hopehousebemidji.org Page 6.

Hope House Community Support Program began in 1980 as a pilot project to help state hospital patients remain stable in the community. Staff formed Community Support Systems, Inc. (CSSI) in 1989 to provide consistent administration of services. CSSI has operated the Beltrami based program since 1990. Hope House has served over 1,000 individuals and their families. Hope House’ history is client-centered, and forward thinking. Clients have served on the Hope House board since 1995. A client-client mentor program started in 1998, eleven years before the State of MN recognized peer services. This evolved into a full-time peer specialist on staff. Hope House was the first agency in Beltrami County to offer ARMHS (Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services, 2002), and developed the first Lake of the Woods County Community Support Program. Hope House has collaborated on multi-year projects, including reducing stigma in the 2000s through community events. Hope House managed a five year (2011-2016) arts project involving the Region 2 Arts Council, Headwaters Science Center, Parks and Recreation, and St. Philip’s Church. This project produced two books, annual art shows at the library, and watercolor skills taught by clients to children. Hope House has collaborated since 2016 with the Occupational Development Center Individual Placement and Support program for client jobs, and with Community Resource Connections for a community-wide mental health resources list. Hope House and its staff have received numerous awards over the years, including the State of MN 2000 Community Support Program of the Year Award, 2001 Mental Health Association of Minnesota’s REACH of the Year Award, 2007 Northwest Minnesota Foundation Ruth Edevold Award for Excellence in Leadership, 2011 Mental Health Association of MN Gloria Segal Award for advocacy during the state shutdown, the 2020 Beltrami Electric Touchstone Community Award, the 2021 Women United Tribute Award, and the statewide 2021 MN Touchstone Award.

MISAWENDAMOOWIGAMIG BEMIJIGAMAAG HOME Endaang SERVICES Naadamaagewinan ACTIVITIES Izhichigewinan GET INVOLVED Dazhiikan HISTORY Gaa-pi-izhiwebak RESOURCES Ge-aabadakin CONTACT Ge-ganoonind (Ojibwe language in gold) TEAM FOCUS Zoongi- ganawaabandamang

HISTORY Gaa-pi-izhiwebak

GIVE MN DONATE

Crisis Line (24 Hours) 1-800-422-0045 Crisis Text Line TEXT MN to 741 741