Open letter from Star of Hope’s Board of Directors. “Dear Valued Customers and Members of our Community: In 2006, Star of Hope purchased the Oregon Connection/House of Myrtlewood from Les and Barbara Streeter and Tricia and Joe Benetti with the intentions to use it for Star of Hope’s clients to work and gain job skills, and also to diversify our funding, along with educating our visitors about Star of Hope programs. Over the past two years the Federal and State rules have changed regarding providing employment services to individuals diagnosed with intellectual and developmental disabilities, now the focus and rules Star of Hope must operate under are geared towards community based employment (not provider owned businesses) for individuals we support. It is an honor to say that our wonderful community has embraced this change and a number of individual’s Star of Hope supports are employed at local businesses. With all the changes in how we deliver our services to our clients, The Oregon Connection/ House of Myrtlewood is no longer used for the reason Star of Hope purchased it. With very careful thought and consideration, the Star of Hope Board of Directors sadly came to the decision that it is time to sell the Oregon Connection/House of Myrtlewood. It is our hope that someone will come along and carry on the House of Myrtlewood tradition; you may contact Pacific Properties for more information about the property. We wanted to let the community know that we will be ending manufacturing of Myrtlewood products produced in our factory January 1, 2018, and our gift shop will close February 1, 2018. Star of hope appreciates all the support from our community.”
