NEWSLETTER WINTER 2017 The Holiday Season was a full of joy. Wabash Center made on campus activities available for employees and those we serve. The month of December was packed with weekly fun and made each member of the WC family feel appreciated. It was great to see grateful spirits all around! SPREADING THE LOVE There was plenty of love spread at the Wabash Center Sweet Heart Dance. Everyone danced, wore beads, shined glow sticks, splurged on treats, and enjoyed the company of friends. It was a joy for all in attendance to see happy hearts, smiles, and memories being made. May those we serve always feel the LOVE! HOLIDAY APPRECIATION President s Corner With winter coming to a close and spring around the bend, it is hard not to reflect on the wonderful things those we serve were able to participate in. From the Christmas Dinner, holiday activities, to the Henriott Group s downtown art display, and the Sweetheart Dance last week. These small joys are a reminder of why we do what we do, on behalf of those we serve. As we go about our service throughout the month of March in celebration of Disability Awareness Month, you should be proud that you are part of an exceptional team providing exceptional opportunities for those we serve. - Jason McManus - President
PAGE 2 NEWSLETTER CHRISTMAS DINNER There was much to be appreciated this year at the Wabash Center Christmas Dinner! With a visit from Santa Clause, a home cooked meal, and holiday jams, many memories were made! Immanuel United Church of Christ hosted the evening of fun which allowed for use of their full kitchen, elevators, stage, and sound equipment. With the help of community volunteers and dedicated Wabash Center employees, the night was a holiday treat for all. Many volunteers that lent their time and helpful hands, felt grateful for the opportunity to witness such a joyful group of people. Having the Christmas dinner allowed for folks to celebrate in fellowship and have a special occasion to look forward to! JOY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT Wabash Center has the pleasure of hosting an array of groups, volunteers, and active members of our community. This winter the Purdue University Volunteer Club spent time in ADA classrooms, created Valentines, and beaded for our After School Program. The Lafayette Civitan Club donated large Christmas gifts for many individuals we serve. Having our community experience the services we provide, created inclusion and that is our ultimate goal!
W ABASH C ENTER P AGE 3 WINES ON THE WABASH Our annual evening of wine, appetizers, and donor engagement is coming up! Wabash Center greatly benefitted from the 700 attendees at Wines on the Wabash last year. In 2016, WC had a record number of tickets sold, a recognized quality of silent auction items, and the mission of GRANT S HOUSE as a platform. This year, WC is reaching out to the Greater Lafayette area to make an even stronger con- nection between the public and our organization s greater purpose. Be sure to purchase your ticket at the WC website and join us on May 19th for an evening of memories in support of those we serve. ART ON DISPLAY Wabash Center had the fantastic opportunity to participate in Henriott Group s downtown art display. Gary Henriott and his team of employees offered our WC creatives the chance to showoff their unique pieces of individuality. Every individual that we serve was able to contribute to the WC display. The After School Kids beaded art was a hit, as were Brad Shay and Nellie Purk s sketches and paintings. With the help of all staff, those we serve received overwhelming recognition from our city. Those that visited the art display were inspired and grateful to see such a variety of special artwork. Thank you Henriott Group!
PAGE 4 NEWSLETTER TITLE Jennifer Corns- Wabash Center s January Employee of the Month is Jennifer Corns! Jennifer has been with us for many years and is always there to help out a coworker. In addition to balancing her large case load, she still devotes time to help a coworker brainstorm or job development a client. Watching her clients blossom in life and develop their skills are blessings to her. Jennifer makes it her priority to show unconditional love to her family and loves being loving mother and grandmother to her special ones. She is known for her free advice and common sense, which allows her to succeed in the workplace and in her personal life. Wabash Center is fortunate to have her compassionate work ethic. EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH SHE HAS THE WILL AND THE SKILL! MISSION MOMENT FOR KEITH Wabash Center became involved with Keith s case in June of 2015. To turn Keith s life at home and work around, a dedicated team of 6 entered the home, and completed an 12 hour shift of dehoard and deep clean of home. Keith is currently employed in work services. After a long and thorough process, Paula Nicholson and her team have made tremendous leaps to see Keith succeed. Nicholson states, Today, Keith is a smiling grateful, appreciative, beautiful human being. He has allowed us to take his Life and his needs into our hands, and entrusted us every step along the way. Keith has a hobby of assembling and collecting model cars, tractors and semis, and he proudly displays them around his home. This is his light and joy. This year he has continued to do what he loves in a kept home that has allowed his children to spend time there with their father. There is progress to be made and Wabash Center is here to support it. Thank you to all volunteers for making a difference. Gary Berry (left) with President Jason McManus (right). Wabash Center was an eye-opening tour experience for manager of Lafayette's State Road 26 Wal-Mart location, Gary Berry. Regular tours and community engagement are large goals for Jason McManus. Berry sees all aspects of local employment, and was grateful for the opportunity to see the internal REACHING OUT endeavors of our organization. Jason and Gary made their rounds around the Wabash Center campus. They interacted with employees and the individuals we serve. It was a thrill to have an engaged community member visit and visually see the impact that is made at Wabash Center on a daily basis. It is Jason s vision is to make visitations and tours a weekly part of our campus agenda. Outreach is an opportunity for growth and knowledge of the services that WC offers, and the importance of engaging community leaders in our success.
VOLUME 1, ISSUE 1 PAGE 5 DISABILITY AWARENESS MONTH March is Disability Awareness Month! Often, people with disabilities who are successful, athletic, employed or simply good neighbors are put in the spotlight as an inspiration to others. Through portrait-style photography and attention-grabbing copy, this year's Disability Awareness Month theme and poster artwork - "I'm Not Your Inspiration" - emphasizes that people with disabilities are people first. They are co-workers, classmates and neighbors who want to be fully included in their communities - just like everyone else. With Wabash Center s mission to optimize the quality of life for those we serve, it is the duty of our organization to spread awareness. Dedicating a month to disability awareness promotes opportunity for community inclusion. Wabash Center is always looking for ways to positively reflect on the passionate work of our staff and the compassion we share for those we serve. Not just this March, but every month, find a way to spread awareness for equality and acceptance. DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD WANT OTHERS TO DO UNTO YOU. CONNECT WITH US NOW LIKE our WABASH CENTER Facebook page. @wabashcenter FOLLOW @wabashcenter @grantshouse54 USE our WABASH CENTER Website to navigate events, activities, and services! www.wabashcenter.com
MAGGIE JAE BUDREAU ACTIVITY COORDINATOR Send me photos, ideas, and suggestions! 765-5531 ext. 342 mbudreau@wabashcenter.com WE OPTIMIZE THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES AND SPECIAL NEEDS. Find our newsletters at: www.wabashcenter.com February 24, 2017 ACTIVITY CALENDER SWEET HEART DANCE (WC Cafeteria 6:00pm-8:00pm) March 10, 2017 Lafayette Spinners Basketball Game (6:00pm-9:00pm) March 11, 2017 AUSTISM WALK (Moose Lodge 10:00am- 2:00pm BRING KIDS) April 10, 2017 Somewhere on the Spectrum Autism Support Group (Building A 7:00pm 9:00pm) April 16, 2017 EASTER May 5, 2017 GRANT S HOUSE I m Happy and I m Alive. 2017 Celebration (Tipp. County Fairgrounds 6:00pm-10:30pm) May 14, 2017 MOTHER S DAY May 19, 2017 WINES ON THE WABASH (Purdue Memorial Union 6:00pm-9:00pm) GRANT S HOUSE Wabash Center is currently serving over 20 youth in our After School Program. With the mission of a new facility to expand the amount of children we serve with special needs, we must continue building GRANT S HOUSE. Grant was a beloved Wabash Center employee and capitalized on his gifts by serving the community and being a friendly leader. Since May of 2016, funds have allowed for Grant to live on through promoting the GRANT S HOUSE project, wearing his beads, and taking his story around the world. Wabash Center is having a GRANT S HOUSE I m Happy and I m Alive. 2017 Celebration this May 5th at the Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds. We look forward to your support!