When 11-year-old JD Hartman was injured in a  non-fatal drowning in 2008, his father, John, said the event stopped his family in its tracks.

“When an event like this happens, parents are in the hospital, and their heads are spinning a mile a minute,” John said.

JD spent several months in rehabilitation, and members of the community came together to show their support for the family, including JD’s three siblings, John said.   

John said he realized other families going through similar challenges could benefit from having more resources. With help from Southwest Austin resident Ronda Johnson, the local nonprofit Hope4Minds was formed, and Johnson serves as the organization’s executive director.

JD Hartman (right) was injured in a non-fatal drowning.[/caption]

The group officially became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit in December 2011 under the name Hope4JD.

The organization provides guidance, advocacy and financial support to Texas families who have children with brain injuries due to accidents.

In some cases, insurance does not cover all the therapies or comforts a family might want to pursue for their child, Johnson said.

“These families don’t have anywhere to turn. … We want to be able to provide that hope for them,” Johnson said.

A support group for families meets monthly, and the nonprofit organization hosts events to help educate the public about the group’s needs and raise funds to help families, Johnson said.

With ongoing therapy and support, JD has seen great improvements in his health, John said.

He speaks and can sing, and he has been an honorary letterman in the Bowie High School band, according to John.

Forming the nonprofit organization was a way to give back to the community, he said.

Hope4Minds Executive Director Ronda Johnson helped form the nonprofit.[/caption]

“[We aim] to help people continue to have their child at home and see some progress and through all this continue to have hope,” he said.

John often speaks with parents who have undergone similar situations.

“It’s not just for the child, but it’s for the whole family to continue to have hope, to continue to have resilience,” he said.

Giving back

Hope4Minds hosts a Battle of the Youth Bands competition annually.[/caption]

Hope4Minds will host its next major fundraiser, Battle of the Youth Bands & Family Fun Fest, on Oct. 17 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at The Rusty Mule, 9201 W. Hwy. 290, Executive Director Ronda Johnson said.

The event’s features include food trucks, face painting, carnival games and a silent auction.

General admission is $5, and children age 2 and younger get in free.

Sharing support

A Brain Injury Support Group meets every fourth Wednesday of the month from 7-8 p.m. at the Texas NeuroRehab Center, located in the Bluebonnet Building at 1106 W. Dittmar Road. Interested attendees should RSVP by emailing [email protected].