Category: Newsletter

My daughter, Liza, is a resident at Hopewell for a second time. I want to tell you our family’s story. My husband, Richard, and I have two daughters. We have always been a close-knit family. We thought life was challenging when Richard lost his job in 2008 and in 2009 when he was diagnosed with cancer. No matter how we have been tested, we have remained strong. But in July 2010, we thought we were fighting for our lives. Liza, our beautiful, gifted oldest daughter, was facing court-ordered confinement in a state mental hospital/ criminally insane facility. Her crime? She is dealing with schizophrenia with paranoid delusions.

No one wants to think of traumatic brain injury, especially when it impacts a brilliant young man in his early 20s. In a heartbeat, a tragic automobile accident forever changed the life of Bill G.

After many years and treatment at other facilities, Bill came to Hopewell ten years ago. He is part of our Extended Stay Program. Last month he celebrated his 64th birthday. And he celebrated his third month as an employee at the Wal-Mart store in Middlefield.

Casey P. is excitedly planning to move from her home in Ohio to pursue her dream of becoming a professional actress. Acting is her passion, and anyone who spends even just a few minutes with her would be sure she will succeed. At age 26, Casey is vivacious, bubbly, bright and beautiful. She exudes a warm and open self-confidence that she believes has grown from her experiences as a resident at Hopewell…

I met Johnna early in the spring this year. On the surface, she appeared scared and shy. I met with her parents and instantly could see the love they had for their daughter. Johnna is part of a close-knit family, the sixth of nine children. She was home schooled by her mother, and the entire family is active in their church. My heart felt heavy as Johnna’s parents described how desperate they were to find help for her. They told me about Johnna’s years of dark depression and their confusion about how this could be possible for such an intelligent and talented young person. They asked,”Do you think Hopewell can really help her?” My answer was, “Of course.”

Entry in Erik’s personal journal, July 26, 2013: “I woke up with vague memories of hurting myself last night. I didn’t tell anyone. I have stayed in my room all day avoiding my parents. I don’t want them to know. I can’t tell anyone my bad thoughts. I have been very depressed for awhile now and have not been having real good thoughts about myself, not really liking myself very much I guess. I don’t take any medications anymore. I have lost contact with all my friends. I used to work sometimes, not anymore. I’m not doing much at all. After those thoughts above, I guess I hurt myself again, this time pretty bad. My parents found me and called an ambulance.”

Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects about one percent of the population worldwide. It can affect anyone at any time, but typically strikes in the early adult years. People with active schizophrenic symptoms often will interpret reality abnormally.

Each year during Hopewell’s Summer Solstice benefit, generous guests “raise their paddles” to support our mission to help people with serious mental illness find hope and healing. This year’s Fund-a-Need will support a new family home for recently graduated residents.

Joel Budzar, our guest speaker at last year’s Summer Solstice, is a proud graduate of the Hopewell program who is now an instrumental member of the team renovating the new family home.

This is a story about the natural power of animals to impact healing, and how a very special horse changed the life of a young woman in pain.

Adrienne came to Hopewell at age 19 with a diagnosis of depression. Her illness caused her to hear voices that told her she was worthless, that no one wanted her around them, and that it would be better if she would just die. Adrienne had been cutting her arms (superficially) for three years prior to coming to Hopewell.

My name is Joel Budzar. I was a resident at Hopewell for 10 months and it has been my honor to be a part of this year’s annual fund campaign.

I wanted to tell you a little bit about what the farm means to me and how Hopewell helps people recover from mental illness….

Local home to provide independent living
Hopewell recently purchased a home located on the Mesopotamia commons to use as supervised, independent living housing.

With this new transitional house, Hopewell will be able to offer residnts increased independence and vocational training. Residents will participate in Hopewell’s regular programming during the day and be involved in the broader community of Mesopotamia through work, volunteer porjects or continuing education.