August Newsletter

Kelley Peterson Elected Board President

HopeSpoke is pleased to announce that Kelley Peterson has been elected board president for a one-year term. Kelley is Vice President: Non-Profit Creative Director at KidGlov and started working with HopeSpoke with our strategic plan prior to becoming a board member.  Executive Committee members include: Regan Anson, Nebraska Impact Foundation, President-Elect; Nicki Behmer, RE/MAX Concepts & Lobbyist, Secretary; and Russ Ripa, Union Bank & Trust, Treasurer. Welcome to new board members: Dave Graff, Fiserv, Bess Sullivan Scott, Doane University; and Julie Smith, Community Volunteer. We are excited to have you as part of HopeSpoke’s Leadership. Board of Directors Listing for 2020-2021 Available Here.

HopeSpoke Awarded $10,000 Grant

HopeSpoke is grateful to the Cooper Foundation for receiving a $10,000 Grant through the new Rapid Response Grants. This grant will provide general operating support of HopeSpoke’s mission of Inspiring Healthy Futures for Children and Families through Comprehensive Behavioral and Mental Health Services.  PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE AWARDS.

Staff, board members, and volunteers are in the process of putting together 700 COVID-19 Response Kits to be distributed to our families between now and December 30th. These kits have large and small hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, bar soap, masks, gloves, and an oral digital thermometer in a reusable HopeSpoke canvas bag. The funding also includes for 700 Safe at Home Kits with board games and card games to encourage quality family time. Information about hygiene kits is shared below. Emergency Financial Assistance is available to help HopeSpoke families who have been affected by COVID-19 with past due rent, utilities, and/or medical bills. Vouchers for food and gas are also available as needed.

Pictured above left-right: Amy Mick, staff member, and Julie Smith, board member, package masks for the COVID-19 Kits. This project is supported by funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) from the U.S. Department of Treasury and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services CFDA Number 21.019.

Will You Help with Hygiene Kits?

Also through the CARES ACT Response and Recovery Grant HopeSpoke is putting together 300 or more Hygiene Kits for our clients. During September we will be collecting additional items and will put the kits together in October for distribution. We are in need of the following:  Body wash and loofahs; deoderant; combs and brushes; hand lotion; toothbrush, toothpaste, and dental floss; chapstick; shampoo and conditioner; wash cloths and small hand towels; nail clippers and emery boards; hand wipes. We are also in need of tampons; and nail polish, hair ties, and lip gloss to brighten up female hygiene bags. Hygiene items can be sample or regular size. If you aren’t able to donate items, but would like to help, we are also collecting monetary donations that will be used to purchase iitems for the kits. PLEASE CLICK HERE TO GIVE YOUR GIFT!  This is a great project for your service club or friends. Contact jcardwell@hopespoke.org with questions. Thank you.