It’s not every day you get to celebrate a 30-year anniversary, but that’s exactly what we’re doing today. Congratulations and thank you, Julie Mettler, for an incredible three decades with Hope! Over the years, Julie has taken on many roles, from Resident Manager and DSP to Care Coordinator, Supervisor, Hope Studios Gallery Manager, Discovery Center Director, and Program Director across various networks. She now serves as our Director of Community Support Services in Anchorage. She has touched countless lives along the way. When asked what has kept her at Hope for three decades, Julie shared that it’s the relationships she’s built with coworkers and the people we support, along with her passion for coming up with more accessible, inclusive opportunities, resources, and solutions for people who experience disabilities. What she enjoys most about her work is problem solving. Outside of work, Julie and her wife Lisa enjoy traveling, camping, fishing, supporting Lisa’s mom, and spending time with their two Boston Terriers. She’s a huge fan of women’s basketball and is always ready for a trip outside of Alaska, especially if it involves a beach or a casino. Thirty years. Countless relationships. Endless problem solving. One incredible person—congratulations and thank you, Julie, for everything you have done and continue to do for Hope and people with disabilities!
Find purpose through meaningful service on the beautiful Kenai Peninsula! Hope is hiring Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) to support people and families who experience intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a DSP, you’ll help people with activities of daily living, building social skills, and participating in the community while making a real difference every day. Hope offers comprehensive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, paid leave, life and disability insurance, retirement + company match, and more. Must be 18+ years old, have a valid driver's license, insurance, and your own vehicle. Apply today at www.hopealaska.org/careers.
Hope is proud to celebrate two team members who were honored at this year’s Full Lives Conference with the “Outstanding Professional of the Year” award. Jacob Schaffer, Intensive Supports Resident Manager, who has been with Hope for over 20 years in our Kenai region, was recognized in the field of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Services for his steady, relationship-centered approach, and two decades of dedicated support in Kenai. Nathan Harris, Behavior Analyst, who has been with Hope since 2022 working as a member of our behavior support team, was recognized in the field of Severe Mental Illness Services for his thoughtful, person-centered work—helping people build confidence, navigate systems, and achieve meaningful goals, including employment. To have Nathan and Jacob recognized is beyond words! It reflects the kind of work happening here at Hope every day. We are incredibly proud to have them on our team and grateful for the passion, integrity, and talent they bring to their work every day. Read more about their awards at https://www.hopealaska.org/blog/outstanding-professionals-of-the-year-2026.
Join us in celebrating John Waller’s 10-year anniversary with Hope! John serves as our Revenue Cycle Director, in which he oversees and helps ensure our systems and processes support the people we serve in the most effective ways possible. When asked what has kept him at Hope for 10 years, John shared that it’s the meaningful relationships with coworkers, the strong work/life balance, the opportunity to lead an amazing team, the consistent support from his supervisor, “and so much more.” What drives John most is knowing his work helps people access the support they need to live their best lives. With a background as a DSP and program supervisor, he said, “I know how important it is for our frontline workers to have strong support behind the scenes so they can focus on providing the best care possible for the individuals we serve.” Outside of work, John enjoys spending time with his wife and four children, along with their dog, Shadow. As a family, they enjoy playing games and swimming. John also volunteers with his church’s children’s ministry, is a volunteer youth basketball coach, and he plays wheelchair basketball as often as he can. Thank you, John, for 10 years of leadership and service to Hope and to the people and families we serve!
We are extremely excited and proud to share that Tom Bandelow has been named Alaska’s 2026 DSP of the Year by ANCOR! Tom was selected from a record-breaking 544 nominations nationwide—the largest-ever class of honorees! For more than 28 years, Tom has provided outstanding direct support to Alaskans with intellectual and developmental disabilities, often remaining a steady presence in the lives of the same people for a decade and more. That continuity reinforces trust and security—but never complacency. His commitment is especially evident in moments of transition and stress. Early in his career, Tom supported Alaska Native individuals as they moved from an institution into their own home. Recognizing that both people had experienced trauma from being removed from their birth homes, he prioritized cultural sensitivity and trust-building. Tom brings that same attentiveness today, using his calm presence and keen awareness to reduce anxiety, ensure safety, and help people feel truly at home. His coworkers describe him as someone who leads by example and brings “consistency, stability, and genuine warmth” to his work every day—and we couldn’t agree more. Please join us in celebrating Tom on this well-deserved award! To learn more and view the full list of honorees, visit https://www.ancor.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Recognizing-Excellence-Final_v3.pdf.
Join us in celebrating Haydie Duhaylungsod for her recent 10-year anniversary with Hope! Haydie began at Hope as a live-in Resident Manager in Kodiak, and now, she is an Intensive Supports Resident Manager for one of our Assisted Living Homes in Anchorage. What Haydie enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives. Building genuine connections and helping people grow in independence has been especially rewarding for her. She values the uniqueness of every person she supports and believes everyone has strengths and abilities that can shine with the right guidance and encouragement. In 2017, Haydie received Hope’s Circle of Hope Award, an honor given to employees who embody Hope’s mission and values through their actions, attitude, and dedication. Outside of work, Haydie describes herself as a homebody who loves warm, cozy moments and staying connected with longtime friends. Some of her simply joys include reading, learning about history, trying new recipes and baking, and traveling. She is also a devoted caregiver to her senior parents, supporting their medical needs and enjoying the time she gets to spend with them as they travel between Alaska and the Philippines. Thank you, Haydie, for dedicating a decade of your time, care, and attention to the Hope community. We’re grateful for the difference you make every day!
Join us in celebrating Darren Thayer on his recent 10-year anniversary with Hope! Over the past decade, Darren has held several roles with Hope, including Direct Support Professional, Resident Manager, and now Intensive Support Resident Manager. In his current role, Darren provides oversight of an Assisted Living Home, ensuring the health, safety, and dignity of people who experience challenging behaviors and intensive support needs while supervising a team of direct support professionals. When asked what has kept Darren at Hope for 10 years, he said, “I have very much enjoyed working with the different individuals I have work with, while at Hope, and those individuals are the reason I am here and enjoy my job.” He shared that the joy, determination, self-reliance, happiness, and friendships created through daily interactions are what make his work meaningful and fulfilling. Outside of work, Darren enjoys spending time outdoors, taking long drives, being with family, and photography. Thank you Darren for your commitment to Hope and the people and families you support every day! We’re grateful for all you do and honored to celebrate this milestone with you.
Calling all UAA students and alumni! Join us this Wednesday from 11am-3pm at UAA's Spring Career Fair. Chat with our hiring team to learn more about starting your career serving people who experience disabilities. This is a great chance to ask all your questions and see how your skills and strengths could make you a great fit on our team!
We’re hiring! Hope is excited to announce a new opportunity to join our team as a Hard of Hearing Navigator. This role is part of our Deaf Supports team and assists Hard of Hearing people and their families across Alaska by connecting them to resources, services, and systems that promote access, independence, and inclusion. The Navigator focuses on outreach, community engagement, and advocacy—helping bridge communication gaps in healthcare, education, housing, employment, and beyond. Learn more and apply at https://www.indeed.com/cmp/Hope-Community-Resources-1/jobs.
This month, we’re celebrating Sharon Miranda who reached 10 years with Hope, and the impact of her work continues to ripple through communities across Alaska. Since the day she joined Hope, Sharon has served as our Coordinator of Deaf Supports, providing leadership and coordination for students served through the Deaf Student Support Grant and the Deaf Navigator Program. She has built meaningful community partnerships that strengthen supports for Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, and she leads family-oriented Deaf events that create connection, representation, and opportunities for cross-cultural exchange. In 2023, she received the Lifetime Achievement Award for her impact in the Deaf community. When asked what has kept her at Hope for a decade, Sharon points to Hope's strong culture, the positive relationships she has with colleagues, and the meaningful work itself. What she enjoys most is "making a positive community impact and fostering growth and empowerment for individuals and families in the Deaf and Hard of Hearing community." Sharon has been married for over 43 years and has three children, four grandchildren, and several beloved dogs. She enjoys potting flowers and vegetables, hiking, and exploring in the wilderness, and she loves traveling. Thank you, Sharon, for 10 years of incredible dedication and leadership at Hope and in Deaf communities throughout Alaska. We’re grateful for all you do and proud to celebrate this milestone with you!
