Meet Isabella

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.
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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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