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The hard work that Hope Enterprises Inc. has done and the contributions they have made to our communities simply cannot be overstated.
Hope has spent seven decades serving an often neglected population of Lycoming County. They've done so as the public's understanding of that population's humanity has unfortunately often been distorted or polluted by ignorant stereotypes. They've done so as the role of the federal government and the state government has waxed and waned and shifted under now-outdated notions of the best way to help family members and neighbors with a diverse variety of abilities and special needs.
In the early years they offered classes for children and adults with diverse abilities. They assisted their families with securing medical services, companion services and guidance and then in identifying gaps in the families' needs. They established group homes, training and vocational services and workshops.
Hope Enterprises recognized through its decades of service that the needs of these families were greatly varied -- "there are all unique needs -- they're all different," Rob Labatch, CEO and president of Hope Enterprises Inc., says.
Labatch told the Sun-Gazette for Monday's edition that the successes Hope has seen stem in part from "always listening to what people's needs and their wants are, what they need out of a service."
The work Hope has done for 70 years in listening to people who too often are unheard is admirable. They deserve our appreciation and they deserve our support.
They've received support over the past 70 years, which they appreciate -- and have the character and humility to acknowledge.
"We've not tried to do this alone. I think it started as an initiative of being like 12 parents, like hey, I need this for my kids -- I need to do this. But, I think it was the partnerships and also the community embracing it … I've visited a lot of places across PA, and the communities tell you a lot, how they support and work together. But, I think the innovation and then the community partnerships are what has made us successful for 70 years."
We hope we all can continue to work with Hope Enterprises Inc., to demonstrate our appreciation and to find new ways we can support its vital mission and assist it in meeting an important need of many of our families.