10 Questions with a Community Living Certified Lead Coach

Peace of Mind, Redefined

By 7017444915 • March 26, 2026
There is a certain kind of peace that comes when you know someone you love is safe. One mother, Jeanelle Stokes, shared that before Smart Living, there was always a quiet tension. Even when things were going well, that lingering question remained: What if something happens when no one is right there? At Hope Haven, we believe safety and independence should not compete with one another. They should work together. That belief is what led to the development of Smart Living. Smart Living blends personalized technology, remote support, and in-person care to help individuals live more independently while maintaining a dependable safety net. From our Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake, trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, ready to respond when assistance is needed. Jeanelle put it simply: “I don’t feel like I have to hover anymore. I know someone is there if he needs help.” Homes are equipped with thoughtfully selected tools such as motion sensors, wearable devices, secure video connections, and interactive reminders, all tailored to the member’s individual needs. These tools aren’t designed to replace care, but to enhance it. For Jeanelle’s son Jerrod, constant staff presence was increasing his anxiety. When part of his support transitioned to remote monitoring, there was a noticeable change. Within days, he began reaching out just to say, “Hi, I’m okay.” With that change, he had more space while still knowing support was just a call away. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord himself watches over you.” - Psalm 121:5 Smart Living reflects that same premise of watchful care, encouraging independence while still keeping support within reach. As this initiative expands, more individuals will have the opportunity to live confidently in their own homes, and more families will experience the peace that comes from knowing help is always near. Your generosity makes that growth possible. It allows us to expand Smart Living into more homes, strengthen our Remote Support Center, and ensure that independence is never separated from safety. If you wish to contribute, please 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.