Helping America’s most vulnerable™ Summer 2015 Welcome Glen Campbell... Home I’ll Be Me In 2011, when Glen Campbell was over to the pop charts, opening a new diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, realm of opportunity for generations of FEATURES he joined forces with his family to fight country musicians. the biggest battle of his life. Glen and RHINESTONE COWBOY his wife Kim made history by going This epic human drama about the public with the diagnosis — the first undying bond between Glen and Kim BOOKS ARE COOL time a major American and their unwavering CALENDAR OF EVENTS celebrity would share caring for each other this experience with the chronicles a story of world. love, resilience and the power of song. Glen The Campbell family Campbell…I’ll Be Me then embarked on is the true tale of how what was to be a short America’s greatest “Goodbye Tour.” But the country star would not three-week engagement give up his music or his turned into an emotional family, against all odds. and triumphant 151- show nationwide tour The film features those de force. who know and love Glen, including Bruce Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Springsteen, Me is a powerful portrait of the life and Bill Clinton, The Edge, Paul McCartney, career of great American music icon Jay Leno, Vince Gill, Jimmy Webb, Glen Campbell. The film opens to the Blake Shelton, Sheryl Crow, Keith viewer the world of the singular talent Urban, Brad Paisley, Steve Martin, who created hits like Rhinestone Chad Smith and Taylor Swift, among Cowboy, Wichita Lineman and Gentle many others. Rare vintage footage on My Mind. and extraordinary new performances of Glen’s most beloved hits immerse Winner of the Grammy for Lifetime this moving cinematic account in the Achievement and member of the overwhelming talent of this humble Country Music Hall of Fame, Glen was family man. the first country music star to cross A Message from Our Glen Campbell cont’d President and CEO With joy and a tireless sense of humor, “Because the themes of the film are Glen and his family live each moment so deeply connected to Volunteers of in the present while preparing for the America’s mission around Alzheimer’s The great poet Maya future, all while playing their music and care giving, it was a natural choice Angelou said, “the to sold out venues on a star spangled for Volunteers of America to want to be ache for home lives voyage spanning the country from involved and to support and spread the in all of us, the safe Carnegie Hall to the Hollywood Bowl. word about the movie,” she added. place where we can go as we are and not Volunteers of America is an exclusive The film is currently playing in select be questioned.” nonprofit sponsor in the production, cities across the country. “I’m Not marketing and distribution of the film Gonna Miss You”, a song Glen wrote So many of us take and in developing educational and with Julian Raymond for the movie, won our homes for granted. They are where learning opportunities for families and the Grammy Award for Best Country we go at the end of the day to relax, care givers to learn more about dealing Song during the 2015 Grammys and unwind and escape the cares of the with Alzheimer’s. was nominated for an Academy Award outside world – if only for a few hours. in the original song category. “Volunteers of America cares for people But for so many Oklahomans, home is with Alzheimer’s and those caring for “It’s been an amazing journey,” said just a dream…something outside their them,” said Volunteers of America Glen’s wife Kim Campbell, accepting grasp. It can happen for a variety of Oklahoma president and CEO Pam the Grammy Award on her husband’s reasons: poverty, disabilities, abuse, Richardson. “Glen Campbell...I’ll Be Me behalf. “He’s been so courageous in neglect or mental illness. is a powerful portrait of Campbell’s life bringing attention to Alzheimer’s. He since his Alzheimer’s diagnosis, and is healthy and cheerful and I know first Fortunately, Volunteers of America helps his and his family’s attempt to navigate and foremost he’d want to thank God.” Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens: the wildly unpredictable nature of Individuals who are intellectually and the progressing disease using love, In addition to providing direct care developmentally disabled, who are laughter and music as their medicine of through Volunteers of America homeless or at risk of being homeless, choice.” facilities, Volunteers of America also and Oklahomans who are aging. trains and certifies caregivers in Volunteers of America hosted events in Volunteers of America Validation, a While the various needs are diverse, the many communities across the country, way of caring for and communicating thread that runs through all our services including a private screening of the with older, disoriented people, who is helping people find or stay in their film in Tulsa in October 2014 and a are often diagnosed with Alzheimer’s- home. A safe place so they can move theatrical release in Oklahoma City in type dementia. Validation promotes forward with their lives. February 2015. empathy on the part of the caregiver, communication to reduce stress and Each day our professional staff are These events were specifically aimed increase happiness, and dignity during privileged to welcome so many people at promoting the film’s core values of the final stages of life. To learn more, “home” through Volunteers of America community, understanding, acceptance visit www.VOAValidation.com. Oklahoma. In our hearts we all know and the drive to educate people about “there’s no place like home!” We are on adults whose lives are affected by this journey together for the good of all Alzheimer’s. we serve! Thank you for your continued commitment to Volunteers of America Oklahoma. Volunteers of America Logo Featured in L.L. Bean Catalog The Volunteers of America logo is shown embroidered on some very Pam Richardson President/CEO nice polo shirts in the spring 2015 direct-to-business edition of the LL Bean catalog. Our logo is used as an example of how organizations can raise their visibility through branded apparel. Rhinestone Cowboy Back in the Saddle Again The American Cowboy was glamorized in the movies of the 1930s and 40s. That style came alive at the eighth annual Rhinestone Cowboy – A Tribute to the Glamorous West. We tipped our cowboy hats and danced the two-step at the best party this side of the Rio Grande! In Tulsa, the eighth annual Rhinestone Cowboy took place on May 1 at the Cain’s Ballroom. And in Muskogee, the inaugural Rhinestone Cowboy was held on April 7 at the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Rhinestone Cowboy seeks to further the mission of Volunteers of America Premier Volunteer Award Oklahoma to help Oklahoma’s most vulnerable citizens. During the evening’s Williams Companies Print Services festivities, we recognized Tulsa client Scotty Groover as the 2015 Heart of Courage recipient. This brave young man Volunteers of America On February 2, Richardson and has overcome many obstacles in his life. Oklahoma presented the Shelley Holmes, Development Thanks to your investment in our mission, presented the 2015 Premier Director, surprised Palmer and Scotty’s increased independence, home Volunteer Award to the Williams his team with cupcakes and and part-time job have allowed him to Companies Print Services team. balloons. “This is a terrific integrate more fully within the community. honor and I appreciate the good Rhinestone Cowboy also gave Volunteers “Mike Palmer and the Print words about our Print Services,” of America Oklahoma the opportunity Services team at Williams said Tim Colwell, Tulsa to honor the Williams Companies Print provide services to many of the Community Outreach Business Services team as the 2015 Premier Volunteer. The Williams Print Services local non-profits in the Tulsa Partner at Williams. “They are a team has a heart of service to our community,” said Volunteers great group of employees, often community as evidenced by the invaluable of America Oklahoma CEO Pam overlooked for their tremendous in-kind printing provided to many of the Richardson. “The Williams Print contributions to Tulsa-area local non-profits in the Tulsa community. Services team’s heart is a heart nonprofits.” Your support of this annual event ensured of service to our community.” that our mission continues to provide support to over 2,000 Oklahomans in need through housing, residential support and housing assistance. On May 1, Volunteers of America Volunteers of America Oklahoma Mission Moment The power of housing For seniors, maintaining independence is very important. At Volunteers of “At my house America Oklahoma, we provide housing for seniors who want to live independent I didn’t have lifestyles where they can thrive and age in place. Our senior residents deserve friends. No one the quality of life that they desire and our commitment to service-enriched housing offers them just that. came to see me.” “Our goal is to keep seniors living in homes as long as we can without going to nursing homes or assisted living facilities,” explained Kailan Helm, Leader of Aging Services. “Through our ADvantage program, we offer case management services to seniors who are living in their own homes and meet the Medicaid financial and medical a history of falling,” she recalled. “It When Hutto finally decided to move qualifications. Our case managers work was drafty and so cold I had to use to Southwoods, her decision was with these seniors to make sure their the stove as well as the heater to keep emotional and bittersweet.