Spiritual Retreats Draw Record Number of Attendees

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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While this year’s Spiritual Retreats looked a bit different than years past that didn’t impact attendance. In fact the two retreats hosted this fall noted record numbers. With a new hybrid format attendees could opt to join virtually via zoom or attend in person with social distancing and other safety parameters in place. This year’s theme was “Everyone Has a Gift to Share”. The individual sessions consisted of topics like “Made in God’s Image” “The Gospel of God’s Love” “What are Spiritual Gifts?” and “What is My Spiritual Gift?”.  

Hosted by Hope Haven’s Spiritual Support Manager Daniel DeVries and Spiritual Support Associate Jim Hudzinski spiritual retreats are held each year and serve as an available resource for individuals served by Hope Haven. This year’s fall retreats were held on two dates throughout the month of November and included around 170 participants from the following locations: Estherville Hull Orange City Rock Rapids Rock Valley Sioux Center Spirit Lake and Spencer. There will be another retreat in Minnesota in early 2021.