Stories of Hope

October 2024 Newsletter

Our team celebrated Haunted Hope Campus, an annual Halloween event that invites trick-or-treaters to walk through our festively decorated buildings for a night of fun and treats. This year’s theme was Wicked.

Legislative Citation for John Riek

When it comes to serving the community, longtime Hope employee John Riek sets an unparalleled standard, and this month, Representative Genevieve Mina from House District 19 presented him with a legislative citation from the 33rd legislature. The citation recognizes John's commitment and support of his community, Sudanese refugees, and the people who choose Hope’s services.

A legislative citation is a special acknowledgment from the Alaska Legislature, celebrating those who have made a significant contribution to society. Receiving one is a formal recognition of a person’s exceptional achievements and impact on other people’s lives.

In John’s case, it honors his courageous work in an unimaginably challenging situation.

His story starts in his homeland of Sudan, where he witnessed the brutal effects of war firsthand. When armed conflict instigated between two military factions in Sudan in April 2023, the fighting quickly escalated near Khartoum, where John's family lived. John knew he had to help. Understanding the risks involved, he made a plan to help his family and fellow Sudanese. Supported by his faith and his church community, he secured the funds necessary to rent 14 trucks and organized a safe passage from North Sudan to South Sudan—no small feat in a country fraught with threats and danger.

But with John’s help, over the course of three risky months, more than 4,000 people were able to escape the conflict. He continued his journey to ensure that they had access to safer housing and refugee services in South Sudan and Ethiopia. Only after his family was secure did John return home to Anchorage, bringing with him a powerful story of resilience, courage, and unity.

John’s devotion to his family, his community, and his homeland is a beacon of hope for all of us and a poignant reminder that, even in the darkest times, the power of humanity and solidarity can bring light. To hear more about John’s journey and to listen to his perspective directly, watch KTUU’s coverage from last fall of John’s incredible efforts.

John has been with Hope since October 2015, working as a Direct Support Professional and, more recently, as a Resident Manager at one of Hope’s Assisted Living Homes in Anchorage. Every day, he provides support to adult men with disabilities, and he does so with kindness, humility, and a commitment to helping others see the best in themselves. We are grateful to have such a benevolent and courageous person on our team, a true hero who exemplifies Hope’s mission and values every day.

Daylight Saving: Fall Back

November 3

This Sunday, we "fall back" as Daylight Saving Time ends. Set your clocks back one hour before bed on Saturday night and enjoy that extra hour of rest!

Paint Nights with Hope Studios

November 6 - Pet Portraits

November 13 - Evening Sky

November 20 - Paint Like the Masters

Looking for a fun and creative way to spend your evenings? Come and explore your artistic side at our upcoming Paint Nights! No painting experience is necessary – our Hope Studios instructors will guide you step-by-step to create a masterpiece you’ll be proud to take home.

Food & Clothing Drive

This winter, we invite you to make a difference in the lives of families in our community. No one should go cold or hungry, and with your generosity, we can provide warmth and nourishment to those in need. We will be accepting non-perishable foods and gently used clothing donations to support families.

Food drop-off: November 4-19

Clothing drop-of: November 4-December 13

View more details

Handmade Holiday Craft Fair

Saturday, November 16

Join our Community Engagement Center team on Saturday, November 16 for a festive day of holiday shopping! Explore more than 30 vendors offering handmade gifts, including hand-painted items, hand-crafted jewelry, hand-dyed yarn, crocheted items, and so much more! Join us and get a head start on your holiday shopping with unique, one-of-a-kind treasures, crafted with care by the artists of Hope Studios and community members.

View event details

Happy Hope Anniversary to Leslie Davis! 🎉🎉🎉

Someone we all know and love recently celebrated 35 years with Hope – Leslie Davis!

Leslie serves as the Office Manager for our Wasilla, Kodiak, and Seward regions, and she is a cornerstone of Hope! Her kindness and dedication shine through in everything she does. She supports and guides our DSPs from the moment they join Hope and helps them excel out in the field. She also participates on several advisory teams and committees that contribute to agency improvements and lasting change. “It’s special to me to help others and hopefully be a blessing to those who cross my path,” she says.

Leslie says her 35 years at Hope have been fueled by her belief in the agency’s mission, particularly Hope's focus on “building bridges, not barriers.” Helping the most vulnerable is a passion she holds dear, and she admires Hope’s ability to think creatively about how to serve those in need. She also appreciates the opportunities Hope has given her to grow and develop and use her skills in ways that benefit the entire organization. Some of her most memorable and rewarding experiences include receiving Agency Awards, participating in the Key Campaign that pushed for autism insurance legislation, serving on the steering committee for Alaska’s Shared Vision, and her work in Hope’s Mental Health network.

Leslie makes a difference at Hope every day and in the lives of countless individuals in our community. Her voice of advocacy and compassion inspire us all, and we’re so grateful she’s shared her gifts and talents at Hope for 35 years!

Take Care of YOU: Cybersecurity

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, and it's the perfect time to focus on protecting our digital well-being. Please take a moment to read our October wellness bulletins on cybersecurity best practices and how to protect yourself from common scams.

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
Lead Direct Support Professionals, Anchorage
Resident Manager, Anchorage, Kenai & MatSu
Mental Health Clinician, Anchorage
Behavioral Health Technician, Anchorage
Community Support Supervisor, Anchorage & Kenai
Accounting Clerk, Anchorage

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? Please send them to our Communications Specialist, Karen Fritsche, at communications@hopealaska.org.