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Newsletter for
December 2009
The newsletter for those
served by Sunflower, their families, staff, and many
supporters. |
Ladeska Makings
Director
of Adult Services/COO
Fall and winter are always our busiest times for training and
events.
Disability Mentoring Day,
the
Self-Advocacy Conference in Topeka
with sixteen
Sunflower participants, AKTION club sponsorship of the
Halloween Parade,
and the
Student Lunch and Work Opportunity
all occur as well as numerous meetings and trainings for those
we serve. There are also numerous conferences and events for
staff as well as year end tasks, supports planning, and budget
preparation for the New Year. As we reflect on the past year we
are so pleased to recognize the accomplishments of staff and
especially of those we serve. New community job placements,
movement to live in homes with more independence, significant
increases in client wages here at the Plant, completion of
numerous community service projects, and significantly increased
awareness and involvement in state advocacy efforts are a few of
the more notable accomplishments of the people we serve. In
order to continue to improve the supports we provide our agency
also:
· Successfully
completed numerous audits and licensing requirements.
· Increased
cooperation and involvement with our community partners.
· Received
a grant through Farmers Bank and Trust to create more job
opportunities for people working in the recycling operation.
· Completed
the Comfort Zone.
· We
were designated by the U.S. Local Business Association as the
Best of Great Bend in disability supports for the second
consecutive year.
· Hired
a new full-time RN to insure the best medical supports to those
we serve.
· Were
one of only a few providers in the state that were designated to
receive stimulus funds that fully funded three vans through our
KDOT grant.
· Applied
for and were granted a second KDOT grant to provide
transportation for individuals we serve.
· Significantly
increased our overall participation in state organizations and
work groups.
· Expanded
our involvement in state advocacy efforts and provided our
Advocacy Coordinator an opportunity to complete a comprehensive
course on methods for legislative and community advocacy.
· Developed
more efficient and effective management processes.
· Began
providing improved notification for staff and families through
the purchase of the Total Notify System.
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Upcoming Events |
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Dec. 24 |
Early Dismissal - 2:00 p.m. |
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Jan. 15 |
Family/Guardian Luncheon |
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4th Wed
of every month |
Lunch and Learn |
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Mar. 6 |
5th Annual Charity Gala |
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Sept. 16 |
Chamber of Commerce Coffee |
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Sept. 16 |
Chris Cakes Pancake Feed |
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To Be Announced |
"DIVA" DAY |
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To Be Announced |
PAWS in the Park |
· Completed
an informational video that showcases our services.
· Began
sending weekly email "Blasts" to better inform the community
of the accomplishments of those we serve.
· Sunflower
sponsored and coordinated another successful Great Bend
Holiday Parade.
I could fill this newsletter but that
would leave no room for pictures!
This time of year is always a time of reflection and as
always I am reminded just how fortunate we are to be a part
of so many lives. To participate in the growth and
improvement of lives is truly a blessing. To all of
you - families and a community that support our efforts; a
board of directors that contribute their expertise and
encouragement; our dedicated staff; and especially those
that we are privileged to have the opportunity to work with
and share in their lives we wish you all the best for the
holiday season and look forward to all that the New Year has
to offer.
As one of
many service projects done throughout the year the AKTION
Club decorated a tree at the Historical Society. They
are also collective goods to send to our troops overseas.
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