History

New Hope Services has a rich history of meeting the human services needs of people throughout Southern Indiana. With a record spanning 64 years, New Hope is one of the largest and most successful nonprofit organizations in the Louisville region and has been publicly recognized as a model in the delivery of developmental services.

Originally, New Hope focused solely on children with developmental disabilities in Clark County. Services have expanded, and today it focuses on three primary program areas: Ability Services, Family Services, and Housing & Community Development. Currently, New Hope serves more than 15,000 individuals and families in 23 counties in Southern Indiana.

Download the complete history of New Hope Services written by Carl E. Kramer

Milestones

1950s

• 1958 – Spring – A group of Clark County parents began meeting. In August the Council for Retarded Children of Clark County, Indiana, Inc. was incorporated.

1960s

• 1962 – October – First class of 14 students began at Ewing Lane Elementary School.
• 1966 – New Hope School opened in the fall on Hwy 62 between Jeffersonville and Charlestown.
• 1967 – Ewing Lane class moved to Parkview Jr. High School to accommodate growth. First full-time executive director hired, L. Dean Burkett.
• 1969 – Satellite classroom for preschool children opened at Grace Presbyterian Church in Clarksville.

1970s

• 1974 – New Hope Center moved into the former Indiana University Southeast library at 725 Wall Street.

1980s

• 1980 – The corporation name officially changed to New Hope Services, Inc.
• 1982 – A lot on Spring Street, next to New Hope Center, was acquired to expand the facility.
• 1984 – New Hope remodeled the Wall Street building and established a screen print business with workshop clients in job training. Another New Hope venture was manufacturing sports clocks for various colleges and high schools, including Indiana University.
• 1985 – Preschool classroom opened at First Christian Church in Scottsburg.
• 1988 – A new facility, Kids Place, was built and opened in October with capacity for 80 children.

1990s

• 1991 – A 15,000 square foot adult vocational training and workshop opened in Austin as Futures UnLTD.
• 1995 – New Hope became the Scott County provider for the WIC program.
• 1997 – As the result of an historic flood affecting Utica and Southern Indiana counties, New Hope created an affordable housing program, New Home, and built 30 homes by early 2000, and 45 homes by 2003.

2000s

• 2000 – New Hope was actively involved in the affordable housing tax credit program and broke ground for a 64-unit complex called Highland Glen in Scottsburg. Received approval for Quartermaster Court, a 32-unit project in Jeffersonville.
• 2002 – Seven houses were planned for Pleasant Ridge in Charlestown. Forest Glen, a 37-unit senior housing development in Elwood (Madison County) and River’s Edge, 39 apartment units in Clinton (Vermillion County) were approved.
• 2003 – Willow Trace, a 36-unit senior complex on Spring Street, was approved. The first-ever capital campaign was organized, which  raised over $1.3 million.
• 2006 – New To You, a thrift store/donation center opened on Hwy 131 (Lewis & Clark Parkway) to provide additional revenue for programs.
• 2007 – A former physicians office building was acquired at 1302 Wall Street to accommodate the Clark County WIC program and expansion of office space. The former Masonic Orphanage at Park Place and Utica Pike was purchased for future programming for special needs children.
• 2008 – New Hope celebrated its 50th Anniversary and achieved its first capital campaign goal, raising over $1.3 million. Also received a $500,000 loan from FHLBI for Park Place Children’s Home.
• 2009 – Park Place Children’s Home officially opened.

2010s

• 2010 – Healthy Families expanded to include Fayette, Union, and Rush counties. Aberdeen Woods senior housing and the 8th and Ohio Flood Relief projects were approved.
• 2011 – Hope SeniorCare and the Connections programs launched to meet the evolving needs of the people of Southern Indiana.
• 2012 – WIC added Jennings County and Jefferson County. Aberdeen Woods Phase II was approved. 
• 2013 – Healthy Families added Jackson County. Kids Place celebrated its 25th anniversary. Achieving HOPE campaign launched.
• 2014 – WIC added Bartholomew County; HopeCare Clinic opened. Aberdeen Woods Phase III was approved. 
• 2015 – Healthy Families added Floyd County. HopeCare Clinic opened a second location at Kids Place. M. Fine on Spring historic senior housing development approved; Aberdeen Woods Phase IV approved. Achieving HOPE campaign surpassed its $1 million goal.
• 2016 – Davis Zeller Place in Brazil (Clay County) approved for historic senior housing development. Highland Glen approved for expansion/renovation.  Aberdeen Woods Phase V approved. Renovation of M. Fine on Spring began. Healthy Families added six counties in southeast Indiana. New Hope Industries awarded ISO 9001-2015 certification.
• 2017 – Healthy Families added Bartholomew County and added a satellite office to serve the southeastern counties of Jennings, Ripley, Dearborn, Ohio, and Switzerland. Historic tax credit funding awarded to develop The Lofts @ Leeson’s in Elwood (Madison County) senior affordable housing. M. Fine on Spring opened.
• 2018 – New Hope celebrated its 60th anniversary. Highland Glen completed renovation/expansion. Davis Zeller Place opened. Aberdeen Woods Phase VI approved.
• 2019 – May – Funding for new construction approved for Aberdeen Woods VII and Highland Woods in Scottsburg. Funding for renovation of two properties approved: Highland Place in Scottsburg and River’s Edge in Clinton.   December – Olive Grove in New Albany (Floyd County) and Townhomes on Main in Rockville (Parke County) approved. New Hope approved as a provider of Vocational Rehabilitation services in Kentucky, now offering Employment Services in 7 counties. The Lofts @ Leeson’s opened. Family Services in Scottsburg moved from Kids Place to a new location, Gardner Place.

2020s

2020 – We continued to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and seniors that depend on us, whether virtually or with safe contact, despite the pandemic; and no employees were laid off. Our Campaign for HOPE raised $132,109 toward the $275,000 goal for facilities repairs/ improvements. Employment Services continued in 7 counties in Kentucky. Wish Book raised over $9,000 to help 4 families in need. New affordable housing developments were added at Aberdeen Woods, and Highland Woods; renovated River’s Edge and Highland Place.

2021 – We continued through the pandemic to meet the needs of the individuals, families, and seniors that depend on us. Our Campaign for HOPE surpassed the goal of $275,000. Affordable housing 95 units nearing completion in New Albany and Rockville. Wish Book raised $9,500 to help 4 families in need.