History of Project H.O.P.E.
 
The Project H.O.P.E. team would like to welcome all participants to our unique and ground-breaking program. For those of you who are not familiar with the history of our program, we would like to briefly share with you how we came to be, and what we hope to accomplish.

Leanne Hilton, a parent of an autistic child had, along with her husband and family, been looking at programs that would "fit" their child.

In doing so, they found a few programs that would be beneficial. However to access these programs, their family would have to move to a different province. Excited about the program, Leanne shared her thoughts and hopes with Sheila Konschuh, another parent who has a child with special needs, and Associate Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Kandace Jordan. Together they teamed with several therapists in CREATING and PROMOTING a pilot project they called Project H.O.P.E. (Holistic Opportunities Provided in Education). Sheila and Leanne then had the arduous task of seeking the necessary funding to launch the program for the September 1994 start-up date. With only two months of "pounding the pavement", they were able to ensure the programs' financial ability to employ the therapists needed to provide a successful first year.
  

In June 1994, the program was registered as a non-profit organization, and a formal board was set up. Now, eleven years later in 2005, the program is enjoying continued success and expansion throughout the Golden Hills School Division. Project H.O.P.E. is organized at the school level by a coordination team. That team is advised by a committee consisting of Fundraising, School System, Parent, School Administration and Student Services representation.

The mandate of Project H.O.P.E. is to provide students diagnosed as having severe communication, cognitive, self-help, social-emotional and/or behavioral needs with opportunities for direct therapeutic group intervention within their own communities to enhance their daily learning and living.

This program brings the expertise of music therapists, physical education therapists and art therapists together within the school environment to promote the students' development of communication and lifeskills.

Some proposals have been accepted by government agencies which have provided the program with financial support. As well, the people, businesses and service clubs of The County of Wheatland continue to contribute to the project.

However, we still need to fundraise, so if you have any contacts with a company/corporation or have fundraising experience, we would appreciate your assistance or volunteer time.

Please keep in mind, that Project H.O.P.E. is a team effort, and your input is appreciated. If you would like more information, please contact the Project H.O.P.E. coordinator through the Golden Hills School Division Office
at (403) 934-5121