The ANCOR Foundation, the largest professional service provider association for people with disabilities, selected Hope House Foundation as the 2012 Service Provider of the year. The organization sponsors the annual Community Builder Awards as part of its mission to improve the quality of life for people with disabilities. The award will be presented at the organization’s annual conference in Washington D.C. May 6-8.

The ANCOR Foundation’s Community Builder Award is the highest level of professional acknowledgement. The awards recognize exemplary and praiseworthy initiatives of individuals, communities and/or organizations that create community inclusivity for people with disabilities. Criteria are based on outstanding achievement in three key areas—best practices, community focus and partnerships.

Community inclusion is at the core of Hope House Foundation’s service platform and mission. It is the only organization in Virginia that supports adults with developmental disabilities exclusively in their own homes. Hope House has implemented a methodology for optimal community inclusion for every one of the 120 adults with development disabilities who receive services. The 12 service teams have a community support coordinator whose sole function is to help each person devise his or her own goals for community participation.  Those activities range from disability advocacy to making friends or owning a pet – in short, those activities and pursuits that constitute everyday community living.

Hope House is recognized as an innovator in the disability field. It closed its group homes in the 1980s with no additional state funding. The organization has a successful history of transitioning people with intellectual and developmental disabilities from institutions and other congregate settings into their own homes. And, Hope House staff share a core value that communities thrive when all members participate in social, recreational and civic activities within an embracing and inclusive environment.

A recent report that was shared with ANCOR Foundation quantified that 70 percent of the people served by Hope House have achieved significant outcomes through its Community Support Program. Of those:

·         37% are currently pursuing a community-based interest
·         21% have actively worked toward a dream this year (vacation, fishing trip, parasailing)
·         21% are members of a mainstream gym, museum, club, etc.
·         12% participate actively in disability advocacy, rallies, conferences or assemblies
·         19% have a significant other who lives at a different location from the consumer served
·         100% participate regularly in community activities in small groups, independently with a single staff person and/or a chosen friend

The June 2011 report, “Resources on Organizational Change: From Group Homes and Other Facility-Based Services to Individualized Supports,” Dr. Pam Miller highlighted organizations that have experience closing group homes or institutions and moving people into their own homes. The report makes clear that there are relatively few organizations like Hope House in the country doing this, and the vast majority of those hail from states where Medicaid-funded consumer-directed services are either available statewide or are in development. This is not the case in Virginia.  All but one of the organizations highlighted in Dr. Miller’s report serve fewer people than Hope House.

“We’re honored to be recognized for our work and our mission to create real and meaningful lives for people with disabilities,” said Lynne Seagle, executive director of Hope House Foundation. “Our mission is even more critical now that Virginia is being challenged to move people to community-based services. We are especially pleased that we can consistently offer the most inclusive service model available for people in our community.”

In Virginia, there are thousands of people on waiting lists to receive community-based services similar to those Hope House provides. Recently, the Department of Justice found Virginia’s system of care for people with developmental and intellectual disabilities in violation of the Americans With Disabilities Act. As part of a settlement to avoid a lawsuit, it is recommended that Virginia downsize one institution by 2020 and move people to community-based services. Not only does it enhance services and people’s lives, it is much more cost effective. It is estimated to cost $216,000 per year to serve someone in an institution and approximately $75,000 to serve them in the community. Organizations like Hope House Foundation are essential to ensure this transition is possible.

Since 1964, Hope House Foundation has worked on the frontlines of the battle for independence, community inclusion and true citizenship for people with developmental disabilities. The organization provides individualized supported-living services for adults in their own homes or apartments. Currently, it serves 120 people in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. Hope House is known as an innovator and leader in the field, and in 2008, it received the American Association for Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities national award for full community inclusion. For more information, visit www.hope-house.org.

Bria Kelly is a vocal prodigy who, at only sixteen years old, already has an impressive resume which includes performances at NFL games and Nashville’s CMA Music Fest. Find out more about Bria on her website: www.BriaKelly.com. Joining Bria Kelly and Friends is two-time “Amateur Night at the Apollo” winner, Nate Foley. See more of Nate at www.natefoley.com/live.

ZigZag is a band of middle- and high-schoolers from Virginia Beach, but don’t let their youth deceive you because these kids are tried and true performers who have taken the stage all across Hampton Roads. Read all about the band at www.zigzagrockband.com.

Matt Cole is a seventeen-year-old percussionist who already has a decade of experience under his belt. He’s known locally as the drummer for mOcean. More information about Matt (and mOcean) can be found on their website: www.mOceanband.com.

Jake Fultz is a bass aficionado, playing both electric and upright. He can usually be found supplying bass sounds for Carbon Jam. Get more details about Jake and Carbon Jam at www.CarbonJam.com.

If you’d like more information about The Jewish Mother, all the details can be found at www.JewishMother.com.

Customers must mention Hope House and may not use any other specials or discounts in order for the donation to be valid.

Boardwalk offers fresh-cut fries, an assortment of burgers (including veggie burgers), as well as hot dogs, chicken, salads, shakes, and more. For more information about Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries, call the Norfolk location at 757-961-9112 or visit their website: www.BoardwalkFreshBurgersAndFries.com.

Currently, Hope House Foundation is one of four organizations who will benefit from purchases made on iDeal. Details about specific Hope House projects and their progress are available at http://www.getideals.com/ideal_charity/hope_house_foundation/.

Visit the iDeal website at www.GetiDeals.com to find out how to buy deals and how to feature your business while simultaneously giving back to the community.

Hope House Foundation is a local non-profit and is the only organization in Virginia that supports adults with developmental disabilities exclusively in their own homes. Learn more about Hope House at www.hope-house.org or by calling 757-625-6161.

On Sunday, December 4, 2011 at 4:00 Jake’s Place will present “Holidays for Hope” at the Belmont House of Smoke at 2117 Colonial Ave to benefit Hope House Foundation.  Twenty gorgeous gentlemen from Jake’s Place and Crossfit 757 will be paired with 20 gift certificates from local business, and we will auction off “their packages”.

Ticket price is $10 or $15 per couple and available at Changes Hairstyling, City Spa Jake’s Place, Crossfit 757, and Hope House Foundation.

Changes Hairstyling, City Spa and Jake’s Place began as a children’s hair salon in 1983.  They have come a long way since then and pride themselves on catering to the whole family – from the youngest to the very wisest!  From the Bus Stop to City Spa!  Offering the very best the industry has to offer, with the most talented people, greatest number of options for both styles and services and the most current thinking in the field.

Please join us and bring Hope for the Holidays! As part of the Holiday Open House in Ghent this event speaks volumes for Hope – in any language!

All proceeds will benefit Hope House Foundation is a local not for profit organization providing supported living services to adults with developmental disabilities in Hampton Roads for over 40 years.

More information contact Anne Knox at 757-625-6160 X1 or aknox@hope-house.org about the upcoming event or log onto www.hope-house.org.

Proud Sponsors of the event include: Miller Oil, Mancon, Towne Bank, Ghent Business Association, Levin’s of Virginia, QVC, STHIL, Ferguson Enterprises, Pilato & Counts; Media Partners: BOBFM, WNIS/WTAR, Hampton Roads Magazine, VEER, AltDaily.com and WHRO.

Over 140 artists have been selected to exhibit at the festival, which offers exhibition opportunities in every fine-art medium, such as painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography and jewelry.

The awards for the festival will be presented at the After Hours Party/Artist Award Ceremony to be held on Saturday, October 15 from 5-7 p.m. at the stage in the park. There will be over $5,000 in artist awards. A list of all award winners will be displayed at the Hope House Foundation Hospitality Booth on Sunday, October 16th.

The Radicles Exhibition, in partnership with AltDaily, will feature both high school and college students along with recent graduates and local emerging artists. They will compete for cash awards, with the Futures Awards also being presented at the Artists’ Reception on Saturday evening. A reception will be held at Belmont House of Smoke on October 14th, 6pm-9pm, to meet the exhibiting artists.

There will be hands on art for kids, clowns, and musical performances for kids. Highlights include Meet Mark Twain! by Ryan Clemens, a relative of Mark Twain who brings to life the celebrated American author and humorist. STAHR, a group of children from the ages of 4 to 21 from all over Hampton Roads, will amaze you with their performance on the cello and the violin.

In partnership with Virginia Stage Company’s production of “RED” and the Chrysler Museum’s Mark Rothko “Perceptions of Being” exhibition, Hope House Foundation will paint the park “RED” with over 500 “RED” balloons. In addition, each band performing at the festival will play their version of Nena’s “99 Red Balloons”.

The festival judge will be Maurine Littleton from Washington, DC. Ms. Littleton is the daughter of Harvey K. Littleton and owner of the Maurine Littleton Gallery in Washington, DC. She studied at the University of Wisconsin, University of Michigan, the Interlochen Arts Academy, and the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Subsequently, Maurine has served as a juror, judge, and lecturer in many events across the United States. She has authored exhibition catalogues and curated museum exhibitions.

The Stockley Gardens Arts Festival poster design for this fall was created by artist Barry Harbour. A native of Virginia Beach, he attended Tallwood High School where he found his love for art by participating in Digital Design classes. After a bumpy high school adventure he chose to join the Army at age 17. After 18 months of service, Barry was honorably discharged, and he is currently enrolled in the graphic design program at Tidewater Community College. His unwavering love of art led him to design a non-traditional piece for the festival to attract a new generation of audiences while simultaneously promoting advocacy for the arts in our community. His design was chosen from several submitted by Christine Morgan’s graphic design students as a class project/partnership with the arts festival.

This Fall we are continuing our new line up of local musical talent over the two days, and will include well-known favorites such as Honey Badger, Birds and Arrows, In Layman Terms, Gina Dalmas and the Cowtipping Playboys, School of Rock House Band, Brian Dobbins and Friends, Critical Mouse, HM Johnson Band, and Two Dollar Bill Band.

For more information, log onto www.stockleygardens.com.

HAMPTON ROADS, VA – The 2011 Ghent Summer Bar Tour will be held on Saturday, July 30^th from 4:00pm to 9:00pm. This is the sixth annual Ghent Summer Bar Tour and all proceeds will benefit Hope House Foundation. This event promises to be fun for everyone over the age of 21, with a dozen locations serving discounted food and beverages, fun games along the way, and a big ceremony at the end of the evening awarding prizes to winning participants. Registration includes a t-shirt, commemorative Ghent Bar Tour cup, koozie, magnet, and a wristband that entitles you to the discounts at each location.

Since 1964, Hope House Foundation has worked on the frontlines of the battle for independence, community inclusion, and true citizenship for people with developmental disabilities in Hampton Roads. We believe that the people we support have the right to participate in community life to the fullest extent possible, and to control their own destinies.

For further information you may contact Scott Guirlinger, Ghent Bar Tours President, at 353-4660, Elena Montello, Hope House Foundation 757-625-6161 x20 or visit www.GhentSummerBarTour.com.

 Ms. Seagle speaks and consults worldwide and in 1995 received the Joseph P. Kennedy Foundation International Award for Achievement in the field, an award previously bestowed on such luminaries as Mother Teresa and B.F. Skinner.

 The Arc of Virginia advocates for the rights and full participation of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

So put on disco dresses and leisure suits and practice the Hustle and the Bump so you are ready to boogy the night away.   The party will include a 50/50 raffle and other games.

VIP booths are available for the entire night and part of the proceeds from the booth fee will go to Hope House.  Please contact the Granby Theater at 757/961-7208 for additional information.  www.granbytheater.com.

The Party Angels were established by Melissa and Thanos Polizos and Stephanie and Clay Chick to raise money for their local community one fabulous party at a time.

Proceeds from this event will benefit Hope House Foundation a local non-profit organization providing independent living services to adults with developmental disabilities in Hampton Roads.