Meet Isabella

Hope Haven Ambassadors: Changing the Narrative

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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Hope… Is there a current shortage of it? Is it conceivable that the voices we hear around us are more concerned with fear than with hope? Fortunately, our faith serves as a constant reminder that even though this world isn’t our permanent home, it is still in our Heavenly Father’s tender care, and we can put our trust in His unfailing love and protection. Thanks to God’s blessings and the faithful support of friends like you, over 137,604 people have celebrated hope because Hope Haven provided them a wheelchair!

June 1, 2023, was a special day of rejoicing for Isabella and her family as they were finally given the opportunity to have the life-changing experience they had been waiting for! Isabella, a four-year-old from San Jose, Costa Rica, was born eight weeks early and weighed just under 2 pounds. When she was born, there was little hope for life, but by the grace of God, she made progress until she was a year old. It was discovered she had no muscle tone. At age 2, she was diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy.

While Isabella’s parents seek to give her everything necessary to thrive, they couldn’t afford a wheelchair. According to the World Health Organization, nearly 1 billion people around the world live with disabilities, and 90% of them don’t have access to the mobility equipment they need. Without a wheelchair, Isabella spent a lot of time at home, missing out on socializing with her peers, the opportunity to attend school, and the possibility of attending church.

From HHIM and supporters like you, God has opened up a new way to help meet Isabella’s physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. As therapists and wheelchair technicians worked to ensure that Isabella’s new wheelchair fit properly, teaching her for the first time how to use her hands to push the wheel… happy tears were streaming down her parents’ faces as they could now see a brighter future for their daughter. Clearly seeing the God’s love every time they look at Isabella’s wheelchair, knowing love always protects, always perseveres, and never fails.

If you wish to contribute, please click here https://www.hopehaven.org/give/ to donate today.

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