Reach. Restore. Repeat.
- Whitley Lemon
- Mar 12
- 6 min read
The Story Behind Restoring Hope’s r3 Summit and r3 Conference
At Restoring Hope, our mission has been simple yet powerful: Restoring Hope one relationship at a time. Over the past several years, that mission has grown into something more than daily work—it has become a movement within our community of caregivers, team members, and partners across Missouri.
Out of that shared vision came the r3 Summit and r3 Conference, events designed to equip, encourage, and connect the people who make relationship-based care possible. We'd also like to take this opportunity to encourage every caregiver and team member to attend our upcoming r3 Summit.
First, let's answer this question. What exactly does r3 mean?
The name r3 represents three words that capture the heart of our work:
Reach. Restore. Repeat.
Every day, Restoring Hope reaches individuals who may be among the most vulnerable in Missouri—people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who deserve dignity, belonging, and stability.
Our goal is to restore hope through meaningful relationships, compassionate care, and consistent support.
And then we do it again.
Reach. Restore. Repeat.
Over and over, one relationship at a time.
This philosophy is the foundation for the gatherings we host each year. The r3 Summit and r3 Conference exist to strengthen the people who are doing this work every day—our caregivers, host homes, relief homes, and team members.
Where It All Began
The journey began in 2022, when the first r3 Conference was held at Wonderland Camp, at the Lake of the Ozarks.
The theme “More Than a Door.”
For those familiar with the Restoring Hope logo, you may have noticed a small dot within the “rh.” That dot represents a door—a powerful symbol of what happens when someone opens their home to another person.
When a client walks through the door of a host home or relief home, it means something profound:
Safety
Belonging
Stability
Love that may have never been experienced before
The theme “More Than a Door” captured the impact that caregivers have every time they welcome someone into their home. It reminded us that what may feel ordinary to us can be life-changing to someone else.
Growing the Vision
In 2023, the second r3 Conference returned to Wonderland Camp with a new theme: “Your Doorstep, Your Journey.”
This year embraced a travel theme, complete with passport-inspired decorations that added energy and creativity to the event. More importantly, the conference expanded its educational opportunities.
The event included:
Multiple breakout sessions for caregivers
Two keynote speakers
Opportunities for learning and collaboration
It was also a year when the broader Restoring Hope team stepped up in new ways. Excitement built across the organization, and more people became involved in making the conference a meaningful experience for attendees.
The momentum was growing.
Expanding Through the r3 Summits
By 2024, Restoring Hope recognized that while conferences were valuable, not everyone could easily travel to a full-day event.
To make training and connection more accessible, we launched regional r3 Summits.
These shorter events were designed to bring valuable resources directly to our communities.
Three regional Summits were held that year in:
Willow Springs
Springfield
Sedalia
Each Summit lasted about four hours but was packed with learning opportunities, networking, and speakers. Attendees who participated in multiple events even experienced different speakers and perspectives at each location.
That same year, the larger r3 Conference moved to Camp Barnabas, where the theme became “Our Story, Our Home.”
The event embraced a cozy, welcoming atmosphere designed to reflect the feeling of home that caregivers provide every day.
Highlights included:
A popcorn bar
Coffee and refreshers served by WORKS Employment Services participants
Opportunities for individuals supported by Restoring Hope to practice customer service skills
Purchasing of swag and Restoring Hope apparel
Resource-packed vendor tables
The Camp Barnabas staff welcomed our clients with cheers at the start of the day, making them feel celebrated and valued throughout the event.
Coordinating four major events in one year was a huge undertaking—but it demonstrated the growing strength and unity of the Restoring Hope community.
A Year Focused on Regional Connection
In 2025, Restoring Hope experienced an important audit year. Because of this, the team made a strategic decision to host only the three regional r3 Summits and shift the full r3 Conference to an every-other-year schedule.
The Summits were held in:
Willow Springs
Springfield
Columbia
Two of the events again featured the WORKS Employment Services Coffee and Refresher Bar, allowing participants to practice real-world job skills in a supportive and inclusive environment.
Their efforts paid off in a fun way—through tips earned at the events, the team was able to take a group trip to Comic Con.
Moments like these highlight the heart behind Restoring Hope’s work: creating opportunities for individuals to grow, contribute, and experience community.
Behind the Scenes of Event Planning
Like many roles at Restoring Hope, the path into event planning came unexpectedly.
Sometimes when there is a need, someone simply steps forward.
Because of involvement in internal and external communications—including marketing, newsletters, and social media—the role of helping plan the r3 events naturally developed.
What began as a responsibility soon became a passion.
The creative process of building themes, designing experiences, and collaborating with an incredible team has been deeply rewarding. Along the way, there have been valuable lessons:
People want to help.
When responsibilities are shared, teams grow stronger.
Letting go of control often allows others to shine.
Working alongside leaders and team members, who bring hands-on experience working directly with homes and clients, has strengthened both the events and the relationships within the organization.
In many ways, the friendships built through planning these events have become just as meaningful as the events themselves.
Looking Ahead to 2026
The 2026 r3 Summit will take place on April 17 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., with a Coffee Hour from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
This year’s Summit will be especially unique.
Rather than hosting three separate regional events, the Summit will be held in Springfield as a hybrid gathering, offering both:
In-person attendance
A live simulcast option
The goal is to make the event accessible to as many team members and caregivers as possible while still encouraging those who can attend in person to experience the full community atmosphere.
The theme guiding Restoring Hope in 2026 is Rooted in Resilience.
Caregivers and servant-hearted individuals often pour so much into others that they forget the importance of strengthening their own roots.
One of the greatest gifts we can offer someone is the assurance that we will not give up on them. But to sustain that kind of commitment, we must also be resilient ourselves.
This year’s Summit will focus on helping our community grow stronger, healthier, and more supported in the work they do.
Featured Speakers
Two incredible speakers will be joining us:
Amy Wicks – A coach, speaker, and writer who helps individuals move from overwhelm to clarity through the Enneagram.
TJ Sweet – A speaker, author, and podcast host who encourages people to rediscover what drives them through gratitude, purpose, and meaningful connection.
More Community Experiences
The event will also feature:
Print-on-demand apparel created through WORKS Employment Services
Specialty coffees and refreshing beverages served by WORKS participants
Generous giveaways from community partners, including local pharmacies, banks, and, insurance agents
Registration is open to Restoring Hope team members and caregivers and will close on April 3, 2026.
The Return of the r3 Conference
Later in the year, the r3 Conference will return to Camp Barnabas on September 11–12 as a two-day event.
For the first time-EVER, team members, clients, caregivers, and their natural kiddos, ages 7 and up, will have the opportunity to stay overnight, creating even more time for connection and community.
The first evening will include:
Dinner
Swimming
Karaoke
Time to relax and connect
Day two will feature keynote speaker Josh Varner, a mental health professional, author, and national speaker known for his work in trauma-informed care.
His expertise in supporting individuals impacted by childhood trauma will provide powerful insight for caregivers and professionals alike.
Registration for the conference will open after the r3 Summit concludes.
The r3 Summit and r3 Conference are more than events. They are reminders of WHY Restoring Hope exists. They celebrate the caregivers, team members, and partners who choose—every day—to show up for others.
And they reflect the mission that continues to guide us forward:
Reach. Restore. Repeat.
One relationship at a time.
Register for the r3 SUMMIT Today!
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