Best foot forward Kenneth Kauffman | photo RHD client plays in 2014 Homeless World Cup ndre pushes the soccer ball ahead of him in the open eld, works the ball through the legs of a defender and drills a shot into the goal. Teammates and coaches high ve him, celebrating more Athan a goal in practice. ey’re celebrating just being part of a team, working together, seeing one of their players actually getting good at this game. at’s what bonds them. at, and the fact that all of them are, or were, homeless. Andre is a client at RHD’s FaSST/Connections. Participating in street soccer might seem an odd vehicle to help ght homelessness, but given RHD’s approach to serving the whole person, sta encouraged being on the team as a thing that buoyed the men and helped make sure they were able to get to practices and games. e three RHD clients who played on Street Soccer Philly are now all in their own housing; two have jobs and another is back in school. One of them, Ellish, got something extra out of the experience — he was chosen to play on the U.S. Homeless World Cup team in Chile. Chandrima Chatterjee, the director of Street Soccer Philly, and coach Tom Laws make regular trips to city shelters to pitch the idea of playing soccer to the residents. He met Andre and Ellish, who were working with RHD’s FaSST/Connections, and found two eager participants. Another FaSST/ Connections client, Derek, followed. e team became a constant in their lives that buoyed them through di cult times. Ellish did not miss a practice for two straight years, nding a way to get to the eld (or the gym in the winter) no Kicking homelessness: Andre, an RHD FaSST/Connections client, works out at a Street matter what. See SOCCER / page 2 Soccer Philly practice. With FaSST/Connections’ support, Andre has a home and a job.
THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF THE NONPROFIT RESOURCES FOR HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
WHO WE ARE: Resources for Human Development is a national VISIT US AT: www.rhd.org human services nonprofit founded in 1970 that specializes in creating innovative, quality services that support people of all abilities wherever the need exists. In partnership with local SUMMER 2015 SUMMER governments and those we serve, RHD builds better communities through more than 160 caring and effective programs in 14 states. Kenneth Kauffman | photo RHD wins the bronze Sixth straight year RHD nominated in Best Places to Work contest esources for Human Development was a bronze winner in the extra-large companies Rcategory in the Philadelphia Business Journal’s Best Places to Work contest. e Best Places to Work program ranks the top employers in the Delaware Valley as determined by scores given to employers by their own workers during an anonymous survey administered by an independent third party. Employees ranked their company on several questions related to team e ectiveness, trust with co-workers, alignment with goals and trust in senior leaders, as well as respect, recognition and bene ts. RHD employs more than 2,500 people in the Philadelphia area. Nationally RHD supports more than 160 programs across 14 states, and employs almost 6,000 people. RHD has been nominated six years in a row in the extra-large company category, and is a past winner of the Best Place to Work award. e designation recognizes the very best employers (with the happiest people) in the area. All RHD employees are invited to participate in ongoing dialogues to improve the work culture. RHD is committed to listening to, and responding to, employee concerns. “At RHD, I get amazed every day,” RHD CEO Dyann Roth said. “I’m in awe of the many people who are part of RHD; I always feel like I learn from them. ere’s a strength in the people who work here that I don’t encounter in other aspects of my life. We have an opportunity to learn from and support each other, and build on each other’s ideas. At RHD, we believe that when you get a group of engaged people together, anything is At RHD Missouri, a man with intellectual disabilities named Brandon was thriving in the companion possible. model of care with RHD sta er Todd Davis. When Brandon discovered that his friend and caregiver “We’re absolutely blessed to have a group of extraordinary people here who’ve done so much was sick with cancer, he worked to develop the skills to be able to help care for Todd as best he could. to make it work — and who’ve made RHD a great Read about how Brandon and Todd committed to walking this journey together on page 3. place to work.” 2 help peopleinneedthemselves. Resources for HumanDevelopment communities for thebetter. Help rhd.org to donate online. to sendacheckorvisitusat www. better lives. one for toward thosewhoare working to develop theirfullpotential. and children whojustneedachance brighter future for thesemen,women, your contribution willhelpcreate a when heisgiven that rstpaintbrush, autism whoselife isaboutto change escape alife ofabuse, oramanwith towinter coat, asinglemothertrying generosity ofpeoplelikeyou. small, are madepossiblethrough the milestones andsuccesses, large and programs. Their human-services communities through RHD’s many themselves, theirfamilies, andtheir they needto buildbetter lives for andencouragement gain thesupport How you help can address above. MyRHD, [email protected] orwrite usat the throughout thecountry. Ifyou wishto unsubscribeto programsmore than160human-services itoperates about RHD’s innovations activities, andsuccesses inthe donors andgovernment o cials. Itismeant to inform MyRHD ispublishedquarterly, mailedto supporters,
1970 – 2014 All directors are volunteers and, once elected, Change lives, familiesand Please usetheenclosedenvelope thiswinterMake seasona special Whether it’s achildinneedof More than27,000peopleeachyear Michael Denomme, Ph.D.,M.S.W.,Michael Chairman Caryn ReichlinJohnson,M.S.,OTR/L,Caryn FAOTA Bertram Wolfson,Esq., Bertram Phone: 215.951.0300or1.800.894.9925 Samantha Jones-Thomas,Samantha B.S.N., R.N. Mail: 4700 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 126 serve forserve an inde nite duration. JoAnn Connelly, E. M.S.W., L.S.W. Marvin Marvin Weisbord, M.A.,B.S. Board ofDirectors Philadelphia PA 19144-4248 Barbara Shoulson,M.S.W. Sheldon Steinberg,Sheldon V.M.D. Tanya Stewart, M.S.C.E.D. Avrene L.Brandt, Ph.D. Kevin Douglas, M.S.W. Diane Menio,Diane M.S.W. Anthony J. Parrotto Email: [email protected] Web: www.rhd.org Contact Us Contact Fred Bonaparte Peter Neuschul
President Emeritus THE QUARTERLY OF FORHUMANDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THE NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER
that exist during day. the e guys always about talk feeling questions. You’re of part ateam. It breaks down barriers the all where there’s documents attached to it, nobody’s asking you have ey somewhere to go, not wherehave they to go, relationship that guys get to form, and that’s meaningful. so something to do, but It’s not o cial service. an informal said. “But that’s team why important is so soccer the —it’s snowing, bitter cold, and I’m Man, thinking: have fun,” Jury andactivities encouraged to them keep at it. could t practiceinto schedule their among required their di erence. He helped make sure men the he worked with said having team the lives intheir made an important that way. But out look they for me.” like, forget ere this. are some moments still where you feel ere were days at shelter the you when feel like quitting — back of my mind, that Ican get something positive out of this. whole lot of days Ifelt like quitting. It made inthe me believe faith inme. at’s why to Irefused give up, eventhough a about Andre soccer!” said. “But it was areal honor. had ey negative, but you get —and give —positive feedback.” other, motivate eachother. We share our stories and it could be team,the we got close. We’re like family. We out look for each years of non-stop practice. Iwanted conditioning. good I was doing —conditioning myself. at’s what to led two myself to put myself inconstantly conditions. good at’s what conditioningsome good and conditioning. bad Itrained So SOCCER from front page On theteam:On “ ey’d heading out be for winter, practiceinthe it’s Ethan Jury, resource coordinator for FaSST/Connections, “At rst Ithought, you know, Idon’t evenknow anything rst teamDuring the season, named Andre acaptain. “It was hard. But spirit the inme stayed positive. on Being “I you think condition yourself,” said. Ellish “I had done masters/professional programs. now holdjobs. percent Eighty have completed GED, college, and/or stable life for theirfamily. that helpmotivated anda mothers achieveservices self-su ciency based oncomprehensive long-term case management andsupport houses covered 8subsidy. by aSection Endow-A-Home’s success is eligible, andare ahomeoftheirchoice from ableto select available their children) at any given time. Onlymotherswithchildren are through theyears,”guidance andsupport Stephon said. ofthe Rookie Year.” sta , Stephon won anaward as “Philadelphia Eagles 2014Merchandise at Lincoln Financial party Fielda specialred-carpet for thegameday Philadelphia Eagles. from theprogram to graduate college withthe andisnow working isStephon Murray,A-Home kids whowas oneofthe rstchildren to betheparentability shealways wanted to be. OneofthoseEndow- who bene tfrom ofahomeandmomwhogainsthe thestability about themomsinthat program. are thechildren Butjustasimportant transition from homelessto homeownership, tells often success stories Endow-A-Home grad isEagles ‘Rookie of Year’ Ninety percentNinety ofEndow-A-Home’s formerly homelesswomen Endow-A-Home provides homesfor asmany as45mothers(and “I want to give aspecialthanksto Endow-A-Home for allthe Stephon apositioninmerchandise earned withtheEagles, andat RHD’s Endow-A-Home, whichhelpsmothers andchildren makethe Ellish, anRHDFaSST/Connections client, posesinhis World Cup Flag jerseywiththeAmerican that hebrought withhimto Chile. got eachother’s backs, no matter what.” had each other’s backs. at’s our team. We’re afamily. We’ve right. Getting out of shelter the was not easy, but we always team encouraging you,’ Andre said. “It keeps your on head could say they time that. that someone was on side. their For many, it felt like rst the stay strong, Ihad someone Iknew because that had my back.” pretty tough. But Istayed strong. Having team the helped me churchlocal for before atime nding his way into ashelter. worse, obviously. He’d homeless. been playing through asteady string of —he’d losses through been soldiered on. they Still laughed Ellish asked when about score until agoal its third game (Andre scored ina6-1loss). organizations last around year team the didn’t country; the thatall work, and Iwas getting to next the level.” Iwasbut nervous, fun. it was exciting, too. Ifelt like I’d done USAteam.Street Soccer Homeless World Cup inSantiago, as amember Chile, of the Philly,Street Soccer to compete was selected Ellish 2014 inthe people homelessness. experiencing Aer ourishing with Philadelphia’s street newspaper produced and distributed by big part in everything; he’sbig ineverything; part reason the things growing.” started helped me with nding housing,” said. Ellish “Ethan played a Derekdesign. has and ajob has attained his own housing. his own housing and is going to schoolto study draing and refreshed come they when back from soccer.” “You negativity see time, the and all you then have your at’s acommon theme among players the feeling —the “I’m shocked that Imade it through that,” said. Ellish “It was e house where he lived burned down, and slept Ellish at a Philly is initsStreet compared infancy Soccer to many “It was my rst leaving time country,” the said. Ellish “It was Ellish’s was rst journey chronicled inRHD’s Step One Away “FaSST/Connections helped goals for me set future, the and Andre is now employed and has attained housing. has Ellish Game ball: Game Stephon (right)withSwoop, theEaglesmascot. Ethan Cohen |photo , Davis is having “one of those mornings,” as he calls them, when the chemotherapy hits him particularly hard. Todd is Toddan RHD sta er living with Brandon, a client with autism, in RHD’s companion model of service. ey’re supposed to have breakfast, but Todd’s stomach won’t allow it. He excuses himself and makes it to the bathroom. On his knees, throwing up, Todd feels a hand on his shoulder. Brandon is patting Kenneth Kauffman | photos his back. Brandon helps him to the couch, goes to the kitchen, wets a washcloth and brings it in. “For your head,” Brandon said. ey sit for a moment, and Brandon puts his hand on Todd’s shoulder. “It’s going to be OK, Todd.” And that’s how Brandon discovered that his friend and caregiver was sick with terminal cancer, and how Brandon made the extraordinary decision to start helping Todd as best he could, and how Brandon and Todd committed to walking through this journey together.
In RHD’s companion model, the people RHD supports reside in their own home with a live-in caregiver chosen by the client and their family. e companion assists with daily activities as necessary, and takes part in social and recreational activities. e consumer gains the stability and independence of living in one’s own home, and ideally builds a relationship that comes from working together with a companion to achieve a mutually satisfying home life.
Brandon was able to make a unique contribution to telling this story about his relationship with his caregiver Todd. His handwriting is the headline for this feature.
SUMMER 2015 3 4
1970 – 2014 Brandon and ToddBrandon is what When you work providing services for people,the way ithasworked for you hopefor. THE QUARTERLY OF FORHUMANDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THE NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER just of kind fell right together. magic.” Like dreams, and Itold himthat we could make happen. them We beginning. from very the what roommates do. It’s agive-and-take situation, and it was home. he had avoice So inwhat was going on that’s —because to feel comfortable and safe. You should feel at home inyour comfortable there. If you’re going to live anywhere, you ought was living. His life didnot to make him;he sense wasn’t Todd said. “He de nitely wanted achange from where he down at himand said: “No one everasked me that before.” kept saying: “Which one doyou FinallyBrandon like?” looked stand and stare for along time, not saying anything, and Todd Brandon to pick out what he wanted for Brandon awall. would home, new their they’d go to astore and Todd would ask wants. wonderful for has been e experience Brandon.” opportunity to voice his opinion and to advocate for what he haveskills greatly improved, and it’s he because has the much more much so calm, more His communication social. phenomenal thing for Brandon. Phenomenal. Brandon is so want ahouse. Iwant to live on my own. his plans for future. the I same the started way: all And they Disabilities were Resource his hopes Board. “ ey and dreams, Brandon’s manager case at Missouri the Developmental skateboards) as away of escaping; he just wanted to get out. up skateboarding (and now of acollection boasts more than 60 up by that door the so no one could get into his room. He took Hestruggled. would at sleep night not but inhis bed, curled met each other. they when But just they gelled together.” “Physically, they’re di erent. so It was kindof Mutt and Je wasn’t sure what match the was going to be,” Yarbrough said. was looking for acompanion for Brandon Todd when applied. Missouri/St. Louis, matches companions to RHDclients. He made ahumanthey connection at RHD. 6-foot-8. anmatch. might surface, Onthe odd they seem But comes from abackground di erent very from Brandon, is who share they them, between home their and share life.” their from di erent of walks life, and you when match make agood is model thatthis it’s to designed capture that —two people person is receiving from individual. the e thing about cool somebody receives, but you don’t about think what sta the traditional support models, you about think support the said RHDRegional Development Director Noal Presley. “In support is two dimensional rather than one dimensional,” “We hit it o right away. He told me his goals and his “My from goal was for beginning the himto have asay,” When Brandon and Todd rst shopping started to decorate “When he moved into home the with Todd, it was a “Brandon would write me letters,” said Sandy Paul, Brandon came to RHD from agroup home, where he “When Iput Todd and Brandon together, inmy mind, I “Yeah, I was looking for somebody … taller,” Yarbrough said. Yarbrough,Dennis residential the unit director at RHD Which brings us to Brandon and Todd. Todd is 5-foot-2 and unique thing about“ e companion the is model that Kenneth Kauffman |photos Kauffman Kenneth my illness,” Todd said. “I thought it was important not to worry full of hope. more about how happy he how is, great his life Now is. they’re writes letters in aunique kind of calligraphy. But now they’re Blank Canvas Studios, where he paints and draws and still But Todd Ithink feels like is this his life, himand Brandon.” and room and board —general reminders that is this ajob. tell you is this away of life, not ajob. Yeah, he gets apaycheck, together, sharing ahome, sharing alife. If you ask Todd, he’ll why it’s important to continue it. challenges grow daily for us model. to this But preserve is this that.embody ey’re example perfect the of why it works. e has aconnection,” to be Presley said. “Brandon and Todd for.” hope you people, way the it has worked for Brandon and Todd is what yousomebody trusts to care take of child.” their proud of him.It strengthened relationship. their mom. Brandon proud was so of what he’d done, and she was outlooks for you, but sometimes you’ve got to out look for Brandon to care for his mother. shopping,the cleaned house. the Todd made it possible for and Brandon drove her back and forth to hospital, the did care. Neva fell and broke her shoulder last year, and Todd his goals and his dreams. And it’s helping me dothat, too.” roommates, creating alife together that helps himaccomplish let down some of his guards. We’re genuinely and friends and make people’s dreams areality. we really doput supports inplace to help successful people be do for our clients. Iknow alot of places say that, but at RHD people’s lives here. We are living up to what we promise we’ll something, that he’s progressing. We’re making adi erence in before, and he’s proud —he that has asense he’s accomplishing is aprofound Brandon thing. is doing things he’s never done make adi erence insomeone’s life, to watch grow, them that looking for achange he when applied of scenery to RHD. something.” accomplishing I’m still like feel I slide, care of. As long asI’m doing that, aslong asI’m not letting that healthy. at gives me strength, to know that he’s being taken and enthusiasm that he has, showing you that he’s happy and having abad day, Iknow he’s going to be there, with the joy things —genuine acts of kindness, acts of caring. When I’m Good morning! How did you sleep? It’s going to be agreat day! when I’m feeling down, there he with is, abig smile, saying: could. he out the trash. He began caring for his caregiver, in any way that Todd. He cooks his meals. own He cleans the kitchen. He takes around the house. Help out where you can. just didn’t feel good. nice Be to him. Maybe do some more chores Brandon asked his mother what to do. She told him that Todd hair!” Todd just smiled and told him it was anew style. morning, Brandon’s eyes went and wide he said: “Todd! No decided to shave his head aer Brandon went to sleep. e next the way it was going to be.” this aslong aspossible, …it so was uncomfortable, but that was I didn’t want to lie to him. His mother wanted to shield him from with him,” Todd said. “If he saw abandage he’d ask about it, and di cult placement and the most painful. see it, Todd insisted that it be placed in his ankle —the most recommended that it goin Todd’s arm. Afraid Brandon would chemotherapy and other medicines) put in, and doctors strongly picc line (peripherally inserted central catheter, to used give Brandon. She feared it would upset him. insisted that the sta not share the severity of Todd’s illness with was wrong with his But friend. Brandon’s mother, Neva, had Todd day. every day.” Every abouthe talks Todd his voice is strong and clear. “It’s asource of comfort that he’s not stalemated because of Brandon’s life full. He is attends the day program at RHD’s “Shared living complicated. can be It’s two people living has arelationship to“ ere be for to model this work; there Paul put “When it way: this you work providing for services “I don’t that’s that take lightly; that special, something very “Well, that’s what you’re supposed to do,” Todd said. “Mom Brandon’s mother Neva is heavily involved inBrandon’s “It’s feeling agood to know that me he enough trusts to “I wanted my work to have some meaning,” Todd said. “To Aer acareer ininsurance and nancial planning, Todd was “It touched my heart, the thought he puts into doing those “ere are some mornings Ifeel pretty bad,” Todd said. “And Brandon began rising earlier in the morning he so could greet Eventually Brandon gured it out. e u didn’t goaway. When Todd’s hair started falling out from the chemo, he “One thing Itold Brandon that is Iwould always be honest Todd played it o asacase of the u. He had to have a “Todd’s not eating,” Brandon said. “Todd doesn’t feel good.” Brandon alerted the sta at RHDMissouri that something “I love Todd,” Brandon said. “Todd is my Ilike to friend. see Brandon understood, to be but occasionally struggles when The joy and enthusiasm he has in his life — that’s what’s important ... It gives me strength to know that he’s being taken care of. As long as I’m doing that, as long as I’m not letting that slide, I feel like I’m accomplishing something.
Brandon. I didn’t want to be somebody who brought stress into his life, and with the gentle giant beside him toward a nish line that he refuses to be something upsetting to him. I didn’t want my mess to carry over and be his acknowledge. ere’s no point to that, aer all. ere is only the moment, mess. where one life connects to another. “Brandon has been an awesome guy through all this. He’s very kind, and “We’re human services people. ere is a passion that we have for compassionate. Brandon is very caring.” people,” Presley said. “We contract with the state of Missouri to make sure Brandon was raised in a very religious home, and he’s carried that into his Brandon’s needs are met, so we make sure we are doing that. But we also own home. Each night before going to bed, Brandon gets on his knees and says want to nurture a relationship that means so much to Brandon and Todd, his prayers. One night Todd walks past his room and overhears. and help them walk through this journey together. e disability issue went Brandon is praying for him. completely out the door. It became about two people. When one person is down, you go down and pick them up and make them better. “ ey’ve inspired me. ey make me strive to be a better person, make Todd started feeling tired all the time. At rst he thought it was trying to me strive to be a better director. To see Todd and Brandon bene t from keep up with Brandon’s energy, but soon he felt like he was wearing out no something that I played a part in, it gives me chills.” matter how much sleep he got. “Watching Todd and Brandon, it’s why I do this,” Yarbrough said. “It’s “It was di erent, just bone-weary tired,” Todd said. “ ey did so many what makes me get up in the morning. e impact on me, I can’t even begin tests, I lost count. Aer a bone marrow test, they con rmed the diagnosis to say. It gets you to the core. It makes me count my blessings every day. they suspected, and told me I had MDS, Myelodysplastic Syndrome. “Just that I can say I put them together — that’s good enough for me.” “ e rst thing they told me was: Do not go home and look this up on the Sandy Paul, Brandon’s case manager at the Missouri Developmental Internet. So the rst thing I did was go home and look it up on the Internet. Disabilities Resource Board, is an enthusiastic supporter of the companion And it was quite scary.” model. But Paul says she’s never seen anything like this. MDS is a bone marrow disorder in which the bone marrow does not “ ey both gain a lot from each other,” she said. “Brandon has such produce enough healthy blood cells. empathy and compassion, and I think that’s good for Todd. I’m glad “Todd sent me a text message telling me he needed to talk,” Yarbrough Brandon is there for Todd; what Todd is going through, I know that he can said. “He said, well, I’m pretty sick. I didn’t know what that meant; he gave deal with it better because he knows Brandon is on his side. Brandon is one me some letters, mds, msd, I don’t even remember what they were. I came of the most loving people I’ve ever met. And he’s growing into such a great, back and asked our community nurse — what is this? And she told me … wonderful man who is rising to the occasion to be there for Todd. he’s a sick young man.” “ ey give me hope. I hope people see what this model can do for an Todd’s rst concern was Brandon and Brandon’s care. He insisted he individual, see Brandon and Todd’s unique relationship, and see how they’ve could still work, and RHD supported that. Besides, as Todd said: “How can I both gotten so much out of it.” call in sick? I live there.” Todd’s hope is that Brandon’s progression will help him gain the ability to “Todd is doing everything he can to protect Brandon,” Yarbrough said. keep growing and thriving, even without Todd. But Todd is also hoping that “He’s not worried about himself. Mostly he was afraid it was going to change Brandon won’t have to, for at least a little while longer. their relationship. Life was nally making sense to Brandon; things were “It’s scary,” Todd said. “ ere are days when I worry more about Brandon going so great. ere was never anything wrong at that house. It is the than me, and some days when I’m pretty worried about me. My main companion model. If I had to draw up a poster child about what shared concern is that if Brandon knows the gravity of it, it would cause him stress living is, I would just show them Brandon and Todd. and anxiety. I’m afraid that it will be distressing for him. I don’t want him to “ ere’s not a self-serving bone in Todd’s body. From taking a day o to live in an environment where he’s afraid again. schedule his chemo time, to making sure Brandon sees his mom, gets to “Supporting Brandon has been the best experience of my professional life. church; he’s re-arranged his medical schedule to care for Brandon.” And I don’t want to go anywhere.” RHD worked to make sure Brandon had enough support, given Todd’s medical issues. RHD sta er Jacob Barber works at the house as needed, helping Todd stay on the job. “ e people we support are only as happy, healthy and safe as the people who are supporting them,” Presley said. “If we can’t gure out a situation that works for Todd and helps him through this struggle, that’s going to be reected in the way he’s supporting Brandon. If ever there was a time when this model made sense, this was it. We knew we had to make sure that we were meeting Brandon and Todd where they were at, and facilitating that relationship to continue despite the challenges that Todd was facing.” eir relationship is a striking example of the companion model. Brandon’s social and life skills have seen marked improvement directly because of his friendship with Todd. When Todd was struggling, Brandon became determined to learn the skills he needed to help him. “Continuity of care, I think, is very important for anybody,” Todd said. “We have established a routine, a rapport, and it was important that things continue as normally as possible. As long as I could do it, I wanted to do it. “As I’m going through my medical treatments, I think it’s great that RHD put supports in place so that Brandon’s life is not disrupted, and I can get the rest I need to continue to help Brandon accomplish things he wants.” And so Todd soldiers on, caring for Brandon and walking hand-in-hand
SUMMER 2015 5
Riding high: Riding Morning Call. she’s“When onahorse, shefeels likeshecan doanything,” says Katie’s Mericle. of Photos mom,Sherri courtesy 6
FROM RHD’S CEO The Morning Call. All Rights Reserved. Rights All Call. Morning The The Morning Call. All Rights Reserved. Rights All Call. Morning The totherapy people inneedLehigh services Valley withManito LifeCenterRHD partners to bringequine she candoanything’ ‘When she’s onahorse,
1970 – 2014 Above, bondswithRaven, oneofthehorsesat Riley theManitoLife Center. Below, Dakota. rides Katie THE QUARTERLY OF FORHUMANDEVELOPMENT RESOURCES THE NONPROFIT NEWSLETTER Dyann Roth,CEOofResourcesDyann for HumanDevelopment The Allentown The Allentown Jennifer said. “I get to touch lives.” their and awareness. PATH of as part her commitment to education volunteers and mentored instructors new for disabilities. She trained more than 200 participants withrange awide 160, serving of physical and cognitive Oklahoma, Jennifer program grew the from 42ridersto more than and as an Equine inMental Specialist Health and Learning. erapeutic Horsemanship (PATH) as a erapeutic Riding instructor, eld. throughveterinary She Professional the is certi ed Association of training, showing and as instruction, well as abackground inthe Metzger as instructor. head therapeutic equine at activities Manito Life Center, hiring Jennifer through partnership this with RHD. dream of helping children through equine therapy become areality will developedsummer asuccessful has camp also program, and now her Manito to provide equine therapy for patients. their to erapy children, has already announced services it has selected o eringClinic Physical erapy, Occupational erapy and Speech national inhippotherapy. leader place, and we forward look to helping Manito the Life Center become a and healing.” with our horses. Equine assisted therapies promote resilience, growth, overcome disabilities their can bene t immensely from interactions “ChildrenR.N. have who trauma experienced or are who working to Valley,”to Lehigh the said Manito Life Center founder Schadt, Lisa to on focus bringing highest quality the of holistic equine therapy on story the RHDwebsite, the or by scanning QR on the code page. this and children the are who services bene ting from You them. can read provide motor input and sensory to riderswith disabilities. occupational therapy characteristic the inwhich movements of horses hippotherapy and therapeutic riding. including equine-assisted psychotherapy, equine-assisted learning, abilities and at-risk children through avariety of holistic therapies with RHD. e Manito Life Center helps individuals with di erent therapies and at activities Manito the Life Center through apartnership said Katie’s mom, Sherri. more than Ican on land.” muscles for needed balance. When riding Dakota, she says, “I can do worked up to riding Dakota more independently as she builds core — and her spirit. Katie with two canes, walks but insixmonths she’s therapeutic riding horse at Manito Life Center, has helped her body “I oen say Ihave world,” jobinthe best the As director and instructor of atherapeutic riding center in Jennifer brings to Manito alifetime of inbreeding, experience e collaboration has expandand helped scope the Lisa sizeof the e facility is located on 60-acre ascenic farm inAllentown. Lisa Valley Family erapeutics, amulti-disciplinary Pediatric erapy It’s rare to nd range this of premier equine inone therapy services “Working enable and with RHDwill us to expand our services Judy Wilcox said of daughter Riley, 11:“She got back.” her smile e Allentown Morning Call came to Manito to doafeature on the Hippotherapy is acutting-edge form of physical, or speech moreSoon children like Katie bene t from will equine-centered “Horseback riding is something Katie can doand not feel di erent,” Katie is 13and has cerebral palsy. Her riding Dakota, a experience CHANGING LIVES, Dr. Walter Cohen helps RHD MAKING HEADLINES For more on these stories and other news about RHD’s innovative programs build future of health care around the country serving people of all abilities, please visit the media center at www.rhd.org. Kenneth Kauffman | photo
Pennsylvania Dental Journal features Stephen & Sandra Sheller 11th Street Health Center, part of RHD’s Family Practice and Counseling Network: ‘Future of health care’ The Pennsylvania Dental Journal pro led the Stephen & Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center, part of RHD’s Family Practice & Counseling Network. 11th Street is a comprehensive, nurse-managed health center co-managed by the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions and FPCN that is creating the future of health care and oral health care in a North Philadelphia neighborhood that is among the nation’s most vulnerable. The center has been recognized as an innovator and a national model of integrated primary care.
RHD CEO Dyann Roth, community leaders join global movement supporting One Step Away in The Big Sell Off Philadelphia community leaders came together in April to distribute RHD’s One Step Away in Center City alongside homeless vendors during the inaugural Big Sell O . The Big Sell O is an international collaboration between street papers in 35 countries supporting and celebrating the more than 14,000 vendors at 114 street papers worldwide working to change their lives and escape poverty and homelessness. Joining RHD CEO Dyann Roth as guest vendors for One Step Under construction: Dr. D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Chancellor Emeritus of the Drexel University College of Medicine, surveys Away’s inaugural Big Sell O included Nakia Dillard (Actor, Law the construction of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Services, part of RHD’s Family Practice and Counseling Abiding Citizen, The Wire, House of Cards), Dan McQuade (Author, Network. The center is a national model of integrated care, and Dr. Cohen calls it “the wave of the future for health care.” Philadelphia Magazine), Ursula Augustine (Owner, Ursula’s About Phace Rittenhouse), Norys Colon-Gonzalez (Chief Deputy It started, actually, with Albert Einstein. Commissioner, City of Philadelphia), Marcella Maguire (Director, Dr. D. Walter Cohen, DDS, Chancellor Emeritus of the Drexel University College of Medicine, TIP Unit, Department of Behavioral Health and Intellectual has carved out an extraordinary career. He’s written or contributed to 22 books and published Disability Services), Andrew DeVos (Deputy Chief Operating more than 130 articles, and revolutionized dental education when he established the University O cer, Community Behavioral Health), Donna Johnson Bullock, of Pennsylvania department of periodontics, serving as its rst chairman, and helmed what Esq. (Special Assistant to the President, O ce of Council President became known as e Pennsylvania Experiment (described in his book Educating the Dentist Darrell L. Clarke), Stephanie Farr (Journalist, The Philadelphia Daily News) and Cherri Gregg (Reporter, KYW Newsradio 1060). of the Future). Dr. Cohen has received the Legion of Merit from France, has received honorary doctorates from universities around the world and is one of only 23 dentists honored with membership in the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science. He is also one of the driving forces behind the expansion of the Stephen and Sandra Sheller 11th Street Family Health Services Center, part of RHD’s Family Practice and Counseling Network. 11th Street is a comprehensive, nurse-managed health center co-managed by the Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions and FPCN that is creating the future of health care and oral health care in a North Philadelphia neighborhood that is among the nation’s most vulnerable. e center has been recognized as an innovator and a national model of integrated primary care by organizations including the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and Institute of Medicine and the American Academy of Nursing. Ethan Cohen | photo Ethan Cohen e center has become such an important part of the community that it faced an almost immediate need to expand to keep up with the demand for its services. Enter Dr. Cohen, who has RHD’s Pathways and Womanspace honored for efforts to always been there to give back to the community, helping raise funds to provide or expand care fight homelessness among veterans in New Orleans to vulnerable and underserved communities. RHD’s Pathways and Womanspace were honored to be part of “Walter’s vision and leadership has been vital to our e orts at 11th Street,” said FPCN director a reception by New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who hosted a Donna Torrisi. “He’s an innovator, and really an icon in the eld. His work in periodontics and “Thank You” event to recognize those individuals and organizations his work as an educator has made an amazing impact, and his commitment to giving back to his most involved in serving homeless veterans. The mayor’s remarks focused on the incredible achievement that New Orleans became community has enabled health care providers like us to make a di erence in people’s lives.” the rst city in the United States to end veteran homelessness. Dr. Cohen pointed to a chance meeting with the legendary physicist Albert Einstein as the Womanspace Director Tykie Middlebrook, Assistant Director inspiration for his career of philanthropy and altruism. Lisa Chew and Case Manager Dominique Thomas, and Pathways “In 1952, I was invited to Princeton for a luncheon sponsored by the American Friends of the Director Cammie Davis-Wicks all received Certi cates of Recognition Hebrew University, and the guest of honor was Albert Einstein,” Dr. Cohen said. “I was so in awe from the mayor for all of their hard work. to be in the same room with him. And a guest stepped up and said he would pledge $250,000 to the Hebrew University — but then he said he would double the gi if Albert Einstein would RHD celebrates Martin Luther King Day with day of service shake hands with his wife. Well, Einstein jumped up so fast to shake her hand that he dropped On Martin Luther King Day, RHD celebrated not with a day o , but with a day on. On Jan. 19, RHD hosted a number of events at his glasses. its central o ce in Philadelphia, as well as at a number of RHD “And I said to myself, here is a man — Time Magazine’s person of the century — and he’s doing programs around the country. this. He was willing to lend his celebrity to raise funds for a philanthropic cause. I remember that RHD has always devoted Martin Luther King Day to community he wrote in his autobiography that he was the Hebrew University’s pet bull — whenever they service. This year RHD’s Team ARRIVE provided much-needed wanted to show him o , he was available. at cause meant that much to him. at had a terri c housewares to people who’ve recently acquired housing, clients impact on me — that we should all make sure we’re trying to help people who are in need. If and sta at RHD’s Project Advantage fed people experiencing homelessness, RHD programs in Louisiana hosted a blood drive with Albert Einstein is setting that kind of example, how can any of us mortals do anything less?” the Blood Center of Southeast Louisiana. In Florida, RHD Suncoast Much of Dr. Cohen’s e orts these days are directed toward the Stephen and Sandra Sheller organized a diversity potluck picnic, and in Tennessee, RHD sta 11th Street Family Heath Services Center. e center is expected to break ground to celebrate its and participants volunteered at a woman’s drug and alcohol expansion this summer. program in Memphis, while sta and participants volunteered at “I don’t have the capacity, like some people do, to envision what it will look like when it’s done,” a local soup kitchen in Nashville. In Kansas City, sta and program Dr. Cohen said, as he toured the construction site. “So to watch it go through all the stages, and participants volunteered at a local food pantry, and programs in St. Louis collected and put together care packages for individuals then to get to see the nal thing is so wonderful. experiencing homelessness. RHD Camden Supportive Housing “It’s so well done. It’s such a great integration of medical dentistry and everything related to worked to create a new therapeutic space for their residents, and health care. It’s a national model. It’s really the wave of the future for health care, in caring for the RHD Boston volunteered at Many Helping Hands in Cambridge. whole person, including their primary care, oral health care and mental and behavioral health.”
SUMMER 2015 7 Live attheforum Philadelphia Health Action. Philadelphia Behavioral HealthandIntellectualdisAbilityServices;BrianClark, COO&CFO, Greater well asMaryHarper, Manager, Faith andSpiritual Affairs CityofPhiladelphiaDepartment Multicultural Affairs (left), Dr. Michael Weitzner, Vice President atUnitedHealthcare (right), as Jennifer Rodriguez, Executive Director, CityofPhiladelphiaMayor’s OfficeofImmigrant and services invulnerable communities. Dyannappeared onthemainspeakers’ panelwith discussing thefundamentalsofhealthcare andRHD’s role inproviding qualityhealthcare RHD CEODyannRothappeared attheUnitedHealthcare Faith Leaders HealthSymposium, NONPROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID PERMIT NO. 299 PRINCETON, NJ 4700 Wissahickon Ave., Suite 126 Philadelphia PA 19144
In this edition …
At RHD Missouri, Todd and Brandon walk 3 a remarkable journey together RHD supports unique Dr. Walter Cohen helps teamwork in ght RHD expand oral health 1 against homelessness 7 care services About Resources for Human Development A national human services nonpro t founded in 1970, Resources for Human Development serves tens of thousands of people of all abilities every year with Plus more … caring, e ective and innovative programs addressing |photos Kauffman Kenneth intellectual and developmental disabilities, RHD partnership brings behavioral health, homelessness, addiction recovery equine therapy to and more. In partnership with local governments and 6 those we serve, RHD builds better lives, families and people in need at the communities. Manito Life Center