Hopebridge brings coin hunts, Hopefest & more

Hopebridge Autism Therapy Centers partnered with We Rock the Spectrum, 13644 N. Meridian St., Carmel, for a unique St. Patrick’s Day event. The Reporter spoke with Kaitlynn Prichard from Hopebridge about that event, the work done at Hopebridge, and a few upcoming opportunities to learn more about the work being done right here in Hamilton County for kids on the autism spectrum.

“We have two centers in Hamilton County, our Carmel Center and our Fishers Center,” Prichard said. “We were really just looking for ways to connect with our community. We’ve partnered with We Rock the Spectrum for a Valentine’s Day event, and they’re just great people. We wanted to partner again for St. Patrick’s Day.”

On March 17, Hopebridge set up a St. Patrick’s Day treasure hunt at We Rock The Spectrum.

“We hid some little plastic gold coins around the gym,” Prichard said. “The kiddos came in and they grabbed a little green little bucket, then collected some of the coins and then brought them back to get some prizes out of a little treasure chest.”

According to Prichard, there was also a giveaway.

“We included a basket that was put together by No Label at the Table,” Prichard said. “They’re an autistic-owned and employed bakery in downtown Carmel. We were really just trying to support the autism community as much as we can, partner with We Rock the Spectrum Kids Gym, and just bring some St. Patrick’s Day fun to the community.”

Hopebridge’s Hamilton County locations include 801 Congressional Blvd., Suite 600, Carmel, and 9769 Crosspoint Blvd., located in Fishers.

“Our patients typically consist of a child who has an autism diagnosis,” Prichard said. “But specifically in our Carmel and our Fishers centers, we also have other pediatric therapy services. We have occupational therapy (OT), speech therapy, and our Carmel Center also has physical therapy for children. Sometimes we take in patients that don’t necessarily need ABA therapy for an autism diagnosis. Sometimes they just need OT or speech therapy.”

You can learn more about Hopebride online at hopebridge.com and you can attend some upcoming community events.

For information on specific Hamilton County locations near you, go to this link for Fishers or this link for Carmel.

Hopefest

“April is World Autism Month and 2025 is actually an exciting year for Hope Bridge because we’re celebrating our 20th anniversary,” Prichard told The Reporter. “We are bringing a special event to our Hamilton County Centers. It’s going to be hosted at our Carmel center and it’s an event called Hopefest.”

Hopefest will be a carnival-style event with bounce houses, carnival games, flavored ice, and more.

“We’re working to get some first responders out to do a touch a truck event as well,” Prichard said. “We’re inviting the community to come into our center, meet our clinicians, kind of see around where their kiddos would be every day, and just celebrate World Autism Month with us and just educate the community and be advocates for the autism community in Hamilton County.”

Hopefest will take place from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, April 25 at Hopebridge Autism Therapy Center, 801 Congressional Blvd., Suite 600, Carmel.

Coffee Connections

Hopebridge Founder Kim Strunk will be the speaker at the Westfield Chamber of Commerce’s April Coffee Connection from 8 to 9 a.m. April 24 at The Bridgewater Club, 3535 E. 161st St.

Strunk will discuss her background, the importance of inclusion, and the positive impact of hiring employees with disabilities in the community.

Hopebridge has more than 100 centers in 12 states, and serves nearly 5,000 patients with autism.

You can register for the April Coffee Connections event online at tinyurl.com/WCCApril2025Coffee.