The HOPEful Connection

What does it mean to be the “front door” of Restoring Hope? For more than 10 years, Angela Bullard has been part of the Restoring Hope team, and today she serves as our receptionist — often becoming the first voice someone hears when they call and the first person they meet when they walk through our Business Office doors. In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, co-host Whitley Lemon sits down...

Welcome back to The HOPEful Connection , a podcast connecting you to the disability community! In this episode, co-host Whitley Lemon is joined by April Chambers (owner of April Dawn’s Life Care Services), a dedicated caregiver who has been with Restoring Hope for over five years. April’s caregiving journey spans nearly two decades, from nannying children on the autism spectrum in California and s...

In this inspiring episode of The HOPEful Connection , Whitley sits down with attorney, author, songwriter, and non-profit founder Kimberly Lowe for a powerful conversation about surrendering control and living every area of life for God’s glory. Kimberly shares her unique life story - from growing up in a teepee and coming to faith as a young girl, to navigating law school, discovering true grace...

What happens when a client finds the perfect environment to thrive? In this episode, host Whitely Lemon connects with Restoring Hope, LLC Program Manager Darcie Silvers to discuss a beautiful turnaround story in the Joplin region. Darcie also shares a massive personal update: she is officially starting her journey to become a licensed foster parent this August. We talk candidly about the foster ca...

In this episode of The Hopeful Connection , host Daniel Coffey sits down with Staci Owen to discuss a major, exciting evolution happening at Restoring Hope. While Restoring Hope currently provides support to children in the foster care system through the Department of Mental Health (DMH) contract, strict criteria often mean many youth in need fall through the cracks. Staci shares the vision behind...

Welcome back to The HOPEful Connection ! In this episode, host Staci Owen is joined by Restoring Hope's own Whitley Lemon to announce that registration for our annual r3 Conference is officially live. Taking place September 11th and 12th, 2026 at Camp Barnabas in Purdy, Missouri, this year's event is evolving into an optional, fully inclusive two-day experience. Best of all? It remains completely...

Can a custom t-shirt serve as a stepping stone to a dream career? This week on The HOPEful Connection , host Danielle Coffey catches up with Katelyn Hellmer to discuss InclusiviTee , a brand-new custom apparel business operating out of Nixa, Missouri. Discover how individuals supported by Restoring Hope are taking full ownership of every step of the business—learning graphic design, mastering comm...

When decisions are made at the state level, it is vital that the people most affected have a seat at the table. In this episode of The HOPEful Connection , Danielle Coffey is joined by Emma Odell (Buffalo Excel Program Coordinator) and Kayla Shoop (Warsaw Excel Coordinator) to discuss their experiences taking clients to the Missouri State Capitol. The team shares behind-the-scenes insights into Di...

What starts as everyday life… can turn into a forever kind of calling. 🤍 In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, host Staci Owen sits down with Kathy Jo Glenn to share her 10+ year journey as a Host Home. From navigating Missouri’s unpredictable weather 😅 to building a home filled with belonging, growth, and purpose—this conversation is a real look at what it means to open your life to others...

Jeremy has been part of Restoring Hope’s respite services since 2023, and he’s got stories to tell! From coloring at Grandma Brenda’s, petting goats, watching Westerns, dancing to country music, and splashing in the pool — respite gives him joy, freedom, and new connections. His brother Shon shares how these services have brought balance and breathing room back to their family after years of full-...

"Real change happens when we see people for who they are, invest intentionally, and let community become family." In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley Lemon talks with Julie Olson, Program Coordinator of Restoring Hope's Willow Springs Excel Day Program. Julie shares her journey from undergrad at SBU to leading a program built on purpose, inclusion, and intentional service. Highlight...

In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Staci Owen sits down with Aaron Harms to discuss behavioral supports, the honeymoon phase in placements, burnout prevention, and the growth of Restoring Hope’s Medical ISL programs. Aaron shares insights from years in mental health, his role on the behavioral team, and what it takes to build strong DSP teams that create real quality of life for the indivi...

What does it look like to truly see someone — and change a life in the process? In this episode, Staci Owen welcomes Host Home provider Brandy Fajen to share her powerful journey through foster care, adoption, and over seven years of serving individuals through Restoring Hope, LLC. Brandy talks honestly about faith, family buy-in, community support, and the reality of walking alongside individuals...

"Every time you interact with someone, you're changing their brain." Josh Varner joins us to break down trauma in a way that’s practical, human, and usable for anyone working with kids, families, or communities. Drawing from his background as a college football coach, school counselor, and trauma-informed trainer, he explains how trauma shapes behavior and why connection is the foundation for heal...

Respite Coordinator, Ashleigh Barnett joins us to walk through what respite and relief services really look like for individuals and families navigating long-term care. She explains the difference between in-home and out-of-home respite, how families get approved, what the timeline actually looks like, and why finding the right fit matters more than rushing the process. This conversation highlight...

What started as one promise to a friend has turned into thousands of life-changing moments on the water. JP from Fish-4-Tales shares how adaptive fishing, kayaking, and outdoor experiences help children, adults, and veterans with disabilities experience joy, dignity, and freedom. From hospital outreach to stories from Freedom Park, this conversation captures what belonging feels like—one moment at...

Kayla opens up about anxiety, courage, and why a bearded dragon named Dave Jr might be the best motivation for a first job. 💼 Kayla and employment specialist Katelyn walk through the WORKS Employment Services journey from early nerves to volunteering at CARE, learning customer service at the coffee bar, designing shirts at InclusiviTEE, and discovering tools like the 'spoons' method, fidgets, and...

"Confidence doesn’t happen overnight — it’s built one experience at a time." In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley sits down with a participant from the W.O.R.K.S. Employment Services Program to talk about what learning, working, and community look like through Restoring Hope’s daily programming. From working at a dog boarding and daycare to volunteering at a shelter and designing cus...

"Don’t let your battery hit zero — you can’t serve others when you’re completely drained." 🪫In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Whitley sits down with Bailey Pyle, Director of the Be Well Initiatives and creator of the Brain Health Besties podcast. Bailey shares her journey from licensed professional counselor to leading a movement focused on preventative brain health and caregiver wellbei...

Welcome to The HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. "If someone only wrote down your worst day, would it truly tell your story?" In this episode of The HOPEful Connection, Staci Owen sits down with Amber Johnson, a longtime member of the Restoring Hope place...

"Our DSPs are incredible and our programs are as strong as they are because of the DSPs that we have." - Staci Owen. ✨ Restoring Hope prepares to celebrate Direct Support Professional (DSP) Week — honoring the dedication, compassion, and impact of DSPs across all programs and locations. We talk about: > 2025 Recognition Categories for DSP Week "Winners" > Challenges & Rewards of DSP Wor...

Welcome to the HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. Blood doesn't make family - we can create our own." In this heartfelt conversation, caregiver Sarah Davis shares how she turned personal hardships into a calling to care for people of all ages, abilities, a...

Welcome to the HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. From public education to the life-changing work of being a Host Home Provider, not to mention a deep passion for hobby farming! 👩‍🌾 On this full episode, Whitley Lemon, Co-Host of The HOPEful Connection,...

Welcome to the HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. On this episode, our very own Restoring Hope Program Manager Scott Stricklin shares with co-host of The HOPEful Connection Danielle Coffey, how he's intertwined his love for outdoor recreation with individu...

Welcome to the HOPEful Connection! This is your resource to connect you to the disability community. We're your Restoring Hope, LLC podcast hosts Staci Owen, Whitley Lemon, and Danielle Coffey. The heart behind his leadership, all revealed in this in-depth conversation between Restoring Hope part owner Jeff Smith, and HOPEful Connection Co-Host Whitley Lemon. We're changing lives, we are a verb, a...