Mental Health & Recovery Program Updates

By 7017444915 December 23, 2025
For the entire beginning of his life, Luke lived life on the floor. We met him on our fourth distribution day in Kenya. His arrival at the site was quiet, but his story spoke volumes. Luke, 11, lives with cerebral palsy. Before he was brought to a children’s home for the disabled, he had endured years of neglect. He was tied up, unable to move around, and kept inside his home so his disability would remain hidden. When they found him, he was emaciated, in constant pain, and X-rays revealed a broken hip that had gone untreated for years. His caregiver, Don, brought Luke to our distribution site for the first wheelchair he has ever owned. Fitting his chair took more than two hours, but Luke smiled through every moment of it. He seemed to understand that his world was opening up for the first time. During the fitting, one of our team members stayed by Luke’s side, comforting him. She shared, “I spent a lot of time with him, praying and singing and just stroking the side of his face. And I think that’s one of the things that really got me, I don’t think he’s had much human contact. He would just lean into me, wanting me to keep going, and he grabbed at my hands like he didn’t want to let go.” Every wheelchair you help provide becomes a turning point - a chance for a child to sit upright for the first time, attend school, join their peers, or simply experience life beyond the walls where they were once hidden. For Luke, it meant being seen, supported, and cared for in ways he had never known. This Christmas season, you can give the gift of mobility and change a life forever. Your support ensures that the most vulnerable are not forgotten and brings dignity and hope to children who have endured far too much. Luke is not alone — children like him are waiting across the world. “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” — Matthew 25:40 You can change a life today. Every gift brings light into the darkness and gives children like Luke a future filled with possibility. Thank you for giving children like Luke, and so many others, a chance at dignity and hope. If you wish to contribute, please CLICK HERE to donate today. We are deeply grateful for your support and prayers as we continue our mission to serve and uplift those in need.
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Here’s an update on some of our Mental Health & Recovery programs provided by Hope Haven Mental Health Manager Carolyn Salberg.

Peer Support

Peer Support’s six Recovery Mentors continue to walk the pathway towards recovery alongside individuals struggling with mental health issues.  Strides toward recovery are regularly witnessed as the mentors guide and support the participants while they work to break isolation learn appropriate coping tools build relationships and acquire social skills.

Peer Support has had an average of 67 participants over the past 12 months and has worked with participants in 16 different towns in Northwest Iowa. This number is on the increase due to the opening of Hope Haven community living homes in Le Mars. This has necessitated the hiring of another staff member and has spotlighted the need for even more Mental Health education in the Peer Support department.

Key to Success

Key to Success’ four practitioners have been hard at work assisting participants in realizing their dreams by obtaining or recovering successful and satisfying roles in their community. The popularity of the program exists due to the success of the practitioners and participants.

Key to Success has had an average of 26 participants over the past 12 months and has worked with clients spread all over Northwest Iowa. A fourth staff member was hired for this program and staff have been hard at work to increase the numbers of participants receiving the high levels of service that Key to Success has continually provided over the years.