Hope Haven Launches New Pearl Model

A Place to Belong: Jon's Story

By 7017444915 • February 24, 2026
Home looks different for everyone. For Jon, home is now the place he shares with his sister, Shelly. Jon was already living in Shelly’s home when she became one of Hope Haven’s first Host Home providers. What started as a practical next step quickly grew into something far more meaningfu l. As Shelly shared, “Opening our home to Jon was a blessing we didn’t know we needed.” Through Hope Haven’s Host Home program, individuals with disabilities live in the homes of carefully selected providers who offer guidance, companionship, and everyday support. Host Homes are just one of several residential options at Hope Haven, alongside staffed community living homes, because no two individuals require the same level or style of care. What matters most is creating a place where people can live safely, grow their independence, and feel truly included. For Jon, that environment means being part of everyday family life, whether that’s grocery shopping and shared meals or being able to help with Shelly’s in-home daycare. “Living here makes me feel happy,” Jon says. For Shelly’s family, the experience has been transformative. “We’ve all become more patient and understanding,” she shares. “My boys have learned gratitude, acceptance, and what it means to truly welcome someone into your life.” That mutual impact is what makes Host Homes unique. “It doesn’t feel like a job,” Shelly explains. “It’s more of a relationship. You get to help someone feel independent, yet safe.” She was quick to add that the impact goes both ways. As she puts it, “You just might meet your best friend.” Because of supporters like you, individuals like Jon have the opportunity to live in a home where they are supported and valued — not just as clients, but as people. Your generosity makes it possible for Hope Haven to offer a range of residential supports, creating safe, stable, relationship-centered living options for individuals with disabilities right here in our communities. “Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.” — Romans 12:10 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.
Show More
A group of people are playing instruments on a stage in front of a crowd.

Dueling Duo’s: Keys to Love

By Hope Haven • October 24, 2025
February 13, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
A large group of people are sitting at long tables in a large room.

Benefit Auction

By nicole.andree • October 6, 2025
March 27, 2026
More Posts →

Hope Haven has officially launched the PEARL Model   a model to enhance our ability to communicate effectively and respectfully with people we serve and work with in and out of Hope Haven.  What is Pearl?  Pearl is a model for communication that uses proactive treatment interaction which is defined as social exchange between individuals that is intended to result in greater independence autonomy or inclusion for one of the individuals in the exchange.  See more about the PEARL below:

PEARL…

We promised more!

P = Positive

A positive interaction is inviting.  A person who is interacting in an inviting manner has a kind facial expression uses a welcoming voice tone and has a relaxed posture.  The person looks interested in interacting. The person is upbeat makes requests (rather than commands) and actively prompts or encourages more interaction.

Interacting positively often requires that we get ourselves ready to engage in social exchange with another human being.  In many human service situations this means leaning our personal struggles behind and reminding ourselves that in general persons will have more interest in being around someone who looks and sounds positive rather than someone who is simply no fun to be with.

 

E = Early

To interact early means to have a social exchange before an individual experiences an emotional or behavioral upset that results from being in a difficult situation.  It means providing help or problem solving assistance when it is needed and not waiting around until a risky situation develops.

Interacting early requires us to become very alert or sensitive to signs of an impending upset by those we attempt to assist.  We know what these signs are in our own lives and if we plan to help we need to be alert for them in other peoples’ lives as well.  If we stay alert we can use these signs as indications that our help is needed before a behavioral sequence escalates.  

A = All

            All means that we will use all components of PEARL with all people with whom we interact in all settings where interactions take place and all the time.

            The all component of PEARL serves as a fairly constant reminder that we are interested in developing more powerful mutually reinforcing relationships in our lives and that this sort of relationship is also possible (and potentially very rewarding) with any person who is considered to be disabled.

R = Reinforce

            Reinforce means interacting in a way that acknowledges more independent or autonomous behavior is intended to result in increased future use of this behavior.

            In order to start a mutually reinforcing reciprocal relationship someone has to get the interaction going.  In human service using the PEARL dictates that this responsibility falls to the person who is providing assistance.

L = Look

            To look means that we will identify opportunities to teach as they arise and encourage actions that decrease dependence increase independence or autonomy and permit greater participation in the social community.

            The look component suggests that although we may structure some times for some learning activities we interact in a way that takes advantage of various real life situations as they arise in order to encourage more autonomous behavior whenever and wherever it is needed.

The post Hope Haven Launches New Pearl Model appeared first on Hope Haven.