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Passages looks back at year of successes |
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Friday, September 26 2008 |
By BECKY HAND
Community editor
Wednesday evening, The Eagles Nest Event Center was the site of a picnic for the Passages, Inc. Annual Partnership meeting celebrating 54 years of successes.
While guests enjoyed pulled pork sandwiches and finger foods, Passages staff and clients reported on the previous year’s progress.
Dawn Boyd, chairperson of Passages, Inc. mentioned they are “looking for someone to stand up to the task of Kay’s job.” She wouldn’t call it replacing Kay Fleck, as that just couldn’t be done. Fleck plans to retire in the spring.
Board members were introduced by chairperson Boyd: Doug Brown, Vanessa Bills, Mark Hisey, Carl Siler, Randy Holler, Bridget Johnson and Michelle Slavicek. New board members were elected: Jacie Worrick, Tammy Shoda, Jake Hoag and Cathy Broxon-Ball.
Two of the Passages Clients were featured giving reports on their progress in the past year.
Janolyn Kreider has been a client of Passages since 1983. She now is in a 24- hour home and enjoys having her own room. She enjoys going to garage sales, Michigan City, Nappanee and would like someday to go to Florida with her daughter and walk on the beach.
Tina Lough came to Passages in 1998 and has now moved into supported living. She loves being able to hang Jeff Gordon pictures in her room and prepares her own meals. She likes e-mailing her cousin who is serving in Iraq. She pays her own bills now and says, “I love it!”
The direct support staff has been given training this year as Passages has partnered with the State of Indiana and Ivy Tech. Three classes taken are Intro. to Disabilities, Community Integration, and Health and Wellness.
Rosemary Alexander, a Towerview employee who describes herself as passionate about her job, feels she has become a stronger advocate for the people she serves through these classes. With her grandchildren helping her with the computer work, she says, “An old dog is learning new tricks.”
Kari Gentry has worked in the Employment Options Division and was shocked to learn about the history of disabilities in class. She thanked Passages for the opportunity to take these classes and looks forward to coming to work every day.
Kay Fleck remembered Ralph Palmer, a client at Passages who died in July. The Annual Report said, “Ralph Palmer touched the lives of all who knew and loved him. His touch will remain forever in our lives.”
A Community Partnership award was given to Jim Leeson, who has worked 14 to 15 years for Passages. Dave Lehman, presenter described Leeson as having passion and talent, making the organization more effective and efficient. Leeeson accepted saying “There is a lot of love in this organization. It’s a neat place to work.”
Alice Anderson, vice president of Adult Services and Deedra Fisher presented a Community Partnership award to WIC, represented by Sue Harker. Harker has served on the Passages board, the Healthy Families Board and with WIC for 16 to 18 years, according to Fisher. With her husband, Chick, Harker helped get the first building for Passages in the 1960’s.
Chairperson Dawn Boyd summed up the purpose of Passages in a letter in the Annual Report: “I’m thankful that Passages is here to meet the needs of our community ... there is always a baby needing early intervention servicees to thrive, a teenage mom who needs assistance raising her child, an adult with a disability who would love to work, or an aging couple that needs residential services for their adult child.”
May the Passages boardmembers and staff continue in their successful tradition of working with our communities special citizens for another 54 years. |
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Last Updated ( Monday, September 29 2008 )
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