“ Hope ’ s mission , to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities , is a community endeavor under any circumstance . In communities such as Gilroy , Hollister , or Morgan Hill , where people and businesses know one another and share small town values , the mission is underscored . Ensuring emotional , physical , and material well-being , while providing choices , opportunities for social relationships , protection of personal rights and full inclusion into activities , is and should be the mission to which we all subscribe .”
Mark Smith , Manager , South District Hope Services
There is a lively atmosphere as the clients of Hope Services prepare for the Salvation Army ’ s Thursday food distribution program made possible by the Second Harvest Food Bank . Some work in groups of two or three , helping each other fill bags with produce and stack them on tables , while others have more individualized tasks . It is plain to see the happiness and satisfaction these Hope Services clients get from their work . What makes their presence all the more meaningful is the fact that they are practically indistinguishable from the other volunteers . This is exactly what Hope Services wants to accomplish .
“ Hope ’ s mission , to improve the quality of life for people with developmental disabilities , is a community endeavor under any circumstance ,” says Mark Smith , the manager of Gilroy ’ s Hope Services center , “ In communities such as Gilroy , Hollister , or Morgan Hill , where people and businesses know one another and share small town values , the mission is underscored . Ensuring emotional , physical , and material well-being , while providing choices , opportunities for social relationships , protection of personal rights , and full inclusion into activities , is , and should , be the mission to which we all subscribe .”
Founded in 1952 , Hope Services is a nonprofit organization that is dedicated to helping people with developmental disabilities take an active part in their communities . What began as a group of parents who wanted their special needs children to have equal opportunities , has become a beacon for developmentally disabled people of all types and ages , serving 2,500 people in six local counties . Its members are given the opportunity to make friends and receive an education that will help them get jobs and participate in the world around them . Hope Services has a broad spectrum of ways that they help their clients . They provide a vast network of support for those with disabilities , through programs such as Homestart , which offers personalized assistance for families with disabled children . They also offer a safe place for elderly individuals to socialize and engage in activities .
One of their biggest programs , the Community Access Network , partners with non-profit groups , service groups , businesses , schools , and public agencies , to give people with disabilities a plethora of opportunities to interact with the world around them . Its participants may volunteer alongside members of their community in activities such as weekly food distributions , where they experience the benefits of working and interacting with others . Local outings and classes teach a variety of skills like :
• Grocery shopping
• Cooking
• How to use computers and the Internet
• Public speaking
• Leadership training
• Job readiness
The Community Access Network caters to all skill ranges , ensuring that everyone can participate at a pace that is comfortable to them . All of its members are given a chance to grow as people and to develop a stronger sense of independence .
The ultimate goal for Hope Services is to provide jobs for all of its members . Those who aren ’ t quite ready to work in the outside world have positions within Hope Services ’ facilities , where they help the environment by processing electronics for recycling or constructing / packaging items for companies . Ideally , Hope Services would like everyone to be out in their community . Within Gilroy ’ s Hope Services , they serve up to 900 external clients , with only 32 working within their personal facilities .
Wherever they choose to work , the clients of Hope Services make a positive impact within the community . Their coworkers learn to see the person beyond the disability and they recognize them as invaluable additions to the team , as Captain Demetrio Villarreal from the Salvation Army can attest : “ I don ’ t know what we would do without them . They come in and they do a great job .”
In many ways , Hope Services ’ efforts to end the segregation of the developmentally disabled helps enrich the community and touch the lives of everyone . They help to break the misconceptions and fears surrounding people with disabilities and many of Hope ’ s clients build lasting friendships with the people that they meet . Hope gives its members a deep sense of purpose and belonging , finding their unique ways to shine . They help special needs people gain a level of independence that they wouldn ’ t have had otherwise and are always there to assist them with finding housing , helping with banking , or anything they might need . The more people with special needs are given the means to participate in their communities , the stronger their communities will be as a whole .
Hope Services relies strongly on donations for all of its programs and services . To help Hope , you can volunteer or donate athopeservices . org / donate . php or make a pledge by texting the word AMAZING to 41444 .
W I N T E R 2 0 1 4 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 71