Developmental Services | Specialized Care | Skill Building and Community Inclusion

Skill Building and Community Inclusion



Skill Building offers people with cognitive and physical disabilities the opportunity to develop and enhance their pre-vocational skills through facility-based, paid work opportunities and life skills activities.  Our strategic vision is to be the leading provider of high-quality supported employment services that are individualized, choice driven, and cost effective, that leads to greater independence through employment.


Skill Development Services promote growth and increased independence. Activities offered support a person-centered plan, established after careful assessment and consideration of the individuals needs, wishes and preferences. Skill Development Services are available in 7 locations across Michigan.

Supported Employment helps individuals transition to competitive employment.  Our specialized team makes connections between employers and job candidates, and provides assistance with seeking, finding, and maintaining that job.

Our Micro-Enterprise Program assists individuals who are interested in starting their own business.  We provides business development services through one-on-one business coaching and support to help each individual attain his or her highest potential.

At Hope Network, Make a Difference has created an organizational culture shift in our treatment philosophy. This concept allows for an in-depth exploration of individuals' needs and interests to create a unique community inclusion approach for each person. Make a Difference pairs individual staff and people we support for real-time personal interaction.

 

Feel free to Ask Jenny any questions you may have about our programs or services.

 

   


Free Tax Preparation Services Available at Hope Network Education Center
1/26/2012
Hope Network Workforce Development has partnered with Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) through Davenport University, to be a host site for free tax preparation services. This service is available to all Hope Network staff, consumers and the public.

Income tax assistance is available on Fridays, beginning February 3rd, from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Education Center in Grand Rapids.
 
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The Book of Cake Debut
12/22/2011

Hope Network hosted a special book signing of the new book, 'The Book of Cake' a collection of Cake stories from the past year which feature Hope Network consumers, employees and volunteers. 

Award winning writer Tom Rademacher, who writes the stories for Hope Network,  addressed the crowd of employees, Board Members and many of the people featured in the stories. 

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United Way Small Business Challenge
12/20/2011
Heart of West Michigan United Way invites you to take on the Small Business Challenge, created through a generous matching grant of $100,000 from the Steelcase Foundation. Any new United Way gift of $1,000 or more from a workplace of 100 or less employees will be matched up to a total of $100,000 by the end of March 2012.
 
Small businesses are the heart of most communities, yet during the 2010 United Way Campaign small businesses of 100 employees or less made up only 11.5% of total campaign dollars. This campaign year, United Way is hoping to change that with the Small Business Challenge.