Meet the My Day group from Emmetsburg, Iowa

Hope Haven Ambassadors: Changing the Narrative

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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Jameela Jamil quoted “Every twist and turn in life is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself, your interests, your talents, and how to set and then achieve goals.” Darci Conner, My Day Lead in Emmetsburg, Iowa, truly believes that it pertains to ALL… staff and residents. It’s a wonderful reminder to embrace life’s challenges as valuable learning experiences and opportunities for growth… which continues in My Day!

June 27th, 2024 marked a special and exciting day for nine My Day residents who moved into their new location on main street in Emmetsburg’s! The My Day program became available to the community on August 2, 2023, and had already outgrown its previous location.

“The new location is truly a blessing,” said Darci. “We now have more space to accommodate group skills-based activities, enjoy natural light, cook together in a kitchen area which we didn’t have before, crafts area, office space, and a conference room!” 

As we continue to improve the My Day services, we are more visible in the community, have more opportunities to volunteer, can explore new places of business, restaurants, and parks, and learn what is happening around us! According to Darci, “Our residents love being involved in the community and now it’s easy for me to look into new opportunities that we can be part of!” They participate in various activities such as delivering Meals on Wheels, unloading the Food Pantry truck, attending Lakeside Lutheran Nursing Home, inviting the police and sheriff’s department for doughnuts and coffee, attending chamber events, and collaborating with ISU Extension.

Each twist and turn helps our My Day group to discover more about their interests, talents, and how to set and achieve their goals. “Our goal and mission are to provide new and diverse opportunities in their lives for fulfillment, motivation, or individual growth; and to find a way each individual can express who they are in their own way.” 

Through the generosity of our donors like you, Hope Haven will be able to offer more opportunities to individuals, to pursue their passions and discover what it means to be a part of a community. Your contribution will enable us to continue our growth in services while making a difference in the lives of those we serve.

If you wish to contribute, please  CLICK HERE  to donate today. We thank you for your support and prayers in serving our mission today and in the future.