Special Olympic golfer Michael Gay shot a hole-in-one at the recent Mary Moore Annual Charity Event at Shangri-La Golf Resort.  Michael won a golf cart donated by Classic Golf carts and a year's supply of golf balls!

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) recently recognized Travis Dottrich, an employee of Home of Hope, as the 2019 Oklahoma Direct Support Professional of the Year.  Dottrich was presented the award at ANCOR’s Annual Conference in Portland, Oregon along with four dozen recipients representing other states, chosen from a field of nearly 350 outstanding nominees.

“I was very surprised, and of course honored, to be chosen for the award,” said Dottrich.  “My job is very rewarding but it is always nice to be recognized.”  Dottrich has worked at Home of Hope for more than sixteen years and can’t imagine working in another profession.  When Dottrich was a young, there was a child in his neighborhood who had an intellectual disability.  Seeing his potential, and his needs, Dottrich knew he wanted a career helping people with disabilities. “The impact on me of helping people progress and become as independent as possible just can’t be explained,” said Dottrich.  “It is much more than a job.”  Community Supports Director Aaron Brown said “The main criteria for consideration of nominating a staff for the award is that they are ‘person-centered’.  Travis personifies that spirit in everything he does, so this recognition was well deserved.” As a further testament to his commitment, when told that the award would be presented in Oregon, Dottrich invited his client, Tom, to attend with him and director Aaron Brown.  “Watching Tom’s

Two Home of Hope employees were recently given statewide recognition by Care Providers Oklahoma (CPO). Traci Grooms, presented an Outstanding Leader award, was one of only 18 Oklahomans honored in this category. Grooms (center), standing to the right of her supervisor Sheila Hawk, was recognized by CPO representatives Natashia Mason, Brett Coble and Nico Gomez. Crystal Dry, DDDCA, was named a Distinguished Caregiver. Dry, who has worked at Home of Hope for more than 12 years, was 1 of only 21 caregivers in Oklahoma recognized with the honor. Present at the presentation were CPO representative Natashia Mason, Debbie Moses of Home of Hope, Dry, and CPO representatives Brett Coble and Nico Gomez.

Our horses and clients are excited about Spring and the start of our equestrian season! We are still looking for volunteers Monday-Friday different session times available. With Home of Hope staff present, volunteers provide valuable assistance leading horses, walking beside some riders, and helping groom, saddle and feed the horses. Weekday riding sessions are held in the late afternoon/early evening making it convenient to volunteer after work. If you need volunteer hours, need something to do with your evenings, miss being around horses, or just want to make a difference in someone's life, we would be glad to talk to you about volunteering. Contact Program Manager Kallie Westbrook for details at 918-944-0805 or equine@homeofhope.com.

Home of Hope employees and volunteers are packaging Christmas gifts and food baskets this week, part of their annual Angel Tree project.  Marla Lucky, (Left to Right) Brooklyn Pitts, Laci Sutton, Paula Green, Michelle Holley, Cindy Rogers and Trevor Malley show gifts and food gathered for one of 45 families by Home of Hope employees, board members and donors. The Christmas spirit and the feeling of family can be felt - and seen - this week as Home of Hope employees organize donations from their Angel Tree project to share the joy of the season.   Beginning in November each year, Home of Hope employees are able to support their co-workers by buying gifts for children and participating in a basket raffle to raise funds for food baskets. “We know there are struggles and bumps in the road that make the holidays hard sometimes,” said Chief Operating Officer Dena Pitts.  “By the nature of our work, our employees are very caring.  If we can donate gifts and money to help another employee’s family have a brighter Christmas, then that is just what we do.  We also have a very caring and generous group of board members and partners in our communities that help make this project so successful.” Home of Hope’s 400+ employees are given the opportunity to apply for the Angel Tree project for their family.  This year 100 angels from 45 families will receive gifts and food from the generosity of others. One Angel Tree recipient summed up her feelings. “The

The date is set for Home of Hope’s 12^th Annual Chocolate Affair.  Mark your calendar for Wednesday, February 6, 2019 from 6 – 8 pm at the Craig County Community Center for a dessert lover’s dream.  Many favorite vendors will return, along with a few new ones, to provide delicious samples and help make this Home of Hope fundraiser a huge success.  This year’s event will again include supervised activities for children, coordinated by Vinita High School students, so they can enjoy the event while their parents enjoy an early Valentine’s date. Throughout the years, the Chocolate Affair has grown to a much anticipated area event with more than 500 in attendance sampling chocolate delights from area restaurants, wineries, and caterers while bidding on silent auction items.  Tickets are $10 in advance at Home of Hope, Centsible Spending Vinita, Clanton’s Café, Lucille’s Flowers, Vinita Area Chamber of Commerce or the Vinita Daily Journal.  Tickets will be $20 at the door ($10 for children 12 and under). “We are really looking forward to some special additions at this year’s Chocolate Affair,” reported Misty Bingham, Home of Hope Marketing and Development Officer.  “We are again gathering some great prizes for guests to have the opportunity to win, along with silent auction items that would be wonderful Valentine’s gifts.” The Chocolate Affair fundraising event was started in 2008 for the support of Home of Hope programs and operations.  “Contributions to the Chocolate Affair helps Home of Hope achieve our mission of promoting choices, independence, and a

Home of Hope, Inc., will be hosting a Hiring Event on Friday, August 10 from 10 am to 3 pm at the Home of Hope Community Room at 960 West Hope Road in Vinita. Guests may park in the north (back) parking lot and follow signs to enter. Interviews will be done at the Hiring Event for residential direct care staff and vocational job coaches. Detailed job descriptions and an online application are available at homeofhope.com. Day, night, and weekend shifts are available. Qualifications include a high school diploma or the equivalent, valid Oklahoma driver’s license and a reliable means of communication and transportation. No experience is necessary, but candidates must be able to attend the paid training provided by Home of Hope. Criminal background check, drug screen and successful completion of First Aid/CPR to Home of Hope standards is required. “We invite you to attend, as well as pass the word about, this event to learn about the exciting opportunities available in our organization,” said Tamara Atkins, Director Human Resources. “Our employees tell us the best part of their job is the difference they make in the lives of individuals we serve. We have several openings to fill and look forward to meeting interested applicants.” Home of Hope provides residential and vocational services to more than 250 adults with intellectual disabilities throughout northeastern Oklahoma in Vinita, Claremore, Pryor, Jay and Miami. Home of Hope has very competitive benefits, paying for qualified employees to attend training and obtain certifications for Developmentally Disabled Direct