Doris Meyer, World Traveler One of the primary goals of Area Residential Care is to help the individuals we serve become more integrated in the community. Whether it’s gaining independent employment, volunteering, or just showing the community that “disabled” doesn’t mean “unabled,” it is always a pleasure to see people take the skills we offer out into the community. It is even more amazing to see someone go beyond our community and out into the rest of the world. Meet Doris Meyer. Doris works on the AM mobile cleaning crew where she cleans various businesses and offices in the area that contract with Area Residential Care. She works hard and takes pride in her job. Come winter, however, she takes a week off, packs her bags, and hops on a plane to someplace new and preferably warm. She has witnessed the family entertainment of Branson and Dollywood. She has enjoyed the tropic beaches from the Bahamas to Hawaii. She’s travelled the world and looks forward to seeing the rest of it. To avoid the headaches incurred when travelling- lost luggage, cancelled flights, medical concerns, Doris travels with a group of people with disabilities accompanied by guides and nurses. “I like travelling with other people,” she said. “It’s more fun with friends.” When she’s not seeing the sights, she enjoys shopping and sampling the cuisine. “I liked Hawaii the best. The weather was nice and I loved the fresh pineapple.” She’s already planning her next trip- a Disneyland cruise in December. Happy travels, Doris! Send us a postcard. Summer 2012 Accolades Area Residential Care’s Quarterly Newsletter In this issue of Accolades... “Millionaire Mania” page 3 STAR Awards page 4 Vocational Products Page 5 Summer 2012.indd 1 7/12/2012 11:13:02 AM
Transcript
Doris Meyer, World TravelerOne of the primary goals of Area Residential Care is to help the individuals we serve become more integrated in the community. Whether it’s gaining independent employment, volunteering, or just showing the community that “disabled” doesn’t mean “unabled,” it is always a pleasure to see people take the skills we offer out into the community. It is even more amazing to see someone go beyond our community and out into the rest of the world.
Meet Doris Meyer. Doris works on the AM mobile cleaning crew where she cleans various businesses and offices in the area that contract with Area Residential Care. She works hard and takes pride in her job.
Come winter, however, she takes a week off, packs her bags, and hops on a plane to someplace new
and preferably warm. She has witnessed the family entertainment of Branson and Dollywood. She has enjoyed the tropic beaches from the Bahamas to Hawaii. She’s travelled the world and looks forward to seeing the rest of it.
To avoid the headaches incurred when travelling- lost luggage, cancelled flights, medical concerns, Doris travels with a group of people with disabilities accompanied by guides and nurses. “I like travelling with other people,” she said. “It’s more fun with friends.”
When she’s not seeing the sights, she enjoys shopping and sampling the cuisine. “I liked Hawaii the best. The weather was nice and I loved the fresh pineapple.”
She’s already planning her next trip- a Disneyland cruise in December.
Deserve’s Got Nothing to Do With It.Jon RomaineExecutive DirectorContinuing these newsletter columns with a theme of movie quotes that, at least in my mind, connect with my often disjointed thoughts, I thought I would use one that was brought back to my mind during an ESPN Sportscenter broadcast that I was recently watching. In that case they were referring to the potential firing of a coach, and in the movie the reference was to dying, but I see the quote as a good context for a couple of things that are going on simultaneously that concern Area Residential Care.
One of the “things” going on is the wage and benefit negotiations that are currently in process with our direct contact staff members. The other is the State of Iowa’s Legislature’s current debate over how to re-design the State’s mental health and developmental disabilities system. Both of these issues have a rather significant impact on the lives of the people served at ARC and both also have a direct relationship, at least in my mind, with the phrase “deserves got nothin to do with it.” Looking at the wage and benefit situation first and its relationship to that phrase, it always astounds me how our current society can create situations in which a man can deserve $240,000,000 over 10 years for hitting a baseball one-third of the time it is pitched to him; and yet has trouble creating situations in which a man can deserve one-tenth or one percent of that amount of money for consistently meeting the physical and emotional needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens. In the comparison of compensation between professional athletes and the average worker in the human services field, “Deserve’s got nothing to do with it” certainly rings true for me.
In the other current scenario that is impacting Area Residential Care and the people we serve, the Legislature of the State of Iowa is debating how to re-design the system that provides services for persons with mental illness, intellectual disabilities, and other developmental disabilities. The re-design they are proposing removes authority from the 99 counties in Iowa and “re-distributes” it to regions that will be established and approved by the State Department of Human Services. This re-design proposal resembles very much a reversal back to a modified version of how the system worked prior to 1996. Those of us who have been in this line of work long enough remember what it was like prior to 1996 and aren’t so sure that this re-design will fix anything that is wrong with the system; rather it will likely just shift the problems from one place to another. There are inequities in the current system, there were inequities in the system that was in place prior to 1996, and unless my world turns completely upside down and inside out, there will be inequities in this newly proposed regional system. People who work in the human services field deserve a more consistent, reliable, fair and predictable system of services delivery and reimbursement. But as we are all beginning to realize…Deserve’s got…
“Deserve’s got nothing to
do with it.”
-Clint Eastwood as “Will Munny”
in Unforgiven.
The Biggest Corporate and Community Games Ever!The 11th Annual Corporate and Community Games were held June 14 at A.Y. McDonald Park and holy cow were they a success! Though the beans are still being counted, it looks like the most money of any previous year was raised with over $19,000 going toward our mission of empowering people with intellectual disabilities.
Fifty-six teams from all over the tri-states competed in “Silly Games for a Serious Mission,” the highest team count in the history of the games. So many teams registered this year that we had a difficulty scheduling them all. Now we’re ready for even more teams next year!
As always, the competition
was fierce and once the scores were tallied, the John Deere “Leaping Deere’s” came out with the 1st place title. 2nd place went to RE/MAX Advantage Realty, and 3rd place went to the John Deere “Skid Marks.” Once
again, RE/MAX Advantage Realty took home the coveted Athletic Supporter Chicken Plunger trophy for raising the most additional funds. Congratulations!
Thank you to all those who participated in this year’s games and to all the volunteers who made the games run smoothly even with our record number of participants. We’ll see you next year!
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Getting the people we serve safely to and from work, medical appointments, and recreational trips requires dependable cars and vans. As a non-profit, however, sometimes Area Residential Care has to take what we can get. So when the Diamond Jo Casino and the Telegraph Herald announced their Millionaire Mania contest a few months ago, our ears perked up. By cutting out and collecting chips from the newspaper, we would have a chance to use them to bid on a desperately needed new vehicle from Dubuque Auto Plaza. We put the word out to our staff, consumers, and supporters and figured we would see what happens.
What happened was amazing.Staff and consumers not only collected chips
from their own papers, but got friends and family on board. Students from West Dubuque High School even began collecting for us. The origin of many of the chips we collected is still a mystery. Some were still in the newspaper and needed clipping. Some were roughly torn from their pages. Some were neatly cut but needed sorting from the dozens that accompanied them in sandwich bags. Some were even already glued into the designated chip books for us. Our Marketing/PR department couldn’t keep up.
Everyone pitched in together, including consumers in our Day Habilitation Program. Soon, Area Residential Care became a waltz of scissors and glue stick. Clip, glue, press. Clip, glue, press.
One full chip book represented $5 million in chips.
By the time everything was tallied, Area Residential Care had collected over $1.9 billion. We allowed ourselves to think we might actually have a chance at the car.
The auction was held Thursday, May 17th. Chip collectors from all over the area were on hand, hoping to walk away with some fabulous prizes. Teri Pitzen, our Human Resources Director, represented Area Residential Care with bidding number 541. Higher and higher into the millions the bidding for the 2012 Nissan Versa went and #541 kept flashing up into the air. Bidding passed the $1 billion mark. Bidders started to thin out and still #541 refused to quit.
$1.4 billion! $1.5 billion! $1.6 billion! Aaaaaaand sold! To number 541, Area Residential Care!
After Teri’s elation abated and all the well deserved high-fives were given, a deal was struck with Dubuque Auto Plaza. Instead of the compact 2012 Nissan Versa, Area Residential Care received a 2008 Nissan Quest, a mini van that will be able to transport many more individuals with intellectual disabilities. It is stationed at one of our community living homes and will be the primary vehicle used when we take people out of town.
Area Residential Care would like to thank all the people who helped us collect chips, the Telegraph Herald, Diamond Jo Casino, and Dubuque Auto Plaza. The surge of support we experienced which won our agency the car was very moving…literally. Thank you!
Page 2 Page �
“Deserve’s got nothing to
do with it.”
-Clint Eastwood as “Will Munny”
in Unforgiven.
Area Residential Care Catches Millionaire Mania
Summer 2012.indd 3 7/12/2012 11:13:09 AM
The STAR award (Staff Tribute Administrative Reward) was established in 1986 to recognize special efforts and contributions to Area Residential Care by individuals and groups of staff members. To qualify for a STAR award the recipient(s) must provide a significant contribution of time and/or effort on behalf of the agency, which enhances services to the people served or efficiency of agency operations.
Julia Feltes, Diane Jones, Beth Preston, and Jamie Palm were recognized with a STAR Award for going above and beyond in the absence of their department director.
During the department director’s absence the award recipients ensured the day habilitation program thrived and the adult day services (Life Choices) program became a reality. They have also been recognized for working well as a member of a team and remaining upbeat, with a can-do attitude. These STAR recipients always put the wellbeing of the people served in the forefront and keep true to the mission of our agency.
Feltes, Jones, Preston and Palm all have the position of Supervisor/IPC and have more than
44 years of combined experience. All STAR award recipients have shown their commitment to Area Residential Care’s mission of empowering people with intellectual disabilities through their efforts. As an agency, we are grateful for all of our committed staff and how they leave a positive impact on people’s lives each day.
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Feltes, Jones, Palm, Preston Earn STAR Awards
Page �
L to R: Beth Preston, Julia Feltes, Jamie Palm, and Diane Jones
Preparation For Tornado SeasonIt’s the first Tuesday of the month, and all is calm at Area Residential Care. In our workshop, individuals in our vocational program learn job skills while earning a wage.
In our new Life Choices Adult Day Center, people are enjoying the day in our new green area. In our Day Habilitation program, people are developing and maintaining life skills.
Suddenly, the city’s siren sounds!“This is a tornado drill.” says a voice over the PA.
“Please report to your designated tornado shelter.”All work stops. Machines shut down. Meetings
adjourn.In Vocational, “I was just about to go on break!”In Life Choices, “The sun is shining so it better be
a drill.”In Day Hab, “Well, I suppose surviving a tornado is
a valuable life skill.”Having one’s routine interrupted is never a
good thing. For people with certain intellectual disabilities, it can be very difficult. It takes the skills they’ve learned through our programs and a caring, well-trained staff to make even a simulation of an emergency go smoothly.
Calmly as possible, consumers and staff evacuate unsafe areas. Staff members help consumers get to
areas marked in yellow on emergency maps all over the building. Sensory rooms are checked to make sure everyone is aware of the drill. Five designated zone representatives check the upstairs, front, back, north, and south areas of the building to make sure that everyone is where they should be and that no one is left behind. The zone reps then gather to confirm that everybody is safe. That done, the all clear is sounded.
Hallways clear of people. Machines start back up. Meetings reconvene.
In Vocational, “That didn’t count as my break, did it?”
In Life Choices, “Beautiful day for a tornado, isn’t it?”
In Day Hab, “That wasn’t so bad! Bring on the real thing!”
Such is life at Area Residential Care March through September. Why let a little thing like tornado season get in the way of empowering people with intellectual disabilities?
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Custom Ceramics Provides Work and IncomeOur Vocational program is even more awesome than you think. Not only do we contract with companies to provide work and income to the people we serve right in our own buildings; not only do we have enclave crews which provide work and income for individuals at the sites of other companies with which we contract; not only do we have mobile cleaning crews providing work and income cleaning area offices and businesses; not only do we give people the skills to obtain independent work and income; we also have a few of our own little-known creative venture which provides work and income for the people we serve while at the same time raising money for our mission- Custom Ceramics!
You may not be aware of our Custom Ceramics, but
you’ve almost certainly seen some of our products at the National Mississippi River Museum, Hy-Vee, or the National Motorcycle Museum. People in our vocational program apply decals of our customer’s logo or artwork to a ceramic or glass piece and fire
them in our kilns, producing a high-quality piece for marketing or for special events. We can make anything from shot glasses to pint glasses, and from refrigerator magnets to coffee mugs.
Unlike other producers, we can handle small orders so our customers don’t need to have a bunch of stock around that will never be used.
Sound interesting? Give us a call at 563.557.7560 for a quote!
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Todd Fudge and Relay For LifeEvery year, the American Cancer Society sponsors the annual Dubuque Relay for Life, a fundraiser to support cancer research, educational programs, patient services, and patient advocacy. The overnight relay-style event features teams of people taking turns walking around a track, and also features family-friendly games and activities. For the past ten years, Area Residential Care’s own Todd Fudge, a resident in our Bunker Hill Community Living Home, has volunteered his support for this wonderful event.
Todd’s commitment to fighting cancer comes from how it has affected his family. “I’ve been involved because of my uncle, Jim Fudge,” he said. “I try to do Relay For Life every year.”
This year, Todd was one of over 3500 people who participated in the Relay for Life According to
Chris Wand, Co-Chair of this year’s Relay, over 80 teams participated. He stated that last year’s Relay raised $300,000, and anticipates that amount will be matched or exceeded this year. With donations continuing to come in, the total figure won’t be known until later in the year.
This year’s Honorary Dubuque Co-Chair, Gary Dolphin, the voice of the Hawkeyes, spoke during the opening ceremony to the large gathering. A volunteer for many years, he addressed his own battle with cancer and the positive prognosis that has resulted. He closed with these sentiments: “May no one pull a hamstring tonight, and I’ll be thinking of you a lot during this weekend.”
Well done, Todd, for helping make a difference in the community!
Summer 2012.indd 5 7/12/2012 11:13:16 AM
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With Your Assistance...The following list of items are currently needed in our homes and offices. Please contact the Mar-keting & Public Relations Department at 563-556-4743 if you would be willing to donate.
Office EquipmentLaminatorProjector for TVHeavy Duty 4-wheel cart.Delivery Carts
FurnitureRecliners (2)Folding Banquet Tables (2)Folding Chairs (15)Work Tables with Adjustible legs (10)Lobby Furniture
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Dining Table and Chairs for 8 People4 Large couches
ElectronicsDigital Cameras (4)Projector for TVDVD PlayerElectric Piano KeyboardWii System and Accessories (2)Flat screen TV
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Medical ItemsOtoscopeOximeter (finger tip pulse)
AppliancesSewing MachineCommercial Grade Vacuum
MiscellaneousProduction Tools and Tool Box.Large Art Pieces for Walls
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Meet Jamie PalmArea Residential Care would like to welcome Jamie Palm to our team. Jamie is the new Supervisor/IPC for Day Services.
Jamie has solid roots in the Dubuque community having been born, raised and educated here by parents who also grew up in Dubuque. Her mother ran an in-home daycare so despite being an only child, Jamie always had plenty of playmates.
After graduating from Hempstead, Jamie earned her AA in Criminal Justice from NICC. She then transferred to Loras where she completed her BA, also in Criminal Justice. She loved school and has always said if she could make a career of being a student, she would.
In her spare time, Jamie can either be found indoors watching Criminal Minds or cheering on the Bears, Hawkeyes, and Flyers; or outdoors, hiking, swimming, or grilling out with her family, fiancé, and two dogs, Grizzly and Gracie. She and her fiancé have also recently purchased new bikes and are looking forward to putting them to good use this summer.
In the short time since joining Area Residential Care, Jamie has already earned a STAR award for her outstanding work (see page 4).
Welcome, Jamie!
Save the Date!Upcoming Fundraising Events
July 9-15: John Deere Classic Birdies for Charity. For more info visit www.birdiesforcharity.com
West Side Business Association Golf Outing. Area Residential Care is proud to be the beneficiary for this event. For more info go to www.arearesidentialcare.org.
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The following people and organizations have contributed to Area Residential Care this fall quarter. Their contributions allow us to continue fulfilling our mission of empowering people with mental disabilities to achieve their highest quality of life. All gifts, no matter the size, are always welcome and are greatly appreciated.
If you are interested in learning how you can contribute to our cause, please contact our Marketing & Public Relations Department at 563-557-7560 or go to www.arearesidentialcare.org. Contributions are deductible for income tax purposes to the full extent provided by the law. Benefactors ($1000 and up) Kerry O’Connor Patrons ($�00-$999) John J. Gantz, Jr. and Carolyn Gantz of the Heartland
Charitable Trust in memory of John J. GantzKlauer Family Charitable TrustWoodward Communications Advocates ($2�0-$�99) Peter AltChuck Davis Companions ($100-$2�9) Dubuque Home ImprovementsJAM Systems Midland Doors Associates (Up to $�9) Richard and Valita Bradley
Area Residential Care3355 Kennedy CircleDubuque, IA 52001[P] 563.556.7560 [F] 563.556.7565www.arearesidentialcare.orginfo@arearesidentialcare.org
Quality Services Coordinator | Susie FreeseExecutive Director | Jon RomaineAssociate Director | Maggie WidmyerFinancial Director | Tammy HendricksMarketing and PR Director | Shelby WartickHuman Resources Director | Teri PitzenICF/ID Services Director | Dara FishnickResidential Services Director | Elly DayCommunity Services Director | Cindy LeifkerDubuque Vocational Services Director | Jean WuertzerFacility Operations Director | Karl StieglitzManchester/Dyersville Services Director | Michelle Steege
The agency’s Board of Directors is a group of volunteers dedicated to promoting the vision and mission of Area Residential Care. For more information about them, please contact our Executive Director.
President | Duane FrickVice-President | Kevin StevensTreasurer | Virginia Von TalgeSecretary | Karen DorshkindChuck DavisKen HaugenRoger HoegerTeresa JohannsenSean MurphyTim O’BrienBarbara OgdenJim SchillingJohn Stevens
Foundation BoardKevin Stevens | Foundation Board PresidentChuck DavisMike DugganDuane Frick Cheryl KramerMarv MulertTim O’BrienJim Schilling
In Appreciation Company Directory
“I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.” -Maya Angelou
Summer 2012.indd 7 7/12/2012 11:13:16 AM
���� Kennedy Circle | Dubuque, IA �2002www.arearesidentialcare.orgAccolades Summer 2011 Edition
EMPOWERING PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES TO ACHIEVE THEIR HIGHEST QUALITY OF LIFE
Save the Date!Please join us Tuesday, July 24 from 4-6pm at an open house for Area Residential Care’s new Life Choices Adult Day Center at 3355 Kennedy Circle.
The new program features computer labs, a well equipped new kitchen, arts and crafts, and a beautiful new green space.
The Dubuque Chamber of Commerce will do a ribbon cutting at 4:30 pm. Staff and volunteers will then provide tours to attendees.
