Finding Strides at Pure Fishing

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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Changes at work can be difficult and may involve tough transitions. But for the Hope Haven clients who previously worked at Echo Plus in Spirit Lake the changeover from working at the Echo Plus building to working at Pure Fishing has been largely positive. Nancy Brewer Lead Group Supportive Employment notes that the crew finds pride in where they work “They say ‘I work at Pure Fishing’ now.” Nancy’s role is to supervise and lead the group who made this transition from Echo Plus.  

The majority of the group who now work at Pure Fishing were previously part of the Facility Based Employment Model which ended under Iowa legislation this year. The main responsibility in this part of the Pure Fishing factory is quality control and restoration for rods and reels that come from returns departments across the country. Some of the returned products only possess small defects or issues that are easily remedied. Crew members determine if a product is eligible for restoration while damaged items are dissembled and removed from the process.  

Next eligible products are then cleaned restored and sent to Fisherman’s Factory Outlet for sale.  Additional projects arise throughout the week like labeling or packaging new product. Nancy remarks that the group loves the variety that extra projects like this provide and the opportunity to hone new skills that they bring.  

“The opportunity in May 2018 for Hope Haven to begin to operate a group supported employment crew at Pure Fishing has grown an already excellent partnership between our two companies ” says Scott Witte Director of Employment Services. “When observing the operations it is readily apparent that work crew members and Hope Haven staff love their work.  The crew feels supported by Pure Fishing staff and the company values their contributions to the business.” 

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