NEWARK, Ohio —  Hope Valley is a mental health and wellness retreat center offering different treatments through its vision statement, "Help Others through Personal Experiences."

For founder Jamie Clouse and Executive Director Violet Queen, the endeavor is a leap of faith, but they are using their life experiences to help connect with visitors to the nonprofit.  

What You Need To Know

  • Hope Valley is a mental health and wellness retreat center offering different treatments

  • Founder Jamie Clouse and Executive Director Violet Queen established the nonprofit last year

  • The establishment has served more than 170 people

  • Clouse and Queen said it's all about human connection

Clouse said she wants to help others who are dealing with similar difficulties that she has faced. 

“We have a special needs child, and for the past 12 years have had a lot of difficulties. And so I just found that, you know, what is my purpose for all these struggles?" Clouse said. "By sharing our personal experiences, I just realized how much we can connect with others."

Queen overcame a childhood surrounded by drug use. 

But she found success for a decade in the banking industry and is a certified life coach.  

Her life path changed forever when she was approached by Clouse with an idea to start Hope Valley. 

“We have people who just come here and say I'm struggling," said Queen. "We pair them up with somebody who has been in the same thing that they've been through. But then they're able to use this beautiful property to talk through situations." 

Since opening last year, Hope Valley's 48-acre property, which was previously owned by Newark businessman Dave Longaberger, has served more than 170 people. 

Anyone from teenagers, human trafficking victims, military veterans is welcome, as are corporate retreats and company CEOs.

Both Clouse and Queen said it's all about human connection and making sure that healing occurs for both individuals and families.  

“We're not therapists, we're not doctors, but we are humans. We're all humans," said Clouse. "We can connect and we can inspire hope. I named it Hope Valley because it stands for helping others through personal experiences. And I think that means a lot to a lot of people."

Hope Valley is made possible by donations from the local Newark and Fairfield County community. 

The nonprofit is at 4560 Gratiot Road in Newark.