Sentara Foundation expands long-time employee relief program to community donations

Scott Johansen’s job title is General Maintenance Mechanic at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital, but he’s really a locksmith. He installs and repairs locks on doors and cabinets throughout the vast 525-bed hospital. He’s also a recipient of financial support through the Sentara HOPE Fund employee assistance program. 

“It was the biggest relief to find out it was available,” said Johansen, who's been an employee at Sentara for less than four years. “It made me realize that Sentara is about the best place I could ever work.” 

HOPE stands for Helping Overcome Personal Emergencies. Sentara established the HOPE Fund in 2003 after Hurricane Isabel caused property damage and financial hardship for employees in the Hampton Roads, Virginia region. 

Sentara provides a structure for employees to donate to the HOPE Fund through payroll deduction and discreetly apply for assistance through a local nonprofit called The Planning Council. Since inception, it has provided more than $7 million in assistance to more than 5,300 Sentara employees. 

For Johansen, it provided help when complications from diabetes necessitated the amputation of toes on his left foot. He had to spend time recovering in a rehabilitation facility on short-term disability and ran out of paid time off. With rent, utilities, and his car payment due, he turned to the Sentara HOPE Fund. 

“The lady I spoke to was like my own guardian angel,” Johansen recalled. “She acted fast, and it really eased my mind so I could focus on healing and getting back to work.” 

Scott Johansen works on a door lock in the locksmith shop at Sentara Norfolk General Hospital.

Today, the program is more active than ever. Just last year it provided $1.1 million in grants to 735 employees. Also in 2025, almost 3,000 Sentara employees donated to the fund to support their colleagues. However, current donations do not match the growing need. 

There is an effort within Sentara to raise awareness of the HOPE Fund in time for employees to elect to contribute during open enrollment this year, which ends Nov. 15. And the Sentara Foundation is creating a new opportunity for donors in the community to support those of Sentara’s 35,000 employees experiencing temporary difficulties through donations to the HOPE Fund.

“Grateful patients often ask us how they can reward the people who cared for them,” said David Proffitt, Director of the Sentara Foundation.

“Our colleagues are not allowed to accept gifts of gratitude, but the HOPE Fund is an ideal opportunity to help Sentara continue providing a safety net for employees managing a personal crisis."

"The HOPE Fund reflects something important about who we are at Sentara and how we care for the people who care for others," said Becky Sawyer, Chief People Officer of Sentara Health.

"As the need for assistance grows, expanding the HOPE Fund through the Sentara Foundation will help ensure our colleagues have meaningful support when unexpected hardship arises."

For Johansen, the decision to pay it forward was an easy one. During open enrollment for Sentara benefits this month, he made his own contribution to the HOPE Fund. 

Potential donors can learn more at SentaraFoundation.org/HOPE.