VISIT OUR WEBSITE
VIEW UPCOMING EVENTS
SUPPORT OUR MISSION

Stories of Hope

June 2024 Newsletter

Celebrating Disability Pride and our

Community's Diversity

Dear Communications,


June is widely recognized as Pride Month, when we celebrate the LGBTQ+ community and honor our community's diverse but equally valuable histories and identities. And as Pride Month comes to an end, another important pride celebration begins in July – Disability Pride.


Disability Pride is profoundly meaningful. It marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which was passed by Congress 34 years ago in July of 1990. This landmark legislation has been greatly influential in breaking down barriers and ending discrimination against people with disabilities.


On a community level, Disability Pride serves as a platform for activism and advocacy for greater inclusion and accessibility in our society. This includes fighting for equal rights and opportunities, challenging discriminatory practices, and supporting policies that enable the full participation and empowerment of people with disabilities.


On a more personal level, Disability Pride is about honoring each and every person for their individuality and how they experience the world, for their hopes and dreams, and for their contributions to society.


People like Steven, for example. An exceptionally talented artist with Hope Studios, Steven excels in various mediums, including watercolor, colored pencils, wood burning, xylography, digital art, pixel art, and pyrography. He has his own business called MycoZephyr, and he has sold hundreds of pieces of artwork.


People like Jesse, who hopes to start his own cleaning business someday. His passions are cooking, cleaning, and ordering food from DoorDash. He recently turned 18 and for his birthday he went into an ice cream shop and ordered his ice cream without assistance. He is non-verbal and that was a huge milestone for him.


Then there's Josh, who volunteers his time to help elders in the community by stacking wood, raking leaves, and shoveling snow. And Darryl, who volunteers at the local food bank, sorting their donations, and at Central Peninsula Hospital, collecting items for recycling.


And Arne and Judy, both of whom have both been employed for many years in their community. Arne has worked as a sorter at a recycling business in Kenai for 25 years; and Judy, as a Greeter for Walmart, enjoys greeting and chatting with members in the community.


These unique individuals, along with every other person who experiences an intellectual or developmental disability, highlight the importance of taking pride in differing abilities and that, not only is that okay—it is beautiful. No ability is more or less valuable than another, and when we look at the world through that lens, disabilities become a natural and beautiful part of human diversity.

Join us at Disability Pride events

Community Engagement Summer Camp

July 8-12 and July 15-19


Sign your kids up for our Ceramics and/or Dance classes as a part of Hope's Summer Camp program. They'll enjoy a week of creating ceramic art with Turnagain Ceramics, getting their hands dirty, and developing new skills, plus they'll get to take home their unique creations. And they'll spend a week learning dances at Momentum Dance Collective, such as hip hop, line dancing, modern dance, and maybe even cha cha!

Sign your kids up

Anchorage Pridefest

Saturday, June 29


Hope Studios will have a booth at the Park Strip tomorrow from 11:00am-5:00pm. We will be showcasing a fantastic collection of original art done by our local artists.

View event flyer

Hope Studios First Friday

Friday, July 5


In recognition of Disability Pride Month, Ravens Ring Brewing Co. & Hope Studios invite you to join us July 5 for a First Friday event. Meet the artists of Hope Studios, shop the fun art pieces, purchase a glass of 'Pretty Gorgeous'—Hope's signature soda handcrafted by Ravens Ring—and enjoy a snack from the on-site food truck.

View event details

Get to know Corey

We’d like to introduce you to Corey, who as you can see has a smile that lights up every room! Corey has an artistic eye and enjoys making stickers and painting landscapes using the stick end of the brush. He is so talented and has his own painting sales business!


But Corey's gifts don't stop at art. He's a loving, friendly soul who always checks in with his friends, spreads joy and positivity wherever he goes, and has a great sense of humor. One of our Hope Studios staff describes him as a person “full of rainbows!” He is a team player, strong advocate for disabilities, and politically active, always working toward a better, more inclusive world for everyone.

Take Care of YOU: Men's Health


Ensuring good health is essential for living a fulfilling life, yet many men tend to avoid preventive healthcare measures such as regular doctor's appointments. Our two-part wellness bulletins on Men's Health share the importance of early detection through proactive healthcare, and the risks and preventive measures of some of the highest health risks men face.

View Wellness Bulletins

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 Professionals, all regions
  • Intensive Supports Associate, Anchorage
  • Resident Manager, all regions
  • Health Services Supervisor, Anchorage
  • Mental Health Clinician, Anchorage
  • Behavioral Health Technician, Anchorage
  • Travel Direct Support Professionals
Apply Here

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

Follow us on social media and stay up-to-date with all things Hope!

Facebook  Instagram  LinkedIn  YouTube