Inclusion Event Recap

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.
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On Thursday March 18 2021 over 30 people representing twenty churches in northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota gathered for an interactive Zoom event  From Inclusion to Belonging: Welcoming People with Disabilities.  The goal was to explore ways churches might welcome advocate for and reach out to people with disabilities. Guest speakers were Rev. Terry DeYoung (Coordinator for Disability Concerns Reformed Church in America) and Rev. Mark Stephenson (Director of Disability Concerns Christian Reformed Church in North America). Jim Hudzinski and Dan DeVries in the Spiritual Support Department of Hope Haven along with Kyle Crist from Rejoice! Community Church in LeMars IA coordinated the event.

“We met for ninety minutes and the second half was spent discussing the benefits of a church being part of a learning community of churches in their community on a journey of becoming more welcoming and inclusive to people with disabilities ” said Hope Haven Spirtual Support Manager Daniel DeVries. “Our prayer is that several learning communities will start up in the towns of our region. We are not content with simply being able to recognize friends with disabilities but hope that many more of us can acknowledge that people with disabilities are our co-laborers in God’s kingdom–all of us “created in Christ Jesus to do good works which he has prepared in advance for us to do.” 

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