This holiday season, we introduced the Hope community to success stories featuring five participants. Each of these participants have made incredible progress in their personal development and goals this year, and we could not be more proud.
Join us in spreading joy this season by adding your heartfelt messages to these participants. Your participation will make this holiday season extra special.
After being diagnosed with autism, two-year-old Corey was connected with Hope’s Homestart program, where he received tailor-made early intervention to help develop his expressive communication skills. The routine home visits were instrumental for Corey and offered his parents, Lexy and Naimm, the tools and resources to best support their son’s progression. After a year in the program, Corey is demonstrating eye contact, signing, and peer interaction — equipping him for success as he transitions into school.
After her second epileptic stroke, Donna faced a daunting road to recovery. Her struggle touched every aspect of her life, from her memory to basic daily tasks. The minimal support she received before Hope left her with frustration and unaddressed needs—a situation that many with invisible disabilities encounter. When Donna joined HopeSTUDIO, she entered a community that looked beyond her disability to see her potential. It was not just about managing her condition but about nurturing her growth. With consistent support at Hope, Donna relearned lost skills, rediscovered her self-worth, and formed supportive relationships that replaced isolation with a sense of belonging.
Eliza, at just two years old, has faced more challenges than some do in a lifetime. With severe developmental delays, she has been working with our Early Intervention team this year to develop critical motor skills, in order to hold herself in a sitting position, to be able to crawl, and to one day walk.
Laura is a resilient woman who found her strength through virtual therapy at Hope Services. Born with cerebral palsy, Laura faced lifelong discrimination as a Native American woman with a disability. Laura’s pain intensified when she lost her brother and grandmother and was unable to participate in cherished traditions. She struggled to express her emotions, leading to outbursts of anger and sadness. In April 2022, Laura sought help at Hope’s Counseling Center and despite her limited mobility, Telehealth bridged the gap. Through therapy, she embraced grief, set boundaries, and discovered the power of self-care. Now a chaplain and advocate for others with disabilities and Native American heritage, Laura is thriving in ways she’d never imagined.
Tony’s love of music has always been a guiding force in his life, but joining the New Hope Band in 2008 changed everything for him.
With a soulful voice and mastery over multiple instruments, Tony exemplifies the limitless potential of musicians with disabilities.
As someone who is visually impaired, Tony’s potential was often met with skepticism, even from well-meaning people who feared that he might face judgment or rejection. But The New Hope Band fully embraced Tony’s talent and opened doors to incredible opportunities.
With The New Hope Band, Tony has sung at major sporting event like Warriors and Giants games, placed in competitions and film festivals, and played at hundreds of local events, birthday parties, and weddings.