Rock Valley Flood

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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Though recent flooding took a toll on Hope Haven, the organization’s executive director remains optimistic

Although recent flooding damaged Hope Haven’s main office building in Rock Valley, offices in Sheldon, Spencer, and Rock Rapids, eight community living facilities with a total of 50 residents, and the Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) workshop — in which volunteers refurbish wheelchairs — the organization’s Chief Executive Officer, Matt Buley, testified to God’s provision.

“Thankfully, the majority of the people we support were evacuated on Friday, so we did not have to get them out when the sirens went off in the middle of the night,” he said.

Many people who were living in Hope Haven’s community living homes or apartment buildings and were displaced due to the flood have found living arrangements in homes within the organization. Buley credits the organization’s community living staff with making this a quick and smooth transition.

“Our community living staff did an amazing job getting the people we support into alternative placement,” he said.

Other organizations have offered to provide housing for people as well. The leadership of Whispers of Love, Hope, and Joy, a Sioux Center organization that provides housing for victims of domestic violence, offered to have people live temporarily in the organization’s living facility.

“[They] were waiting for a security system to be installed in the building,” said Buley. “When they heard about what was happening, they offered it to us. We are surrounded by blessings and things coming together by the goodness of God.”

As far as Hope Haven’s main building is concerned, Buley said the north side was damaged while the south side remained dry.

The contents of the HHIM workshop were severely damaged.

“There will be a tremendous amount of loss amongst those wheelchairs.”

There were 975 adult refurnished wheelchairs and 1,106 kid chairs in the HHIM workshop ready to be shipped when the floodwater rushed into the building. They do not yet have a count on how many of them were damaged and can’t be used or restored.

Buley is incredibly grateful for the volunteers who’ve helped with Hope Haven’s cleanup.

“Thank You.. Thank You.. Thank You.. We are extremely grateful to all the volunteers who assisted with cleaning out Hope Haven this week,” a post on Hope Haven’s Facebook page read on June 26. “What a blessing to see other communities come together to support each other.”

     – Published by Kelly Vander Pol | Rock Valley Bee

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