A New Chapter of Hope
Why "New Hope" Matters
As I step into leadership at New Hope Community Life Ministry, I keep returning to our name. New Hope carries quiet strength. It speaks to healing after hardship, the courage to begin again, and the deep belief that change—real, lasting, personal, and collective—is possible.
In my first week here, I’ve had the privilege of beginning to see the full scope of our organization’s reach. From the Counseling Center to the Community Closet and travels around our local community, I’ve been welcomed by a vibrant and deeply committed team of staff, volunteers, board members, and neighbors—each offering something of themselves to this work.
Some bring professional expertise. Others bring lived experience. Many offer quiet compassion and a deep-rooted sense of calling. It’s the kind of steady, everyday faith that shows up in action: in listening, serving, encouraging, and creating spaces where people are seen and valued.
In many ways, these early days have reminded me of a fiddlehead emerging in spring—tightly coiled at first, reaching slowly but steadily toward the light. What begins in stillness and shadow carries the promise of unfurling. That image—of something unfolding with purpose and grace—feels fitting for the season we’re entering as an organization.
It reminds me that growth here has never been sudden or solitary. The story of New Hope is one that’s been patiently nurtured, shaped by the steady presence of those who believe in healing and walk alongside others with compassion.
This isn’t work that belongs to one person or one moment. It’s a story being written across seasons and through people—rooted in a shared love for our neighbors and a desire to embody the hope and healing we believe God wants for this world.
Listening to the Past. Dreaming about the Future.
Over this past week, I’ve been listening closely:
To the original vision.
To the quiet sacrifices and steady faithfulness that built this place.
To the stories of transformation—both subtle and life-changing.
I’ve also started to glimpse the hopes still waiting to be realized:
Broader access to care
Stronger bridges between programs and partners
Deeper belonging for those walking through uncertainty, grief, or pain
Expanded and improved store space
Transitions like this invite us to pause. To honor what has come before. And to ask, with open hearts, what is God inviting us into next?
To Our Community: A Shared Invitation
If you’ve already been part of this story—if you’ve served, prayed, led, shared your story, received care or given—thank you! Your investment has helped create a place where grace and growth are possible.
And if you’re just learning about New Hope—welcome! Whether you’re exploring support, seeking purpose, looking for ways to volunteer, or simply hoping for something more, there’s room for you here. We believe healing happens in community—and that every person is made with purpose, dignity, and the potential to thrive.
Wherever you find yourself today, here are a few questions to consider:
– What’s rising to the surface in me right now—as I pause and listen?
– What’s a small way I could reflect hope or kindness to someone else?
– What might it mean to be part of a story bigger than my own?
Sometimes it’s reaching out for help.
Sometimes it’s simply saying yes to the slow work of healing.
Sometimes the next step is volunteering or giving.
Whatever your next step may be, we’re grateful to walk with you.
Rooted in Faith. Growing in Hope. Moving Forward Together.
These are exciting days—not because we have every answer, but because we are rooted in faith and moving toward a future full of possibility. At New Hope, we believe that wholeness, compassion, and connection reflect God’s heart—and we’re committed to building that vision together.
I’m honored to be part of this unfolding story—and grateful for all who continue to shape it with faith, love, and courage.
Let’s keep walking forward—together.
By Sheila Derr | Executive Director