Westwood Families Benefit from HOPe

“HOPe is the best place ever!” enthused Westwood parent Jean Barrett. “It is unbelievable that such a place is available to my family.” HOPe is the House of Possibilities in Easton, where Barrett’s daughter Elizabeth, who has developmental disabilities, has been going since it opened in 2009.

Conceived and brought to reality byWestwood native and Founder and CEO Paula Kavolius, HOPe provides top quality care and exceptional programming to children and adults with developmental challenges. The home-like setting on the grounds of the Stonehill College Campus 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.

“When I met Paula, HOPe was just an idea,” Barrett explained, “and thought the theory would be better than the actual practice. However, soon after the house opened I realized that Paula had exceeded my expectations. Everything she was doing was filling a void. HOPe offered a place to go, fun activities, and a community for its clients.”

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

“The first time Elizabeth went to Overnight Respite, I was overcome with emotion,” said her mother. “The program was giving my daughter a chance to go on a sleepover like her older siblings did. She made pizza, watched a movie, had her nails done, stayed up late ­– and was cared for by people who had her best interests at heart. The benefits were immeasurable, invaluable and life changing.”

Barrett thought her daughter would outgrow the program but now, as a teenager, Elizabeth has met friends whom she arranges to meet at ONR and also socializes with the Stonehill College students who assist.

“HOPe has made a huge difference in our lives,” she exclaimed.

The Barrett family is one of many in Massachusetts who have been positively affected by HOPe. Since 2009, HOPe has served over 1000 children and supported some 3,000 family members. In addition to respite care, HOPe offers daily integrated programs of activities and therapies on weekdays for adults and a variety of social programs on the weekends for children. HOPe programs also bring clients into the larger community for skill building, integration and recreational opportunities.

Founder Paula Kavolius emphasizes that these programs are not self-sustaining and that HOPe needs 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. 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.

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

For Gala information, contact Karen Santo at 508-2-5-0555 or k.santo@houseofpossibilities.org.