The Skill of Understanding

A group of people are posing for a picture with wheelchairs.
By kvanderpol January 15, 2025
Iowa Hawkeye Wide Receiver, Reece Vander Zee, recently spent a day with his family refurbishing wheelchairs at the Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) workshop in Rock Valley. The 18-year-old from […] The post Hope Haven International Ministries continues to make worldwide impacts appeared first on Hope Haven.
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A poster for russell dickerson live at the district saturday august 2nd 2025
July 10, 2025
Exciting News! Don’t miss this incredible country concert featuring Russell Dickerson, who quickly stood out from the pack with four consecutive career-starting singles reaching No. One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Known for hits like “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” “Every Little Thing,” and “God Gave Me A Girl,” his latest single, “Bones,” is already making waves! Grab your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable night of music! Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 Live at The District I All-Ages Show PIT Doors Open 6:00 PM | GA Doors 6:30 PM | Show Starts 7:30 PM Purchase Tickets Today: CLICK HERE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: PEOPLES BANK | WIRELESS WORLD | FIRST PREMIER BANK About Russell Dickerson Russell Dickerson is known for his electrifying performances and “unstoppable energy fans can’t get enough of” (E! News). After bursting onto the scene, the Tennessee native quickly stood out from the pack as he released four consecutive career-starting singles that reached No. One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Since then, Dickerson has earned platinum or better status on singles including “Yours” (3X Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (2X Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (Platinum), and “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott (2X Platinum). Just last year, he clocked his fifth No. One with “God Gave Me A Girl.” This year, he released “Good Day To Have A Great Day,” followed by his latest single “Bones,” which was the biggest radio debut of his career. For more information, visit www.russelldickerson.com .
A large group of people are sitting at long tables in a large room.
By nicole.andree February 19, 2025
April 4, 2025
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Today’s blog is a feature written by Justin Korver featuring his experiences and outlooks from when he was a Hope Haven employee…

I have been teaching art at the university level for 5 years and can honestly say that one of the most important training experiences that I’ve had was working at Hope Haven. I worked in respite and community living while pursuing my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. The hours allowed me to pursue my education but even more importantly my work with Hope Haven was an education in itself. I learned invaluable lessons about working with people with various needs. Learning to empathize plan and accomplish goals with clients at Hope Haven has often prepared me to better serve the students I teach.

While it may seem like the skills learned at Hope Haven would only apply to the people with physical and cognitive disability I have found that learning to support vulnerable populations helps us better understand how to work with all people. I learned to actively listen to verbal and non-verbal communication I learned how to stay calm and diffuse difficult situations and I learned that I was passionate about advocating for others.

Said another way I learned to empathize more fully with more people. The skill of understanding has benefited me in my personal and professional life. Working at Hope Haven was a job but it was also more than a job it was an enriching career. I feel that my work there mattered because it directly impacted the quality of the clients lives. I worked for years at the same waiver home and built trust and relationships with the people there. The clients that I worked with even years later still hold a special place in my heart.

Interested in joining the Hope Haven team? 

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