“To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities for
persons with severe disabilities.”
EEO/AA/M/F/D/V
DIRECTOR’S CORNER
By: Phil L. Taylor
My New Year’s resolution (work related) is to keep focused, watch
my time and try to be more patient. You may think that isn’t much
of a resolution, but the way I see my job it truly is. It is easy
to let other things that I like to do to get me off track with those things
I need to be doing. I had much rather work on new projects (and sometimes
old ones) myself then to hand them off to others who need to take them
for their own. Also, I’m generally conscious of my time to the extreme
and it is hard for me to cut myself any slack much less others. So,
I will watch my time and others can watch their own. Also, I want
to be more patient. I feel that I have to be patient in waiting for
organizational changes which always takes much more time than I anticipate.
Often I believe that same thing is true for some people. I hope these
things are good both for me and the organization.
I want to take this time to give an example of how I believe the capacity
building management training can be used to start a new project.
Several weeks ago we started conducting a multidimensional business study
to determine the feasibility and general direction of developing an Auto
Recycling Program. I’m using the capacity building management training
model (a program I developed last year and began training 22 staff in early
this year) to study various aspects of the business - legal, marketing,
PR, safety, vocational, management, and the integrated business aspects.
Eight of us have been working on it and moving it forward to the point
that we began a PR campaign a few short weeks ago. We now have nearly
ten vehicles and gotten really good coverage from TV8, the Jonesboro Sun
and local radio stations.
At the very first meeting each person was given the learning objective
for the process of developing the project along with assignments to be
worked on independently. After reading the initial proposal everyone
were instructed to refer back to their training manuals and identify (in
writing) two ways the project related to something specific in it.
They were to look specifically at their management level in XIII.
MANAGEMENT ROLES TRAINING and identify a couple of areas that appear to
relate. It was important for everyone to understand how the project
would relate to the mission, that the resources to be dedicated to it would
have a high mission-related outcome and the value added training that would
occur due to the project would have significant impact on consumers.
The group only met three times with the last one including one our Board of Directors. We were able to move it to a point of becoming a viable project. It has had some very good impact here locally and we feel that it can be expanded to other areas of the state in the future. Just as important as the results of the project was the process itself. It allowed several different people to work outside their normal daily jobs to help develop a new business line and training in a fast and efficient manner. This is what capacity building for our organization is all about. I really compliment Lorene, DeeDee, Cheryl, Darren, Carrie, Chris, and Leif for their hard work in all of these meetings and the independent work they performed. Also, I appreciate Russell Patton for being able to meet with us at our last meeting and look forward to Katherine’s involvement in the group.
I’m really looking forward to the new year and what it can bring. Many of us, including Board of Directors, are involved in giving input to our 3 Year Strategic Business Plan. I will share some of that with you in the future. As always I truly appreciate all of your efforts that you do on behalf of our consumers. Have a Happy New Year!!! January Birthdays
Terrie Goodwin 1st
Amy Ellis 2nd
Frankie Talley 3rd
Kathy Branscum 10th
Kim Young 12th
Patricia Smith 13th
Amanda Burgess 16th
Mohammed BenM’hammed 17th
Julie Pieri 18th
Angela Kifer 19th
Hope Moody 20th
Nicole Dietz 21st
Camille Harris 23rd
Melissa Burns 24th
Maragret Sue Gramling 24th
Penny Pickrell 24th
Marie Chism 26th
Kathrine May 27th
Kitty Swindle 28th
Cynthia Gibbs 29th
Harriet Ponder 31st
Welcome To A.U.
MayLynn Kittrell ACS Implementor
Daniel Miller ACS Implementor
Lydia Nelson ACS Implementor
December Service Awards
Matthew Richardson celebrated his one year anniversary with Abilities
Unlimited in December. He received a pin and certificate for his hard work
and dedication. Thank you so much for all you do on behalf of our consumers!
Abilities Unlimited of Blytheville
This Christmas was a good time to reflect on how much the Blytheville
program has improved over the year. Although our numbers are smaller than
last year, the staff are better trained, the workload is more streamlined,
the billing and documentation are very accurate and constantly ready for
audit, and more than anything else, the clients have what they need to
learn, and grow. We have worked with clients to help them with Social Security
Benefits, and foodstamps. We have even advocated for them to get clothing
and other needed items through ARS. We believe that there is a many sided
benefit to attending AUI, and helping to make the clients’ working conditions
better is just part of what we do!
On December 5th, one of the parent, Alan Crawford, offered up his twenty
foot trailer and helped us to decorate it to make a small float. Although
it was quite cold that night, several of the clients and staff rode on
the float in the Blytheville Christmas Parade.
On December 9th, a group of 11 clients, 2 staff and our Special Olympics
coach headed out to Little Rock for the bowling tournament. Since weather
was little bit scary, they headed home before they were totally finished,
but they had a good time anyway.
On December 19th, the staff brought in a smorgasboard of food for the
whole workshop. We set up a diningroom for about 50 people and all sat
down to eat together. Our old friend Santa made a special trip here that
day so everyone could enjoy opening their presents.
We applied for food baskets form the Union Mission for those who could
not put together a Christmas Dinner without some help. The expectation
of a small basket of food was way off base. The mission sent about 35 pounds
of food to each person we signed up for a basket.
On another note, we are pleased to announce that the new Thrift Store
is expected to be open for business on January 15, 2004 and the grand opening
will be scheduled shortly after that. We in Blytheville send all of you
warm wishes for a Happy New Year.
New Year’s Resolutions
I will try not to be so hard on others when they let us down. I will
ignore those who try to discourage. I will consider things from every angle.
I will be more accepting of others. I will remind myself we all unique,
God’s creation, and nothing can replace any of us. I will realize that
I am not responsible for everything- that is God’s job. - Vicky Goodwin
I will accept people where they are realizing that there are not perfect
people( including myself) and I will try to effect needed changes through
encouragement, positive feedback, and education. I will try to be part
of the solution instead of part of the problem and offer insight rather
than criticism. I will try to offer more words of encouragement because
they are like precious jewels in a world where we are constantly bombarded
by negativity. These jewels of encouragement don’t cost a penny but are
capable of changing the world of the person who receives them. I would
like to do my part to change worlds this year!
-Patty Brewer
My new years resolution for 2004 is to increase sales by 15%, increase
production at processing center, and bring in more donations from local
businesses by spreading the word of our mission. All in all increase business
productively while making 2004 a year to remember both from a business
and employee standpoint!!!!
-Penny Pickrell
To promote more community awareness for A.U.
-Kathy Branscum
To produce a training related to "Principles of Leadership and
Supervision." To begin a "Psychology Corner" in the Newsletter which presents
a description and examples of one mental disorder per month. The purpose
is to assist us in understanding the symptoms of personality disorders
and mental illness which we may be seeing in our daily interactions with
the people we serve.
To determine the feasibility of serving clients in the Bootheel of
Missouri at the Blytheville Facility.
- Christy Wyatt
I resolve to practice in the new year what I have learned in the old:
not to underestimate the power of a smile or the lack of one, to strive
to be a positive instrument in my profession, as well as, in common life
with a transcendental approach to all things, and to risk failure in the
opportunity of great success.
-Kim Young
To listen more, and speak less; To follow through on my goals for my
self and my direct staff on a more regular basis; evaluating and giving
feedback as needed; To praise more where praise is due. To lead more people
uphill and help them realize that we always learn from the climb...
-Lorene Gibson
Another year’s behind us now,
Its quickly blustered past.
The busy nature of it all,
Just made the time fly quite fast.
So, here we are in 2004,
A very short time it will last.
And for us a plan I have devised,
A resolution in a blissful forecast.
I wish for us all to be happy each day,
And help all those in need be it vast.
I wish for us all to know in our hearts,
Our team is the strength of our mast.
I wish for us all to know the difference we make,
For many who might alone be outcast.
I wish for us all to join forces and hands,
As we face this new year with a blast!
I resolve in this year, we will collectively shine,
As old goals we will certainly surpass.
For not as one, but together we will ardently strive,
To do all that is so needed and asked.
-Stephanie Gotay
To try to be more patient and understanding with the consumers and staff.
I think that if I am able to slow down and take the time to try to understand
thier point of view I will be more effective in my position.
- Chris Paslay
I want to remember why we are here; to provide services to our consumers, that offer them a chance to explore, dream, and discover. I also want to focus on the successes because that can make people, for the most part, humble, tolerant and kind. In essence, I will try to be the change needed or wanted by you so you can feel inspired and appreciated, because you all have talents that continue to astound me. I feel so blessed to be a part of this “family”. -Cheryl Heskett
Once I get my desk clean) I am going to try and become organized and
remain organized. I am also going to try to have more contact with my employees.
Some of my employees do such a great job that I do not worry about them
or check in with them and I take them for granted. I need to contact them
more to make sure things are going smoothly and to express my gratitude
for how wonderfully they do their job. I am also going to make an effort
to criticize less and to praise more. - Kim Head
I resolve to be a better bridge between our consumers and the community.
I will do this by looking for opportunities to build understanding of the
plight of our consumers in the minds of community members with whom I have
contact.- Leif Hamman
Consumer’s Services - Jonesboro
Need a Friend?
Creating and Maintaining Friendships
By Janet Gregory
Friends help make life easier and more worthwhile. Finding and
maintaining friendships can be difficult when you have a disability.
It’s difficult to go out and find people to see the real you inside.
Luckily, it isn’t necessary to have thousands of friends, but having a
few close friends is nice. If you see that your consumer is feeling
friend-less, don’t worry. Here are some ideas to assist you in helping
him/her to find and maintain friendships .
Becoming involved in the community provides your consumer an excellent
opportunity to meet new people. Libraries, social clubs, churches,
schools, sporting events and organizations usually hold activities.
Keep an eye open on the local paper and bulletin boards for event listings.
You can’t meet new people without making some kind of an effort to be active.
The internet has offered tremendous potential to find friends.
You can help your consumer join chats, forums, message boards and use instant
messages to meet and talk to people. Your consumer does not need
to worry about barriers blocking them from being with others. Thousands
of forums and groups exist to fit into their individual tastes. Email
is also available to keep your consumer in contact with friends.
Help your consumer look within themselves. People are often attracted to those with a sense of humor, self-acceptance and a good personality. These are attributes that you can help your consumer to foster. Help him/her to take and inventory of what kind of person he /she would to be and then help him/her to strive to be that person. Be careful not to push your consumer into being someone that they are not.
Encourage your consumer to make the first move. They can ask someone out for coffee, an activity or lunch. Of course, there is always a chance of rejection, but it’s important to try. If they are rejected, help them to be proud that they tried and encourage them to try again with someone else.. Letting fear take over your consumer’s life is never a good thing.
Help your consumer to see that the best way to maintain a friendship is to be a good friend. Assist your consumer in seeing that people like those who are honest, trustworthy, caring and interested in others. Remind them that gossiping or talking behind other people’s back is not a good friend. Friends help one another, show support, have fun together and like each other.
Don’t let your consumer’s disability get in the way of their friendships. Share your experiences with friends with them. Model creating and maintaining friendships for your consumer.
“You are today where your thoughts have brought you, you will be tomorrow where your thoughts take you.” Ralph Waldo Emmerson
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTIONS
My resolutions for this year will be the same as last year. They
are as follows:
Continue to be a team player even though at times I feel there are not very many players.
Continue to promote activities that help my consumers feel they are participating in the community.
Continue to give of my time and energy to promote a stable environment in which my consumers have the opportunity to succeed, no matter how insignificant it may seem to others who are not as generous with their talents.
And last but not least, to continue to strive to regard my employees as valuable individuals whom deserve respect and admiration instead as pawns with no meaning and goals in life. To continue to understand that my employees are the backbone of my department, and thus I will strive to see that they are recognized and compenstated to the best of my ability.
Paul Gunter
Personal Adjustment Center
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As 2003 is coming to an end and 2004 is just around the corner, I have
been contemplating the past and the future. I have been asking myself
what I can do that would positively impact our organization. I have
decided that I need to be more empathetic.
I will work harder to understand and be sensitive to the feelings, thoughts and experiences of others without them having to fully communicate those feeling, thoughts and experience to me.
I will smile more and be more positive.
I will make sure that everyone knows on a daily basis that I am proud
of who I am
I will strive daily to be a better co-worker, supervisor and employee.
Janet Gregroy
ACS Waiver Coordinator / Case Manager