LOCH SHELDRAKE- With school back in session, New Hope Community is excited to announce the expansion of its partnerships with local school districts, colleges, and organizations. New Hope Community, a not-for-profit organization providing person-centered services and supports for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD), coordinated these collaborations to further demonstrate the importance of community engagement and partnerships as educational resources.
“New Hope Community is a pillar of the Sullivan County community and we feel privileged to serve as a resource and partner for so many local educational institutions,” said Debra McGinness, CEO of New Hope Community. “Building strong, collaborative relationships has long been a priority of ours and we look forward to further fostering an environment of inclusion and belonging for local students.”
New Hope Community welcomed Sullivan BOCES’s animal science program students on October 3, 2023, with New Hope Community serving as one of the program’s new field education sites. New Hope Community’s horse barn, the Stables at McCoy Meadow, is home to horses, guinea pigs, chickens and more. Students will participate in hands-on training at a working farm as they learn about agriculture and animal husbandry. The program will also create opportunities for BOCES students to interact with the staff and people supported by New Hope Community, helping foster an awareness and understanding specific to the I/DD community.
Sullivan BOCES is a longtime partner of New Hope Community. Students in construction classes recently built Adirondack chairs and arbors for the newly opened sensory garden. They have also worked at Hope Farm, with recent projects including the installation of a rainwater irrigation system, a lean-to and the creation of accessible garden features.
Through the Liberty Partnership Program, Hope Farm also hosts students from Liberty High School. The partnership allows eligible high school students to work on Hope Farm to grow and harvest crops. Students also bring fresh produce to SUNY Sullivan’s culinary program, where
they create healthy meals and prepare lunch with the culinary students. This partnership was created to improve attendance, develop college readiness and establish career goals.
New Hope Community is continuing its collaborative partnership with SUNY Sullivan’s nursing program, which allows students to complete clinical rounds on New Hope Community’s campus. The students gain first-hand experience in providing health care services for the people New Hope Community supports, equipping them with necessary knowledge and skills to holistically support patients with I/DD in their post-graduation careers. This program has been a priority for McGinness, who began her career as a registered nurse.
New Hope Community continues to seek additional opportunities for the individuals it serves, as well as for its neighbors within the Sullivan County community.
