History of Hope

A History of Hope Community Resources

The 1960sThe 1970sThe 1980sThe 1990sThe 2000sThe 2010sThe 2020s

 

 

Introduction

The decades of history of Hope Community Resources, Inc. merely echo the history of developmental disabilities in Alaska and define on-going struggles and personal battles for human and civil rights.

The history of Hope is a journey of reunification—with family, friends, neighbors, culture, and tradition.

The journey began with violent separation. People who experienced develpmental disabilities—children and adults—were moved to other states, segregated from their families, and isolated by institutional services they received. When they returned to Alaska, the homecoming celebrations were short-lived. They were then moved to in-state institutionalization in the small community of Valdez, or in the confines of the basement facility at the Alaska Psychiatric Institute. Even in the dawn of new community-based supports, children were torn from rural villages and regional centers and placed in unfamiliar urban settings where they remained for decades, losing a sense of identity and roots. Hope believed there was a better way.

This is a story of that new direction, a different path, and a pioneering effort to build community throughout Alaska that values and includes each individual.

This is the story of Hope. This is the story of dreams.

Rendering of Hope Cottage

Historial Timeline

  •  

    1960s

     

    • 1968

      • Hope Cottage was incorporated as a single home providing foster care to young children who experienced a developmental disability.

      • The Anchorage office opened.

      • The first home for medically fragile individuals opened.

    • 1969

      • Hope was operating three homes and supporting 36 children.

  •  

    1970s

     

    • 1970
      • The first Walk for Hope was established in Anchorage to raise money for the construction of a new home for children.
      • First Walk for Hope in Willow.
    • 1971
      • Four-person group homes were established.
      • Hope expanded to several homes, providing community-based residential services for adults as an alternative to institutions.
      • Hope began providing specialized foster care.
    • 1976
      • Second home for medically fragile individuals opened.
      • Independent Living Program began.
    • 1977
      • As Hope expanded beyond a single home, the name was officially changed to Hope Cottages.
    • 1978
      • First Walk for Hope in Naknek.
      • Over 80 Alaskans had returned home from institutions located outside of Alaska.
  •  

    1980s

     

    • 1980
      • Hope transitioned from providing categorized services to services that were consumer-directed. Individually designed support plans were established, giving the individual more control of the decision-making process.
      • Hope made strides toward an independent living model, where people can live with as few restrictions as possible.
      • Third and fourth homes for medically fragile individuals opened.

         

    • 1982

      • Hope supported 158 people.

      • Individuals were able to purchase their own condominium through special home-loan programs for people who experience a disability. With homeownership, independence increased dramatically for many.
      • Hope opened its first home for individuals who experienced autism and another home for individuals who experienced dual diagnosis.
    • 1983
      • First Walk for Hope in Eagle River / Chugiak.
      • Employment supports began.
      • Home for individuals who experience autism opened.
      • Home for individuals who experience dual diagnosis opened.
    • 1984
      • First Christmas bazaar.
    • 1986
      • Arlene and Juliana homes were built.
      • Bristol Bay region supports began.
      • Fifth and sixth homes for medically fragile individuals opened.
      • First Walk for Hope in Dillingham.
    • 1987
      • The Key Coalition of Alaska and first Key Campaign were established.
    • 1988
      • First Walk for Hope in Seward.
  •  

    1990s

     

    • 1990
      • OBRA Grant began. Personal Futures Planning began.
      • With workspaces becoming more and more limited, Hope purchased a new administrative building, and offices moved from Bering Street to its current location on West International Airport Road.
    • 1991
      • Dillingham office opened.
      • Neighborhood Greenhouse opened.
      • Respite Voucher Program began.
      • Community Resources team was implemented.
      • Began supports in Kodiak.
    • 1992
      • Kodiak office opened.
      • Kalsin Bay Community Barbecue & Auction began.
      • Family support program began.
      • Individualized Assistance Plan was implemented.
    • 1993
      • First Walk for Hope in St. Paul Island and Kodiak.
    • 1994
      • Subsistence program began in Dillingham.
      • Student Practicum program began.
      • Hope Endowment – Tree of Hope campaign began.
    • 1995
      • Hope supported 604 people.
      • Began supports in Seward.
    • 1996
      • ICF/MRs were decertified.
      • "Roadmaps" program and video.
      • Community and Home-Based Waivers began.
      • Subsistence program for Anchorage began.
      • First end of summer Auction.
      • Seward office opened.
    • 1997
      • AYI Program began.
      • Harborview Developmental Center closed.
      • Community nursing services began.
    • 1998
      • Hope Cottages had tripled in size and rebranded as Hope Community Resources Inc.
      • Juneau office opened.
      • Medicaid Waiver Billing System was established.
      • Harborview Developmental Center was closed, and Hope’s Intermediate Care Facilities for the Mentally Retarded was decertified. Alaska was finally declared institution free!
    • 1999
      • Hope supported 897 people.
      • Mat-Su office opened.
      • The Walk for Hope became the Walk & Roll for Hope.
  •  

    2000s

     

    • 2000

      • Due to the enormity of growth in the 1990s, Hope underwent an agency-wide internal reorganization, restructuring its program staff and services.

      • Hope purchased three more residential homes, an apartment complex, and an additional office building; opened offices in Kenai and Ketchikan; and opened a Community Wellness Center.

      • First Golf Classic was held.
    • 2001

      • Began supports in Utqiagvik.

      • Utqiagvik office opened.

      • Hope Industries – Geneva Woods partnership in Juneau began.

      • Kodiak summer recreation program began.

      • Purchased Selief apartments in Kodiak.

    • 2002
      • By 2002, Hope was offering and providing services to individuals in approximately 80 percent of populated Alaska.
      • Dillingham Fish Camp began.
      • New home built in Seward.
      • Supported parenting grant was acquired.
      • Aging grant was acquired.
      • Phase 1 and 2 of Wellness Center renovations were completed.
      • Purchased office building on West 53rd Ave for employee learning and training purposes.
    • 2003
      • Hope's 35th anniversary.
      • Hope Cafe opened.
      • Dillingham summer recreation program began.
      • Purchased maintenance building and empty lot.
    • 2004
      • 35th Anniversary History book, Hope: What Dreams are Made Of, was published.
      • STAR Program began in Kodiak.
      • Camp Cara began.
      • PCA Services began in Utqiagvik.
      • Hope took over the Utqiagvik assisted living home.
      • Kenai office opened.
      • CCMC nursing services on Kenai Peninsula began.
      • Supported Parenting Program began.
      • Steve Lesko launched 'Signatures of Excellence.'
    • 2005
      • Hope supported over 1,000 people.
      • Hope's Beliefs, Vision, Mission, Values, and Expectations (BVMVE) were established.
    • 2006
      • Received Healthy Workplace award from APA.
    • 2007
      • Symposium of Possibilities.
      • Hope's Media Center began.
      • Actabilities was formed.
      • Hope received the Business Diversity award from Municipality of Anchorage.
      • Hope purchased land in Willow, Alaska.
    • 2008
      • Hope's 40th anniversary.
      • Heart of Hope donor wall campaign for endowment began.
    • 2009
      • Ketchikan office opened.
      • Addition to Kenai Community Center was built.
      • Art Co-Op began.
      • Creekside purchased for intentional community—supporting families and couples with children.
      • Alumni Club began.
      • Hope increased the use of Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waivers, allowing funding to follow the individual rather than the agency.
  •  

    2010s

     

    • 2010

      • Spiritual Wellenss initiative began.

      • After-school program began.

      • Received international 'Full Community Inclusion' award from AAIDD.

      • Purchased St. Brendan, an accessible boat in Kodiak.

    •  2011

      • Hope purchased the Discovery Center, and Hope Studios and Gallery celebrated its grand opening.

    • 2012
      • Hope supported over 1,400 people.
      • Hope established its Behavioral Health Services Department (BHSD), consolidating the Mental Health network and Behavior Supports personnel to create a unified team capable of delivering services across the state.
      • Hope was voted 'Best Non-Profit in Anchorage.'
      • Certified Direct Support Professional (CDSP) program began.
      • Nutrition programs began.
      • The Willow Ranch launched a wood-cutting business.
    • 2013
      • Hope's 45th anniversary.
      • Nancy Stuart Johnson passed away.
      • Loussac Library project began.
      • Certificate in Business Management Leadership began.
      • Discovery Health program began.
    • 2014
      • Bridges Play Center opened.
      • Kenai Community Center capital campaign began.
      • Hope was accredited through the Council on Accreditation (COA).
      • Steve Lesko retired as Executive Director after 37 years.
      • Roy Scheller became Executive Director.
    • 2015
      • Hope Kenai Community Center was completed.
      • Kenai Intentional Neighborhood concept was publicized.
      • Irish Ambassador to the United States of America attended 20-year Irish Student Volunteer celebration.
      • Kodiak playground was installed.
      • Bridges Program began.
      • Alaska entered into an economic recession.
    • 2016
      • Kenai Intentional Neighborhood project began.
      • Karate team attended their first international tournament in Las Vegas.
      • Deaf Navigator Program began.
      • Rural Deaf Student Supports Program began.
      • Hope was selected to pilot the Alaska Psychiatric Institute/Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (API/ADRD) Transition Pilot Project, aimed to support Alaskans experiencing dementia and co-occurring disorders by enhancing community-based living opportunities.
      • Utqiagvik's Mental Health Home opened.
      • Executive Emeritus, Steve Lesko, passed away.
    • 2017
      • Phase I of Kenai Intentional Neighborhood was completed.
    • 2018
      • Hope's 50th anniversary.
      • Hope introduced a new logo.
      • Phase II of Kenai Intentional Neighborhood was completed. Eleven residents moved into their "forever homes."
      • The Willow Ranch was equipped with off-grid electricity.
      • SB174 Programs for Persons with Disabilities was signed into law.
      • HB336 Supported Decision Making Agreements was signed into law.
      • SB80 Telecommunications: Disabled Subscribers was signed into law.
      • After-school Program was developed.
    • 2019
      • Hope received a grant from the Alaska Community Foundation in partnership with Rasmuson Foundation, in support of scholarships for Hope's Lesko Discovery Center Summer Camp.
  •  

    2020s

     

    • 2020

      • Roy Scheller retired as Executive Director.

      • Michele Girault became Executive Director.

      • Hope successfully navigated the global COVID-19 pandemic.
    • 2021
      • Hope received a grant from Rasmuson Foundation to renovate 30 assisted living homes.
      • Hope received a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to repair the Willow Ranch barn's roof.
    • 2022
      • Hope was awarded the platinum award for the 'Best of Alaska' Assisted Living Business.
      • Hope Studios re-opened for the first time since COVID.
      • The Willow Ranch purchased a snow coach.
      • Hope's Travel DSP Program began.
      • Kodiak 'Emerald Island Recreation Center' celebrated its grand opening.
      • Hope partnered with David Jensen Photography to host a photography exhibit called 'SHINE' in honor of Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
      • Hope partnered with Colorado State University for Hope's Lesko Discovery Center Summer Camp.
      • Hope received a grant from the Alaska Mental Health Trust to advance architectural plans for Hope's third intentional neighborhood, Denali Village.
    • 2023
      • Hope's 55th anniversary.
      • Hope received the Governor's Arts and Humanities Award for Arts Business Leadership.
      • Hope received a grant from the Mat-Su Health Foundation to renovate one assisted living home and install stationary power generators at all Mat-Su homes.
    • 2024
      • Hope was honored as one of Alaska's Top 20 Community Impact Non-Profits.
      • Hope was recognized with the 'Best of Alaska' silver award as a leading Behavioral & Mental Health Service provider.
      • Executive Director Michele Girault celebrated 40 years with Hope.
      • Hope received a grant from Rasmuson Foundation to renovate approximately 10 homes in Anchorage, Mat-Su, Kenai, and Kodiak.
      • Hope received a grant from The Reitman Family Trust to renovate an assisted living home in Anchorage that was damaged by the 2018 earthquake.
      • The Willow Ranch received major renovations and was featured in a Midea video production called 'Project Homestead.'
      • Hope's Deaf Supports team launched the Early Involvement for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children project.
    • 2025
      • Hope hosted its 56th and final Walk & Roll for Hope.
      • Hope received a grant from the Alaska Community Foundation to implement a fruit tree orchard at the Willow Ranch.
      • Zack Gottsagen, the star of the film, The Peanut Butter Falcon, visited Hope.

 

 

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