”Our focus remains to provide safe venues for these individuals to learn, work and interact
within the community. As a result, our young adults have a purpose in their days and develop
confidence in themselves."

The Hope Gallery receives $2,500 check from D-Patrick Ford Lincoln 

(1100 E. Walnut St.

Evansville, Indiana)

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"We tried it out and Sally says it's the best thing she's ever done," says Atkins. "She looks forward to it each day."

Young woman builds confidence through dog daycare job and vet tech program

They say when you love your job, you never work a day in your life. When you love dogs, how can you be anything but happy doing your job?

“There’s a lot more people like Alex that want to be in the community and want to be giving back and contributing but the opportunities just aren’t there so we realized okay, we’re going to create opportunities,” she said.

Team members, as the foundation calls them, are also gaining vocational training and practice by creating products for the boutique, such as jewelry and mosaic artwork.

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“There is very little for these young adults once they age out of the school system. Most of them end up sitting at home, watching TV or playing video games. But they want to show they can do more than that.”

Helping Hounds, a group within this year’s Leadership Johnson County program, has offered its time and resources to make improvements to Happy Hounds’ facility. 

Foundation officials say this is the third location they have around Indiana, and they partner with 50 vendors to sell their work across the U.S. and Canada.

Alex Parker and his friend Alan are working on ornaments to give out to trick-or-treaters this year.

Mother creates job opportunities and safe environment for adults with developmental disabilities

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A new doggy daycare opens today on Indy's south side, but this location is providing more than a comfy stay for your pets during the day.​

"Some days, I'm running it alone," says Davis. "Sometimes it's quiet, but then other times it's like hey, I can do it. It helps me get more skills of learning how to run a business. And this is what it's all about."

"Hope is 'A Ray of Sunshine because she just shows everybody that despite all of the obstacles, all the hardships, all the suffering that's she's been through, all of the things she cannot do she's not going to let that hold her back,"

Using the tagline “Wonderfully Made/Perfectly Unique,” the foundation hopes to cosign art, pottery, glass, jewelry, home and bath products, pet items, specialty food items and clothing from individuals and  (read more)

It’s been great exposure for us, this is our first time doing the chocolate walk and it’s just been fun to have everyone come in and see what we’re doing here at the Hope Gallery.”

“I thought I would never find a job, and Lo and behold, God put you guys in my life,” worker, Alyssa says.

“We’re just looking for anyone who wants to support us in this endeavor in the community..."

“They have so much value, worth and ability. They just need the right environment and support.."

"Dogs don’t expect you to say the right thing all the time; they don’t expect you to act a certain way. They just want you to give them attention and love."

 "They just need the chance. They need the guidance. They want to work. They are so proud that they have jobs. They want to give back. They want to be relevant, and we're giving them that opportunity to be relevant."

"I want to work here a long time so I can help people out,” Liz  Layer said. The employees are learning everything from 

customer service to sales. Research has found that 35 percent of young adults with autism had no job plans of attending higher education.