Stories of Hope

Stories of Hope is an e-communication that is sent to our subscribers each month. These stories will be brought to you through the voices of our staff, volunteers, donors, patients, and community partners. Our goal is to highlight the hope that is present in our community through the interconnected world of faith, healing, service, and advocacy. To receive these stories as well as other important messages, click here to subscribe.

September 2026

Most of the patients who participate in diabetes education at Center for Healing & Hope (CHH) have never been to the Goshen Farmers Market. Thanks to a partnership between the two organizations, that is changing.

Diabetes education is a complimentary service for patients at CHH who want to learn more about managing their condition, and works in unison with their broader treatment plan. Education is offered as a one-on-one consultation or as a group class that meets for five weeks. Led by clinic nurse Arely Perez Pizana, the classes aim to provide positive reinforcement, nutrition tips, and practical advice to help patients make the necessary lifestyle changes to feel at their best. Participants also receive weekly vouchers to purchase produce from the Goshen Farmers Market.

With vouchers in hand, a group recently took their first of five field trips from CHH to the Goshen Farmers Market, just a short walk from the clinic. As they entered, one woman’s eyes lit up, “It reminds me of the markets we used to go to back home,” she said. Accompanied by Arely, the group perused the offerings, asked questions, met market vendors, and learned how to get the most out of their vouchers to create nutritious meals. Everyone left with fresh veggies and an idea of what they’d get the following week.

Alongside diabetes education, patients have access to affordable medications and the FreeStyle Libre 3, which is a continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) sensor that automatically tracks glucose levels in real time without requiring routine finger pricks. Overall this year, patients who made lifestyle changes alongside following their medication care plan lowered their A1c by an average of 1.3 points, showing significant progress. 

Center for Healing & Hope participates in Road Map to Health Equity study

In 2025, just 16.14% of CHH patients included in the diabetes quality measure had poorly controlled A1c levels. Because this measure identifies poor control, lower rates represent better outcomes. CHH substantially outperformed both the 29.5% benchmark across all reporting clinics and the 33.23% benchmark among charitable clinics with operating budgets of $1 million or more. CHH’s rate was also lower than the lowest rate reported among the comparison clinics in both benchmark groups.

Diabetes education at CHH is made possible by a grant from the Well Foundation Fund held at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County.

Vonnie Trumble, who is a Program Officer at the Community Foundation of Elkhart County shared, “The Well Foundation has supported health and wellness in Goshen for years because we believe good health starts with access and education, not just treatment. Center for Healing & Hope is putting that belief into practice. Sixty-seven new diabetes diagnoses in six months is a reminder of how much need is out there, and this program is meeting it.” 

Previous Stories
February – Isabel’s Story
March – Voices in Colors for Social Justice
May – Move as One