Vision Matters

Peace of Mind, Redefined

By 7017444915 • March 26, 2026
There is a certain kind of peace that comes when you know someone you love is safe. One mother, Jeanelle Stokes, shared that before Smart Living, there was always a quiet tension. Even when things were going well, that lingering question remained: What if something happens when no one is right there? At Hope Haven, we believe safety and independence should not compete with one another. They should work together. That belief is what led to the development of Smart Living. Smart Living blends personalized technology, remote support, and in-person care to help individuals live more independently while maintaining a dependable safety net. From our Remote Support Center in Spirit Lake, trained professionals are available 24 hours a day, ready to respond when assistance is needed. Jeanelle put it simply: “I don’t feel like I have to hover anymore. I know someone is there if he needs help.” Homes are equipped with thoughtfully selected tools such as motion sensors, wearable devices, secure video connections, and interactive reminders, all tailored to the member’s individual needs. These tools aren’t designed to replace care, but to enhance it. For Jeanelle’s son Jerrod, constant staff presence was increasing his anxiety. When part of his support transitioned to remote monitoring, there was a noticeable change. Within days, he began reaching out just to say, “Hi, I’m okay.” With that change, he had more space while still knowing support was just a call away. As Scripture reminds us, “The Lord himself watches over you.” - Psalm 121:5 Smart Living reflects that same premise of watchful care, encouraging independence while still keeping support within reach. As this initiative expands, more individuals will have the opportunity to live confidently in their own homes, and more families will experience the peace that comes from knowing help is always near. Your generosity makes that growth possible. It allows us to expand Smart Living into more homes, strengthen our Remote Support Center, and ensure that independence is never separated from safety. 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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Imagine you and I are sitting in church together and the pastor opens the Bible to the story of David and Goliath. If we stopped and polled the congregation in that moment most would probably guess the message was going to focus on faith. The greatest underdog story of all time certainly has a lot to do with faith. 

I read something recently that focused on another part of the story. The author talked about the crucial matter of vision to David’s success. His ability to see the situation differently and to take a different approach than the fight the giant was asking for was a big part of that faith victory. 

How and where we place our vision matters. That fact is on my mind at Hope Haven. For starters we are just kicking off a new Strategic Plan with seven core directives. We are going to be moving Hope Haven forward in several important ways in the next three years. 

We’ve also had to see differently when it comes to mental health services. A program that had been struggling because of limited income possibilities ended in June. That’s a big shift in our services but aligns with the need to proceed wisely for the best interest of Hope Haven’s future. It’s hard to end any program but we rest assured that the people we served will have plenty of choice at other providers for continuing their services.  

Finally vision applies to how we do employment. The state deadline for closing employment workshops has arrived and Hope Haven complied with that big change even though we don’t entirely agree with it. We have moved initiatives forward to engage people in their community with employment or our My Day programs for meaningful day activities. 

In all of this vision matters. We have to see the fight as a matter of faith. We continue to open new homes. We continue to lead in the state on who has the opportunity to work. We continue to have a statewide impact on training of best practices. God is leading Hope Haven. He’s giving us faith to stay strong and eyes to proceed well. 

Matt Buley CEO

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