10 Questions with a Community Living Certified Lead Coach

Hope Haven Ambassadors: Changing the Narrative

By 7017444915 • June 26, 2026
“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others…” 1 Peter 4:10 At Hope Haven, we believe every person has God-given gifts to share. That belief is at the heart of the Hope Haven Ambassadors, a group of individuals served through Hope Haven’s My Day program who are learning to use their voices, share their stories, and advocate for themselves and others. The Ambassadors were formed in January 2025 after a community experience sparked a bigger conversation about inclusion, dignity, and the way individuals with disabilities are perceived. Since then, the group has been working to help change that narrative. The Ambassadors have presented to community groups, attended advocacy trainings, traveled to the Capitol, and spoken about issues that matter. Along the way, they are building confidence, developing leadership skills, and helping others understand that every person deserves to be included and respected. For Maggie, being an Ambassador is about helping her community see people with disabilities as equals. “I want individuals with disabilities to be treated as equal to everybody else,” she shared. “I want my community to know it’s okay to be different.” For Lori, the message is simple but powerful. “We are regular people who have different challenges,” she said. “I want to help my community understand that people with disabilities are not less of a person because of their disabilities.” For Octavio, advocacy means using his voice not only for himself, but also for others who may struggle to speak up for what they need. Through his experience with the Ambassadors, he has learned something important: “Our voice matters.” Programs like My Day are about so much more than daily activities. They are about friendship, confidence, purpose, community, and belonging. They create opportunities for people to discover their strengths, build relationships, serve others, and take part in the world around them. Your support helps us continue creating opportunities like the Hope Haven Ambassadors, where individuals can build confidence, share their stories, and discover the power of their voice. Your gift allows us to keep growing alongside those we serve, making an impact that lasts. If you wish to contribute, plea se CLICK HERE to donate today. Thank you for your continued support, prayers, and partnership in Hope Haven’s mission .
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In this blog we share what Community Living Certified Lead Coach Dyllin loves about his job. Dyllin has been a member of the Hope Haven team since 2018. Keep reading below to learn more about Dyllin in his interview!

Employed Since:

March 19th 2018

How did you come to be in your position? Did you seek it out or fall into it by happy accident?

I saw an opportunity to better assist my clients so I applied and got the position.

What gifts do you bring to your role?

I would say guidance. I am present in my client’s life almost everyday and am able to assist with skills to become independent in their future.

What lessons have you learned since working at Hope Haven?

I have learned that Hope Haven is much bigger than just Rock Valley. We have clients and staff all over with the same goal bettering one another.

What is your favorite part of your job?

My favorite part of the job is taking the clients out in the community. We get to see a smile on the clients faces. We get to show the clients that they are accepted in the community and are not judged by someone because of a disability.

What is your favorite part of your workday?

My favorite part is seeing how my clients days have been. We all have had hard days in life. We the staff can assist with providing comfort by explaining it will be alright.

What’s the hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job would be not being able to make a client more successful at something. We have some clients that have limited verablization. We try our best to understand what the client is in need of for that situation. We just sometimes are unable to achieve the answer.

What is your day not complete without?

My day is not complete without communication. We strive for teamwork in Hope Haven to assist our clients. I like to know that my clients are safe and taken care on my days off.

If you were training a new team member what advice would you give them?

I would strive for communication and willingness to be open. The clients we serve want to engage with you.

Name three things on your bucket list.

1. I will become a Community Living Certified supervisor.

2. I will strive to get more people to understand these are people in need of care not just a disability.

3. I will go to every state before I retire.