WILTON – Town officials and Franklin County Chamber of Commerce representatives welcomed the Hope Association’s employees at their new offices with a ribbon cutting on Wednesday morning.
The agency, which supports people with developmental disabilities and those with mental health and traumatic brain injury, officially opened its new offices in the Bass-Wilson Building, at 284 Main Street, Suite 120. Hope Assoication’s offices are located next to Androscoggin Home Care, Care & Comfort, MAS Home Care of Maine, and Community Concepts.
Since 1956 and based in Rumford, Hope Association has provided “whole life” support for individuals with intellectual disabilities living in Androscoggin, Franklin and Oxford counties. The agency partners with families, businesses and organizations to provide coordinated support services.
The new offices in Wilton will provide a centralized location for case managers and coordinators who are currently working with 32 individuals in Franklin County, said Donna Landry, the program’s director.
Hope Association began working in Franklin County three years ago and serves individuals in the towns of Avon, Chesterville, Farmington, Jay, Kingfield, Madrid, Phillips, Salem, Stratton, Strong, Temple, Wilton and other areas of Franklin County.
Hope Association’s executive director, Catherine Bradbury Johnson, a Mt. Blue High School graduate who’s worked for the agency for 22 years, thanked her board of directors, Josh Michaud of Expenet in Wilton for installing and getting the IT equipment up and running, and the building’s owner, the Cousineau family, “for all the work they have done to this beautiful building,” that allowed the agency to open offices here.
Case managers, who assist individuals to obtain services such as work and community support, residential services, assistance in technology and other support, can now work out of the Wilton location. Also working at the location are community case managers who help develop self-advocacy skills that include establishing and maintaining relationships with family and the community. They also coordinate and monitor the clients’ plans and advocate for services as needed. In addition, employment services will be offered to help find and keep jobs for those eligible.
“Very excited to be in Wilton,” Johnson said.
More about the Hope Association can be found here.
Welcome to Wilton! You are such a great organization! I have had the pleasure of working with you in the Rumford/Mexico area for years!
So Glad to see this open for those who need this in their lives…………
Congratulations to another business coming into town.. we really need more employment and this is a wonderful organization.. Best wishes to you.. Hope Assocation..
Welcome! Thank you for the good work you do.