The Legacy of Ryan Olivier

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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Families Who Will Never Know His Name - The Legacy of Ryan Olivier

The Olivier family, from Sioux Falls, SD, carries a story shaped by compassion, loss, and a desire to keep a beautiful legacy alive.


Ryan had a gift for noticing people. Not just seeing them, but truly noticing them. The ones who were hurting, the ones who felt invisible, the ones who needed someone to simply show up. He lived with a quiet, steady compassion that touched everyone around him, not out of obligation, but because it was simply who he was.


When Ryan passed away, his family’s world changed forever. Grief has a way of making you search for meaning, for connection, and for somewhere to put the love that has nowhere left to go. For the Olivier family, one way to honor Ryan’s memory was by creating an endowment that reflected the values he lived so naturally.


Hope Haven International Ministries’ mission resonated deeply with their family. Through wheelchair distributions around the world, HHIM provides life-changing mobility to individuals living in poverty in developing countries. Every wheelchair delivered means a child lifted off the ground, a parent who can finally take their son or daughter outside, and a person who can move through the world with dignity.


It was exactly the kind of mission Ryan would have believed in.


Creating an endowment in Ryan’s honor felt like a natural extension of his spirit. An endowment is a permanent fund, meaning it is designed to provide support not just today, but for generations to come. For the Olivier family, it became a way to carry Ryan’s compassion forward in a lasting and meaningful way.


Families around the world who will never know Ryan’s name may still feel the impact of his life. That is the power of an endowment. It allows generosity, faith, and love to continue reaching others far beyond a single moment.


Ryan believed in helping others. We believe in continuing that mission. Together, we can carry his legacy forward — one life, one wheelchair, and one act of hope at a time.

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“He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” — Micah 6:8


If Ryan’s story has you thinking about the legacy you hope to leave, we’d be honored to talk with you. Learn more about planned giving or contact Krystal Vander Pol, Director of Development, at kvanderpol@hopehaven.org.