LOCH SHELDRAKE – With 88 percent of disability service providers facing staffing shortages, the New Hope Community is tackling the crisis through long-term workforce investment by providing structured career pathways, mentorship, and wellness programs. The organization fosters lasting retention, evidenced by 29 employees who collectively represent more than 750 years of service.
Karen Russell is the CEO, and she says New Hope’s success is deeply rooted in their work ethic.
“We know th at employee engagement goes beyond just professional development. People need to be seen, and they need to be heard,” she said. “So people know if they’re having a bad day and they’re still coming to work because they know that their effort matters, there’s going to be somebody here who pays attention to them as well.”
House manager Lisa Weigand, a 26-year agency veteran, said she’s been there since she was 18 and that because of growth opportunities, the way the organization treats its employees, and the residents she serves, she’s not going anywhere.
“I call myself a lifer, because they know that I’m probably never going anywhere else. This is my wife, my daughter, and this. This is what I have,” she said passionately.
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