November 2011Easter Seals Southeast WI Newsletter

Supporting People with DisabilitiesSince 1934

1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty

www.eastersealswise.com

A Recipe for Success

Melissa Grant came to the Training Center in 1998 to explore her vocational interests and strengths and wanted to determine if supported employment would assist in her reaching her goals. She had worked in a pizza and sub shop where she bussed tables, washed dishes, and completed some food preparation. While at the Training Center, she tried several programs to increase other important skills necessary for employment and to find the job setting she would most enjoy. She worked with the Lilyworks landscaping crew, maintaining park and ride lots and with the commercial cleaning program. Melissa then decided to train with the catering department. All of these experiences assisted Melissa in making the decision to pursue a career in the food service industry.

Working in the catering program, Melissa increased her knowledge in all aspects of the catering business including setup, food preparation, and serving. The curriculum highlighted learning the importance of maintaining consistency in these tasks, increasing skills in customer service and learning to operate a cash register. Melissa also worked with Easter Seals staff to further develop interpersonal communication and problem solving skills. Her success in the catering program has led her closer to her career goal with her new job, working at the Lily Works Café located in the Milwaukee Mental Health Complex. Melissa is, taking orders, and performing cashiering duties and also expanding her talents by learning food preparation at the grill. All of these experiences have also led to her being chosen as one of three training participants to participate in a large catering event at UWM each summer. She is relied upon heavily to contribute to its success and has taken a leadership roll with her co-workers.

Melissa also recently moved into her own apartment, and is taking her cooking skills one step further in preparing her own healthy meals. Her next career goal is a job in one of the many great restaurants here in town. Her determination, enthusiasm and expanded skills are sure to make her a successful member of any restaurant team.

“Melissa is very excited to be working at the Café. She loves interacting with the customers and is learning how to cook.” Stanley Tom, Commercial Catering Manager

See what is going on at www.eastersealswise.com

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A Message from our CEO

www.eastersealswise.com 3

My parents are Mary and Ray Glowacki, retired proprietors’ of Pulaski Inn in Cudahy. My dad tells us often that when he was a young man, everything he needed was on Pulaski Avenue. The family could purchase groceries, gifts, shoes, and of, course a pint of your favorite Milwaukee products at our place. You could get what you needed without venturing in a car or going beyond a three block stretch in a small Milwaukee suburb. Your world was your community, your street, your neighborhood.

Today, we face a more expansive community. For most of us unless we live in a retail district, we have to travel for everything we need or order it online. We no longer compete just at a regional or state basis, but our businesses compete internationally. We can communicate globally and freely. I have a twitter account (@bobglows) that has followers from Australia and the United Kingdom!

How does this all relate to delivering services to individuals with disabilities?

Simply put, no entity can work in isolation any longer. As the world is more complicated, so our responses to community needs must become more sophisticated and on a larger scale to meet the needs of others, merely collaborating or cooperating is not enough, nor does it deliver the results the people we serve need and desire. Working together can not only be about locating two non-profits in one building or joining a committee to study a societal problem. It involves moving two or more organizations into a relationship with each other that has defined goals, responsibilities and objectives. It is not collaboration, but partnership working together for the long term.

This newsletter features a sample of our partnerships with a variety of people and groups. Some are just starting out and beginning to bear fruit, like Project Ability and Project Search, where we are working with major employers to find jobs for adults with disabilities, giving “real world” experiences and real wages to participants in these programs.

Some of our long-term partnerships work at variety of levels, like our work with Kenosha YMCA where we have located our adult day for three years and this summer we piloted a special class for families living with autism or our relationship with Mental Health of America of Wisconsin and Dry Hooch that has resulted in two successive summers with Camp Yellow Ribbon for military families. This month we opened our new café thanks to our board member, Pete Pappageorge and his company, Century Services.

Developing partnerships, expanding relationships and bring the community together to solve problems facing children and adults with disabilities are the hallmarks of what we are building here at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin. We believe in the power of partnerships. Our most important partner is you, without your support our mission would not be possible. We thank you for your support of our work in making our community more inclusive, accessible and allowing greater choices for the individuals we serve. Thank You!

Centry Services Partnership

Bob GlowackiCEO, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin

Help us equip our Café

In order to expand the menu at the Lilyworks Cafe’ we need help in bringing in additional restaurant equipment.

•20giftsof$40.00foraconvectionoven •24giftsof$50.00forapreptable

Please consider a gift which will support training and job opportunites for our participants by investing in our equipment needs for the Café

CENTURY SERVICESThe possibilities for partnerships are as endless as the number of people involved, and can begin with the simplest of efforts.

Pete Papageorge, owner of Century Services began his involvement with Easter Seals by volunteering for our annual February snowmobile event for over ten years.

Pete wanted to find a way to support us throughout the year and created a program that provides revenue for our programs and recognition for our work in the community.

He donates a portion of his coffee products, equipment rental and vending sales to us, from equipment placed in corporate locations. All of the equipment carries the familiar Easter Seals logo, which dually recognizes us, as a disability service provider, and the participating company for supporting our mission.

But Pete didn’t stop there. In his continued efforts on our behalf, he introduced us to the Victor Allen Coffee Company. This has resulted in our new, soon to be launched, private label, LilyBrew coffee program for fundraising, corporate gifts and online coffee club. It is not only a new revenue source for programs but creates jobs in labeling, fulfillment and shipping for participants at the Workforce Training Center.

Most recently, Pete has had a hand in our newsletter cover story too. He created the opportunity for LilyWorks to open our new café in the Mental Health complex. Years from when he first began volunteering, his partnership impact will benefit others for years to come.

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Page Heading

September “Back to School “ takes on a whole new look

Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin schedules 45 to 65 surgeries each day, and lots of behind the scenes preparation begins the day before the surgery. Becca is an Easter Seals Project SEARCH intern in the Sterile Processing Department, responsible for making sure that all of the items needed for a surgery are pulled and ready to go. Project SEARCH is a new program partnering Easter Seals with Children’s Hospital to offer a year long classroom and work experience for young adults beginning their senior year of high school. Easter Seals provides job coaching in rotating job internship opportunities at Children’s Hospital. The goal is for these young adults to learn skills that can transition to community-based employment.

In addition to the job skills learned in the internship, the classroom curriculum includes learning about appropriate interpersonal skills with supervisors and co workers, resume writing, job searching, how to apply for a job and how to understand what employers are looking for, understanding company policies and attendance, honesty and appropriate dress codes for your job. Other internship opportunities in the program at Children’s Hospital also include the Histology Lab, Pharmacy, Distribution Services, Imaging, and Neuroscience Clinic.

Becca is now in the second week of her internship rotation and is excited about all there is to learn. Every case is different and requires learning about different instruments. The Children’s Hospital staff have been extremely welcoming and supportive. Rachal, Becca’s supervisor said, “While Becca is learning her job, we are learning from each other.”

Marcus, another student in our first class, chose Distribution Services as the first of his 3 internship rotations. His job includes filling orders for equipment needed in any area of the hospital as well as learning how to break down and sterilize equipment like isolets. Mika, his mentor, is amazed at how fast he has learned not only these processes, but other technology related to his job. Marcus said that one of the great parts about his job is meeting new people at the hospital. Melinda, another co-worker, is always impressed by the way Marcus confidently introduces himself and interacts with patients and staff when making deliveries.

Now in week 5 of the program, students Kaitlin and Joey are ready to begin their first rotations. Kaitlin is learning medical terminology and strengthening her keyboarding and filing skills for clerical work in the Histology Lab, while Joey is gearing up for a position in the cafeteria, which prepares all of the meals for the hospital. “I’ve wanted to work in an office in a health care setting ever since I took some health classes in high school, and I am really excited and proud to be part of this program,” said Kaitlin. Thanks to Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and their wonderful staff for partnering with us in this exciting new opportunity for Becca, Marcus, Kaitlin and Joey and the many students to come.

For information on attending an open house in January, or enrolling in Project SEARCH visit, call Beth Lohmann at 262.953.2208

Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by Nurse J. Erin Riehle, then the Director of the Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. As the flagship program, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital provides technical assistance for replication and overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide. (www.projectsearch.us)

Top: Becca helps the team prepare for one of the many surgeries performed daily at Children’s Hospital.

Bottom: Marcus has quickly mastered disassembling and sterilizing a variety of hospital equipment.

ProjectSEARCHWishlist

In it’s first exciting year, Project Search

is in need of some classroom items.

• Oscillating table top fan

•New laptop computer

•Digital frame

•Agiftof$170will purchase a set of classroom career skills posters and charts

•Agiftof$$80.00will purchase classroom reference text books for our library

Your donation will help defray programs costs for

this first exciting year of Project SEARCH

To donate, call Beth Lohmann at 262.953.2208 or mail your tax deductable contribution to:

Easter Seals Southeastern Wisconsin 3090 N. 53rd Street Milwaukee, WI, 53210

PROJECT SEARCH • Project SEARCH is a one-year, high school transition program providing training and

education to students in their last year of school.

• Project SEARCH is another option for transition planning for students with disabilities that will teach them marketable, transferable and competitive skills.

• The ultimate end goal of Project SEARCH is 100% employment for students with physical or cognitive challenges leaving High School.

• The cornerstone of Project SEARCH is total immersion into the business environment. Five days a week, students report to the host business, learn employability skills in the classroom,

then learn hands-on job skills while participating in a variety of meaningful internships and experiences within the host business.

• Each student will have the opportunity to complete 3 internships lasting 10 weeks each over the school year. The internships vary from medical records (preparing charts/scanning),

food services (preparation or cleaning) , surgical services (sterilization), emergency room (stocking carts/trays) and case management (clerical)

• Certified Special Education Instructor and job coaches work together with students andbusiness staff to problem solve and plan for program success.

• The ultimate student goal upon program completion is to utilize their internship skills for competitive employment within the community.

• Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort between; Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin,The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and local high school

as determined by student participation.• Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by Nurse J. Erin Riehle, then the Director of the

Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. As the flagship program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital provides technical assistance for replication and

overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide. (www.projectsearch.us)

For More Information Contact Beth Andrea Lohmann

[email protected]

PROJECT SEARCH • Project SEARCH is a one-year, high school transition program providing training and

education to students in their last year of school.

• Project SEARCH is another option for transition planning for students with disabilities that will teach them marketable, transferable and competitive skills.

• The ultimate end goal of Project SEARCH is 100% employment for students with physical or cognitive challenges leaving High School.

• The cornerstone of Project SEARCH is total immersion into the business environment. Five days a week, students report to the host business, learn employability skills in the classroom,

then learn hands-on job skills while participating in a variety of meaningful internships and experiences within the host business.

• Each student will have the opportunity to complete 3 internships lasting 10 weeks each over the school year. The internships vary from medical records (preparing charts/scanning),

food services (preparation or cleaning) , surgical services (sterilization), emergency room (stocking carts/trays) and case management (clerical)

• Certified Special Education Instructor and job coaches work together with students andbusiness staff to problem solve and plan for program success.

• The ultimate student goal upon program completion is to utilize their internship skills for competitive employment within the community.

• Project SEARCH is a collaborative effort between; Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin,The Division of Vocational Rehabilitation, Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin and local high school

as determined by student participation.• Project SEARCH was developed in 1996 by Nurse J. Erin Riehle, then the Director of the

Emergency Department at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center. As the flagship program, Cincinnati Children's Hospital provides technical assistance for replication and

overall leadership to Project SEARCH worldwide. (www.projectsearch.us)

For More Information Contact Beth Andrea Lohmann

[email protected]

Project Search Partnership

www.eastersealswise.com 5

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Camp Yellow Ribbon Partnership

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Partners Help Healing Happen

A week in August proved to be a very special one for 43 military children at the Indian Mound Scout Reservation. Not only was the camp special but so were the kids who attended. Camp Yellow Ribbon is a free, week long, overnight camp in for children who have parents who are, have been, or will be deployed, in any of our military branches.

Activities included everything you expect to find at camp: canoeing, archery, swimming, fishing, and campfires. The thing that makes this camp special was brought about by an Easter Seals partnership with Mental Health America of Wisconsin, the Boy Scouts, and a variety of other veterans service organizations.

Unlike children whose families live on military bases around the country, military children in Wisconsin come from many cities. They don’t have the natural support system around them of kids facing the same situations. It can be difficult for them to communicate their feelings to their teachers, family members or friends. The camp incorporates therapeutic discussion and activities conducted by mental health experts, to aid in helping children express and cope with the variety of emotions like fear or uncertainty, that come from having a parent who is deployed.

The last day of camp incorporates parents, siblings and other family members with an educational, hands-on, display by the 128th Refueling Wing and the 32nd Military Police Company and a ceremony recognizing the individual accomplishments of each camper.

Campers leave with new friends who become their new “natural supports” throughout the rest of the year. Thank you to our partners who help us help these kids and their families.

Listen to campers personal stories at: http://wi-se.easterseals.com/Camp_Yellow_Ribbon

4thAnnualGatewayGolfOuttingThankyoutothe40golferswhoraised $1000thatwillbenefitour Holler Park recreation programs!

It was a beautiful August afternoon at Milwaukee County Oakwood Golf Course for the Airport Gateway Business Association. Gateway To Milwaukee is a membership group supporting the business district and community surrounding General Mitchell International Airport.

Easter Seals participants greeted golfers and hosted a putting contest for our second year in a new partnership with the Gateway organization. “We are an organization that promotes collaboration and efficiency in today’s competitive economic environment. Raising funds for Easter Seals recreation center at Holler Park, in the center of the Gateway area, shows that we can walk the talk while working to grow the vitality of the Gateway area,” said Tom Rave, Executive Director. The impact of this partnership of one event will reach beyond the neighborhood and into the lives of many.

GatewayPartnership

Last year, Easter Seals received over $163,000 in funding through the

United Way of Waukesha County to help support our Workforce

Training Center.

Live United!

When giving through your office’s group campaign support Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin.

Sweet RewardsReward yourself with a 3.25 ounce

gourmet dark chocolate bar for $4 each.

All Proceeds from each candy bar sold will benefit Easter Seals

Workforce Training Center programs.

To Order Call Jerry at 262.953.2214

Supporting People with DisabilitiesSince 1934

1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty

www.eastersealswise.com

Community EmploymentNonwwProfit

Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMilwaukee, WI

Permit No. 2781

Experience and Skill Sets:• Electronic Document Scanning and Linking Files• Light Data Entry• Alphabetizing• Counting, Packaging, Assembly• Mail Delivery• Detail Oriented• Dependable• Friendly, Polite and Easy Going

Employment Desires:• Technology• Logistics/Organization/Administrative Support• Structured Environment• Repetitive tasks• Located in the Milwaukee or Waukesha Area• 15-30 hours a week

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin1016 Milwaukee AvenueSouth Milwaukee, WI 53172

www.eastersealswise.com

HELP SCOTT FIND PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT

Ifyouknowofabusinessesthatwouldbenefitfrom an employee like Scott, please contactJamieSchmitz262.953.2234