Norwood Family Creates HOPe

For four generations, the extended Kavolius family has called Norwood their home. Paula and Mark Kavolius later moved to Walpole where they raised their family, but always returned to Norwood when they needed support.

The couple had a developmentally disabled son and, when they sought programming for him, they couldn’t find any. So armed with passion and determination, Paula Kavolius corralled friends and acquaintances, raised funds, and created House of Possibilities (HOPe), a home-like setting on the grounds of Stonehill College in Easton. Since 2009, HOPe has been providing top quality care and exceptional programming to children and adults with developmental challenges.

One of her early supporters was Patty Starr of Norwood, who helped fundraise to make HOPe a reality. “When the house was being built, it was very exciting,” she stated. “It is extremely hard for parents dealing with children with disabilities. Often the children are medically or emotionally fragile, and parents need a break from caregiving or they will burn out. The best service provided by HOPe is overnight respite.”

Overnight Respite (ONR) is HOPe’s hallmark program. It gives caregivers much needed respite while their children and young adults (ages 8-21) enjoy a Saturday overnight with their friends. ONR is free of charge to families.

When Starr’s son turned 22, he became the first client in HOPe’s day program. HOPe offers integrated programs of activities and therapies on weekdays for adults and a variety of social programs on the weekends for children. HOPe programs bring clients into the larger community for skill building, integration and recreational opportunities.

“My son honed and practiced his life skills at HOPe,” Starr said, “and benefitted from opportunities to go into the community. Now he lives independently in Norwood.”

More than 1,000 children and 3,000 extended family members in 75 towns have been served by HOPe, which 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.

Paula Kavolius, now HOPe’s President, emphasizes that these programs are not self-sustaining and that HOPe needs additional support to enable it to carry out its mission and continue to build its community of hope.

Paula 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; proceeds will go towards HOPe’s programming to foster the physical, emotional and social wellbeing of each person who comes through its doors.

Patty Starr encourages Norwood residents to attend the Gala and/or donate to HOPe, saying, “HOPe helps children to be successful individuals who can give back to the community, and that can make a difference for all of us.”

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.