The goal of this blog is to inform the reader on legislature, news, and events pertaining to the Mental Retardation, Developmental Disabilities and Autism community. We hope that by sharing this information we can answer questions, provide information and offer support to those with family members who have special needs. We encourage your responses and feedback.
Building Dreams becomes a reality
His Grace, Bishop MARK, Father Atty, Jenifer Frommeyer, Trish and other Clergy
Several years ago, Executive Director Jenifer Frommeyer had a vision. She dreamed of being able to build a new residential building to provide housing for additional Dreams With Wings clients. She dreamed that with modern construction methods this new housing opportunity would have extra wide doorways to easily accommodate wheelchairs, have durable flooring and modern conveniences. Because of that vision, the “Building Dreams” project was born. Dreams With Wings submitted and was awarded a HUD 811 grant. This grant would provide 8 units developmental disabilities. Now all that was needed was the land on which to build. The project became a reality when Very Rev. Alexander Atty and the leaders of St. Michael Church on Hikes Lane became aware of the project. They generously provided DWW with a long-term lease which has allowed Dreams to build this residential supported housing on their property. Ground was broken in December of 2008 and while the weather was less than desirable, the warmth and excitement of that day was unbelievable. The units are currently under construction and will be completed sometime in early summer. Dreams With Wings looks forward to providing supports for 8 additional individuals and thanks HUD and the people of St. Michael for their unbelievable compassion and generosity.
Dreams has lost another friend in Sally Hurley
Dreams With Wings has lost yet another friend this year with the passing of Sally Hurley. Sally who would have celebrated her second anniversary with Dreams this past March.
Sally Hurley passed from this world way to early in her life and while there may only be a few of us who will notice her absence those of us who were blessed enough to have known her feel an empty space in our hearts because she is gone. Sally was a quiet woman with a kind and caring heart who stood strong behind those she loved and cared for. She may have spoken with a soft tone but she didn’t shy away from saying what she believed needed to be said. She was an advocate for the client she worked with, was a hard and dedicated staff, was proud to work with Dreams With Wings, and impressed that we would listened to what she had to say as well as invite her to tell us her ideas. She was delighted with the simple things that occurred in the world and smart enough to avoid the people and events that would have made her life harder. She was easy to compliment and talked about the good in everyone. She imprinted her values on all of us that worked with her and made us take a step back and look at work & life through a different view. Her family, myself, the individuals she worked with, and Dreams With Wings will miss her.
Submitted by Sharon
Congratulations
Winners of the "Make Your Mark Challenge 2009"
Dreams’ Louisville Ignite Team was announced the Winners of the “Make Your Mark Challenge”
What is the “Make Your Mark Challenge”?
Every year participants in the Leadership Louisville Center’s Ignite Louisville program are challenged by Maker’s Mark Distillery to make their leadership mark on our community.
The Ignite Louisville class is divided into teams and each team is tasked with designing, coordinating and executing a project in concert with a local nonprofit to make our community a better place.
At the end of the program, the projects are judged by a panel of esteemed leaders and a winner is chosen.
What did they do for Dreams? An easier question would be, what didn’t they do. This group took their mission of helping nonprofits to a new level.
They:
□ Created a new Board Development Orientation Program.
□ Created a new Data Base.
□ Designed and Built a Garden of Dreams at our main office, complete with accessable ramp.
□ Refurbished our Dreams Café to include a partnership with Sullivan University.
□ Established an endowment to sustain Dreams With Wings
□ Most importantly! Became a member of the Dreams Family.
You are truly a Dream Team, and we will forever be grateful!
*Check out Leadership of Louisville and all the wonderful work they do in our community! www.leadershiplouisville.org
Dreams Spring Flower Sale
April 13, 2009
Dear Dreams With Wings Families and Friends,
Are you looking for some beautiful annuals to spruce up your garden? Do you need hanging baskets for your yard or for Mothers Day? If so, we have the answer for you!
Dreams With Wings is holding their first annual plant sale; an order form is attached for your convenience. Simply fill out the form and return it to Dreams With Wings before April 24th by mail or by fax. Mail to: 1579 Bardstown Road, Louisville, KY 40205; Fax to 456-5705.
Flower pick up will be April 28th and 29th at 419 Bauer Avenue (in the rear) from 10:00am to 7:00pm. We will also have a few extra items for sale on those days.
All proceeds from the sale will benefit the programs and services of Dreams With Wings!
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to call our office at 459-4647. Thank you in advance for your support!
Gratefully,
Jenifer C. Frommeyer
Dreams With Wings, Inc.
Garden of Dreams
Ingite builds the ramp.
Our Garden of Dreams is coming to fruition! The Louisville Ignite team worked diligently this past weekend to put in a ramp. Boone Gardiner Garden Center has already completed most of the large plantings and the patio area is ready for the pavers. Dreams With Wings is extremely grateful for all of the generosity of The Louisville Ignite Team and all of their hard work. 
Sweet Dreams and Chili Nights
Ms. J enters the winning cake
Dreams With Wings and St Michaels Orthodox Church came together for Sweet Dreams and Chili Nights. This past February the 13th was lucky for one of our clients, Ms J. when she walked away with the winning cake. The evening included assorted chili’s and homemade desserts, the musical talents of Adam Hardesty and a silent auction. Special guests included Senator Julie Denton, The Louisville Ignite Team and of course our clients and their friends and families.
Adam Hardesty
- Senator Julie Denton
Dreams Cafe’ Grand Reopening
The Ignite Louisville Team is a group of professionals from different businesses that have come together to assist non-profits in their quests of organization and development. Dreams were privileged to be the recipient of the talents of this group. Among the many contributions they have made to our organization, they have contacted and secured the assistance of Sullivan University to teach our clients some culinary skills. Our Day Program, Dream Builders, as part of teaching our clients independence, has offered lunch twice a month. Our clients prepare and serve the food, and donations are accepted to offset the cost. On Monday, March 23, Ignite Louisville, Sullivan University and Dreams, had the Grand Opening of this collaboration. Special Guests included Senator Julie Denton, a chef from Sullivan and The Ignite Louisville Team.
The Ignite Louisville Team
Goodbye Dear Friend….You Will Be Missed.
Dreams With Wings said goodbye to a dear friend and employee last week in Dewayne Douglas. Along with all of Henry County, Kentucky, Dreams is grieving the loss of a wonderful employee who took our mission to heart. Dewayne worked for Dreams With Wings as a Direct Support Professional. He was always ready and willing to do what was asked. He worked at one of our staffed residences where he formed a special bond with those who lived there. Work at the house for Dewayne did not happen “just when he was on the schedule”. Often times through out the week he would pop in and take Carroll for a ride on his 4 wheeler or take him riding in his truck. Donnie had moved several months ago but Dewayne still kept in touch and would drive to Shelbyville to take him to lunch. Dewayne had accompanied the Dreams group on vacation for several years. He and Carroll were always up early going and checking on everyone and seeing if anyone needed anything. He was always there to load the trailer with luggage and help out in any way he could. We will never forget the special interest he took in those that many often overlooked. Because of Dewayne, the lives of those we support were greatly enriched. Caroll found a friend in Dewayne that many of us can only hope to have. Thank you Dewayne for sharing your gifts with us. We will miss you.
An article from the Henry County Local
By Tommie Kendall
They came in jeans and shirts, ties and suits. They came as current players, former players, students, coaches, family and friends. They filed in Eminence’s gym, found a seat in the stands and glared out onto the court almost like they were there to watch a game.
This time, though, they were there for a different reason. There were no referees, no balls and no team huddles or coaches yelling from the sideline. Everyone — hundreds of them — were packed inside Warrior Gymnasium Monday afternoon to say a final goodbye to one of their own, who was in the spotlight at center stage.
Dewayne Douglas was known for his hard work, never-say-quit attitude and loyalty as a teacher and coach at Eminence Independent School since 1991. He was laid to rest Monday afternoon in Eminence Cemetery after dying in his sleep early Friday morning at the age of 51. In the end, he left a trail behind that people will remember for generations. He will surely be missed.
Yes, Coach D’s death was unexpected. Yes, it was sudden. And yes, it sent most of those that knew him into an utter daze of confusion. But with family, colleagues, players and friends by his side, he went out just the way he would have wanted to — at the same school he spent his most memorable days, on the same court he so vigorously taught and coached, and with those he cared most about. Like a last-second touchdown or a nose-to-nose game on the field, it was just the finale Coach D would have been proud of.
At the funeral, stories were told as there were some laughter and plenty of tears. What was evident by the shear number of those that attended the candle-light ceremony Saturday night, the visitations Sunday and the funeral Monday, was how much Coach D was loved. For me, I felt honored just to write these words about a man that touched my life in the short time that I knew him.
Most people know Coach D from the sideline — the emotional leader on the football field, barking instructions and demanding his players to give 100 percent effort 100 percent of the time. He’s also so much more, which this column could never explain no matter how hard I try.
His voice may have been silenced forever and his whistle may never blow again, but his memory will live on. There will be more teachers and coaches that come through the hallways of EHS. There will be more role models. There will be more people to write stories about. But through all this, his memory will live on.
I know his memory will live on because of those people that came together to pay respect to Coach D, remember his life and give him his final farewell. It was a finale we should all yearn for.
The current players — wearing their red football uniforms — stood, hugged and eventually went their separate ways, along with the hundreds of others that were in attendance Monday afternoon. The tears will dry and we will all continue to live our lives on a path that will never cross Coach D again.
But in the end, after he closed his eyes for the final time, Coach D’s memory will live on.
Tommie can be reached at sports@hclocal.com.
URGENT ACTION NEEDED
Sent to Dreams by The Council on Mental Retardation
URGENT ACTION NEEDED: Telephone Congress Today About
MEDICAID Funding in Recovery Package
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Congress Finalizing Economic Recovery Package |
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Now is a Critical Time to Fight for Increased Medicaid Funding! |
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Congress and the Obama administration are working on a recovery package rumored to be between $775 and $850 billion. Leading national organizations that track state fiscal conditions agree that states are facing a fiscal crisis of historic proportions that will continue for a number of years.Washington are pushing to have the bill enacted by February 13. The House and Senate are working on separate bills which are expected to be marked up in committee next week. State officials have already cut Medicaid eligibility, benefits and services, and provider reimbursement rates; some states are making budget adjustments a second time. Others are finding they already must make budget adjustments in the near future and in 2010. ANCOR has learned through individual meetings on the Hill and coalition work that key decisions could be made as early as next week. Details of the House bill are emerging and Senate agreements may be finalized this weekend. Call your members of Congress THIS WEEK to tell them to support an economic recovery package that includes additional Medicaid funding. It is imperative that Congress provide a temporary increase in FMAP of at least $100 billion over two years. Congress must help states with their budget crises to avoid significant cuts to services and supports to people with disabilities. In addition, Congress must include sufficient funding to place moratoria through 2010 on seven CMS Medicaid regulations by the Bush administration. While Congress contemplates tax relief to middle class families, ANCOR believes they must also provide an additional SSI check to people with disabilities. More than seven million individuals rely on SSI and did not receive cash relief in the first stimulus package passed last year. Leaders in Take Action: Call Today!
ANCOR will keep you updated as this situation continues to evolve. Watch for additional information and directions for contacting your members of Congress in the coming days. Read ANCOR’s Click on the Take Action link at the top right corner of this e-mail to go to ANCOR’s
Contact Anne Fiala (afiala@ancor.org) of the Government Relations Staff with any questions. |
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