March 2019
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Latoya Hall (Harmony) Mary Austin (1489 Hoyt) Trevia Tyson (Portland Place) Amy K. (Glenpaul) Renee H, (Thomas) Jennifer C. (91st) Titilola Oni (17th Street) Coco C. (Three Directions) Elizabeth Simonette (York Lane) Kahm Y. (In-Home) Austin B. (In-Home) Anthony S. (In-Home) Victor Osuagwu (1489 Hoyt) Sharon B. (Wentworth) Linda L. (Sheridan) Tonee Love (In-Home)
Birthdays 1 2 2 5 5 6 7 7 9 9 9 9 10 10 11 14
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Pamela O. (Portland Our House) Kelly Dankers (In-Home) Janelle S. (Troseth) Lekeshia Wilson (Portland Our House) Brenda Spraggins (17th Street) Annette Ogamba (91st Street) Jason N. (Skycroft) Jane C. (1250 Hoyt) Timothy A. (Groveland) Ebenezer Dadson (48th Circle) Love Okojie (Harmony) Oluwafemi Modupeoluwa (Aurora) Barry H. (Demont) Matthew G. (Demont) Lisa A. (York)
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Happy Birthday!
Anniversaries Daniela Lopez (Harmony) 1 yr, Mika Melton (Plato) 1 yr, Natt Jaleiba (Wentworth) 2 yrs, David Buth (Oliver) 3 yrs, Nicole Ballard (1489 Hoyt) 5 yrs, Brian Dolenc (In-Home) 7 yrs, Rebecca Gbojueh (Skillman) 8 yrs, Omaru Jalloh (1489 Hoyt) 8 yrs, Lina Ntakagero (Skillman) 8 yrs, Mojisola Olafeso (Glenpaul) 8 yrs, Pearline Merchant (Troseth) 12 yrs, Mari Drefcinski (16th Avenue) 20 yrs, Shelda Thompson (Plato) 20 yrs, totalling 108 years! Congratulations everyone!
Betty Turns 107! Queen of Our Hearts
Betty`s birthday was celebrated in a grand style! The hall was beautifully decorated with gold and red. Betty proudly sat in a fancy red and gold chair (the throne), and everyone referred to her as the queen of Wingspan. She wore a red sequin dress matching her red lipstick. The party was attended by lots of her peers from Wingspan and was entertained by “Elvis” who gave her a bouquet of flowers after singing a birthday song to her. Many thanks to the Skillman staff and 1250 Hoyt House Coordinator, Abigail Akyigyina, who brought a few homemade dishes and Portland Place House Coordinator, Katrice Lee who worked so hard along with the staff. Betty ended the celebration by blowing out the birthday candles and dancing to her favorite song, “You Are My Sunshine.” I’d like to thank everyone who celebrated with Betty, especially our Program Director, Eric Hemme. ~Lina Ntakagero~
Please Welcome! Tanya moved into our 91st home February 5th. She was born December 28. Her favorite color is purple, and Tanya loves Chinese food, pizza, playing on her Xbox and Play Station, her family (she has two sisters and a brother) and LOVES Christmas. Tanya wishes it was Christmas all year round! Welcome, Tanya! ~Gifty Narh~
Winter Bowling League Is Fun For All Program Director Shelda Thompson coordinates Wingspan’s bowling league which takes place every other Wednesday evening at 6PM through April 24 at AMF Saxon Lanes in Little Canada. The cost is just $4.00 for two games including shoes (free for accompanying staff), and participants also pay for their own meal. Be sure to mention Wingspan when you check in to get the special rate. Come early to eat and bring extra money—there are many food options. All clients and their staff are welcome—even if you aren’t interested in bowling but would like to socialize. Houses that have participated this season include 1250 Hoyt, Groveland, Troseth, Wentworth. The next sessions are Wednesdays February 27th,, March 13th, and March 27th. For more information contact Shelda at sthompson@wingspanlife.org.
Social Media Communication Is Essential for Wingspan
Will you help us grow our FaceBook and Twitter audiences? We regularly post announcements, photos, and job openings on Facebook and also use Twitter to post messages. If you are not already a FaceBook “friend,” please make sure to Like and Follow Wingspan Life Resources. Share our posts so that more people know about the wonderful things we are doing, jobs available, or needs that we have. Our Twitter handle is @wingspanlife. Be sure to visit our website regularly at www.wingspanlife.org.
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30 East Plato Blvd. St. Paul, MN 55107 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Taking Flight
is published monthly by Wingspan Life Resources Executive Director Therese Davis Editor Pam Carlson The mission of Wingspan Life Resources is to help people who are challenged by age, ability or health to realize their own unique gifts, talents and dreams. We fulfill this mission by providing individualized support services that promote personal choice, independence, dignity and fellowship with the community.
Please email us your changes to mailing address or email address: Contact mbrannan@wingspanlife.org
Do You Have a Client Who Could Use A Timely Greeting of Support? Don’t we all love getting fun mail? Direct Service Professional Debi Rattler at Portland Avenue is the committee leader for our “Palentines” initiative—a way to involve DSPs in our group homes and in our In Home program in reaching out to clients who need a note of cheer. Not all of our clients receive cards or notes from friends and family. If you know of a client who would love a card on their birthday, a get well wish if they are ill or injured, a sympathy card if they have lost someone special, or a congratulatory card for an accomplishment, please contact Debi at drattler@wingspanlife.org. She will send a card and will invite a few other DSPs to do the same.
Empowering Abilities. Nurturing Spirits. Caring For Life.