As April comes to a close, I am reminded how quickly this year is moving along. We are grateful to share that 2026 has already been a very encouraging and fruitful year for New Hope. Because of your faithful support, we have seen meaningful progress in many areas of our ministry. I wanted to share just a few highlights with you.
One important milestone this year has been the completion and publication of both our new Board Handbook and Employee Handbook. We are especially grateful for the dedication and expertise of Janet Fulmer, our Human Resources expert and board member, and Tim Hodge, Attorney and board member. Their hard work and attention to detail have been a tremendous blessing.
Our 25-week Bridge to Hope program has also undergone a few refinements, and we believe the curriculum is making a dramatic impact in the lives of the men and women we serve. We are so thankful for Natashia Nave and Dartha Lewis, who continue pouring into the women, and for Tony Nave, who joins me in investing in the men.
This spring, we also held our first annual Men’s Retreat at CrossWinds in Hesston, and it was a great success. Nine men attended, including one former participant who returned to be part of the retreat. He also continues to attend Monday night Bible study and, in his own words, wants “to finish what I started.” Stories like these remind us of the transforming work God is doing. Once participants complete the Bridge to Hope program, we plan to honor their perseverance and God’s faithfulness with a graduation ceremony.
We are also preparing to launch a new short-term program: a 90-day initiative designed to help residents build employment interview skills, learn sound financial principles, and re-establish family relationships. We will also assist participants in gathering important personal documents that may have been lost or stolen. This new program will be called STEPS (Strategy To Economic and Personal Stability). I will be personally overseeing STEPS, which will complement our long-term faith-based Bridge to Hope program by strengthening practical life skills that residents will carry with them after they leave New Hope.
In addition, I have had the privilege of visiting several churches, bringing greetings and expressing our thanks for their support. I have also been given opportunities to preach in a number of area churches, which has been a blessing and an encouragement.
We have also been strengthening community connections. Through our involvement with the Hesston Chamber of Commerce, We met with Hesston College administration. Janet Fulmer graciously hosted a visit to Bethel College, where we met with the Chair of the Campus Biblical and Spiritual Life Department to discuss the possibility of speaking in chapel next semester and providing interns from his department next semester..
Another exciting development is the completion of our landscaping project, which is part of the original building plan. Work is scheduled to begin on June 1. The grassy areas between the front of our building and the parking lot will be enhanced with new sod, a perimeter bed of plants, river rock, and irrigation.
Looking ahead, we are in the final phases of establishing the New Hope Endowment Fund with Everence. This fund will provide an opportunity for those who wish to leave a lasting legacy and help ensure the long-term financial stability of the shelter. We look forward to sharing more details very soon.
And please be sure to save the date: September 22, 2026. We will be hosting a celebration dinner called Blueprint for the Future at the Meridian Event Center, here in Newton, KS. More details will be coming soon, and we hope you will join us.
Special Thanks to Golden Plains Credit Union for their very generous donation as our initial Blueprint for the Future sponsor.
One last thing, We invite you to take a look at our online auction featuring the Wichita Wind Surge Luxury Suite Experience. Every bid helps support our Blueprint for the Future Banquet, making a meaningful difference in the work we do. The auction ends on May 14th, so be sure to get your bid in before time runs out. Follow the link below to bid on this exclusive experience.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/wichita-wind-surge-luxury-suite-experience
Thank you so much for your support over the years. New Hope is in a strong position and poised to serve our community for many years to come. Our staff is exceptional, our facility is among the best in the Midwest, and our donors are incredibly faithful. We treasure your partnership and look forward to continuing this work together, united in purpose to follow Jesus and love those He loved.
With gratitude,
Jay Lewis