Beth Huss: In pursuit of a career, but taking the road less traveled

 Submitted by Kath Pengelly, volunteer and advocate coordinator at Lifeworks

 

In Robert Frost’s famous poem, The Road Not Taken, he describes two roads diverged in a yellow wood and which road should he take in pursuit of his goal. Meet Beth Huss, a student at Argosy University, in pursuit of a PsyD in Psychology. Someday Beth will be a Clinical Psychologist helping people help themselves, but for now she balances studies, practicum assignments, and volunteer work. We are grateful she chose to come to Lifeworks rather than a large hospital or clinic to share her time.

 

Beth Huss, volunteer at Lifeworks Burnsville

Beth began to volunteer at Lifeworks in October of 2010. She was new to the area, she wanted to help others, and because of her studies she wanted to learn more about people with disabilities. She has dependably continued, once a week, three hours per week, meeting people where they are at and providing them with something they hunger for, one to one time. Beth moves quietly from person to person getting to know each one as an individual, their interests, dislikes and communication styles. She knows who likes to have their hand held while the fingernail polish dries, who likes to do the same jigsaw puzzle each week, and which board games are the favorite.

In the last fifteen months, Beth has spent more than 140 hours getting to know people as friends, not someone with a disability. I asked her what made her come back week after week and she told me that she always feels welcome at our Burnsville center. She feels appreciated and enjoys helping others.

Beth’s studies are taking her in a new direction this next semester and she won’t be able to come back to Burnsville for her weekly visits until sometime next summer. I told her we will be waiting and that she is welcome anytime her schedule reopens. There will always be someone who would love to have Beth spend uninterrupted time playing a game, painting their nails, giving a hand lotion massage or doing the same puzzle.

Robert Frost ends his poem with these lines: I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.

Thank you, Beth Huss, for making a difference in our lives. How about you? You could make all the difference to someone. Do you have time to volunteer; spending time with one person, getting to know what they enjoy, and perhaps making a new friend? Please call me, Kath Pengelly, at 651-365-3720.

The Lifeworks 2011 Holiday Choir and Variety Show

Submitted by Adrian Freeman, interactive marketing and communications specialist, Lifeworks

What is the power of 20 red and green holiday clad singers belting out their favorite Christmas carols? How would someone go about grading the energy of the 2011 Holiday Choir and Variety Show? Can such a thing even be measured? We may not have an accurate measurement like horse power or Fahrenheit for such things.  We simply do not have a system to measure holiday cheer with any certainty.  That said, there was magic in the room at St. Luke Presbyterian church on a hazy, warm December morning in the deep and quaint backstreets of Wayzeta.  Holiday cheer was present in abundance, along with a good bit of joy, glee, exuberance, and maybe even a tad of jocundity.  It was electric. If it does indeed need to be measured, let’s just say it scores 101 whiskers on the Santa Beard Scale of Cheer. That means it was good.

The Lifeworks Holiday Choir from left to right: Johanna Schmidt, Jenna Horgan, Tavarrus Robinson, Judy Carnahan, Shelli Wickstrom, Jennifer Roache, Johnathan Straub, Alex Kim, Anna Phillips, Lori Schaller, Nicole Laufers, Heather Schullo, Racheal Crandall, Caleb Rasmussen, Angela Balfanz, Aaron Godzala, Sarah Debbins, Charles Duffney, Dustin Kiefer, Lindie Seleen, Andrea Hoopman

The 2011 Holiday Choir and Variety Show was a delight to those who attended and those who participated alike.  The show included holiday favorite songs like “Jingle Bells”, “Joy to the World”, and “Dreidel”, as well as dancing, comedy, a piano solo, artwork, and more.  The large center of worship was filled with family, friends, peers, and nearly the entire Lifeworks finance team, who reveled in the performance with cheers and applause. Heather Schullo, choir singer, said this of the show,

“It brought everyone together, and I think everyone really enjoyed themselves.  We worked really hard and came a long way, it was so much fun!”

Heather Schullo looking calm and confident before the performance

This was the general attitude of all the performers concerning the show.  For many it was their way of saying thank you to the community by giving the gift of holiday cheer to others. Some had a special reason for singing in the show.  Lindie Seleen said

“I hope I sang well.  My dad was in the audience, and I was singing for him the whole time.”

The 2011 Holiday Choir and Variety Show was the brain child of Jenna Horgan, music therapist at lifeworks, Service Facilitator Johanna Schmidt, and individuals served at lifeworks Brooklyn Park. This group of talented people with various abilities and expertise devised the Holiday Choir and Variety Show as a way to embrace performance while giving back to the community.  Originally, Jenna had the idea of a choir as a way to enhance services at Lifeworks Brooklyn Park. Singing has always been her thing, and as a musical therapist she understood that a choir could go a long way to further the goals of many people served at Lifeworks.  She approached Lifeworks Brooklyn Park as a potential home base to populate her choir, and there she was directed to Johanna.  Johanna, a long time fan of Lifeworks Brooklyn Park performance in all its forms, had been organizing a holiday variety show for the last few years.  This turned out to be a perfect match.  Jenna was looking for participants for her choir, Johanna had been organizing performers at Lifeworks Brooklyn Park, and those served at Brooklyn Park were chewing at the bit for an opportunity like the Holiday Choir to perform.

Johanna and Jenna, the Holiday Choir and Variety Show organizers celebrating after a job well done.

Before the show, the choir and performers were both professional and pumped up.  Everyone was decked out in either red or green attire to show that the holiday spirit was alive.  Caleb, an experienced singer, was a model performer sporting an elegant button top colored red Polo sweater and green tie.  Everyone was in their season’s finest, a site to behold.  The mood was jovial, smiles being the preferred expression.  Surprisingly, everyone was calm with only a smattering of tense, anxious energy.  This was because Johanna and Jenna had run a tight practicing ship in preparation.  This was no “get up and sing” improv concert, this was hard work, training, and preparation.  The laid back attitude of the participants was evidence to this point.

The crowd enjoying the Lifeworks Holiday Choir

Kath Pengelly, Lifeworks volunteer/advocate coordinator handed out programs and showed guests to their seats.  With grace and poise she greeted arrivals and marveled at the turnout.  Many Lifeworks locations came out to see the concert.  Even Lifeworks Hasting showed up, braving the hour long winter drive to Wayzeta.  Many parents and family members were happy to attend and catch up with acquaintances before the show.  Judy Lysne, Lifeworks president and CEO was excited to see so many familiar faces and visit with old friends.

Jingle Bells performed by the Lifeworks Holiday Choir

The show began in a hush as Jenna quietly took the conducting stand and gestured for her choir to rise. The choir stood, lifting their matching red music folders and sang.  As voices filled the room with song, the audience’s attention was absolute.  Smiles and looks of adoration decorated the face of the watchers and camera flashes twinkled like tiny stars on a Christmas night. Each song progressed with skill and passion.  Many songs included solos by select singers.  After one such shared solo by Caleb and Aaron Godzala, they shook hands to congratulate each other for a job well done.  It was a touching moment.  The variety aspect of the show was a refreshing change of pace, adding a sense of adventure to the morning.  Dustin tickled the audience’s humor with his holiday jokes, a moving piano solo was performed by Alex Kim, and a special dance and drum performance was particularly tasteful.  Even posters for the show were made specially by Charles Duffney.

Soloists Caleb Rasmussen and Aaron Godzala knock it out of the park

The show ended with a standing ovation that obviously touched the performer’s hearts.  As the clapping died away, friends and family nearly barreled over each other in an attempt to reach the choir and congratulate them for a job well done.  The scene was suddenly filled with hugs, high-fives, and handshakes.  Angela VanKeulen met with her friend Judy Carnahan and said “You did such a good job, I had no idea you had such a good voice, but once you got the microphone I could hear it.  It was well done.” Caleb reflected about his experience, and had this to say about the choir,

“Singing is important because it helps other feel  good, and helps me do well in life.”

Now, the choir is continuing their journey.  They are in the process of learning new songs for their next show, soon to be determined.  Keep an eye here on this blog and also on the Lifeworks Facebook page to get information about upcoming shows for the Lifeworks Choir.

Watch a video of the choir performing Dreidal.

See more pictures of the 2011 Lifeworks Holiday Choir and Variety Show on our Flickr page here.

Good Books, Good Friends, Good Times

Submitted by Kath Pengelly, volunteer and advocate coordinator at Lifeworks

Julie Smith started reading to a group of Brooklyn Park listeners October 7, 2008 and hasn’t stopped since. The first book was, Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen, and currently they are reading, Anne of Green Gables, by Lucy Maud Montgomery. Twenty one books in all during the three year period and we hope Julie will never stop her volunteering at Lifeworks because the Brooklyn Park Book Club loves to hear her read. 

Recently, I asked Julie about her experience with us and what makes her keep coming back week after week to read. She explained that as a former fourth grade teacher she feels that this opportunity provides in a small way the same pleasure she received from her teaching career. Reading aloud, helping others to enjoy literature, and opening the world of imagination through books.  

Heather Schullo, Julie Smith and Jenny Horner

Julie said that in the spring of 2009 she told the group that she would like to take the summer off to be with her family and the disappointment on the faces of our clients made her quickly change her mind. It was then that she realized the significance of her gift to us. She never misses her appointed time. She carefully journals what happens and where she left off each week so she can seamlessly pick up when she arrives promptly at 9:30 a.m. every Tuesday. Her listeners wait for her, anticipating where today’s book might take them. They often find a movie version of the story to follow up after the book is completed to compare and contrast the storyline. 

I asked Julie if there has been a favorite book in the three years of reading. She said that the group does have a 10 point rating scale, but they give every book a 10. Sometimes she disagrees with them and says,

“No, I would give this book a six or seven.” The answer is always the same, “Oh no, Julie, this is a ten, absolutely a ten.”

Is it the book then that brings the high scores, the voice, or the constant friendship? I suspect it is the friendship. I suspect that our Brooklyn Park Book Club values their time with Julie more than she can ever know. Her soft spoken voice reading classic treasures is an auditory treat that they look forward to with great anticipation.  

What will happen next? How will this story end? What will the next book be? The answers to these questions remain to be answered but one thing is certain, Julie Smith will be at Brooklyn Park next Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. to read. Henry David Thoreau said, “Books are the treasured wealth of the world.” So are good readers like Julie. Thank you for sharing your time with us.  

Would you like to be one of the many valuable volunteers at Lifeworks? Please call me, there is a group of people waiting for your time and talents.

Kath Pengelly, 651-365-3720 or kpengelly@lifeworks.org. 

Now Entering: Base Camp

Base Camp is the brain child of Northern Star Council and Boy Scouts of America connecting the community to interactive and inspiring activities. Base Camp features engaging challenges that focus on experiential learning. These activities reward participants with pride, accomplishment, and character. A few examples of the challenges include a climbing tower, high ropes course, archery range, and even a NASA space shuttle simulator.

Ann Huddleson and Sherry Campeau pumped up after the high ropes course at Base Camp

Part of Lifeworks participation in the Boy Scouts of America Venturing program, a program that is offered to both men and women with disabilities, opened their access to the new Base Camp center.  When Base camp was approached about Lifeworks eagerness to visit the center, the staff at Base Camp were both thrilled and accommodating.  They were excited to focus on the abilities and enthusiasm of those supported by Lifeworks. 

Twenty Lifeworks attendees were supported by six Base Camp specialists on three occasions to participate in the full gamut of Base Camp courses.  The experience was chalk full of learning opportunities.  Some of the courses, like the high ropes course, were intimidating and challenging. The event is built not as entertainment, but as a learning experience.  Lifeworks participants had to overcome their fears and offer encouragement to their teammates. Many participants tried activities and overcame obstacles they thought they would never attempt. It was truly a rewarding memory no one will forget.

Lifeworks participants mentally preparing for Base Camp action!

“I was scared, but in the end I did it!” – Ann Huddleson, Lifeworks client

“It was a real confidence booster.  It gave people the chance to get together and cheer each other on.  It was a big deal to a lot of people” – Sherry Campeau, Lifeworks staff

Soon, Lifeworks hopes to enter the walls of Base Camp again. Next time, who knows what wonderful adventures will await them?

Visit lifeworks.org/locations to see what fun adventures are happening at a Lifeworks close to you!

The Lifeworks Rock of Ages Band Rocked This Cause!

Submitted by: James Houck, Lifeworks marketing assistant

Lead singer Sam Bisanz and keyboardist/backup vocalist Ron Stearns were the first of the band to arrive for the show on November 12, 2011 at the Grain Belt Bottling House in Minneapolis. As performing members of one of many prestigious Minnesota acts in the Rock the Cause lineup, they were given the VIP treatment with backstage wristbands and entry into the auspicious greenroom- the waiting area backstage, stocked with free beverages and

Hangin' out in the green room before the show

comfortable furniture; a coveted place where bands gather their mental and creative prowess before taking to the stage. Sam and Ron took their rock star thrones seated across from a couch squeezing in Farewell Milwaukee, an emerging Minneapolis band who just recently had a song released on the Cities 97 Sampler. Jon Ehresmann, McNally Smith College of Music guitar performance student, was also relaxing amidst the chill backstage setting with his band mates. Jon is participating in a newly pioneered work study relationship between McNally Smith and Lifeworks by leading the Lifeworks Rock of Ages Band. 

Not long after Sam and Ron arrived, the other lead singer, Peter Goldberg came in abruptly with a boisterous swagger and jolly grin, sporting a red bandana tied around his head and a deer skin jacket. He made eye contact with Sam, smiled widely, and proclaimed with vigor, “Hey! I want to introduce the Bruce Springsteen Song!” Sam and Peter exchanged excited conversation while watching with wide eyes as musicians like the members of Murzik, Communist Daughter, and Grammy Award winning songwriter Kevin Bowe came in and out of the green room. Ron huddled in close to his band mates with an eager smile, taking in the excitement.

Scott Herald, Rock the Cause CEO and Lifeworks director of sales

Scott Herold, director of sales at Lifeworks, and Rock the Cause CEO, came backstage and was warmly greeted by Peter as the man who made all of this possible. Scott hosted the event as the house MC, introducing bands and communicating the core information of the event. With an excited smile, Scott said to the band, “I’m going to introduce you to someone.” As Scott left to retrieve his mystery guest, Sam said quietly with a boyish smirk, “I hope it’s a hot girl.” Perhaps even better than a hot girl, Scott returned a few moments later with Adam Levy, lead singer/songwriter of the Honeydogs! Another surprise visit, this time from Lifeworks president and CEO, Judy Lysne helped to rev up the bands spirits as she warmly supported the crew with kind and enthusiastic words of encouragement.

Lifeworks president and CEO, Judy Lysne, with client Peter Goldberg

As the show time neared, the guys became restless. The gravity of the scale of their performance was clearly evident. They realized that they were about to perform on a big stage complete with lighting effects and a smoke machine, in front of the largest audience of their career. Sam announced to the room that he was beginning to feel nervous. Peter advised, “Just block everything out and focus on the lyrics.” Meanwhile, Ben Lubeck, principal songwriter and lead singer from Farewell Milwaukee, was quietly tuned into the conversation. With a compassionate smile, he said softly, “Yeah, once you get out there and start playing, all that will go away.” Ben’s reassurance seemed to put the guys at ease, while the excitement mounted.

Andy Thornbrough, the other band leader from McNally Smith and drummer for the group, came back to the green room to check in with everyone just as the last member of the band arrived, Brittany Thorsen. Brittany gave Andy an excited handshake with a big smile as she took her rightful seat in the greenroom. Andy visited with the crew briefly and then went back out to the stage area to finish setting up. As Andy left, Sam yelled out after him, “Find me some girls!” It was evident by this time that Sam’s nervousness was beginning to dissipate, and that he was embracing the “rock star” persona. Just before the band took the stage, Sam excitedly stammered, “I’m in a building I’ve never been in before, with a bunch of bands I’ve never heard of…but it all rocks!”

As the Lifeworks Rock of Ages Band took the stage, they were met with abundant crowd applause. Here they were, rehearsed and led by two top notch, professional musicians, performing in the artsy Northeast neighborhood amidst a stage in the historically rich Grain Belt Bottling House, in the company of many amazing, established Minnesota acts, and raising money for people with disabilities and musicians in need. It doesn’t get any more rock star than that!

The Lifeworks Rock of Ages Band performing at Rock the Cause on November 12, 2011

John and Andy expertly conducted the group, keeping the tunes cranking and the flow moving. John filled out the bands harmony on guitar and backup vocals, adding warmth and depth especially on the Eagles, “Take It Easy”.  Andy kept everything tight with his percussion and backup vocals, holding down songs like Alabama’s, “I’m In a Hurry”, while at the same time, sharing a keyboard with Ron!  

Peter and Sam were in full form, bending and gesturing their bodies to reinforce the strong emotional presence of their performance as they shared the expressive front man experience. Sam punched through the sound on Paul Simon’s, “Like a Rock”, and Peter brought home the high notes on Prince’s, “Raspberry Beret”, a crowd favorite.  Ron’s ear to ear grin wavered only as he broke into song, glazing the band’s sound with backup vocals and keyboards, driving the tempo of Springsteen’s, “Dancing In the Dark”. Brittany helped move the percussive section of the band alongside Andy, and like Ron, lit up the stage with her ever present smile. She helped the band swing Bill Haley and Comets, “Rock Around the Clock”, which had the crowd up and dancing.

“Music affects us all on a deep and primal level…it’s in all of us.”

It’s safe to say that the Lifeworks Rock of Ages band stole the show. After their performance, the audience roared with cheers and applause. The Lifeworks Rock of Ages Band and Rock the Cause made history with the first program of its kind. After the show, Jon was asked how he felt about working with the band. He replied, “I’ve learned a lot more than they have. It was a phenomenal experience.” John seemed genuinely touched by participating in the band. In working with the group, he began to see how people with disabilities may have some limitations to deal with, however, “…they are amazing in other ways.” This experience not only allowed John to assist Lifeworks clients, but also helped solidify his belief in expression through music, “Music affects us all on a deep and primal level…it’s in all of us.”

 

 

 

  

    

Where in the world is Rodrigo today?

Lifeworks volunteer, Rodrigo

Submitted By Kath Pengelley, Lifeworks volunteer and advocate coordinator

Late last April, I placed a volunteer opportunity on the Hastings United Way e-volunteer network  for an activity assistant. I never know who will respond to these requests and am always appreciative of the responses. However,  I was surprised when the volunteer who responded came all the way from Guatemala. Meet Jose Rodrigo Moll Duran.

Rodrigo is on an extended visit in the United States to practice his English speaking skills. He has friends in Hastings and could not think of a better way to learn English than to volunteer in an English speaking community. He also has a huge personal commitment to giving back and helping others. 

 He completed his Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering in Guatemala and plans to go on to graduate school in Aachen, Germany, to obtain his Master’s degree in Medical Engineering. Rodrigo’s ultimate goal is to work in the field of Tissue Engineering. He is fluent in Spanish, German, and wants to perfect his English. He saw my posting on the e-volunteer network and thought he would check us out.

“Your clients are so open. They have so many interests and they want to know about me and my culture. They like to participate. I have taught them some of my words and they have helped me with yours.” 

We have enjoyed our international guest enormously and are happy to spend time talking, learning, and sharing with him. Our Hastings clients say that they are benefitting more than Rodrigo when it comes to learning about the Guatemalan culture, language, customs and celebrations. I asked Rodrigo if he had experienced any surprises during his time at Lifeworks, and he said, “Your clients are so open. They have so many interests and they want to know about me and my culture. They like to participate. I have taught them some of my words and they have helped me with yours.” 

 I asked Rodrigo what obvious differences he sees in services for people with disabilities comparing Lifeworks to services in Guatemala. His previous experiences are exclusively with children, so his comments were limited, but he did say that in general people with disabilities in Guatemala are not as comfortable expressing their feelings, thoughts, or needs. I guess those self advocacy classes that we have been offering are helping.

In November, Rodrigo will be returning to Guatemala to take the graduate school entrance exam and then hopefully make arrangements to move to Germany. As he jets off to his next adventure, we wish him well and say, “Adios amigo.” We hope that as he travels the world, he will remember us and perhaps one day return to teach us about German culture, language, and customs. Thank you Rodrigo for volunteering at Lifeworks. We wish you well. 

If you would like to learn more about volunteering at Lifeworks, please call me. Kath Pengelly 651-365-3720 or send me an email kpengelly@lifeworks.org.

Lifeworks Music Therapy

submitted by Jenna Horgan, MT-BC, neurologic music therapist

 

Music is a rich part of our lives and is important in cultures throughout the world. It has the ability to elevate our mood, decrease anxiety, and provide a sense of comfort. We might listen to music, sing, or play an instrument in order to raise our energy level, relax, or express ourselves.  In the words of individuals from music therapy sessions at Lifeworks Burnsville, “Music makes us want to dance and sing!”

Lifeworks Music Therapist, Jennie Delisi with Bobbie Jean Ashton in a music therapy session

Music therapy helps individuals develop cognitive, physical, social,and communication skills that encourage independence and build confidence.

Music therapists work in a variety of clinical settings including day programs, nursing homes, hospice, schools, correctional facilities, and rehabilitation centers. Components of music therapy include singing, music listening, moving, playing instruments, songwriting, and discussion.  According to the American Music Therapy Association,

“Music is processed in both hemispheres of the brain, (therefore) music can stimulate cognitive functioning and can be used for remediation of some speech and language skills” (http://www.musictherapy.org).

Lifeworks employs two board- certified neurologic music therapists, Jenna Horgan and Jennie Delisi. They provide group and individual music therapy at 6 Lifeworks locations.  A Lifeworks Career Development or Social Enrichment music therapy group often has the primary goals of improving social and communication skills. Each person in the group is working on specific and measurable objectives to reach their goals. Session plans are designed to address these goal areas, and data is kept on each person’s progress.

Lifeworks incorporates assistive technology into its music therapy program, making music more accessible for participants. Lifeworks music therapists use an IPod Touch, communication devices such as Dynavox, switches, and recording technology for music making and songwriting. One of our musical groups, the AT Real-Time Band, uses these technologies to perform songs like “Tequila” and “Hot, Hot Hot”!

Watch a video of a music therapy session:

If you would like more information about individual music therapy services at Lifeworks, please call Jennie Delisi at 651-365-3740 or email her at jdelisi@lifeworks.org.

Fie Boesgaard – World Traveler, International Volunteer

On June 29 at the MSP airport, Fie Boesgaard arrives from Denmark for a one month stay to learn about services for adults with developmental disabilities in the US, specifically in Minnesota at Lifeworks Bloomington.

Fie and some new friends at Lifeworks Bloomington

At home in Denmark she is studying social pedagogy. She has one year of school left and will graduate next spring. Social Pedagogy is an academic discipline offered in Denmark that is concerned with the theory and practice of holistic education and care. Originally when Fie started her degree program she thought she might want to work with youth in a criminal justice setting, but now after her one month at Lifeworks she is rethinking that decision. She says that she would like to pursue a career working with adults with developmental disabilities.

I visited with Fie both at the beginning of her volunteer commitment at Lifeworks Bloomington and also at the end. I was curious to know about her impressions of Lifeworks and MN. She has only been to the United States once and that was to visit New York City.

She said she was surprised about the amount of green area that we have in MN, our love of the outdoors, the aggressiveness of our mosquitoes, but most of all a new found leisure activity, tubing on rivers. Fie joined a group on the Apple River for tubing and picnicking and loved the whole inner tube experience.

During her stay at Lifeworks Bloomington Fie said she was impressed by the positive atmosphere in our center.

“Everyone is so nice to each other. I like the way the day is structured for the people Lifeworks supports, it feels good to be here.”

She visited many of the Bloomington job sites but her personal favorite was REI, she liked the variety of the retail processing tasks that our clients complete, from unpacking the product, steaming it, folding it, hanging it, tagging it, to moving it out onto the sales floor. Fie thought there was a good mix of physical and mental work involved for our clients.

Finally I wanted to know what she is going to tell family and friends about Lifeworks when she goes back to Denmark. She said,

“Lifeworks does a great job of training people to be successful in the workplace. I like the way you go to a job site and have the Lifeworks job coach learn what is happening there and then teach the person with the disability.”

What would she change if anything about her visit with us? “It was just too short,” she said, I wish I could stay longer.”

Fie Boesgaard. Lifeworks volunteer, studying abroad from Denmark.

Travel safe Fie, it was a pleasure to have you. You taught us new words, new games and shared a new culture with us. If you would like to volunteer at Lifeworks please contact me at 651-365-3720 or email me, kpengelly@lifeworks.org

The Multitalented Man: Andrew Fairbanks

Andrew and I met in September 2010 at the U of MN. He was taking a capstone class and needed 30 community service learning hours to complete his psychology degree. Ultimately Andrew would like to pursue a career in law enforcement and is considering going to either the police academy or entering the Air Force. We talked about the importance of people in law enforcement having an understanding about diverse populations including people with developmental disabilities.

Andrew Volunteering at Lifeworks Burnsville

Andrew agreed to volunteer once a week at our Burnsville center. Initially we asked Andrew to facilitate a sports talk group. Now reflecting back I realize that he has done so much more. Andrew completed his 30 hour capstone requirement before the end of 2010 but continues to come to our center once a week being open to whatever we need him to do. He has volunteered more than 113 hours to be exact and we have discovered that he is a multitalented man. His interests go far beyond law enforcement and sporting event scores.

Andrew has taught us French, gone for walks, played a variety of outdoor games like bean bag toss, catch and even croquet. He has helped us clean at a local church and a park and also assisted us at the Lifeworks Annual Celebration in a myriad of roles.

I sat down with him recently and asked him why he continues to come, week after week knowing that the school commitment is long behind him. His response was quick and heartfelt. He said,

“By the time I had finished the 30 hours I had grown in my relationships with the people here and felt that I had established true friendships. I thought about other college students who might just come to complete their required service learning hours and then leave. I just couldn’t do that. It wouldn’t be right; it would feel like I was using these people. I have time in my week. There was just no question for me; of course I would continue to come.”

I also asked Andrew what surprised him the most about people with developmental disabilities. He said he was impressed by how open and authentic everyone is, how quick our clients are to accept someone new, how friendly they are but mostly how they just take you for who you are, no question.

Andrew graduated from the U of MN in May 2010 and is taking the summer to work at the Eagan Community Center and also volunteer with us while he ponders the next chapter in his life adventure. How will we know when his time with us is going to end I asked. He said, “I don’t know yet but I will continue to come until I am ready to move on to something that doesn’t allow time for this.”

Derek Bucher, Burnsville Program Supervisor made this comment about Andrew’s volunteer commitment, “Wednesdays are highly anticipated at Lifeworks in Burnsville, not because the weekend is nearing but because our friend Andrew is coming! Andrew is fun, energetic and compassionate. We wish we could keep him forever.”

Finally I asked him, “What would you tell others about Lifeworks?” Andrew said,

“Lifeworks is something that really reflects my personal values. I have never done anything like this before but anyone could come here to volunteer. Everyone is so welcoming. This experience has changed me a lot; I can’t even put it into words. Originally I was deciding between the Children’s Museum and Lifeworks. I am so glad I came here.”

We are glad that you came here too Andrew and we appreciate the gift of time that you have shared with us. Lifeworks partners with more than ten colleges and universities and we are ready to create many more volunteer opportunities. You might be just one person in the world but to one person you might be the world. Just give me call at 651-365-3720 or email kpengelly@lifeworks.org

The Anti Bullies: Rock Stars of Respect

Bullying is an important subject.  It is something that crops up in nearly everyone’s life, but is sometimes hard to pinpoint and often difficult to deal with.  Many people who experience bullying face dramatic, lifelong effects.  Sometimes a person who was bullied at a young age remembers that negative experience well into adulthood.  This memory can impact day-to-day life and how they interact with the world around them.  Even though the effects of being bullied can be quite severe, bullying often falls under the radar, is rarely reported, and bullies often face little or no consequences.

Rock Stars of Respect: Betty DeWhitt, Lori Schluttenhofer, Annie Smith, Heather Schullo, Ann Haumschild, Elain Howe, and Jamie Orndorff

Recently, a group of at Lifeworks has come forward to help educate their peers about bullying. The group consist of : Elaine Howe, Heather Schullo, Ann Haumschild, and Jamie Orndorff.  This group of self-advocates recognized that people with disabilities are often the targets of bullying and are often underprepared to protect themselves and others against bullies. The group’s many goals include: helping people prevent bullying, supporting the bullied, and in the end, to stop bullying altogether.  Their mission is to help people become Rock Stars of Respect!

This group knows firsthand the effects of bullying. Growing up with a disability can cause a person to be targeted.  Sometimes a disability can make it more difficult to defend against bullying.  For example, two of the members use wheelchairs, making it harder to leave a negative environment, and one uses an augmentative communication device, limiting her choice of words.  Ann Haumschild said,

“At some point you need to say stop, that is enough! People need to know how to tell people about bullying, to get help.”

With their experience in self-advocacy and by attending special summits on the subject of bullying, the group decided to help others.  With the support of Lifeworks Program Managers Lori Schluttenhofer and Betty Dewitt, and Client Services Coordinator Annie Smith, the plans were laid to create a presentation to share their knowledge with others who live with a disability.

 

Jamie Orndorff reviews her notes before the presentation.

The group decided that it was not enough to merely inform people about bullying.  They decided they would enroll people to become rock stars of respect.  They would get a pledge from each audience member, promising he or she would use the skills learned to tell others about bullying and how to protect against it. The presentation was planned to have many components to match the various learning styles of the audience as well as address the many facets of bullying.  It included both vocal and visual instruction, role-play, participation, and much from the audience.  The idea would be to get people really involved with the presentation to help them reach an “ah-ha” moment so they can take something away to use in everyday life.

Ann Haumschild takes questions from the audience at the 2011 Minnesota Self-Advocacy Conference

After the planning stage, the group practiced and presented to their peers at many Lifeworks locations.  These sessions were very popular, and led to many people taking the Rock Star of Respect pledge.  These presentations led to the group’s grand finale, a session at the 2011 Minnesota Self-Advocacy Conference. The presentation at the self-advocacy conference happened May 17, 2011 to a standing-room-only audience.  The majority of the people in the audience were, like the presenters, people with disabilities.  Dewitt, who was at the presentation taking visual notes for the audience to use during the discussion, had this to say about the presentation:

“What really struck me was what an emotional issue this is—it doesn’t matter how old the memories, being bullied lasts forever and the wounds run very deep.   This was evident in the discussions—everyone had stories to share and it became very emotional.  No longer is it a sense of embarrassment to be bullied—but a time to say “stop—that is not nice.”  What also came across was that it is everyone’s responsibility to stand up and make it stop.”

These comments were echoed by many others who witnessed the presentation.  Many of the people in the audience had knowledge about what to do if they were being bullied and shared it with others.  Maybe more importantly, It seemed that everyone learned a thing or two about what to do if they witnessed others being bullied.  Also, the conversation touched on what to do if the people in the audience were bullies themselves.

In the end it was a positive experience for both the audience and presenters.  Ann Haumschild had this to say about her experience:

“Bullying is a problem in our society. People tend to take this stuff on themselves. People keep it inside.  That’s not good.  People need to talk about it.  People can do it.  Now they have the tools.  They can do it!”

The important work continues.  There are still people out there who suffer from bullying and its effects.  The word still needs to spread and the mission remains: To help people become rock stars of respect.