Fall/Winter 2015
The Luna Model Soars! TM
In January, Easter Seals Michigan launched the LUNA (Look, Uncover, Nurture, Act) Model, a groundbreaking program that addresses trauma prevention and intervention in children and teens age 18 years and younger. Since it launched, the program has assessed nearly 500 children.
hormones, she has grown to about 4 feet 11 inches tall and 80 pounds. Her “hyper vigilance” and rigidity is a sign of post-traumatic stress disorder.
Laurel and Steve Smith adopted two Russian children – Gabby, 13, and Duncan, 11 -- when the children were very young. While the youths have progressed in their decade here, some of the effects of the trauma they endured haven’t been erased.
Both of the children have problems with food and “will eat anything” because they were not well-fed in Russia. In fact, Duncan prefers his food cold because that is what he is used to. Both have also been affected by a lack of love and affection during infancy, including being held or coddled.
Gabby was adopted when she was 25 months old and Duncan when he was about 8 months old.
That’s why the Smiths took advantage of a new LUNA Model program that steers services to children who have experienced any type of trauma -- whether it’s witnessing or being involved in a violent assault or more subtle, ongoing events such as lack of basic care.
Both children spent time in orphanages, hospitals, as well as private residences where they were both neglected. Exactly what the children experienced is unknown. When she arrived here, she was 15 pounds, 27 inches, the size of a typical 4-month-old in the United States. Thanks to
Duncan had attention deficit disorder that developed into Asperger’s syndrome.
Uriel Stephens, director of family services of Easter Seals Michigan, said childhood trauma spawns emotional and intellectual issues. “For children who have experienced early trauma, it can affect their brain development and learning capacity,” Stephens said. “A lot of children who experience trauma and live in a stressful environment develop that fight or flight behavior,” she said. Children who have experienced trauma are three times more likely to experience employment problems and suffer from depression, four times more likely to become an alcoholic and 15 times more likely to commit suicide. If you are interested in taking the screening or learning more about the LUNA Model, go to LunaModel.org. Portions of this write up appeared in the article, “Program Helps Children Who Experienced Trauma” written by Jameson Cook for The Macomb Daily, 10/1/15
Event Wrap Up Thank you to all of those that made these events a success. From sponsors to volunteers, we couldn’t have done it without you!
Walled Lake Open House On May 21st, Easter Seals Michigan hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony to mark the opening of the newest location in Walled Lake. The event was well attended by area service providers, members of the community, Easter Seals staff and many state and local politicians including Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, who was also the guest speaker.
2nd Annual Seals on Wheels event On June 12th Easter Seals Michigan hosted the 2nd Annual Seals on Wheels community event. The event included a car show, face painting, bounce house, free food and beverages, free ice cream, and a raffle to win $100,000!
Color Me Extraordinary Family Fun 5K Run On June 20th over 800 people joined Easter Seals Michigan and the Auburn Hills Chamber of Commerce for the first Color Me Extraordinary 5K through downtown Auburn Hills. The event raised nearly $20,000 and was a huge success. People of all ages, abilities and skill levels took part in the family fun outing. Plans are already underway for the 2016 event so we hope to see you all there! Walk With Me The annual Walk With Me events are a great way to get involved and learn about Easter Seals Michigan, the services, and the individuals we serve. On June 16th the 11th annual Walk With Me Grand Rapids was held at the John Ball Park and Zoo. Over 500 people raised nearly $51,000 for Easter Seals Michigan! On August 2nd over 1,000 people joined us at the Detroit Zoo for the 7th annual Walk With Me Detroit. That event also raised $50,000.
New Developments CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR GRADUATES! On June 24, Easter Seals Michigan marked a milestone in hosting graduation commencement ceremonies for its inaugural class of Cognitive Enhancement Therapy (CET) students. Thirteen individuals served by Easter Seals Michigan’s Adult Services location in Southfield completed the 48-week-long class. CET helps individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and related cognitive disorders to improve both their thinking skills and social skills by using computer-based interactive activities to stimulate new growth and connections in the brain, particularly in the prefrontal cortex, which is the center for attention, working memory, judgment and decision-making. CET then addresses social cognition with a series of highly structured individual and group exercises designed to practice newfound cognitive capacities in a social setting. Ruth Louwsma, program manager at Easter Seals Michigan, said “CET is not about feelings. It’s about the thinking, not the feelings. It’s not behavioral therapy.” Here are a few things the graduates
had to say about the class: “What I value the most is I learned that I don’t always have to go to others to solve my problems.” “(CET) helped me in trying to figure out hard solutions.” “I enjoyed the homework — it worked my mind, and I improved. It made me think. Even if I disagreed, I got to express my opinions.” “The therapists brought out the best in me.” “(CET) taught me I am able to use abstract reasoning to solve problems.” “(CET) boosted my self-confidence.” When Easter Seals Michigan introduced CET in late 2014, it was only the second agency in Michigan to offer the therapy. A new class has just started and we’ll be celebrating their graduation in June 2016.
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Spotlight On… Adult Consumer
Get to Know Staff
Gregg Streicher
Sharynn Meltzer
How long have you been a consumer with Easter Seals? “I have been with Easter Seals and Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse for over 2 years now.” Describe the services you have received from Easter Seals during your time here. “I have received psychiatric services, case management, individual and group therapy, along with attending Dreams Unlimited Clubhouse.” What has Easter Seals helped you accomplish during your time here? “It helped me focus more on my goals and accomplishments instead of my disability.” What does Easter Seals mean to you? “A person based program that helps people with disabilities. It’s the most valuable part of my life, in terms of support. I am not sure where I’d be at this point in my life without Easter Seals.” How has Easter Seals helped you grow? “Easter Seals has encouraged me to take on and tackle things, to not let my disability get in the way of learning and achieving my objectives.”
How long have you worked at Easter Seals and what is your role here? “I have worked at Easter Seals since Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority privatized and contracted with Easter Seals in 2000. I was a general case manager for 8 years and I have been a residential case manager now for 8 years.” What do you enjoy most about working at Easter Seals? “The challenge of not knowing what any specific day might bring; problem solving and flexibility are key to being an effective case manager.” How have you grown during your time working at Easter Seals? “I have gotten older and wiser. I have added to my general skills through experience.” Why did you choose to work at Easter Seals over the past 16 years? “The challenge and helping those in the community.” What do you like to do outside of work? “I like to go to Detroit, especially the Detroit Institute of Arts. I also like watching sports.”
Raffle winners
Dick I. of Shelby Township, MI won $100,000 on June 6th, 2015.
Charles P. of Bluffton, SC won a 2015 Cadillac CTS and $50,000 on August 1st, 2015.
Linda D. of Harrison Township, MI won a 2016 Corvette and $50,000 on September 26th, 2015.
The Presidents’ Council honors the generous individuals who provide an annual gift of $1,000 or more to support our programs and services. Independence Level Over $25,000 David Benoit^ Empowerment Level $10,000 - $24,900 Ann Marie Holland Trust Kevin & Amy Lupton Opportunity Level $5,000 - $9,999 Mike Kowalski Katherine Mann Charitable Trust Bill McCune Margaret Nemethy Estate Mark Waad Dignity Level $2,500 - $4,999 Fred Gibson Dr. Nicanor Castedo Todd Santomauro Ability Level $1,000 - $2,499 David Albee Steve Allen Dolores Ammar Robert Amori Catherine Andrea Daniel Atkins Diane Austin* Richard Austin Charles Avis Louis Baca Troy Barnhart^ John Barrett, Jr. John Bartosz Ilene Beers
Richard Hollis* Jackie Hooper* Toby Horner* Stacy Horton Claire Hulleza* Robert James Lawrence Johnson Judith Johnston Judy Judd Elizabeth & John Kersten^ Joseph Kolly Donald Kopka Michael Kupinski Mark Kurzawa Glen Langston Charles Lawson Richard Leachman Pam Lenning David Leslie^ Richard Marakovits Larry Markland Joanne McClure Peter McElroy^ Terry & Tami McLaughlin* Norman Medford Paul Michalski Kathy Miller Joan E. Miller Estate Leo Mitchell David Moellring Doug Monforton Melissa Moody* Peter Nagle Dr. Meena Nannapaneni* Donald Neill John Pastor Jerry Pencak Sam Pizzo Norb Promo*
Mindy Biglin* The James L. Boeberitz Family Trust David Bommarito Jeff Camboia* Raymond & Laura Card^ Michael Cloutier Frances Creveling Thomas Cunningham Ezra Cutler Wayne Damron Jackie & Bill Dangl^ Susan Davies Darlene Dawood Donna Defilippo Stephen Destafano William Dickens Duane Dunn Denise Durkee* Marylynn Early Patricia Edmonds Irene Edquist Trust Peggy Eschik Emmett Feely Christopher Fish Arthur Fitzpatrick Dr. Sam Flanders^ Norbert Froeschke Fred Fuller Trust Ken Gabriel^ Bernard Gross David Haas John L. Harkins Juliana Harper* W. Kirke Harris Paul Haviland^ Michael Hayes Leonard Hayes August Hofweber Thomas Hogan * Easter Seals Michigan Employee
Rainey Repins^ Michael Rezmerski Sharon Riordan Michael Ryan Juanita Savage^ Bruce Schuman Dwayne Seals Jennie Sebruk William Skaleski William Sklut Dr. Rick Solomon* Terry Spicer Wendy Standifer* Thomas Stephens Uriel Stephens* Jack Stirling Julia Swanson^ Leon Szlachta Sherman Taylor John Tobin Dr. Robert Tremblay Lee Uhlig^ David Vanderhovel Matthew VanHaaren^ David Vanlangenhoven Dr. Lalitha Vemuri* Zsolt Vicsacsan Marian Ward James Whitaker Ian Wilson^ Brent & Shana Wirth* Stephanie Wolf Hull* Leon Woods Michael Woods Gregory Wronkowicz Marisa Youngblood* Frank Zamarelli
^ Easter Seals Michigan Board Member
Create a World Better Than They Ever Imagined This holiday season your donation can help an individual with a disability or special need to make 2016 the best year of their life!
Gift planning team:
248.475.6409
Norb Promo - npromo@essmichigan.org
Do you have what it takes?
fun fun ocamaraderie ocamaraderie Coming to Grand Rapids 2016
All for a good cause.
All for a good cause.
February 5 – February 7, 2016 For more details and to register, go to EasterSealsMichigan.com
February 5 – February 7, 2016 For more details and to register, go to EasterSealsMichigan.com
Save the Date The Cheers Gala Friday, December 4, 2015 Sellers Bowman Auto Center Clarkston, MI
Board Updates This past summer Easter Seals Michigan welcomed new members to the Board of Directors.
For Women Only Snowmobiling Ride Friday, February 5 – Sunday, February 7, 2016 Grayling, MI Corks, Pucks and Brews Tuesday, March 8, 2016 Grand Rapids, MI Color Me Extraordinary Family Fun 5K Saturday, June 25, 2016 Auburn Hills, MI Learn more about these events at EasterSealsMichigan.com.
John Lieblang is currently the director US enterprise services at Microsoft as well as the CEO, founder and author of Measured Value, LLC. He is an experienced corporate and consulting executive whose skills will be a huge asset to Easter Seals Michigan. Dr. Lynda Misra is currently a staff physician at William Beaumont Hospital. She also holds multiple academic and professional positions at Wayne State University School of Medicine and William Beaumont Hospital. Her long and distinguished career in the medical field will be a strong asset to our mission and those we proudly serve. Matt VanHaaren is currently the CEO of Pixel Velocity in Ann Arbor. Pixel Velocity creates imagery and data analysis products that empower enterprises to manage risk and ensure enterprise and corporate value resiliency against physical, operational, and reputational risk. We are very excited to welcome him to the Easter Seals family.
Did You Know… Here are some facts and figures about Easter Seals Michigan that you might not know… On Wednesday, June 24th, we wrapped up our 7th CARF survey since 1997 and we once again received a 3-year accreditation, the best you can get! CARF works to identify the best service providers in the business. To do this, they dig deep into the organization’s business practice to identify areas of improvement. They found that Easter Seals Michigan has a clear mission and vision, supported by a program philosophy that is embraced by leadership and staff members. So far this year Easter Seals Michigan has helped nearly 100 people to find jobs. This is made possible through our Supported Employment program that helps individuals with disabilities with their resume, interview skills and job searches.
Easter Seals Michigan has been serving Michigan since 1920. That means we are older than Chrysler, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Detroit Lions!
As of September 1st, 2015, we have had 1,278 volunteers that have donated 3,976 hours of their time to Easter Seals Michigan which saved nearly $100,000!
to benefit
Easter Seals Michigan
Friday, December 4, 2015 7 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Casino Games Strolling Dinner Live Entertainment Silent & Live Auction Festive Holiday Attire
Tickets are $75 per person available online at EasterSealsMichigan.com or by phone 248.475.6409
If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, email Craig Sharum at csharum@essmichigan.org. EasterSealsMichigan.com Easter Seals Michigan 2399 E. Walton Blvd. Auburn Hills MI 48326 Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage PAID Southfield, MI Permit No. 271