Stories of Hope

April 2026 Newsletter

Greetings!

Hope is celebrating something very special this month! Three of our staff members have been recognized for their outstanding work supporting people who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities.

From ANCOR's national DSP of the Year honor to two awards at the Full Lives Conference, we are proud of our team and the meaningful impact these recognitions represent.

Tom Bandelow, Alaska DSP of the Year 2026

Tom Bandelow has been named Alaska's DSP of the Year by ANCOR, a leading national trade association for community-based disability service providers. Tom is part of ANCOR's largest-ever group of DSP of the Year honorees, chosen from a record-breaking 544 nominations from around the country.

For more than 28 years, Tom Bandelow has provided outstanding direct support to Alaskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, often remaining a steady presence in the lives of the same people for a decade and more. His commitment is especially evident in moments of transition and stress. Early in his career, Tom supported Alaska Native individuals as they moved from an institution into their own home. Recognizing that they had experienced trauma from being removed from their birth homes, he prioritized cultural sensitivity and trust-building. Tom brings that same attentiveness to his work today, using his calm presence and keen awareness to reduce anxiety, ensure safety, and help people feel comfortable.

Tom exemplifies the very best of direct support, and we are thrilled to see him receive this recognition! His dedication to teach, coach, and mentor, and the regard he has for people who experience disabilities makes a meaningful difference!

View ANCOR Recognizing Excellence 2026

Jacob Shaffer, Outstanding Professional of the Year award in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services

At this year's Full Lives Conference, two of our employees—Jacob Shaffer and Nathan Harris—were honored with the “Outstanding Professional of the Year” award in the categories of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Mental Health, respectively. This recognition celebrates people who demonstrate exceptional commitment, innovation, and person-centered support in the fields of developmental disabilities, behavioral health, and community services.

Jacob Shaffer has been with Hope for more than 20 years in our Kenai region. That kind of commitment says a lot on its own, but it’s how he’s shown up in those years that really stands out. Jacob builds relationships that are real. The people he supports know they can count on him. He listens. He notices the small things. He respects preferences, even when it takes extra time or creativity to honor them. He’s also someone who stays steady when things get tough. Challenging moments don’t seem to shake him—he leans in, stays calm, and works toward solutions without losing patience or perspective. Families trust him, teammates rely on him, and new staff learn from him.

Jacob's approach demonstrates that people deserve to live lives that feel full and self-directed. You see that in the way he celebrates progress, encourages independence, and helps people stay connected to their communities in ways that matter to them.

Nathan Harris, Outstanding Professional of the Year award in the field of Severe Mental Illness Services

Nathan Harris has been with Hope since 2022 as a member of our behavior support team and is a true embodiment of person-centered support. He shows us every day what it really means to meet someone where they are. He has a way of slowing things down, listening closely, and making sure the person in front of him feels seen—not just supported, but understood. That kind of presence matters, especially for people who have been told “no” too many times or who carry doubt from past experiences.

One of the most powerful examples of Nathan’s work is in employment support. He has helped people in getting jobs, keeping them, and starting to see themselves differently. Feeling capable. Feeling valued. Nathan also brings a thoughtful approach to his team. In situations where there are a lot of voices, a lot of opinions, and sometimes a lot of stress, he helps bring the focus back to the person at the center. He asks good questions, shares information carefully, and helps teams move forward without losing sight of what matters most. Behind the scenes, he’s also helping people navigate housing, benefits, and systems that can be overwhelming on a good day.

Please join us in congratulating Tom, Jacob, and Nathan on the much-deserved awards and recognition!

With joy,

Michele Girault

Executive Director

Upcoming Events & Announcements

Mental Health Awareness Month

May 2026

May is recognized as Mental Health Awareness Month! Mental health is such an important part of our overall health, but all too often it’s overlooked or difficult to talk about. For people who experience disabilities, mental health is often shaped by additional barriers, including access to care, social isolation, and structural barriers.

Mental health treatment needs to be not only compassionate, but also accessible and equitable. This requires advocating for services and systems that recognize the connection between physical, intellectual, and mental health—and ensuring that everyone has the resources and support they need and deserve.

We have the ability to accomplish that. Let's spend this month checking in with ourselves, reaching out to those around us, raising awareness and helping reduce the stigma, and recognizing that mental health support is something we all need throughout our lives.

Take care of yourself and one another!

Soldotna Sing-Along Brunch

May 9, 2026

Get ready for a fabulous first-ever Soldotna Sing-Along Brunch!

Join us on May 9, 11am-2pm, at the Duck Inn Cafe, Lounge, and Motel, just in time to treat your mom, yourself, and your mom friends for Mother’s Day!

This 21+ only event invites you to enjoy a morning filled with delicious food, specialty drinks like our delightful 'MOM'mosas, and an unforgettable singing experience! You’ll be belting out your favorite tunes from classics to pop, rock, and soulful diva anthems. We call it Mob Singing, and It’s a perfect way to celebrate the amazing moms in our lives! Create some incredible memories with your mom, along with 75 of your new best friends!

Tickets include two drink tokens. Food is available for purchase. Seating is first come, first served, so arrive early to grab your spot and settle in for a lively morning!

Bonus! You’ll also be supporting Hope in continuing to serve those in the Kenai community who experience disabilities.

Get your tickets to Soldotna Sing-Along Brunch

'Let the Music Play' Sing-Along Brunch 🎵

May 16, 2026

We're turning up the volume and bringing you an electrifying fusion of Broadway brilliance, rock-n-roll anthems, and diva vibes that will energize your soul!

Gather your fabulous crew (i.e. your backup singers!) at 907 Alehouse & Grill for an unforgettable experience that’ll have you singing and dancing like the ultimate rockstar you were born to be!

Hosted by the sensational Nicky T. with DJ Lefty spinning your favorite hits, sing-alongs, and showtunes that will unleash your inner star power! The excitement kicks off at 11:00am and rolls until 2:00pm, complete with great vibes and showtunes you know and love, with a few surprises throughout the event!

Tickets include a fantastic brunch buffet courtesy of 907 Alehouse & Grill. Doors open at 11:00am, and seating is first-come, first-served. You wanna show up like David Bowie, not Rick Astley, so grab your rockstar seat early!

If you’re ready for a Saturday belting out your favorite tunes, surrounded by great friends and good vibes—warm up those vocal cords and get your lyrics ready . . . because YOU are the star of this show!

Get your tickets to 'Let the Music Play' Sing-Along Brunch

Memorial Day

May 25, 2026

Hope’s main offices will be closed on Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day in honor of all who have served and sacrificed for our country. We will re-open at 8:00am on Tuesday, May 26. Enjoy the holiday weekend!

Community Engagement Summer Camp

June 8 - July 31, 2026

Give your kids a summer adventure to remember!

Our inclusive Summer Camp welcomes children, teens, and young adults ages 9–21, including campers with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.

From June 8 to July 31, campers will spend eight exciting weeks (Monday-Friday, 10am-4pm) enjoying field trips, group adventures, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences throughout the Anchorage community.

Community outings will include The Alaska Zoo, Anchorage Museum, Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, Williams Reindeer Farm, Flying Horse Equestrian Center, LLC, Anchorage Trolley Tours, The Anchorage Fire Department, The Musk Ox Farm, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Alaska Botanical Garden, Campbell Creek Science Center, Eagle River Nature Center, Hope's Willow Ranch, and more.

Campers will enjoy creative activities such as tie-dyeing, designing custom camp gear, creating ceramics to take home, building garden fairy houses, making sensory bottles, and designing costumes and animal masks. They will participate in scavenger hunts, kayaking and water sports, hiking and sightseeing, hands-on science experiments, track car races, puppet shows, and team-building challenges. Throughout the summer, they’ll also enjoy social events and celebrations such as barbecues, dance parties, bowling, talent shows, and an end-of-camp karaoke celebration.

Apply today! Financial aid may be available and will be awarded based on demonstrated need and the availability of funding. The deadline for all financial aid requests is May 27.

Improving Lives Conference

September 17-18, 2026

Registration for Improving Lives: The Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Conference is now open! Sign up for the Trust’s third convening at the Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center.

The conference brings together partners from across Alaska to share knowledge, explore innovative practices, and build partnerships in support of Trust beneficiaries. Attendees can expect engaging sessions, meaningful dialogue, and opportunities to connect around solutions that improve access, outcomes, and quality of life for Alaskans served by the mental health and disability care system.

2026 Conference Themes

Leveraging innovation and change: transforming beneficiary health in Alaska
Upstream and downstream: the important of prevention, intervention, and ongoing supports for wellbeing
Whole person care: behavioral health and disability services integration and coordination

The Trust is also looking for presenters to speak at this event. Presentations should be targeted to those who work with Trust-beneficiary serving organizations, providers, and agencies, as well as Trust beneficiaries and policy makers. The deadline to apply is May 28, 2026.

Learn more and register for Improving Lives Conference

Happy Hope Anniversary, John Waller!

Join us in celebrating John Waller’s 10-year anniversary with Hope!

John serves as our Revenue Cycle Director, in which he oversees and helps ensure our systems and processes support the people we serve in the most effective ways possible.

When asked what has kept him at Hope for 10 years, John shared that it’s the meaningful relationships with coworkers, the strong work/life balance, the opportunity to lead an amazing team, the consistent support from his supervisor, “and so much more.” What drives John most is knowing his work helps people access the support they need to live their best lives. With a background as a DSP and program supervisor, he said, “I know how important it is for our frontline workers to have strong support behind the scenes so they can focus on providing the best care possible for the individuals we serve.”

Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, along with their dog, Shadow. As a family, they enjoy playing games and swimming. John also volunteers with his church’s children’s ministry, is a volunteer youth basketball coach, and he plays wheelchair basketball as often as he can.

His supervisor, Tom, shared, “John has continued to amaze me with his exemplary customer service and heart to serve. John has always worked hard on behalf of internal and external stakeholders, making not only Hope but our community a better place. I am very grateful that he continues to share his immense talent with Hope, and I wish him all the best on his 10-year anniversary!"

Thank you, John, for 10 years of leadership and service to Hope and to the people and families we serve!

Nominate Hope for Best of Alaska

ADN’s 2026 Best of Alaska nominations are officially open, and we’d love your help getting Hope back on the list!

Nominations are open now through May 10 for your favorite Alaskan businesses. In past years, Hope has been honored as Best of Alaska Assisted Living Business (2022 and 2025), Behavioral & Mental Health Provider (2023), and for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (2025). These recognitions reflect the incredible work our team does every day—and we’d love to see them recognized again for their commitment to excellence!

Here's how to nominate Hope:

Visit www.adnbestofalaska.com
Navigate to the category and subcategory where you’d like to nominate Hope
Type “Hope Community Resources” and select the option associated with our 540 W International Airport Rd address
Enter your email address and complete any verification steps (zip code, etc.)
Click Nominate

Thank you for taking the time to support Hope!

Nominate Hope for Best of Alaska

April Recognized as Month of Hope in Anchorage

This month, the Anchorage Municipal Assembly formally recognized April as the Month of Hope and honored Hope Community Resources!

We see hope every day—in the people we support, the families we walk alongside, our staff, and our community. As our Executive Director, Michele Girault, shared in a recent letter in ADN, ". . . we see quiet acts of hope every day – families helping families, organizations stepping in where gaps exist and individuals refusing to give up on one another. These moments rarely make headlines, but they are the reason our community continues to stand."

We are grateful to the Assembly for this recognition and for raising up the power of hope in our community!

Read Michele Girault's letter to ADN

Career Opportunities at Hope

We are actively looking for passionate people to join our team. If you or someone you know would be interested in one of the following careers, please apply below or reach out to our Hiring team at 907-433-1730.

Direct Support Professional, Anchorage, Wasilla, Kodiak
On Demand Support Specialist, Kenai
Live-In Resident Manager, Anchorage
Summer Community Engagement Specialist, Anchorage
Community Engagement Facilitator, Anchorage
Behavioral Health Technician, Anchorage
Behavioral Support Professional, Anchorage
Hard of Hearing Navigator, Anchorage
Janitor/Custodian, Kenai
Maintenance Specialist I, Anchorage
Regional Administrative Assistant, Kenai

View open positions and apply

Do you have questions, comments or feedback on our newsletter? Do you have suggestions or stories you would like to see in future newsletters? Please send them to our Communications and Grants Manager, Karen Fritsche, at communications@hopealaska.org.

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