One Vision One Voice | Summer 2024

One

Voice

A newsletter for families, friends, and supporters of the One Vision community

Alec + Jaylin =

Kara Trettin | Development Communications Director, One Vision

Hanging out in sun-soaked downtown Clear Lake for Thursdays on Main. Cheering on the North Iowa Bulls as they swish across the ice on blustery Iowa Friday nights. Dancing for Downs at the historic Surf Ballroom.

These are examples of a young couple’s bustling calendar.

Meet Alec and Jaylin.

“We met at a Christmas dance on December 31, 2019,” Jaylin said describing how their relationship began. “I walked up to my friend and said, ‘Who’s that?’ and she’s like ‘That’s my friend, Alec’ and I asked ‘Is he single? He’s cute!’”

With a look of care at Alec and a smile spreading across her face, Jaylin explained she was incredibly nervous, but she still approached Alec and introduced herself.

“I wasn’t expecting it. When she got close, I was like, ‘Oh!’” Alec said, returning Jaylin’s smile.

This was the beginning of Alec and Jaylin as a couple—all starting with a dance.

“We talked, texted, and all that, and then as the year went by, I brought her to my dad’s house and my dad got to know her,” Alec said.

At the time, Alec was living in a One Vision Homeand Community-Based Services (HCBS) home in Mason City and Jaylin was living with her parents in Rockwell.

With some strategizing, the couple worked on transitioning to homes in the same city.

According to Alec and Jaylin, neither his dad nor

LivingTheirBestLife!

I guess it’s just like we like to do a lot of stuff together; we try to get along, it’s kind of like what anyone else would do.

her parents were surprised about their plans to live in the same city.

With perfect timing, Alec moved into a home in Clear Lake with two roommates and Jaylin moved into a One Vision-sponsored Host Home, also in Clear Lake. The couple enjoys attending hockey games during the winter season and attending local events with friends.

“We like to come to restaurants and bars, Thursdays on Main, and sometimes we go to our parents’ houses,” Alec said, adding that they also hang out at each other’s homes and watch movies. Alec also likes to cook for Jaylin, anything from ribeye steaks and potatoes to Greek pasta, which Jaylin exclaimed is her favorite.

“I guess it’s just like we like to do a lot of stuff together; we try to get along, it’s kind of like what anyone else would do,” Alec said.

The couple agreed that they are each working on their goals and taking their relationship one day at a time… while living their best life.

WHO WE ARE

One Vision, founded in 1966 as Handicap Village, has been a trailblazer in the relentless disruption of the status quo within the health services industry. Renamed Opportunity Village in 1994 and later rebranded as One Vision in 2017, the organization has sustained the long-time purpose of supporting individuals with disabilities. Currently, we provide services in communities across North Central Iowa, including Clear Lake, Mason City, Fort Dodge, Lake Mills, Garner, Osage, Ventura, and Webster City.

In addition to our core services, One Vision has expanded its footprint, launching additional branches. Thrift Stores, Thrift Solutions, Boyer Pool & Wellness Center, and the Glen Oaks Community, comprising TimberCrest Apartments and the Terraces Townhomes, not only contribute to the financial sustainability of One Vision, but also enrich the lives of those we support.

One Vision’s mission is to stand with and support individuals with disabilities to pursue their best life. For over 50 years, One Vision has provided services to individuals with mental, physical, and intellectual disabilities. Whether helping an individual find a job in their community, supporting individuals in homes that meet their wants and needs, or encouraging them to pursue their interests, every branch and department of One Vision exists to support the mission.

Website: www.onevision.org

Email: info@onevision.org

Main office: (641) 357-5277 PO Box 622, Clear Lake, IA 50428

Contact Sydney Dighton

Email: sdighton@onevision.org

Phone: 641-355-1239

Website: www.onevision.org/get-involved/volunteer.html

You are important to people with different abilities who depend on One Vision. Financial support for One Vision can take many forms: Memorials or “in honor” gifts

Planned giving (bequests, gift annuities, insurance) Gifts of assets (real estate, stock, other property) One-time or recurring contributions

FIND US ON FACEBOOK! facebook.com/OneVisionIowa facebook.com/OVThriftStoreCL facebook.com/OVThriftStoreFD facebook.com/OVThriftStoreALO facebook.com/OVThriftSolutions facebook.com/GlenOaksCommunity facebook.com/BoyerPoolandWellnessCenter

APRIL DSP

of the month

Direct Support Professional of the Month recognizes employees who show initiative, support coworkers, model a positive attitude, have a willingness to take on extra tasks, promote rights & learning of people supported, and promote OV’s mission and team building.

GOLDEN HEART award

The Golden Heart Award is given twice a year to a person supported by One Vision who demonstrates outstanding work habits and growth in daily living skills. The award also factors in community involvement, like volunteering within and outside the One Vision community.

David Fenton

Wayne Nilles

DEFINING YOUR OWN BEST LIFE:

FROM OUR CEO The Power of Choice

Mark Dodd | CEO, One Vision

Living your best life. What does this mean to you? Everyone has a different answer. This is the focus of this summer 2024 edition of the OneVoice. As CEO I’d like to expand on this further from the perspective of our mission and values. In 2023 the Board of Directors approved the following updated mission for One Vision: “We stand with and support people with disabilities to pursue their best life.” They also approved the new mission-aligned values of Solidarity, Confident Humility, and Relentless Disruption. For me, the two most important words in our mission are ‘to pursue.' There is no guarantee for anyone that we will be able to achieve living our best life; the most we can hope for is to have the opportunity to define for ourselves what it means to live our best life AND can choose the steps to take to pursue it. Every time we have created an opportunity for individuals with disabilities to move out of institutions, whether these were state institutions or our cottages, the individuals have said, overwhelmingly, they like their new “home” better. The reasons are clear for them. They have more independence and control of their lives; to go to bed and get up when they want, open their own

mail, and pick what they want to eat—decisions previously made for them in institutions. Did they lose certain things because of these moves? Yes, of course. Just as for any of us, there is a trade-off when we choose to make a change. We hope what we gain has greater meaning or value than what we lose. The point here is about the choice to take that risk. Sometimes the risks we take work out and sometimes they don’t, no matter the risk: friendships, marriages, job changes, or moving to a new neighborhood or community. Persons with disabilities also want to have the right and dignity to decide for themselves if they choose to take a risk.

As is evident from our mission, One Vision strives to support each person we serve so they can choose to pursue their best life. One Vision accomplishes this by standing with them in solidarity to amplify their voices and champion their choices. We support them with confident humility by listening to their wants and desires and using our expertise to support them. Finally, we use relentless disruption to challenge any limitations imposed on the people we support to make their own informed decisions and to advance social justice for persons with disabilities.

LivingMyBestLife Choosing...

SocialActivitiesThatIEnjoy

Youth for Christ Comedy Cafe at the Surf Ballroom & Museum in Clear Lake. The evening was filled with laughter, joy, and the excitement of exploring the Surf Ballroom displays. Events like these provide opportunities for

fun and connection, allowing individuals to participate in activities they love and create lasting memories with friends.

Individuals supported by One Vision celebrated Earth Day as volunteers in the annual Clear Lake Earth Day Trash Bash, cleaning up Molly MacGowan Park and Pine Tree Park. This is just one example of the many ways people served by One Vision volunteer and give back to their communities. Community Integration Specialists at One Vision identify and offer choices for these opportunities, helping individuals connect with and contribute to the communities where they live and work.

To Volunteer

that aligns with personal beliefs is essential for many individuals. At One Vision, friends of all ages and abilities come together to celebrate life’s blessings through events featuring delicious pizza, crafts, karaoke, bingo, and more. Laughter fills the air as new friendships form and old friends reunite. These gatherings exemplify One Vision’s goal of connecting people to meaningful opportunities in which they can choose to participate, enriching their spiritual lives and fostering a sense of community.

Having the opportunity to choose when and where to shop has become more accessible and enjoyable for Jeff thanks to wearable devices. These devices can assist with navigation, overall health, and fall detection with the ability to notify the appropriate people for assistance during a fall situation. This technology enables Jeff to shop independently and confidently, ensuring his safety while he enjoys his shopping experiences.

Choosing to live on his own has been a transformative journey for Seth. With the support of One Vision, he has gained skills and confidence to manage daily tasks like cooking and cleaning. This independence has empowered Seth to make choices that reflect his personal preferences and lifestyle, demonstrating the profound impact of living on his own terms.

ToLiveonMyOwn

Choosing where to work is a privilege but for individuals with disabilities, it is a vital part of personal fulfillment and community integration. As Jeri Bell highlights, “People with disabilities WANT to be there [at work], that’s what they want. They’re not just looking for a paycheck. They want a community, a support system, friends, an environment that’s different than what they have at home.” At One Vision, we recognize the importance of meaningful employment opportunities, supporting individuals in finding work environments that provide a sense of belonging and purpose, beyond financial independence.

One Vision’s Hill Day at the Capitol was a fantastic opportunity for individuals with disabilities to make their voices heard. Heather and others met with key legislators, including State Representatives Ann Meyer, Jane Bloomingdale, Sharon Steckman and Mike Sexton, State Senators Dennis Guth and Tim Kraayenbrink, and Governor Kim Reynolds. The engagement and participation by individuals served were extremely valuable in the discussions. Events like Hill Day ensure that the needs and concerns of people with disabilities are addressed at the legislative level, empowering them to advocate for their rights and influence policy and funding.

Kara Trettin | Development Communications Director, One Vision Sydney Dighton

NOW OPEN

2060 Sovia Dr., Suite 115, Waterloo, IA

SUMMER HOURS

M/T/TR/F:

The Boyer Pool and Wellness Center is thrilled to have completed our first season of Certified Red Cross swimming lessons. If you missed this chance, mark your calendar to register your sons and daughters for fall swimming lessons, offering the following types at $50 per swimmer. Follow us on Facebook for updates.

10 REASONS GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY IS FOR YOU

• SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

Connect with peers sharing similar interests and lifestyles.

• ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Fitness center, swimming pool, walking trail, and recreational activities.

• MAINTENANCE-FREE LIVING

No mowing or shoveling snow!

• SECURITY AND SAFETY

Sense of security and peace of mind.

• SENSE OF COMMUNITY

Neighbors become friends and support each other through various life events.

• WELLNESS PROGRAMS

Health screenings, and educational seminars.

• CONVENIENCE

Nearby shopping, restaurants, healthcare facilities, and cultural attractions

• RESORT-STYLE AMENITIES

Boyer Pool and Wellness Center, gathering areas, the Silver Pines Clubroom, woodworking shop.

• PEACEFUL ENVIRONMENT

With age-restricted policies and typically quieter surroundings, Glen Oaks Community offers a peaceful and tranquil environment conducive to relaxation and enjoyment of your retirement years.

• SUMMER MOVE-IN SPECIAL!

Secure your spot today and you could save one month of rent! Contact Kim at 641-355-1203 for details on qualifying floorplans or visit glenoakscommunity.org.

May 9 was an exhilarating and unforgettable day packed with friendly competition, exceptional team-building, and the forging of new friendships as seven teams battled it out in the ONE DAY: Human Foosball Tournament Fundraiser. The event's proceeds were directed to the Special Needs Fund, offering aid for unforeseen expenses that greatly affect the lives of those receiving services from One Vision.