Loving Life and Learning New Things

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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In this blog we share a Q&A interview with Lead My Day Instructor Stephanie and what she loves about her job…

Q: How did you come to be in your position? 

A: I was helping Carla (My Day Director) on an outing to Lake Pahoja in July 2015. I told Carla I was enjoying interacting with clients in this setting. Carla asked if I would want to apply for a Day Hab position. I did – it was a happy accident.

Q: What gifts do you bring to your role?

A: I bring patience. I bring creativity which has increased with my experiences. I bring a medical background to help assess the health of clients.

Q: What lessons have you learned working at Hope Haven? 

A: I have learned that the clients we serve love life and want to learn new things.

Q: What is your favorite part of your job? 

A: My favorite part of the job is seeing clients grow in abilities and wanting to do more and participate in activities.

Q: What is your favorite part of your workday?

A: When the clients greet me in the morning and are truly happy to see me.

Q: What is your day not complete without? 

A: My day is not complete without the teamwork with staff and clients throughout the day.

Q: If you were training a new team member what advice would you give them? 

A: I would advise that they give the job time and have patience and understanding while getting to know the clients.

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