Reaching the PINNACLE A P UBL I CAT I ON FOR F R I ENDS OF K E T C H S UMMER 2 0 1 1 S I COUNTRY ACRES REDEDICATION: 1,3 DONORS/TRIBUTES: 6,7,8 DAY PROGRAM NEWS: 5 TH DE I NNACLE I ANNUAL WARDS NCORE PEN OUSE PDATE FROM THE RESIDENT A : 1,3 E O H : 3 U P : 2 NS P I Country Acres Completed, Rededicated ETCH celebrated the reopening of “Originally designed as two-bedroom Kthe recently rehabilitated Country apartments, with a small galley kitchen, Acres apartment complex in west Wichita the rennovation converted them to one- by holding a dedication and ribbon cutting bedroom units with larger kitchens,” said ceremony on July 26. The three 10-unit Pasmore, “This allows individuals to have apartment buildings have been under their own apartment without having to construction since early 2010. share with a roommate.” “The original buildings were in very With the renovations the buildings Country Acres residents help cut the red ribbon at the rededication and ribbon cutting ceremony on poor condition after more than 25 years of will have a higher efficiency rate allowing July 26. use,” said President/CEO Ron Pasmore. KETCH to focus more financial resources The apartments were originally on services to individuals served in the Fast Facts constructed in 1984 as a two-building residential program. Country Acres... complex. The complex was expanded The $2.3 million dollar project near • has one handicapped accessible unit in to include a third 10-unit building on Central and Tyler was funded by several each building. the property in an effort to increase the resources including the Kansas Housing • apartments range from 312-633 number of affordable and supportive Resources Corporation as part of the sq/ft. housing units available to adults with American Recovery and Reinvestment • rent ranges from $345-$359 per month. developmental disabilities. (Continued page 4) May is an exciting month for KETCH. Every year at the Annual Meeting a handful of individuals served by KETCH are recognized for their accomplishments and successes. It’s an afternoon full of smiles, laughter, and a few tears, as those who work with each client share their triumphant stories with pride in their voices. It’s an afternoon that reminds us all why the staff at KETCH are lucky to work with such amazing individuals. Kristi Lee was nominated by Adult Life Skills Program Coordinator Award winners from left to right: Lois Wilson, Caroline Goodall for Achievement in a Day Program. Kristi has come Brett Davis, Kristi Lee, Charles Pasak, Patrick a long way since first starting at KETCH. When she started receiving Young, and Olive Garden East Manager Mike services Kristi would often have behaviors, frequently stole from her Parrotino pose with KETCH President/CEO Ron peers, and had a difficult time trusting her staff. Kristi has now built Pasmore. strong relationships with her staff and has learned to focus her energy on more creative outlets such as song-writing, photography, and (Continued page 3) performing. Board of Directors Ron Pasmore President and CEO Jim Malone Dear Friends of KETCH, Chairman Fred Badders One of the most positive highlights of the 1st Vice Chairman 2011 legislative session was the passage of the Carla Bienhoff Employment First bill, HB 2336. This bill sets 2nd Vice Chairman a new state policy that simply says that persons Loren Anthony with disabilities, who are of working age and Secretary seeking state funded services, should be assisted Ron Larson to achieve employment in a competitive job that Assistant Secretary pays minimum wage or above. The bill will Dan Krug include an Employment First Commission, which will consist Treasurer of five individuals appointed by the Governor and legislators Carl Lindsey who will work to make necessary changes in state policies to KEA President facilitate the preference for competitive employment. Ken Schaffer KETCH was actively involved in advocating for this bill. KEA 1st Vice President Our mission is focused upon helping the individuals we Lonna Grewing serve to live their life as independently as possible. Economic Ladies Chairperson security is basic to one’s quality of life in the community. Pippa Boone We believe that employment leads to not only greater levels Assistant Ladies Chairperson of income, but also leads to greater levels of satisfaction and Board Members Brenda Harrison self-esteem. When a person is working, they have more to look forward to, have better overall health, and it helps save in the G a r y H i n d m a n S h a r l o u M e s s e r s c h m i d t overall costs for their services. F r a n k S p r i n g e r The challenge going forward will be to work with the Jim Standen business sector to increase employment opportunities for persons with disabilities. There are many societal myths pertaining to a person’s disability limiting their ability to become employed. Employers we work with have found many positive effects to their bottom line from hiring a person with a disability. In the right job, a person with a disability is a positive addition to the workforce. We have had many such examples of successful job placements in our history of providing employment services. Sincerely, ASHLEY RUCKMAN, EDITOR Ron Pasmore 316.383.8889 President/CEO [email protected] 1006 E. WATERMAN WICHITA, KS 67211 2 (continued from page 1) Lois Wilson was recognized for the city he says has given so much to him. He was given a her Achievement at Home after being volunteer position at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Brett truly nominated by Targeted Case Manager III enjoys volunteering and says he loves all of the animals and Delcie Chappuis and Community Living his co-workers equally. He would like to volunteer more Program Coordinator LaStella Duckworth. hours at the zoo and find a second volunteer position in the Prior to living in a residential setting at near future. KETCH, Lois lived in an institution for 23 Charles Pasak was nominated by Manager of Community years, a nursing home for 16 years, and a Employment June Schneider for his Achievement in retirement community for 21 years where she had her own Employment. When Charles started at KETCH in 1995 he apartment. In 2010 she moved into a KETCH group home. The immediately went to work in the community. His first job move was scary for Lois as she had lived alone for more than placement did not work out but he did not give up on his goal two decades. She quickly adjusted to this new home. She has to work in the community. He soon accepted another position improved her hygiene and health while relishing in her role as at TJ Maxx in 1996. Charles still works at TJ Maxx and gives “grandma” at the home. 100% to all of his various job tasks. He truly enjoys his job, Patrick Young was nominated by Vocational Trainer Vickie his co-workers, and is proud to say he has worked at the same Hollenbeck for his Achievement at Work. Patrick grew up in company for almost 15 years. an unstable environment and had a history of being abused The Employer of the Year Award was given to Olive Garden and exploited. When he entered KETCH services in 2008 East. KETCH began working with Olive Garden East in 1995. through a crisis placement, he began working by making Through the years they have employed several KETCH clients filters. He was very quiet and shy when he started but has and have allowed the Community Employment department since blossomed and mastered every piece of equipment on to use the restaurant for job tryouts. In March of 1998 Olive the filters production line and is always looking for ways to Garden East hired a KETCH client to roll silverware. The learn and improve his skills. hiring supervisor still works with the client today and is very Brett Daviswas recognized by Targeted Case Manager supportive of her. The supervisor and his staff have built strong Kevin Watson for his Achievement in the Community. About relationships with her, helped her overcome work related a year ago, Brett decided he wanted to start volunteering issues, and always look out for her better interest. in the community. He felt it was important to give back to Coming up September New Website Launch September 1 KETCH Carnival and Talent Show September 30 October 10th Street Ribbon Cutting Ceremony October 4 Halloween Party October 27 November KETCH celebrated the expansion of the Encore Angel Tree Center for Lifelong Enrichment retirement program by November holding a Hawaiian Luau themed open house on Au- gust 2. The previous location of the program limited February the number of participants to 11. The program now Palette to Palate February 2012 has 22 participants with room to grow! Two of the Encore clients (pictured) show how happy they are to show off their new location by dancing for onlookers. 3 (Country Acres continued from page 1) Just days before the Eighth Annual Champions’ Golf Act’s tax credit exchange program for low-income housing. Tournament, Wichita experienced torrential downpours An additional $150,000 grant was also awarded through the and nasty, humid weather. Never fail, by May 23 the sun Affordable Housing Program. came out just in time for KETCH has also been able to secure $15,000 through the an easy, breezy day on Spirit AeroSystems Good Neighbor Fund for the commons the Tallgrass Country Club areas in each apartment building.