Still We Rise

Growth begins with strong roots. Hope celebrated its 56th anniversary in October 2024. Our roots are firm, and from that foundation, new possibilities continue to take shape. We continue to listen, adapt, and respond to the Disability community with care and innovation, all the while having a goal in mind to create a world where abilities of every kind are seen and valued.

We have come so far since our founding in 1968. From one woman’s advocacy and a small group of determined supporters, Hope has grown into one of Alaska’s leading providers of disability services, always guided by the belief that every person deserves the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life. What does that belief means in practice? It means rising to meet challenges, protecting essential services that people rely on, and keeping person-centered programs at the heart of everything we do.

This past year brought its share of change and challenges. Federal budget proposals threatened billions of dollars in Medicaid funding, jeopardizing Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) that allow people with disabilities to live independently, receive care in their communities, and avoid institutionalization. Such cuts would have profound consequences, including longer waiting lists, reduced services, and disrupted care for the people and families who depend on these programs.

In response, our community rallied.

Through advocacy platforms like ANCOR, NACDD, and Key Coalition of Alaska, more than 30,000 messages were sent to legislators, 4,500 non-profits signed a national open letter, and personal stories showed the real-life impact of the potential cuts. Collaborating with statewide and national coalitions—including the Alaska Governor’s Council on Disabilities and Special Education, AADD, and Alaskans Together for Medicaid—we raised our collective voice and demonstrated that advocacy is not just a responsibility, but a lifeline. Every message, every story, and every action contributed to preserving the rights of Alaskans with disabilities to live full, self-directed lives.

At both the federal and state levels, changes in rules and funding caused a lot of uncertainty. Nationwide, Medicaid eligibility checks ended the pandemic rules that had kept people covered, leaving thousands with gaps in care and coverage. At the same time, updates to Home and Community Based Services rules required more accountability and person-focused care. These were changes we welcomed, even though they required additional reporting, training, and innovation. Closer to home, state funding decisions and vetoes made essential human services unstable, and new proposals for complex care, special education, and early intervention often didn’t come with enough resources to meet the growing demand. Long waitlists and workforce shortages added to the strain. Still, Hope stayed committed, finding creative ways to adapt—building stronger partnerships, using flexible staffing models, and expanding our Travel Direct Support Professional program to ensure continuity of care for the people who choose our services.

Celebrating the exceptional work of our team was another highlight of the year. Joelene Fortin received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2024 Full Lives Conference, and Diana Medina was named ANCOR Alaska’s 2024 DSP of the Year. These awards show the quality of our staff—the people behind our mission, and the amazing work they do for people with disabilities—the people at the heart of our mission. Hope also hosted and participated in more events—surpassing even some pre-pandemic years—including Hope's Disco Gala, the Walk & Roll for Hope, Night to Shine, summer picnics, First Friday events, Disability Pride, Deaf Awareness Week, DSP Appreciation Week, and holiday celebrations, to name a few.

Resilience is not simply about weathering the storms that come our way—it is about rising through them and growing stronger from them.

Across Alaska, our teams do this well.

One of our assisted living homes in the Mat-Su Valley re-opened after extensive renovations that were made possible by the Mat-Su Health Foundation. Our Willow Ranch team planted a fruit tree orchard, thanks to support from The Alaska Community Foundation, and built a new chicken coop, “La Poulailler.” Our Kenai region hosted a variety of community events—from their first ever craft fair to regular cooking classes to a summer picnic. At our 56th Walk & Roll for Hope, more than 200 participants across Anchorage and Kenai came together and raised over $51,000 to support keeping children with complex medical needs in Alaska. Thanks to generous funding from The Alaska Community Foundation, our Community Engagement team successfully served 34 children and young adults in their 10-week inclusive Summer Camp. Our Deaf Supports team secured $100,000 in additional annual funding for the Deaf Navigator program through their outstanding legislative advocacy at Key Campaign. In the fall of 2024, our community recognized Hope as one of the top 50 non-profits in Alaska. Each triumph reflects the power of our community—a network of meaningful, collaborative partnerships.

Behind every milestone and magic moment stands our donors, partners, staff, families, and supporters. Their generosity turns barriers into progress, funding home renovations, supporting arts and recreation programs, and keeping essential services within reach. Each and every contribution opens doors and creates possibilities.

This is what keeps non-profits like Hope alive and able to serve.