Summer 2013 - Mission Road Ministries

2013 Supported Employment
Recognition Luncheon
Honoring Success & 400 Years of Employment!
Luncheon 2013………….pg. 1
Getting the Word Out.....pg. 2
Expanding Community..pg. 3
Future…………….……....pg. 4
Letter……......……Insert pg. 5
Thank You…….....Insert pg. 6
In this issue:
Unicorn Centers, Inc. • 4630 Hamilton Wolfe • San Antonio, TX 78229-3331
Phone: (210) 737-3355 Fax: (210) 615-3989 E-mail: [email protected]
Check us out on
Facebook
Search: Unicorn Centers
65 Individuals were honored with over 400
years of employment
On May 10th, 2013 Unicorn Centers celebrated!
The Annual Supported Employment Recognition Luncheon was held at the Pearl Stable and
was a wonderful success. We honored 65 individuals with over 400 years of combined employment.
Ms. Cindy Timmins was recognized as our 2013
Symbol of Success. Cindy was one of our very first
participants. She is a pioneer in our Supported Employment program and literally paved the way for
hundreds of “success stories,” both past and future...thank you again Cindy! Unicorn also recognized our friends from USAA/Employee/Bank/
Foundation with our revered Edith Garwood
Friend for Life award.
This event is “mission critical” to the success of
the Supported Employment Program. It provides
the needed funding for the long-term support that
is not traditionally offered by other funding
sources. Our luncheon has now become the Signature Event that clearly shows what Unicorn Centers really does....every day.
We would also like to thank all of our sponsors
(see Insert Page 6), whose support allows us to
provide these services.
Believe it or not, we have already started to plan
for next year’s event (May 16th, 2014). We will
continue to be at the Pearl Stable….considering it
will be our 30th Anniversary (a “Pearl” Anniversary!) we thought this would be quite appropriate.
Unicorn’s 2013
Symbol of Success
Ms. Cindy Timmins
2013 Edith Garwood
Friend for Life Award
Presented by Mr. Harvey E.
Najim to Ms. Harriet Martin,
Executive Director, USAA
Foundation on behalf of USAA
Employees/Bank/Foundation
Page 2
The Unicorn Star
A Unique Place
Summer 2013
Getting the Word Out about Unicorn
The message
of what we do
at Unicorn Centers continues to
spread throughout San Antonio
and
across
South
Texas.
We have recently had multiple opportunities to tell our
story to the public.
The Unicorn Steppers
continue to be great ambassadors for our program. The
Steppers were invited to perform for the St. Matthew
Parish and School Festival. They performed for a crowd
of over 300 people and even got to meet Mayor Julian
Castro and Congressman Joaquin Castro, who grew up
in that parish.
The Unicorn Legend newspaper celebrated its one
year anniversary with the publication of our May edition. We were pleased to be featured in the San Antonio
Express News Taste section for a story on the recipe
column in The Legend. Ms. Eve S. and the other reporters tested the recipe for Greek Barely Salad with Chickpeas and Feta for Express News writer Ms. Jessica Belasco and her photographer Helen Montoya.
See our Unicorn facebook page for the entire article
and recipes. Please let us know if you would like to receive The Unicorn Legend newspaper in your mailbox
each month!
Our Unicorn artists are
also fantastic representatives
for Unicorn. They are currently working on submissions for the 2014 Fiesta
Poster contest. We had a
wonderful exhibit of work by
Mariano B. displayed at the
Supported Employment
Luncheon in May. When not
painting, Mariano works at
Page Barteau Catering Company where he has been
employed for the past 2 years.
Unicorn Centers and our
Supported Employment Department were recently featured in a story on WOAI
news with Michael Garofalo.
Both Lindsay M. and Albert
G. were interviewed about their
jobs and the support they receive
from their job coaches and from
Unicorn. John Schwab
talked
about the training that takes place
both in our workshop and site
based areas, and with our customers who are employed in
the community.
Albert G. proudly talked
about his role of assembling
walkers, shower chairs, rollators and wheelchairs at Carvajal Pharmacy. He has
worked there for three years.
Lindsay M. has worked at
H-E-B for six years and is also a Unicorn Stepper.
Her mother, Linda, was interviewed with her and
referred to Unicorn as wonderful place that opened a
new door and changed Lindsey’s life for the better.”
All of this publicity, plus our Facebook page and
word of mouth, is helping spread our message. There
is a safe, nurturing place in San Antonio for adults
with Intellectual Developmental Disabilities, whose
mission is to lead our customers toward a life of independence, acceptance and inclusion in the community. That place is Unicorn Centers!
Page 3
The Unicorn Star
A Unique Place
Summer 2013
Expanding our Community
Another way that our Unicorn customers are involved
in expanding our community
is through a new Pen Pal
Program. A facility similar
to ours, but located in Minnesota, recently contacted us
with this great idea for our
customers to exchange letters with their customers.
Pinewood, Inc. is located in Duluth, Minnesota
and is a vocational training center for adults with
Intellectual Developmental Disabilities (just like
Unicorn). Of course the dramatic geographical difference in our two programs is giving our customers
a lot to talk about as they have been matched up
with their pen pals. Not only do they have snow in
Minnesota, but it is measured in feet, not inches!
Our Service Coordinator for the Supported Employment Department, Tiffany Braden, has taken
responsibility for the pen pal program. What a great
way to connect with someone who you have something in common with, while learning about a different part of the United States
Unicorn Centers celebrated Edith Garwood Day
on the first Friday in May this year to honor and remember our founder. With the help of staff member
Monique Flores and her Aspire Group, 50 origami
Unicorns were made and attached to helium balloons carrying our message and our address. On the
day of the event we shared memories of Mrs. Garwood with those customers and staff who were involved from the beginning. Then we all went outside
to release the balloons, and of course, we ended the
celebration with cake and punch!
One of our helium filled balloons actually made it
to McCoy, Texas (south of Pleasanton) and we received a letter from a wonderful woman who found
the balloon in her
yard while her
grandchildren were
visiting. To thank
her for her generous
response, she received a Unicorn
coffee mug!
Club Unicorn
has become the
hottest ticket in
town! While other
places are geared
for people of all
ages who have disabilities, Club Unicorn caters to the
adult population.
Invitations are sent
to providers and
group homes all
over San Antonio
and we continue to
see a packed house
at every event. Our
music, our contests, our food and other entertainment keep folks
from all over the area flocking to attend Club Unicorn. Save the Dates for our next events….
Halloween...October 25, 2013
Rodeo Dance...February 7, 2014
Fiesta Dance...April 18, 2014
Beach Party...June 20, 2014
Halloween...October 24, 2014
Our Site Based Aspire group has taken advantage
of numerous opportunities to involve themselves in
our community as volunteers. They have delivered
space heaters to needy families, worked on our
“Adopt a Spot” area keeping Hamilton Wolfe clean
and free of debris and also done light housekeeping
and yard work for the Ronald McDonald House.
Most recently, Ms. Monique Flores led her Aspire
group on a Graffiti Wipeout for a community service
volunteer program through the city of San Antonio.
They rolled up their sleeves and painted a building
on the south side of the city.
NON-PROFIT
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
UNICORN CENTERS, INC.
4630 Hamilton Wolfe
San Antonio, Texas 78229-3331
Email: [email protected]
Help us clean up our mailing list!
Please let us know if your name or address is
incorrect or if your address should no longer be
included on our next mailing…
A penny saved is a penny we can invest in our
customers' productive days & happy lives!
[email protected]
The Future
During the next several months, Unicorn Centers Inc. will begin to celebrate its
30th Anniversary. Thirty years…. what an accomplishment for a little non-profit
that Mrs. Garwood started on a wing and a prayer! There have been many
changes over the years... new locations, new programs, partnering with Mission
Road Developmental Center– but the quality of service we provide has consistently remained outstanding!
Our goals for the future reflect our accomplishments of the past. We will continue to provide a safe and secure environment for our customers. We will continue to help each one of them have the opportunity to reach their maximum potential. We will continue to seek out employment opportunities both within our
facility and in our community for those customers ready
for these programs.
As we look forward to our 30th Anniversary, we already have plans in place for celebrating! In fact, we
have even ordered our 30th Anniversary Fiesta Pins!
Naturally, we envision Unity will want to step up and
help lead the celebrations!
On behalf of Unicorn Centers, its mission, staff, and
the over 650 people served each year, we would like to
thank you again for being part of this story. Regardless
if you have just joined in the last several chapters or
have been with us from cover to cover….we promise to
continue to make Unicorn a “Unique Place!”
Permit No. 2546
San Antonio, TX
Insert Page 5
The Unicorn Star
A Unique Place
Summer 2013
Summer 2013
Dear Friends,
As Unicorn begins to look at its 30th year of service to the community, I thought I
would take a few moments to reflect on what could arguably be called one of our best
years…. and give you some insight into what to expect in the coming months.
Last year we were incredibly fortunate to begin the three year cycle of the Genevieve
& Ward Orsinger Challenge Grant that will extend through 2015! This gift not only
provides needed program resources, but has helped bring to Unicorn many new
friends. What a tremendous legacy by two incredibly generous people.
Our programs continue to be strong and maintain almost exactly the same census as
last year with the exception of Community Support Services which suffered from a
funding reduction.
In the coming year, we have three primary goals, the safety/security of our participants and staff, increasing facility capacity, and enhancing our programs.
Beginning in July, Unicorn Centers will be installing 29 security cameras and 3 access controlled door locks. Naturally, all exiting from inside the building will not be
restricted, however, access from the outside will. This new safety precaution will be
an excellent asset to our Unicorn customers' overall well-being and safety and afford
our customers and staff with greatly improved protection and security possible.
Plans are also underway for our new driveway! With over 350 vehicle trips coming
and going daily, our old driveway is outdated. Enhancements include multiple lanes,
parallel parking, an accessible entrance, and a much improved and longer paved area.
During approximately the same time, in an effort to address the facility capacity issues at Unicorn Centers (note: we now have 5 storage trailers in our backyard!) we
are planning a building expansion of approximately 3000 square feet. The expansion
(which will extend our workshop area toward Hamilton Wolfe) will provide the
needed program and storage space that has been overflowing into our waiting room
for the past two years!
Your help is still needed! As we begin a new generation of Unicorn Centers your help is needed more now than ever. Our
positive year was only possible thanks to your support (see Fundraising Impact insert below.) In fact, without your help,
many of the above initiatives would not be possible and our steps toward improvement would be unattainable. In short,
anything nice, that is proactive thinking, is fixed immediately, painted before it needs it badly, or…. just looks presentable,
is most likely a result of this generosity. On behalf of the almost 650 people that have come to rely on Unicorn Centers
each year...in so many ways…Thank you for your support, confidence, and encouragement.
John Schwab
Fundraising Impact FY 2012
Net Operating Income
Less Contributions
Less Net Special Events
Less United Way
Total W/O Fundraising: -$116,666
Insert Page 6
2013 Supported
Employment Luncheon
Sponsorship
The Unicorn Star
A Unique Place
Summer 2013
Harry Garwood
Ed Moore
Pizza Hut
R & K Specialized Homes
Platinum Underwriter
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rork
Houston Harte
Richard & Sallyann Schwab
Gold Underwriters
Dr. Francisco Montemayor, MD, PA
MBM Advisors
Gordon Hartman Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Joe C. Mora
Total Com Management
Mr. & Mrs. Robert C. Murray
Silver Underwriters
CPS Energy
Mrs. Leticia Palmer
Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation Special Thanks to
Jill & Sony Paredez
Valero
Black Tie Catering
Mrs. Jacalyn B. Patton
USAA
Scene in S.A.
Ms. Brenda R. Peterson
Bronze Underwriters
Mrs. Margaret C. Proctor
McCombs Foundation
2013 Genevieve & Ward
Ms. Katherine J. Roberts
Mr. & Mrs. John Lupe
Ms. Celsa S. Saenz
Orsinger
Foundation
Mr. Chris Cheever
Mr. & Mrs. Earnest Serr
Challenge
Job Coaching Sponsor
Mrs. Katherine Slansky
John Aguillon
Catholic Life Insurance
Mrs. Gail Hutchison Smith
Jan Ahlstrom
Mr. David Harte
Mr. & Mrs. Emmett T. Summers III
Constance Ann Aust
Mr. Richard McLean
Mr. Emmett T. Summers, Jr.
Mary S. Baguley
USA Kings Crossing
Maj./Gen. Ret. & Mrs. Thomas P. Ball, Jr. Mr. & Mrs. Leroy Surtees, Jr.
Supported Employment
Mr. Patrick H. Swearingen, Jr.
Black & Dreeben School of Young Children
Underwriters
Clifford Craig Bledsoe Memorial Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Rodney Trevillion
Alhambra Bejar Caravan #56
Valero Foundation
Mr. and Mrs. Warren Bowen
Broadway Bank
Mr. & Mrs. Joe Van Horn
Ms. Lora Sue Butler
Francis & Catherine Burzik
Mr. & Mrs. Bruce Weilbacher
Christ Episcopal Church
D.P.T. Labs
Judge Marcia S. Weiner
Mr. Michael Ciskowski
Mr. & Mrs. Craig White
Betty © Halff
Ms. Leslie White Clay
Mr. & Mrs. George Wright
Frost Bank
Mary Anne Crosby
Zachry Holdings, Inc.
H.E.B.
Mr. & Mrs. James R. W. Daniell
Mr. & Mrs. William H. Zesch
Maurie & Mary Sue Kern
Mr. & Mrs. David Davis
Luhn-McCain Insurance
Re. Jim & Sherlyn De Hoog
Foundations and Grants
Mission Road Ministries
Ms. Martha Deleon
UPS Foundation
Plastic Supply of San Antonio
Mrs. Demetria E. Niemeyer
Greehey
Family Foundation
Ms. Brenda Everage
Mr. & Mrs. David Seymour
Marcia and Otto Koehler Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Mark K. Feldman
Gail Hutchison Smith
Arnold & Irene Kocurek Foundation
Frost Bank
Lana & Toby Summers
Cowden Charitable Foundation
Mr. Harry Garwood
George & Barbara Williams
Myra
Stafford Pryor Charitable Trust
Mrs.
Barbara
B.
Gentry
Whataburger
Jean & Gary Gorden
The Dixie Starnes Wenger Foundation
NuStar
Ms. Niki Guenther
Gordon Hartman Family Foundation
Supported Employment
Ms. Donna S. Hatchett
Harvey E. Najim Family Foundation
Luncheon Underwriters
Ms. Tracy Hawkins
USAA Foundation
Accent Food Services
Mr. & Mrs. Jesse Hernandez, Jr.
St. Luke’s Lutheran Health Ministries
Applebee’s
Ms. Christine B. Jones
San Antonio Area Foundation
Mary Baguley
Ms. Constance Kaplita
Jr. League of San Antonio
CALAB, Inc.
Servant’s Heart Foundation
Joan & Herb Kelleher Foundation
C. H. Guenther & Sons
Mr. Ronald Kern
A. S. Gage Foundation
Carvajal Pharmacy
Ms. Virginia Street Koehl
Ray Ellison Jr. Charitable Trust
BDO USA, LLP
Dr. & Mrs. William B. Kruyer
Circle Bar Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. Gerald Letch
Christ Episcopal Church
Ms.
Joanne
MacMillan
Goodwill of San Antonio
Ms. Jayne Meals
Chris Karcher
Mr. & Mrs. Robert J. Mason
Locke Hill Feed & Pet Supplies
Mr. & Mrs. Midkiff
Maxine Farrimond