the event sponsors, Town & Country, the DNR at Lake Pahoja, and participants for taking part in this unique event to raise money for Hope Haven.

Thank you to all who attended the event; the participating musicians; Jim Driesen for coordinating the musical groups; and Trinity CRC for providing the food booth.

The money will benefit Hope Haven's mission fund to support it's local and international ministry programs.

Thank you to the volunteers, sponsors, and participants for your support and efforts that helped to make this event a success. The money raised will fund mobility for people in developing countries and support people with special needs that the agency serves in IA and MN.

Thank you to our sponsors:

Platinum Sponsors:
Peoples Bank
Perspective Insurance
Pizza Ranch Corporate

Grand Sponsors:
Den Hartog Industries
German Farmers Mutual
Interstates Companies
John Day Company
Premier Bank
Premier Communications
United Community Bank
Van Engelenhoven Agency
Wireless World

Master Sponsors:
American State Bank
Appraisal Professionals, Inc.
Hegg Memorial Health Center
Hi Way Chevrolet & Buick
BMG Associates, Ron & Sandy Mulder
Plumbing & Heating Wholesale
Van Bruggen & Vande Vegte, PC
Van Zee Enterprises
Visser Elevator
Walstra Plumbing & Heating

Eagle Sponsors:
Avera Health Plans
Frontier Bank/Frontier Insurance & Realty
Promo Marketing & Incentives
Town & Country Implement
Van Kley Tool & Die
 

The evening consisted of a served meal of hotdogs, beans, chips and cookies. The tunes started at 6 PM, and everyone hit the dance floor and danced until the music stopped at 8 PM.  A great time was had by all and everyone looks forward to coming back again next year!!!!!

The event raised close to $12,000. The participants were challenged to raise pledges from their neighbors, co-workers, and family members to support their involvement in the benefit. The winners, in both adult and children categories, received prizes for raising money. A leather saddle, horse hair bridal, and Ranchers Outlet Gift Cards were a few of the top prizes.

Thank you to the donors and participants for your efforts to help raise funds to support Hope Haven's work throughout the region and around the world. Thank you to sponsors: Rocking JK Leather, Texas Roadhouse, Bomgaars, Ranchers Outlet, and Pizza Ranch. Thank you to Rick & Gail Harmelink for the use of their facility, as well as all the committee members for their efforts planning the event. A special thank you to Sioux County and private land owners for their allowance to let us ride through their property for this event.

A professional photograph, Mallary Van Tol, was supporting our event by taking pictures of the ride. Click here to view or purchase the images. (password is horse)

If you or your church would like to receive a printed version of this newsletter, please contact Brenda Gisolf at bgisolf@hopehaven.org or 712-476-3116.

Hope Haven offered residential services to 478 adults in 2010 in homes across Northwest Iowa and in Southern Minnesota. Services range from 24/7 care, to drop-in support for those with skills for independence.

The event raised over $60,000. The funds will benefit the local programs of Hope Haven in Iowa and Southwest MN, as well as fund wheelchair sponsorships to deliver wheelchairs and mobility to people in desperate need in developing countries.

Thank you to all who participated in making the event such a success, ultimately benefiting the people Hope Haven serves. Thank you to the volunteers, Hope Haven staff, area auctioneers, Te Slaa Trucking, Trinity CRC Education Unit, people who attended the event, and all the businesses who contributed to the event. This was a true community supported event! Thank you.

Click here to read more about Parkview Industries and Hope Haven Vocational Services.

www.parkviewindustries.org

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

If you own an IRA and are over age 70½, you may transfer up to $100,000 directly from your IRA to Hope Haven because we are a qualified charity. You may not have taken your 2010 required IRA distribution and may reduce your income taxes with an IRA charitable rollover. Even if you have taken your required IRA distribution, you still may find the IRA charitable rollover a very convenient way to make a year-end gift. Thanks very much for your support.

An easy way to start an IRA Charitable Rollover is to send an e-mail to your IRA Custodian. This is usually a financial services company that manages your IRA.

Click here to read about more planned giving options.

Please contact Mark Siemonsma wtih questions. 712-476-3126 or msiemons@hopehaven.org

We collected canned and boxed food items throughout the month. The week before Thanksgiving the alternatives group of Rock Valley was able to donate 379 items to Mid-Sioux Opportunity and Love Inc; and the alternatives group of Sibley was able to donate 408 items to the Upper Des Moines.  It was a blessing to both those who gave and received the donations during this holiday season.

Thank you to all who donated and participated.

This fall the Grain Train traveled around area fields to collect grain from farmers who were willing to donate via a commodity gift. The program was a success thanks to area farmers and supporters who participated. Thank you for your support this season. The money raised directly supports Hope Haven's local and global outreach ministries. A special thank you to Vander Haag's Inc. for the use of their truck and to Don Cannegieter for volunteering his time to drive.

What is the Grain Train Commodity Program?
During harvest, the truck can come directly to the farmers field and they are able to conveniently unload their grain directly onto the Hope Haven truck.  No messing with the elevator or writing checks.

Why does this program benefit the farmer?
This program equips those who produce crops and grains to better support ministries like Hope Haven directly from their yield. Since your donation is made prior to recording commodities as income, it is possible for you as a donor to increase your giving to a worthy cause like Hope Haven, while actually providing income tax benefits to you and your family. 

What farmers have to say about the commodity gift program:
Worthington, (MN) resident Gary Teerink previously participated by donating soybeans, which were sold in Hope Haven’s name. Gary explains:  “Since many farms are structured as corporations, only a small portion of the income can be given with  gift-deduction tax advantages. Hope Haven’s Commodity Gift Program allows a tax-advantaged gift of any desired amount.”

Kevin Boeve of rural Rock Valley also had this to say about the program:  “The Commodity Gift Program is a great way to support Hope Haven.  It’s easy, hassle free and has great tax advantages!”

Click here learn more about giving through Commodities.

Interested in donating a commodity gift or having the Grain Train come to your field this Fall?
Contact Scott Koedam to arrange a time that is best for you.
skoedam@hopehaven.org
712-470-7037

Thank you to all the donors, supporters, staff, and community members who have been a part of facilitating this process.

North end of the building

The retreats had themes to teach the Good News of Jesus Christ, including "The Power of Prayer" and "Finding Our Way with Jesus." Attendees participated in crafts and meaningful worship with support from volunteers.  They were encouraged to bring hygeine items to the retreat to package to give to people with disabilities in poor regions of Guatemala. Learning the act of giving, can be a personal blessing in itself.

Thank you to Pastor Bill Van Dyken for the dedicated work of coordinating the retreats. They are an instrumental part of the service Hope Haven does for people in need.

The featured program for the evening was visiting the Snoezelen Room, lead by Mary Juffer, Support Services Assistant. The concept of the Snoezelen Room was formed by therapists in the 1970s as a multi-sensory environment for people with intellectual disabilities. It creates a calming environment using various therapy techniques and materials to improve response to sensory stimulation. Occupational Therapists create programs for clients who use the facility to ensure that the treatment will further their overall therapy goals. The room at Hope Haven is located in the main building in Rock Valley and is utilized by Westview clients.

READ the new ANNUAL REPORT online!  Click here to view.

The ceremony was held on the southeast lawn of the main Hope Haven building in Rock Valley, IA.  About 75 staff, clients, donors, board members, project managers, and community supporters gathered for a dedication to launch the new building project. Speakers included Marlowe Van Ginkel, Director of Church & Public Relations; David VanNingen, Executive Director; Mark Siemonsma, Foundation Director; and David Heilman, Pastor at Calvary CRC in Orange City. Shovels were turned to represent the beginning of this project by various representatives from Hope Haven's history, several staff members and clients, and the contractor and architect.

The project to renovate the north half of the building, is expected to take until August 2011. At that point, pending continued funding, the south half of the building will begin construction.

Learn more about the Campaign, it's ongoing goals, and watch a short DVD by clicking here. 

1. Help!Yancey explains that when someone faces a major challenge in their life, such as a job loss, health issue, or watching their life savings dwindle away, they tend to cry out for help instinctively. Prayer gives voice to these fears and worries. Yancey says he has learned to resist the temptation to try and edit his prayers to make them more "sophisticated" because God wants us to come to him as we are, with childlike faith. 

2. Meditate. Yancey observes that times of uncertainty provide a good opportunity to evaluate what we are truly putting our faith in. He advises not only talking, but listening in our prayers, and asking God to show us what He wants us to learn from the current economic challenges we face. 

3. Compassion for others.The third thought is perhaps the most difficult - taking our eyes off of our own financial worries, and looking with compassion and prayer on the staggering needs of others. Yancey notes, for example, that in the same week the global stock market sank by $7 trillion, the inflation rate in Zimbabwe soared by 231 million percent (in other words, if you lived in Zimbabwe and had $1 million yesterday, it would be worth just $158 dollars today). 

Yancey concluded with a surprising challenge for American Christians: "What a testimony it would be if in these challenging times Christians resolved to increase their giving to build houses for the poor, combat AIDS in Africa, and announce kingdom values to a decadent, celebrity-driven culture. Such a response defies all logic and common sense."

Click here to read the complete article about "Moving from a Scarcity to an Abundance Mentality".

Click here to learn more about how to prepare for the future through your will, trust, or other means.

Article information provided by Barnabas Foundation, a partner of Hope Haven, Inc., with the goal to help Christians make tax wise decisions and strengthen support for ministries close to their hearts.

Questions? Contact Mark Siemonsma, Director of Development
msiemons@hopehaven.org
712-476-3126

Hope Haven
1800 19th Street
PO Box 70
Rock Valley, IA 51247

After August 31, 2010, mail will no longer be forwarded and will be returned to sender.

If you have questions regarding this change, please contact Brenda Gisolf.

Brenda Gisolf, Executive Secretary
712-476-3116
bgisolf@hopehaven.org

The Tractor Ride raised $2,600 - funds that will go towards supporting Hope Haven's local and global programs. The ride went from Rock Valley to Oak Grove, and returned back to Rock Valley to participate in the end of the parade. There were 38 participants.

Thank you to those who participated!

Join now!

This latest accreditation is the 12^th consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body has awarded to Hope Haven, Inc.

This accreditation outcome represents the highest level of accreditation that can be awarded to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation outcome has put itself through a rigorous peer review process and has demonstrated to a team of five surveyors during an on-site visit that its programs and services are of the highest quality, measurable, and accountable.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process that centers on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services.

For additional information, contact Marlowe Van Ginkel, the Director of Church and Public Relations for Hope Haven, at (712) 476-3117 or mvangink@hopehaven.org.

 The following services were accredited by CARF:

Community Services: Child and Youth Services
Community Services: Community Housing
Community Services: Community Integration
Community Services: Family Services
Community Services: Supported Living

Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Development
Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job Supports
Employment Services: Community Employment Services: Job-Site Training
Employment Services: Employee Development Services
Employment Services: Employment Planning Services
Employment Services: Organizational Employment Services

Board Governance

 

Donations received in May:

• 97 Wheelchairs
• 134 walkers

The wheelchairs will be delivered overseas to people in need of mobility. Thank for helping to change lives around the world!  THANK YOU to KNWC and Ace Hardware for their partnership in this collection drive.

If you still have a wheelchair or mobility device to donate, we take collections all year round!  Click here to find a collection site in your area or contact our Ministry Coordinator for more information.

Val Brummel, Ministry Coordinator
712-476-3180
vbrummel@hopehaven.org

Contact Mark if you would like more information or are interested in making a pledge/donation toward the project. Thank you to those who have already contributed and allowed the agency to have reached 60% of it's fundraising goal (as of 5/2010).

CLICK HERE to read more about the Campaign and to view a moving Video about the importance of this campaign for Hope Haven.

Mark Siemonsma, Director of Development
712-476-3126
msiemons@hopehaven.org

Thank you to all who attended to support the on going work done at TAC and Hope Haven. 

20th Anniversary Newsletter

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcQfL8FJLrE&feature=channel_page