House of Possibilities Plans June 23 Gala

“I feel so blessed that HOPe is here for my son,” enthused Easton parent Jennifer Stecker. Her 16-year-old son has developmental disabilities and HOPe – the House of Possibilities, located on the campus of Stonehill College in Easton – provides top quality care and exceptional programming to children and adults with developmental challenges.

HOPe’s home-like setting offers critically needed support and a space where all can work towards achieving their highest potential. It is the only place of its kind in Massachusetts.

“We watched the house being built,” said Stecker, who lives eight minutes away. As soon as it was complete we checked it out. Our son Max has been going since it opened in 2009 and he loves it!”

One of the things Stecker likes about HOPe is that it has a variety of activities that children of different ages can “grow into.” Max first joined Adventure Club, which takes children, teens and young adults (ages 8-21) on a variety of outings. “He enjoyed all the different activities and the program was good for him, helping him learn how to socialize,” his mother noted.

When he was older he took part in Overnight Respite (ONR), HOPe’s hallmark program. Offered free of charge to families, ONR gives caregivers much needed respite while their children enjoy a Saturday overnight with their friends.

Max also likes Snack & Chat, a program that enables teens to strengthen their socialization skills and self-confidence while spending an afternoon cooking, and Saturday Night Live, a “teen hangout” that Max thinks is “pretty cool.”

Paula Kavolius, HOPe’s Founder and President, points out that HOPe has served some 1,000 children and 3,000 extended family members in 75 communities since its inception. In addition to weekend programs for children and teens, HOPe offers integrated programs of activities and therapies on weekdays for adults.

Kavolius emphasizes that HOPe’s programs are not self-sustaining and that the organization needs additional support to enable it to carry out its mission and continue to build its community of hope. She will be co-chairing Endless Possibilities, HOPe’s Annual Gala, to be held on Thursday, June 23, at 6:00 pm at Gillette Stadium. Hosted by Fox 25 Morning News anchor Gene Lavanchy, the Gala will include a cocktail reception, dinner, and silent and live auctions. Keynote speaker will be Dr. Ronan Tynan, world-renowned Irish tenor, physician, recording artist and paralympian.

Tickets are $150 per person; all proceeds will go towards HOPe’s programming to foster the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of each person who comes through its doors.

Jennifer Stecker, the Easton parent, encourages community members to contribute to HOPe. “It means a great deal to parents who need respite. At HOPe the kids are in good hands, they have a positive experience, they learn skills and have fun. And I am so lucky that HOPe is just around the corner!”

For more information on House of Possibilities, go to www.houseofpossibilities.org.

For Gala information, contact Karen Santo at 508-205-0555 or k.santo@houseofpossibilities.org.