“My dream for Home of Hope”: How Ariyahna Sumler is Helping Families Thrive

“I didn’t know what I was signing up for.”

When Ariyahna Sumler was looking for a job, she found Home of Hope and applied, without knowing much about the mission. Before she came in for an interview, she googled Home of Hope and found out the open position could be much more than a job.

“I instantly knew God placed me here for a reason,” Ariyahna recalls. 

In August of 2023, Ariyahna started working at Home of Hope. 

“I am the child advocate,” she explained. “Their needs change often depending on the time of year, ranging from winter jackets to school supplies. I make sure the children have what they need when they come on board and throughout their stay here.”

No day looks the same at Home of Hope for Ariyahna. 

“Some days I come in to help a new family, making sure they have what they need, whenever they need. Some days it’s a child’s birthday, and I decorate their door with balloons and create a gift just for them. On Wednesdays, I make sure the children have activities to do or crafts to make while their moms are in Life Skills classes,” she said. 

It’s these extra touches of care that help the mothers and children at Home of Hope feel loved, supported and seen while they navigate a difficult period of their lives. 

“Home of Hope is not just a shelter,” Ariyahna said. “Our program provides stability, patience and growth for moms who don’t have a typical support system. While in our program, moms build their own support system to ensure that when they leave here, everything is steady financially, emotionally and physically.”

While the moms are learning and growing both as women and as parents, Ariyahna is collaborating with Home of Hope’s team and volunteers to create space for the kids to just be kids.

Ariyahna remembers one boy who came to Home of Hope needing a little extra care.

“He was non-verbal, and his mom was struggling to accept that he needed therapy to assist with his speaking and behavior,” she explained. 

“Once she got the proper diagnosis, there was a major shift. He was able to attend school and go to ABA [Applied Behavior Analysis] therapy to assist with his speaking and behavior.”

Over the year the family stayed at Home of Hope, the previously non-verbal little boy found his voice. He began communicating his wants and needs and referring to the staff members by their names.

“It was beautiful to witness his growth and hers throughout the program,” Ariyahna said.

This job has given Ariyahna a front row seat to change, change that doesn’t always happen quickly but is worth it in the end. 

“It’s fulfilling to see families when they come into the program versus when they leave. It’s even better to hear from them or see them when they come and visit us after they’ve completed the program,” she said.

“My dream for Home of Hope is that it continues making an impact. We aim for a life-changing experience, to impact their lives during a hard time.”