Seasons greetings and happy holidays to you and yours! Celebrate the magic of gratitude, traditions, and holiday spirit in our December newsletter. https://conta.cc/3MJxeot #StoriesOfHope #HopeNewsletter #HappyHolidays #GivingTuesday2025
For decades, Hope has walked alongside families to pursue their dreams. Dreams of independence, of belonging. Dreams of not just living in a house, but in a home. Today is Giving Tuesday, and your gift can change someone’s life—many people’s lives, in fact! We invite you to join us in fulfilling one very special dream for families—creating a safe, comfortable, accessible home for their loved ones who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. Hope owns a ranch-style home in Anchorage that is in need of updates. Your funding will support the renovation of this home for the people and families who choose Hope's services, including: • A full, accessible bathroom remodel • Building an entry ramp • Installing new flooring • Fresh paint, and more Double Your Impact Now through December 16, your Giving Tuesday contribution will go twice as far as any other time of the year. A generous anonymous donor has offered a matching gift of $12,000, and we need your help to unlock every dollar. Your Giving Tuesday gift will double in impact — $10 will become $20, $100 will become $200. And if we reach the full $12,000, it will become $24,000! Donate at https://www.hopealaska.org/fundraising/forms/P7ENLPEG.
Please join us in celebrating Judy Pott’s recent 5-year anniversary with Hope! Judy is a DSP with our Hope Studios team, and when asked about her time at Hope, she shared, “My time at Hope Art Studios has been a joy. I’ve worked for other agencies, and no one cares about their people more than Hope. I love my artists and enjoy encouraging them and collaborating with them.” Outside of work, Judy enjoys spending time with her 10-year-old grandson and is a proud cat person. Judy, on behalf of everyone at Hope and all the people and families who choose our services, we are so grateful for you! Thank you for helping make Hope Studios such a special place. #HopeAnniversary #EmployeeHighlight
We are excited to announce that Hope Community Resources has been recognized in the 2025 Best of Alaska Awards! 🏆 Assisted Living – Platinum 🏆 Diversity, Equity & Inclusion – Gold It's hard to put into words just how much these awards mean to us. To be recognized in this way—by our community—affirms that our mission, values, and the work we do every day are seen, felt, and valued across our state. To our employees, the people and families we serve, our partners, and advocates—this is your award, too! You are what make Hope a community where everyone is valued, included, and cared for. To everyone who nominated and voted for Hope, thank you! We are very grateful!
We’re honored to celebrate Heather Sollenberger for her recent 10-year anniversary with Hope! Heather first joined Hope as a supervisor, later served as the Adult Licensing Specialist, and went on to become a Mental Health Supervisor/Case Manager. For the past five years, she has led as our Director of Intensive Supports in Anchorage. When asked what has kept her at Hope for 10 years, Heather’s answer was simple—the people! “I’m lucky to work alongside professionals who genuinely care about our community and are committed to helping others live happy, meaningful lives. While we sometimes differ in our approaches, our shared mission always brings us back together. Some of the closest relationships I’ve formed in my life were created at Hope, and I will be forever grateful for that.” Outside of work, Heather enjoys spending time with her family and her husband Nick and their three cats — Tati, T’Chaka, and Pixel. She is proud to be an Alaska native, she is an avid crafter, and her greatest passion is gift shopping for loved ones—she often spends months finding the perfect gift. Heather, thank you for a full decade of leadership at Hope and in our community. You make a difference—toward our mission and for every person you work with—and we’re grateful you continue to choose to be part of our team! #HopeAnniversary #EmployeeSpotlight #TeamHope
The Hart & Hustle Podcast released a new episode featuring a conversation with Hope's Executive Director, Michele Girault! Michele shares 41 years of insights on building mission-driven organizations that last, including: ➡️ How Alaska changed the impossible choice families faced: keep your child or keep your income ➡️ The secret to retaining staff for 20, 30, even 40+ years in mission-driven work ➡️ Why challenging assumptions about ability is critical for inclusive leadership ➡️ Using technology and AI to support independence without replacing human connection ➡️ Breaking down silos through radical collaboration in the nonprofit sector ...and so much more! Watch or listen to the full episode here → https://youtu.be/BveAr9doQX0?si=mwcUqSUf3e2OQH1O
Join us in congratulating Moses Marrah, an Intensive Supports Associate, on his recent 5-year anniversary with Hope! When asked what keeps him at Hope, Moses shared that it’s all about the support, teamwork, and compassion. “Hope has been a place where I’ve grown both personally and professionally. I stay because I feel valued and I know the work we do truly makes a difference in people’s lives.” What he enjoys most about his role is “being part of a team that provides care and comfort when people need it most. It’s rewarding to know that the work I do helps patients and their families during some of their most difficult moments.” Outside of work, Moses is a devoted single dad who enjoys time with his son here in Alaska; the rest of his family is in Africa. In his free time, he loves watching soccer—it's one of his favorite ways to relax and unwind. Thank you, Moses, for five years of work and dedication to the people and families who choose our services. We’re so grateful to have you on our team!
This month we celebrated Direct Support Professional (DSP) Appreciation Week—but at Hope, our gratitude lasts all year. Read more in our September newsletter. See highlights from DSP Week, discover the impact of community partnerships, explore upcoming events, and learn about more ways you can support Hope’s mission. https://conta.cc/4gSnG5u
You’re invited! 🎭 Join us next Friday, September 12 for our "Hope's Got Talent" Talent Show! You'll get to enjoy some really great performances put on by our employees and the people we support, including: • Solo and group musical performances • A keyboard medley • Comedy acts • Dance routines • Theatrical acts • A puppet show • Juggling and stick work • A group karate demonstration …plus a group grand finale! The show is free and open to everyone—no registration needed! Just come to our Auditorium at 570 W 53rd Ave, Anchorage from 5:30-7:30pm.
You’re invited! 🎭 Join us next Friday, September 12 for our "Hope's Got Talent" Talent Show! You'll get to enjoy some really great performances put on by our employees and the people we support, including: • Solo and group musical performances • A keyboard medley • Comedy acts • Dance routines • Theatrical acts • A puppet show • Juggling and stick work • A group karate demonstration …plus a group grand finale! The show is free and open to everyone—no registration needed! Just come to our Auditorium at 570 W 53rd Ave, Anchorage from 5:30-7:30pm.
