Supporting People with Disabilities Since 1934 1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty
www.eastersealswise.com
The Steinhafels family is known for operating a chain of quality furniture stores, but is just as well known for their philanthropic efforts in our communities. It was not surprising when they also opened their doors to Easter Seals by offering work experiences to our participants at the Workforce Training Center. During Christmas, one of Steinhafels busiest times of the year, Michael began his six week work experience in the housekeeping department. The opportunity not only provided training for him, but additional staff for the store at a time when, due to weather, things like floors require extra maintenance. Michael’s main responsibilities included mopping, vacuuming, dusting and garbage collection throughout the store. He mastered store and cleaning routes using maps of the store. Steinhafels was so impressed with his contribution to the housekeeping department that they offered him a permanent job. One of Michael’s challenges is hearing loss. While hearing aids help him hear some sounds, he communicates by reading lips, written notes and using some sign language. Michael’s supervisor, Michelle, worked with the Easter Seals job coaching staff to learn sign language specific to his job duties. Going above and beyond in this way greatly increased communication and improved his self-confidence. Upon his hire, management took additional opportunity to help insure Michael’s success and make him feel part of the entire Steinhafels staff by asking Easter Seals to provide diversity training to all of the staff to help them understand how to best communicate with him, and with their support, he has quickly become a true part of their team. Michelle said that in addition to her learning more about the value of a diverse workforce she added to her own personal “learning” with some basic sign language. “Michael has become part of our store team. We celebrated his birthday with him here, and he was proud to be featured on our internal website. He is very through in his work and is always upbeat and positive. He has made new friends here and particularly enjoys his cup of coffee after work with others in the staff lounge.” Michael’s sister, MaryJo, shared that “Michael has always been outgoing but this job has made him even more confident and positive. He loves talking about his job and sharing what he is doing with a huge smile on his face. I think people underestimate what individuals like Michael can do. He has lived a sort of sheltered life prior to Easter Seals, and I think even his cognitive skills have improved by giving him new opportunities and challenges. Easter Seals and Steinhafels have become part of our family and we can’t thank them enough.”
A Message from our CEO At our Evening of Impact in March, our S.O.A.R. Award recipient was Mark Duerst. At the time, Mark was involved in a “work experience.” It is a six-week internship at a local company where an individual learns new skills, builds their resume and learns about community employment. Mark was working for a restaurant chain when his supervisor said, “I wish I could clone Mark in all my stores.” So do I. I wish more employers of all sizes would commit to opening doors to those individuals with disabilities. I have shared with you before that the unemployment rate for people with disabilities is around 80%. It has been this way for decades. However, Easter Seals is investing in new models that focus employment with community employers. One such model is Project SEARCH. Project SEARCH teaches marketable and transferrable skills to our young adults who are just finishing high school. We partnered with Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin in 2012 to create the first Project SEARCH In Southeast Wisconsin. The interns must meet Children’s Hospital’s requirements and are orientated like any new employee. After one 9 month session, we potentially have an 80% placement rate. Two Project SEARCH interns are now employed at Childrens Hospital with another intern waiting for a potential job and one has a job at the Marquette University Dental Clinic. At the ceremony that marked the end of the year many people came up to me and my staff telling us about the challenges facing young people with disabilities in finding employment. These parents had worked, supported and maintained high expectations for their son or daughter, but as high school ended they did not know what the next step in life would be. How would their child get a job in this economy? They felt helpless. Project SEARCH provided the opportunity to bridge their transitions successfully to adulthood. Many of these parents thanked me for making this program happen.
Their thanks was misplaced. First it goes to our great staff who were so dedicated in getting this program launched; Michelle Schaefer, Beth Lohmann, Suzie Fieder-Kelly and Gloria McCullough. Then, those parents should thank each of you. Starting a new service has a cost and involves risk. We could not have started Project SEARCH without generous donors and supporters like you. Only with friends like you could we invest in the future of Easter Seals services and in the lives of six young adults. Thank you for your generosity and support.
Bob Glowacki CEO, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin Board of Directors President Roger Schaus Jr., Generac Vice President Greg Schoepke, Custom Production Grinding, Inc. Jeff Blakely, CVS Pharmacy John Bosbous, Retired, Caterpillar Global Mining Nancy Creuziger, Manpower Ina Fischer, Parent Representative David Glazer David Glazer Real Estate, LLC Melissa Koeppel, Grant Thornton Karen Ordinans, Children’s Health Alliance of WI
Secretary Beth Schimel Novo Nordisk Treasurer Frank Windt Schenck Business Solutions Pete Papageorge, Century Services James J. T. Pittelkow, Pittelkow & Associates Financial Services Mitchell Quick, Michael, Best & Friedrich LLP Bob Ranus, Retired Roundy’s Linda Ryan, RE/MAX Realty 100 David Wiedholz Sam’s Club Dale Van Dam, M3 Insurance Bob Artin Haig, Honorary Board Member
Project SEARCH In June, Easter Seals SE Wisconsin held the completion ceremony of our first Project SEARCH class. Six young adults with disabilities successfully completed this year-long work internship program in partnership with Childrens Hospital of Wisconsin. Over the year, interns worked with a certified special education instructor, career coach and Children’s Hospital staff to broaden their skill sets and real work experiences. The first three weeks of the curriculum are focused on understanding the hospital’s company policies. Like fellow Children’s Hospital co-workers, each intern participates in Children’s Hospital’s new employee orientation that focuses on attendance, appropriate dress codes and confidentiality. They then work on other job related skills like interaction with supervisors and co-workers, resume writing and job searching. Each intern then served three, ten-week internship rotations within the hospital in various departments such as the Histology Lab, Pharmacy, Distribution Services, Imaging, and Neuroscience Clinic. While Easter Seals provided the academic staff, the rotation success was also due in large part to Children’s Hospital co-workers and mentors who assisted them throughout their internships. As a result, six young adults have learned new, transferrable job skills that will prepare them for jobs in the community. We are proud to announce that two of our students have already successfully secured permanent jobs at Children’s Hospital. Marcus, a student from Menomonee Falls, is working in the Distribution Department, and Olivia, is employed in the Nutritional Services Department working in Room Services. All of the students left the program with a wealth of experience, the skills to seek their new jobs and impressive recommendation letters from the hospital. Congratulations to all!
Project SEARCH Wish List • Portfolio Folder’s • Self laminating pouches • Oscillating table top fan • New laptop computer • Digital frame • Box of one inch binders • Index cards • Hand sanitizes • Full length mirror • Permanent markers • Cordless mouse • Small folding table • iPads
Help us to Welcome our 2012-2013 Project SEARCH Interns this August. Your support of Project SEARCH classroom supplies will provide our interns with skill building, career exploration and job-skills training. • A gift of $170 will purchase a set of classroom career skills posters and charts • A gift of $80.00 will purchase classroom reference text books for our library • A gift of $30.00 will purchase quality USB - jump drives for interns use to store their resumes and letters of recommendation.
Walk Heading With Me 2012 Page Participants, staff, family and friends gathered during Polish Fest at the Potawatomi stage on Friday, June 15th for our 6th annual Walk With Me. They were entertained by the music of the All-Star SUPERband and rubbed elbows with the Klements Racing Sausages, Laura Langemo of Fox 6 News and Roscoe of the Milwaukee Admirals before the one-mile family fun walk along Lake Michigan.
Another Great Year! This year, Walk With Me raised over $90,000! Left to right: Laura Langemo of Fox 6, David Weidholz of Sam’s Club, Jeff Blakely and John Boyk of CVS Pharmacy’s, Dan Kruse of Century 21 and Joe Pieper of Associated Bank.
This year’s youngest walker.
CVS Caremark employees raised a record $15,000 this year!
National presenting sponsor, Century 21 team.
Thumbs up to over 500 walkers!
Page Heading
Walk Ambassador Julia and her team
Walk Ambassador Ariel and her team.
Ambassador Gayla with the Klement’s Racing Sausages.
Ambassador Sara and her friend and walk emcee Laura Langemo from Fox 6 News
Two of the many volunteers who made our walk successful.
The Milwaukee lakefront provided a beautiful backdrop for Walk With Me and Polish Fest is a wonderful host sponsor.
Fun with Roscoe from the Milwaukee Admirals! National Premiere Sponsor
National Founding Sponsor
Regional Sponsor
Regional Sponsor
Local Presenting Sponsor
Local Presenting Sponsor
Local Sponsors Schaus Family Fund
Dairyland Buses, inc.
Pledge your final support or watch our thermometer rise at www.eastersealswise.com
Early Intervention is the Key to Success!
KAI’S STORY
This June, we celebrated the graduation of one of our autism services participants, Kai. Kai was adopted from an orphanage in China when he was 28 months old, and when his parents brought him home , he did not walk, speak, or interact with others. After seeing a specialist, Kai’s parents, Scott and Chris, were told that their son would be non-verbal and would likely require long-term care. They looked to Easter Seals for help.“Of course, I was devastated by the long term prognosis and relieved when our son was accepted into the autism program at Easter Seals. His therapists were all caring, insightful and astute, and worked fantastically with our kiddo! Our lead therapists and staff were flexible with our changing schedule and coordinated well with teachers at my son’s school.” Kai began services with our program in September of 2010 and showed amazing progress after only nine months of autism services. Talking was his first, most noticeable change, from being non-verbal to using over 75 words. He began stating his wants and needs, rather than pointing, and soon he expanded to using complete sentences. Because he was able make his needs known more easily, Kai had fewer negative outbursts and more meaningful interactions with family and peers. He began to enjoy interactive activities like reading books and having someone read to him.
“We are so proud of the accomplishments our son has made with the help of Easter Seals! His future looks bright and we are truly grateful!”
For more information about our autism services contact Nicole Berlowski at 414.604.5082
Kai, once isolated, now participates socially with his friends in school. He is also on target with his academic skills like spelling, counting, reading and writing, and enjoys playing games like Trouble, Sorry, Connect 4 and Chinese Checkers. “Our son began autism services with Easter Seals in 2010. About one month ago, we were surprised to hear that, not only will our son be dismissed from all special education services, except speech therapy, but also that he is functioning at an age appropriate level. We are so proud of the accomplishments our son has made with the help of Easter Seals! His future looks bright and we are truly grateful!” In June of 2012, Kai graduated from 4K and his Easter Seals autism program. He is enjoying summer with family and friends and due to his early intervention services, will be ready for school with his peers this fall.
Remembering those that serve
Remembering Debra Easter Seals recently lost a long time friend, Debra Usinger. The Usinger family history goes back to 1964 when Fred Usinger became a member of the Board of Directors. Fred would donate his famous brats and hot dogs and personally cook for the campers at Holler Park, and Debra was always there to help. She carried on the family tradition of supporting Easter Seals, and we were fortunate to be able to honor Debra and her family as members of our Lily Society. The award recognizes those whose long history of generous contributions of service and personal support of our mission make a difference in the lives of children and adults with disabilities. Debra will be missed by our Easter Seals family and the many others in our community that she supported.
Camp Yellow Ribbon August 13 - 17, 2012 Is YOUR child at Risk? Every year over 5 million children under the age of 5 are at risk of developmental delays and disabilities. Visit www.MaketheFirstFiveCount.org to take a free online version of the Ages & Stages QuestionnairesÂŽ, Third Edition.
Your ASQ-3 results will help you see if your child’s developmental progress is on target and alert you to concerns that you can talk over with your health care provider or one of our Easter Seals early intervention specialists. For more information about Easter Seals Early Intervention Services, please contact Erin Raber at 414-604-5050
Join us at Camp Yellow Ribbon for another week of fun and adventure! Children ages 7 to 14 and their siblings whose parents are or have been deployed are welcome! Easter Seals Camp Yellow Ribbon is still accepting applications until August 8th for a week-long camp for military children. The goal of this specialized camp is to help children learn how to cope with the challenges of having a family member who is deployed or has returned from overseas. For more information, or to download an application, please visit our website or contact Dan Anderson at 414482-0133. We hope that you will pass this on to families that would benefit from this great camp experience!
Experiences and Qualites: • Sorting and Organizing • Quality Control • Garment Hanging • Customer Service • Working with Children • Quick Learner
Desires:
• Sorting • Folding • Customer Service • Rotating Tasks • Consistent Enviroment • Working with Children • 15 to 30 hours per week
Job Wanted For Job Wanted forErin Erin Desires: Sorting Folding Customer Service Rotating Tasks Consistent Environment
If you know a business that would benefit Erin call:
Experience and Qualities: Working with Children 262-953-2242
15 to 30 hours per week
Quick Learner
•
Working with Children
•
Customer Service
•
Garment Hanging
•
Quality Control
•
Sorting and Organizing
•
Follow the leader ESSoutheast WI
If you know a business that would benefit from Erin call 262-953-2242
www.eastersealswise.com Join our conversation Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin
www.eastersealswise.com
www.eastersealswise.com
1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty
NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Milwaukee, WI Permit No. 2781
Since 1934
Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin Supporting 1016 Milwaukee Avenue People with Disabilities South Milwaukee, WI 53172