Hopewell Needs Volunteers to Work at Its Therapeutic Farm Community
November 10, 2015
The Hopewell Volunteer Program may be one of the most rewarding experiences of one’s life. Volunteers get to live in-residence at the Hopewell therapeutic farm and work alongside the residential clients and staff. Hopewell is located on 300 acres in tranquil Mesopotamia, OH, in the heart of Amish country. At Hopewell, adults suffering from mental disorders such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder and major depression receive special treatment and care in a therapeutic community.
The Hopewell team nurtures and challenges its residents as they work together in the farm community. Hopewell's program is developed and supervised by licensed mental health providers with many years of experience in a variety of settings. Clinicians are active in resident and family counseling, case coordination, psychiatric and medication management and discharge transitions.
Hopewell is licensed and accredited by the Commission of Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) and licensed and certified by the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (ODMHAS).
“This is a great opportunity for recent college graduates who are interested in learning more about mental health,” says Hopewell Executive Director and CEO Rick Karges, LISW-S, ACSW. “We also have had many retired couples and church mission team members come and volunteer at the farm. It’s a great chance to help and serve those in need.”
Hopewell works with volunteers to find the best use of their abilities to benefit the residents and the organization. Volunteers are expected to work 35 hours a week and must be able to commit at least six months of service. “From gardening to animal care to housekeeping, vocational opportunities at Hopewell help residents find strengths they didn’t know they had, experience new roles, learn new skills, gain job readiness and build self-esteem. Our volunteers can help in this process,” says Karges.
During their stay, the Hopewell Volunteer House provides comfortable lodging. Volunteers are provided a private room and all their meals. They also receive vacation time and a stipend for their efforts. But the greatest benefit is learning more about the challenges faced every day by individuals with mental health issues.
“Not only is this a great learning opportunity, volunteers get to actually help people and watch them heal. Hopewell is a very special environment for those struggling with mental health challenges. Our volunteers are very dear to us,” says Karges.
For more information about the Hopewell Volunteer Program, or to request a volunteer application form, please contact Colleen Welder, Hopewell Director of Program Services at 440.426.2000.
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