April & May Wrap-Up
Anniversaries
Join us in congratulating our staff member who celebrated their work anniversary in April!
Jennifer Bernth, Office Manager
7th Anniversary
Goodbye, Hello
In April, we sadly said goodbye to our front desk administrative assistant, Vivian Tum-Hernandez. It was bittersweet! While we were happy to see her pursue new opportunities, we were sad to see such an essential and sweet coworker go. Congratulations and good luck on all new endeavors Vivian! 💙
We were lucky to welcome our new team member, Trey Staples as our new front desk administrative assistant! Trey moved to Nebraska from New York in 2021. Before joining Hope Harbor, Trey served in many administrative roles from colleges to insurance agencies. He is currently enrolled at Southern New Hampshire University’s Masters in Business Administration: Human Resources Management program. Trey and his girlfriend are expecting a baby girl in August of 2022 and are excited to start their family together. Trey enjoys providing service in the community and has volunteered back home through Habitat for Humanity and the Buffalo City Mission.
Welcome Trey!
Join our Team
We’re hiring! We are in need of team members to join our direct care staff that work in the shelter with our residents or join our case managers who work in the Service Center and also work directly with our residents.
For more information and to apply, click here.
Happy Administrator’s Day
We’d like to thank our administrative team, Trey and Jen for doing all that they do! Hope Harbor runs so smoothly because of you two!
Resident Highlight
In May, we had a former Emergency Shelter resident visit our Service Center. Yanet shared her brave story with us below.
My name is Yanet. I used to stay at the Emergency Shelter from 2019 to 2021, at least 15 times. I always needed Hope Harbor. I struggled with addiction to meth to the point I literally lost my mind. I was always in such bad conditions, there were times I didn’t even know my name or recognize myself. I had no idea where to go, but someone came up to me one day and told me about Hope Harbor. She brought me here and you all helped clean myself up, gave me food, and gave me a place to stay. I always ended up here because it was the only place I felt safe and sound. I trusted you guys because you are good people. After Hope Harbor, I hit rock bottom and spent nine months in jail. I found God and I’m now drug free. I want to let everyone know that all the people that have been through this can come out on top. They have the right to change because they can. You just have to try and know you’re worthy. I’m at a new beginning in my life and I’m not the person I was before. I have the strength to move forward and I’m happier. I almost lost my life, but it’s never too late to start over. I’m so thankful to Hope Harbor for having helped me when I needed it. The hospitality during my crisis was essential. I’m back now for help gathering some documents so I can go ahead and get a job. I know you guys can help me once again. I have and will always recommend Hope Harbor.
We are so happy to see Yanet in the new chapter of her life! We are so proud and glad we were part of your journey to a self-sufficient life. 💙
Peachis, our Service Coordinator, and Yanet.
GO Big Give
Each year we dedicate our fundraising efforts to a couple events. In January, we host Serving Up Hope, a gala dinner and auction. In April, we host Hunting for Hope, a unique scavenger hunt across Grand Island. Go Big Give is the only other fundraiser that we don’t host, but participate in to raise money towards our operating expenses and programs.
This year, our Go Big Give goal was $12,000. These funds would benefit our Emergency Shelter Program, Transitional Shelter Program, and our Community Assistance Program. These programs provide safe and immediate shelter, case management programming with plans of success towards self-sufficiency, basic essential needs such as food boxes, and so much more.
Go Big Give is our chance to make things fun with our classic memes, but this year we added challenges! With the continuous support of our loyal donors and generous new donors we surpassed our goal!
Enjoy our memes and videos of our challenges below! What do you think we will do next year?
$2,000 Goal - The Sour & Spicy Challenge
$4,000 Goal - The Pie in the Face Challenge
$6,000 - The Blind Taste Test Challenge
$8,000 - The Sprite Challenge
$10,000 - The Karaoke Challenge
$12,000 - The Penguin Challenge
What’s Up Next?
Can Care-A-Van is an annual food drive that takes place in various communities across Nebraska. The Grand Island Can Care-A-Van will be collecting canned food and other non-perishable food pantry items. The food drive donations will be donated to the Blessed Sacrament Food Pantry, Camille’s Cupboard (St. Mary’s Cathedral Food Pantry), Hope Harbor’s Shelter and Service Center Food Pantries, and the Salvation Army. Monetary donations are also welcome.
DONATIONS NEEDED
Canned Veggies
Other Canned Goods
Spaghetti Sauce
Pastas
Tuna & Chicken Helpers
Paper Towels
Toilet Paper
Peanut Butter
Sugar
Coffee
Cereal
Soups
Canned Meats
Canned Fruits
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We need volunteers for the Can Care-A-Van food drive!
Volunteer Role:
Unload canned good items.
Distribute items among four pantries.
Load items onto personal or HH vehicles.
Deliver and unload items at Hope Harbor.
Be able to carry boxes that may weigh 10 to 25lbs or more.
Available to show up within 15 minutes to volunteer for a couple hours to unload the truck (we aren’t aware what time the truck will arrive.)
Fill out the volunteer form below to sign up!
Email Jennifer at jfigueroa@hopeharborgi.org for any questions.
Thank you!
