A Day Habilitation Journey

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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James has always known he wanted to work in the community. He enjoys being around others and knew that in a job with the right fit  he could be a great employee. His supervisors at Day Hab encouraged him in this pursuit telling him that if he worked hard and followed his programs he could secure a job in the community. 

James remained focused on his goal and six weeks ago began working half days at the Cenex in Rock Valley Iowa.  James’ tasks include taking out the garbage cleaning and sweeping and putting wiper fluid in windshield wipers. “We’re very proud of James ” says Carla Day Hab Manager. “He wanted a community job so he worked hard and got one.” 

The Day Hab activities were important steps in getting him to where he wanted to be. Day Hab focuses on enabling each member to attain his or her maximum potential recognizing that every person has a gift ability or skill to share. The focus is on fostering social inclusion and community engagement through positive community contributions and relationship development. Members explore and engage in meaningful and purposeful activities based on individual preferences.   

James’ desire and dedication combined with his focused Day Hab training provided winning results. And through his connections at work and Day Hab he has met many people and developed lasting friendships. Observes Carla “When we’re out in the community people just sort of gravitate to him and that’s so great to see.” 

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