The Volume 31, Issue 1 Spring 2017 Networker Newsletter of Catholic Charities North Dakota Celebrating 30 Years of Guardianship Services at Catholic Charities North Dakota The Guardianship Division at Catholic Charities North Dakota is celebrating its 30th anniversary of service. As a result of the ARC lawsuit in 1980, many people with intellectual disabilities began moving from the state institution in Grafton to community based services throughout North Dakota. It was found that a number of people were ready to move but needed the support of a guardian to help make informed decisions on their behalf. The Department of Human Services issued a Request for Proposal in the mid-1980’s asking that a program be developed which would serve as corporate guardians for individuals who Paul Griffin, former Director of Guardianship Services, and RogerSchwinghammer, did not have family or friends available former Executive Director, are shown in this file photo from 1998. Paul and Roger to be their guardian. In 1986, our agency were instrumental in the development of the Guardianship program for Adults with was awarded the contract because Roger Intellectual Disabilities. Schwinghammer, Executive Director, had the vision and belief that this program fit the mission of Catholic Charities North Dakota. Paul Griffin became the Supervisor of the Guardianship Program and he brought this vision to life. Paul started with a blank slate as there were no programs of this nature in North Dakota and he developed all of the policies and procedures. Under Paul’s leadership, a program was built that is based on integrity, advocacy, compassion and quality of service where the best interest of the person is paramount. In 1987, courts began appointing Catholic Charities North Dakota guardian. Since then, we have served as guardian for 920 individuals with intellectual disabilities. We currently serve as guardian for more than 448 people with intellectual disabilities with 109 more on our wait list. Since our beginning in 1987, we continue to live the mission of Catholic Charities ND by serving people in need and advocating for the common good of all. Roger and Paul set the gold standard for guardianship services and Karla Johnson, Donna Byzewski and our 14 guardianship workers (including Sue Dokken, guardianship worker and Jeanne Helmers, support staff, who have been with the Guardianship Division from its start) continue to work each and every day to advocate, empower and positively impact the lives of the people we serve. Stay in Touch, like us on MEMBER AGENCY Tribute Catholic Charities Gifts North Dakota I have been a caregiver my entire life. Growing up on a farm, I brought every wounded animal home to Dianne Nechiporenko Executive Director nurse back to health. In 1981, I became an Occupational Therapist to help the injured, the sick and the folks having Board of Directors difficulty coping with life. Bishop John T. Folda, Fargo Bishop David Kagan, Bismarck I have been happily married for 34 years to my best friend and soul mate. Steven Lies, Chairman-Wahpeton We have two beautiful children who live within 3 hours from us and complete our Aaron Krauter, Vice-Chairman-West Fargo Rev. William Gerlach, Secretary-Oakes world. In our home there is a role reversal, since my husband loves to cook and I Vacant, Treasurer love the yard work and working with tools and equipment. Together we have five Rev. James Ermer-Casselton Liaison to Bishop Folda dogs which appreciate the acre yard to run and explore. Ron Schatz-Bismarck I became Executive Director at Catholic Charities North Dakota in 2013, Liaison to Bishop Kagan bringing together all of my worlds: helping the vulnerable along with my strong Dianne Allmaras, New Rockford Jerome Clark, Minot faith in God and all God’s creation. I am very fortunate in seeing the big picture Rev. Patrick Cunningham, Underwood and projecting into the future which is why this position feels so perfect. My Lynn Davis, Belcourt Sr. Maura DeCrans, PBVM, Fargo passion is to help the elderly within the state of North Dakota feel loved, secure Kaylin Frappier, Fargo and to know themselves as the treasure that they are. Martha Glatt, Linton Agnes Harrington, Fargo Deacon Doyle Schulz, Bismarck Diane Weir, Medora Executive Director Dianne Nechiporenko Tributes Management Team In Memory of By In Memory of By Daniel Halvorson Marie Halvorson Director of Adults Adopting Special Kids (AASK) Raymond Novak Anita and John Jack E. Kautzman Virginia Kautzman Mattson Christine Martin Our Grandparents Scott Bullinger Edwards Ganje Katherine Ganje Director of Counseling Services Our son, Ryan Dixie and Larry Schulz Lillian and Peter Welder Anna Welder Carlyss Neufeld Casper Schneider Connie and Jason Schneider Deceased Relatives Marian and Ted Director of Development and Deacon Conrad Schuster Robert L. Domler Appel Community Relations Lyle Franklin, Jr. Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Lawrence Scherr Bertha Scherr Chad Prososki Alfred Price Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Beatrice Lewandowski Craig N. Matt Director of Finance and Technology Evelyn Gartland Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Lorrayne & Walter Vicki and David Vicki Schlenker Annie Pfeifer Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Degenstein Degenstein Bernie Cleary Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Director of Guardianship Services Francis A. Jacobs Dorothy C. Jacobs Louis Nicoli Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Calverna and Eugene Jackie and Richard Donna Byzewski Marie Ukestad Margaret and Lloyd Thilmony Schloesser Schloesser Director of Pregnancy, Parenting and Msgr. Wendelyn Vetter Alan J. Vasicek Emelia and DeeForast Grim Jackie and Richard Adoption Services (PPAS) Msgr. Wendelyn Vetter Kristin and Charles Votava Schloesser Kris Haycraft James (Jim) Potts Kathleen Potts Carl Duchscher Colette and Rodney Council of Accreditation Coordinator Jerry Engels David Lill Heilman Kris Haycraft LaVon Larson David Lill Gertrude and Louis Neys Craig Neys Lois Johnson David Lill Verlyn R. Nelson Leona Nelson Alf Dybing David Lill L. Joe Fry Dianne and The Networker is published twice a year by James G. Gion Cindy and Aaron Krauter Frederick Allmaras Darril Mohr Cindy and Aaron Krauter Catholic Charities North Dakota. L. Joe Fry Cindy and Aaron Gary Ihry Cindy and Aaron Krauter Krauter Robert (Bob) Mart Cindy and Aaron Krauter L. Joe Fry Agnes Harrington Catholic Charities North Dakota Judy Johs Sheila and Brian Johnson L. Joe Fry Patricia and Steven is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Reuben, Pearle and Robert Wagner Lies Lee Wagner L. Joe Fry Peggy Birdsall 1-800-450-4457 Anna and Cletus Wehri Sharon and Vern Solum L. Joe Fry Norma and Stan CatholicCharitiesND.org Pauline and Vern Solum Sharon and Vern Solum Martin Karen Theusch David Theusch Rose and Nick Heinz Lillian and Ray Merece Lubarski Mary Lou and James Sott Seifert Irene Pitra Leona Mead Emma and William Seifert Lillian and Ray Our Parents Laurine and Tim Hodny Seifert Our Parents Cecilia and David Lambeth Agnes and Anton Emineth Lillian and Ray Deceased members of the Marlene Spicer and Sons Seifert R. Spicer & Marlene My Son, Charbonneau Families Richard (Ricky) Gorman David Gorman 2 Catholic Charities Pregnancy, Parenting and North Dakota Adoption Services I graduated with a Masters in Social Work in 2003 and have worked with youth and families ever since. I have worked in a Fargo drug court program, with runaway and Kris Haycraft homeless youth and with court-involved youth and their families. In February 2016, I came Program Director to Catholic Charities North Dakota as the Director of Pregnancy, Parenting, and Adoption Program. It is a blessing to be able to work for an organization where my faith is supported. I have been married for almost 17 years to my fabulous husband and we have three wonderful boys ages 11, 8, and 3. Our family has an unusual pet named Spikey. Spikey is a bearded dragon who has been part of the family for about a year. It wasn’t until last week that we figured out that Spikey is a girl so she might be getting a new name soon. My family loves to be outside and active. In the summer we enjoy time at our cabin on the lake – where the boys have a chance to ‘rough it’ and have time away from electronics. I am really excited about being a Young Life (non-denominational youth group) volunteer in our home town and have enjoyed getting to know the high school students as well as the other amazing volunteers. In the past year, I have been touched by many “God moments,” such as when a birth mom has chosen the perfect match as the adoptive family for her child and I get to watch two families become one or when I have been searching for a birth mom to ask if she would be interested in contact with the child who had been placed for adoption and she happens to call me for an unrelated matter. Every day I get to see God’s Hands at work! Commemorative gifts were given between Tributes September 23, 2016 - February 28, 2017 In Memory of By In Honor of By Del & Rosemary Grimestad Thomas Grimestad Robert Pacella David Pacella Msgr. Anthony R. Peschel Catherine Duffy Sara Olufson Lisa and Matt Prindiville Richard Lagowski Linda Everson All Law Enforcement Ione and Gordon Eckroth Lt. Comd. William Muscha Carol and Robert Muscha Joan and Peter Edwards Genevieve and Trevor Borgmeier Maurice, Ione Heger Alice Heger Fr. Todd Kreitinger Peggy S. Birdsall Kathryn and Gordon Luick Karla and Myron Aune DoLores Johnson Family DoLores Johnson Helen Ellwein Jan and Terry Daffinrud My adopted children Eileen Skowronek Agnes & Moritz Schwinden Cathy and Morris Schwinden