Tin Man Award-Elsinore Construction and Remodeling, LLC
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
Recently, a client had a home modification done with a complete bathroom remodel to better fit his needs. The company, Elsinore Construction and Remodeling, LLC, completed the work. Over the two weeks it took to complete this job, Elsinore employees were in the home every day working hard. The client was also present in the home. As the guys did their work, they often took the time to talk to the client, show him what they were doing, and even included him in some of the decisions. The client was made to feel a part of the job as he carried the tool bag in his chair. The workers often joked around with him, were very respectful, friendly, and even shared their lunch with him during their breaks. When the client had a birthday party, the workers attended the party and brought him t-shirts and a hat. Not to mention, the bathroom looks great and is much more adaptive to the needs of our client.
Seeing how friendly, respectful and accepting the workers of Elsinore Construction were with our client makes them worthy of the Tin Man Award.
Tin Man Award-Steve Wilmesherr
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
ABiLITY/DSFC Inc. would like to acknowledge Steve Wilmesherr for volunteering his time, vehicle, and gas to help coach our Special Olympics athletes for the past several years. Steve always drives his personal vehicle for practices and for out of town trips. On our out of town trips, we are usually all in one big bus. Steve driving his personal vehicle has come in handy many times and he is always willing to help out wherever he his needed. Most recently, Steve picked up an athlete and a parent from the emergency room at midnight and brought them back to our hotel. Steve’s knowledge of coaching and compassion is a great asset to our Recreation and Special Olympic program. Steve cares deeply about all of the athletes and our athletes respect and cherish him.
This is why we feel that Steve is worthy of the Tin Man Award.
Tin Man Award-Debbie Scharff
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
Going above and beyond in the care of our clients can have lasting effects. Debbie Scharff is always willing to go above and beyond for her clients. She has developed multiple sticker and magnetic charts and utilized them with her clients which has led to the client independently completing more tasks proactively, while she purchased all the components out of her own pocket. Debbie has supplied learning tools including notebooks to teach the clients letters, numbers, and how to write each. She has spent numerous hours deep cleaning various parts of the client’s home, such as the bottom side of the table, to ensure it is as clean as possible. She is a team player by organizing closets and drawers making it easier for others to find things, and covers numerous open shifts and is always flexible with coming early or staying late to help out.
Recently, when a client was attending a different medical provider, Debbie created an easy to read and comprehensive seizure chart to take to the new doctor. Debbie took it upon herself to compile the information spanning multiple years to give a more accurate and easy to read display of information. The doctor was very impressed, and it aided in getting active treatment for this client. Because of her thoroughness and hard work, Debbie is worthy of the Tin Man Award.
Tin Man Award-Sally Lavigne
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
There are not many life events that are more traumatic than the loss of a parent. One of our clients (Tom) dealt with the illness and death of his mother two years ago. This last month Tom’s father passed away after a long illness. This process was hard for him to work through. Without special behavioral supports to teach him social, communication, and coping skills, it would have been much more difficult. Sally LaVigne is to be commended for her hard work in behavioral supports for this individual in his entire life, but especially as these traumatic events unfolded.
Sally and the behavior support staff taught Tom how to observe his environment and the other people around him to interact in helpful and expected ways. He learned to practice reactions to the emotions he would feel and how to communicate with his family. Sally took him to see his father in hospice. Each of the expected triggers, including seeing his father so ill, were thought through, worked through and practiced. Tom realized his father was so ill that he would not be able to ask some of the questions he wanted to ask him. They did not expect, however, that when they arrived his father would have already passed away. Sally was with him to work through this grief before he met with his family.
Sally accompanied Tom to his father’s visitation and funeral to help him to use the tools he had learned and help him navigate the difficult emotions. They were so successful in being a family support that Tom’s family asked to get some training to help them maintain a relationship with Tom in the future.
Sally understands what she does is not just a job, but a life line to those she serves. We want to recognize her today with the Tin Man Award for her heart in everything she does.
Tin Man Award-Teresa Barylski
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
It is easy to take for granted the people and processes that make life simpler and make things work better for all of us at ABiLITY. With an agency of over 125 employees there are many details and deadlines that are essential to get our paychecks and our benefits delivered effectively. Teresa Barylski is one of the unsung heroes and an essential piece of this organic and always changing tapestry of human resources and business management.
Teresa has spent months working through or new employee and benefits program, Zenefits. She has integrated the system with our present systems and with the Program Directors and Executive Team that make it all fit together. She has also been the initial guinea pig to help the company that created Zenefits to make their product work effectively. Teresa has been recognized with a “Most Persistent Person” gift card by our One Digital insurance broker, Bill Maher, in October, in recognition of her hours of documentation, conversation, and follow up to make this program work better and work for us. We at ABiLITY wanted to echo his praise for Teresa’s work with our Tin Man Award today.
Teresa, thank you for all you do for us (and in spite of us) to keep ABiLITY functioning, our checks coming, and our benefits on track. You are an awesome ally and resource to all the employees here. You are worthy of the Tin Man Award.
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TIN MAN AWARD June 2018
A Testimonial for an Ability
Good Deed Doer
ARTZY WALLZ
ABiLITY (Developmental Services of Franklin Co., Inc.) recognizes individuals both within our Agency and members of the Community that go above and beyond in supporting individuals with disabilities by awarding them the Tin Man Award.
Artzy Wallz has gone above and beyond, by promoting our services to the community, enhancing the lives of those we serve by including them in art classes, and having them help to construct paper mache’ NOGGINS for a fall community event. Through their extraordinary efforts, we have been able to provide many services and enhancements we otherwise would not have been able to do.
We would like to honor Artzy Wallz and thank them not only for becoming a supporter of what we do, but also for being our friend, making us feel welcome and a part of our community.
Tin Man Award
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY/DSFC Inc. Good Deed Doer
ABiLITY/DSFC Inc. would like to acknowledge Tom Beck for volunteering his time, vehicle, and gas to move two of our clients into a new ISL. Not only did he move these individuals with little help, but Tom stayed most of the day on Sunday hooking up their washer and dryer and making sure they worked. Tom is not new to volunteering for our Agency and for Special Olympics. Tom attends almost all the recreation events and he coaches Flag Football, Basketball, and Power-lifting, all on his own time. Tom is always going out of his way to help our clients and staff and making sure everyone is smiling and taken care of.
This is why we feel that Tom is worthy of the Tin Man Award.
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April is National volunteer appreciation month. Our Volunteer program here at ABiLITY is extremely lucky to have our volunteers. They make the Impossible, Possible, and we are forever thankful to have them. If you bump into them, recognize them for what they do and say a quick thank you. These individuals have actively volunteered their time the last year. Thank YOU for your volunteer work to make our programs and services better!
Tom Beck
Barb Laberer
Steve Wilmesherr
Larry Ley
Mary Barton
Sherry Keith
George Ash
Debbie Scharff
Stephanie Hensley
Sharon Martindale
Barbara Cox
Lyn Havin
Toni Randall
Sue Wilmesherr
Dave Whitlock
Ted Colburn
Eileen Wade
Dave Eagan
Christine Duncan
Tin Man Award
A Testimonial for a Developmental Services Good Deed Doer
Presented to KAREN ASH and KAREN MELTON
Friday, January 19, 2018
Going above and beyond for the happiness of our individuals can have a lasting impact on them. Two of our managers decided this is what they wanted to do this holiday season. Karen Ash and Karen Melton have both been outstanding employees of DSFC, Inc. for several years. They have shown great compassion and enthusiasm when working with not only their clients, but all the clients that DSFC, Inc. serves. Twice this year they have hosted holiday parties at Parkhill and invited everyone in the agency to attend. At both the Thanksgiving and Christmas parties, Karen and Karen set up, provided the food, decorations, and gifts out of their own pockets. These events were enjoyed by many, making the holidays a little brighter. All the clients, staff and families that attended were extremely grateful and had wonderful things to say about these ladies. Both ladies kept the above to themselves and provided these things strictly out of caring for the client’s and for that they are both worthy of receiving the Tin Man award.
]]>News Release: Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Two very lucky winners were drawn to receive a “one of a kind pottery bowl” with hand prints of participants in ABiLITY’s Early Intervention Program. This was a promotional event, in cooperation with local banks, to let the community know of the programs and services of ABiLITY. These services seek to address the needs of over 225 children and adults throughout Franklin County, having a developmental disability.
Shown receiving one of the bowls is Leeanna Hasty (patron), along with Karen Menke of Citizens Bank, New Haven. Shown receiving the other bowl is Emma Moore (patron), along with Pat Ganey of Citizens Bank, Pacific location. Other participating banks were Bank of Sullivan (Sullivan and Union locations), First State Community Banks, Bank of Franklin County, First Bank (Washington), Farmers Merchant Bank (St. Clair), United Bank of Union and Peoples Bank in Sullivan.
A Testimonial for an ABiLITY Good Deed Doer
ABiLITY has awesome caring staff and a great culture for going above and beyond for the individuals we serve. What really makes this notable is that we see this with the staff that work direct support and interact daily with clients, but we also see this active compassion throughout the entire agency, from administrative staff, board members, volunteers, and custodial staff. This is what makes ABiLITY staff, programs and clients excel in the community.
Today we would like to recognize one of our own for her intervention to meet the need of an individual we serve. One of our clients living at Park Hill was so excited to get a job at the local Pasta House. He told others about it. He was ready to start, but needed to get black pants and a pair of black shoes before he could begin the job. He told one of the staff who emailed agency staff with the request. The same day Teresa Barylski received the email she bought this gentleman a pair of slacks and bought him a new pair of black shoes. She understood how excited he was to get a job and didn’t want him to have to wait. The pants and shoes were delivered quickly so he could begin his job as soon as possible. Teresa did this quietly. When asked about it she was surprised others knew. She told the story with a smile as she recognized the impact this small gesture had on the young man’s future.
We want to award Teresa with the Tin Man Award for her actions in making the world a better place. She has shown “heart” for the people ABiLITY serves. Thank you!
November 9, 2017
]]>A Testimonial for a Developmental Services Good Deed Doer
Developmental Services of Franklin County Inc (DSFC) would like to acknowledge the devotion and kind heartedness of George Ash. George drives for the Transportation program and the clients look forward to seeing him every week. He makes them feel comfortable and their ride enjoyable each time. Recently, when there was a scheduling conflict, George took it upon himself to drive down to Cape Girardeau and volunteer his time to help coach one of our teams at the Regional Basketball Tournament for Special Olympics. Our athletes ran to him when they saw him come in the door, stating they were so glad that he made it. George volunteered 9 hours of his time including drive time just to be there for his athletes. George has made a positive impact in the lives of our athletes and they look forward to seeing his smiling face. George also went out of his way to come to some of the basketball practices to help coach when the supports were needed. This is why we feel that George Ash is worthy of the Tin Man Award.
April 18, 2017
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