Hannah’s Hope is a Northwest Indiana non-profit that provides developmental equipment to kids with special needs. The non-profit charity started in honor of Hannah Martinez. She was born with severe brain damage caused by a possible prenatal stroke. Hannah faced delays in development and faced many challenges. On July 30, 2012, Hannah passed away, but Hannah’s Hope will continue to carry on her legacy.
Hannah’s Hope strives to connect families by making life and communities more accessible. Their vision is to help kids with special needs reach their full potential. The organization serves children from infancy to age 18 living in Northwest Indiana.
Lynn Garrison and her family have benefitted from Hannah’s Hope. Their generous organization has helped through their equipment assistance program.
“When our daughter [Kyla] was really little, her doctor referred us to them. The equipment assistance program grants up to $500 in equipment for each family. They help with things that aren’t covered by insurance, so it’s definitely helped us,” Garrison said.
Garrison and numerous families throughout Northwest Indiana have personally benefitted from Hannah’s Hope.
“We were trying to get Kyla’s first piece of equipment, and they are not covered by insurance,” Garrison said. “The out-of-pocket expenses were getting very expensive, and our therapist recommended us to Hannah’s Hope. We were able to get her first two pieces of equipment for vision therapy and occupational therapy and even just sitting up and interacting with her cousins and us. It was huge for us to get those because it’s so expensive.”
Hannah’s Hope holds events and fundraisers to help fund the equipment assistance program as well as the park that opened last year.
“The park was built for every child to play. Hannah’s Hope Park has things for children with or without special needs, equipment that we haven’t seen anywhere else before,” said Garrison. “They have wheelchair swings and sensory stations and all sorts of equipment with all sorts of levels.”
Hannah’s Hope Park is located at Founders Square in Portage. The establishment of this park is only one of the incredible ways the organization reaches out as a support system and lets families know they are not alone.
“They are just so kind, and they do so much for us,” Garrison said. “Last year, we got something from them that will help us travel with Kyla. She is not mobile, but she scoots around using her legs, so we were never able to put her in a regular hotel bed. I was able to find a travel bed for her. Insurance would never pay for it because it’s not a medical necessity, and we were able to get that through Hannah’s Hope. We took our first family vacation last year to Michigan, and then we were able to go to Tennessee with family. That bed was the only reason we could go, so that was amazing to be able to get that.”
While Hannah’s Hope already helps many families in the Region, they are continuously looking to make even greater impact and extend their reach.
“It’s hard to find help, and when we started our Facebook group, I was so excited because we were able to reach out to [more] people,” Garrison said. “The groups they have for help, support, and advice has been really great. That community outreach can do a lot.”
The support groups help to reach out for events and other supportive measures. This year, Hannah’s Hope is hosting many events for awareness; Hannah’s Family Picnic on June 24th, the 9th Annual Charity Golf Outing on July 14th, the DREAMS Gala on October 13th, and the Craft and Vendor Fair on November 10th.
“Hannah’s Hope is so different,” Garrison said. “From help when you’re feeling alone to equipment assistance, they help so many people and it is extremely appreciated. They understand, it’s local, and they provide amazing help.”
For more information on the organization and how your family can benefit from these incredible services, visit hannahshope.org