HOPE HOUSE WINS LOCAL TOUCHSTONE ENERGY COMMUNITY AWARD

Bemidji, Minn. – Beltrami Electric Cooperative has selected Hope House as the winner of the local 2020 Touchstone Energy® Community Award from a pool of excellent and worthy nominations, according to Beltrami Electric's Marketing/Communications Specialist, Angela Lyseng.

Beltrami Electric sought candidates for the Touchstone Energy® Community Award, which recognizes organizations for outstanding contributions to the local community. The recognition comes with a $500 cash award and an engraved Touchstone Energy® Community Award plaque signifying the organization's commitment to community.

Hope House is a non-profit organization that helps people with long-term or serious mental illness regain their lives. As a drop-in center, Hope House provides diagnostic assessments, Adult Rehabilitation Mental Health Services (ARMHS), one-to-one assistance, skills training, social support, family support, medication management, employment specialists and outreach.

Established in 1980, Hope House has served nearly 1,000 people with long-term mental illness, most of whom no longer need the services because they are doing well in the community. "We are honored to receive Beltrami Electric's 2020 Touchstone Energy Community Award," said Robin Wold, Hope House director. "To be selected reminds us that our daily work is having a noticeable impact for people with mental illness within our community. We are humbled to be included with the great past and future organizations who have and will receive this award. Thank you, Beltrami Electric board, staff and members!"

The Hope House application will be submitted for consideration to the statewide Minnesota Touchstone Energy® Community Award committee. The statewide award recipient will be selected from numerous local award winners throughout Minnesota and the overall winner will receive $1,000 toward a community cause of choice.