connections - Genesis Development

Vol XXXII, No 3
connections
Fall 2013
Integrity ~ Teamwork ~ Caring ~ OpenOpen-mindedness
Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week
September 8 through 14 has been proclaimed to be Direct Support Professional
Recognition Week both nationally through Senate Resolution 208 and in Iowa via a
proclamation by Governor Branstad. Senate Resolution 208 recognizes Direct Support
Professionals (DSPs) for their commitment to supporting individuals and promoting
community-inclusion for individuals with disabilities of all ages. The resolution was cosponsored by Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Sherrod Brown
(D-OH), Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) and Chris Murphy (D-CT). Families across America
depend on the hard work of Direct Support Professionals who provide an invaluable
service to millions living with disabilities, seniors, and people with chronic conditions. The
important work carried out by direct support professionals allows individuals to stay
connected with their community and their families.
Direct Support Professionals are dedicated, well-trained
individuals who provide hands-on daily supports, training,
and habilitation services to people with intellectual,
developmental, and physical disabilities.
Genesis
Development employs more than 450 staff members
throughout the state. The vast majority of these people
are Direct Support Professionals.
Through their commitment and dedication to their
profession they do amazing things that enable people
with disabilities to live independently, master job skills,
obtain employment in the community, be more involved
in their communities, and become more independent
and confident in their abilities to do things for
themselves.
Genesis DSP’s are now working with people with disabilities in Benton, Boone,
Buena Vista, Dallas, Greene, Guthrie, Linn, Madison, Pocahontas, Poweshiek,
Tama, and Warren counties. It is their job to fulfill the mission of Genesis
Development – to create opportunities, choices and support for people with
disabilities. But more than that, each member of the Genesis staff provides a
necessary link in the overall plan for each of the people we serve to allow them to
become as independent as their abilities will allow.
The dedication, patience, teamwork and compassion of the Genesis staff has played
an important part in making Genesis one of the leading providers of services for
people with disabilities in the state of Iowa. Our staff is truly what makes Genesis the
best that it can be.
40 Years +2 Months
We’ve been celebrating our 40th Anniversary for several
months in many ways and meeting lots of new people.
Genesis in Storm Lake started with a blood drive in May
followed by the Bingo Bash Fun Walk-Roll in Jefferson and
the Boone Fun Walk-Roll in June. The Winterset Bridge to
Bridge Run-Walk-Roll was held in Winterset in July.
Genesis members and staff participated in community
festivals or had parade entries in Jefferson’s Bell Tower
Festival, Storm Lake’s Star Spangled Spectacular, Belle
Plaine and Perry’s 4th of July celebrations, Toledo’s
Stoplight Festival, the Dallas County Fair, Adel’s Sweet
Corn Festival, and Boone’s Pufferbilly Days. The Dallas
County sites – Perry, Adel and Waukee – each held a car
wash fundraiser. Boone and Storm Lake each hosted a
Chamber of Commerce event. A Community Appreciation
Open House and free lunch was hosted at both Jefferson and Pheasant Ridge (Toledo). And a Donor Appreciation
Reception was held in Jefferson.
But we’re not done yet! Genesis in Indianola will be
hosting an Open House on September 28th in
conjunction with the city’s Log Cabin Days. They will
be offering tours of the facilities, including the
commercial laundry which will be in operation. They
are also conducting a raffle with lots of wonderful
prizes. You can get tickets at the Open House or
email [email protected] or call 515961-6918 if you wish to buy raffle tickets to support
Genesis in Indianola. The drawing will be held on
October 18th.
Genesis in Adel will also be having an Open House at their
new location. On October 4th they will be offering a free lunch,
tours of their new offices, and information about the services
they offer in Dallas County. Madison County’s Covered Bridge
Festival is October 12th and Genesis will have a float in that
parade too.
The final 40th Anniversary event will be the Genesis
Zombie Walk on October 19th in Storm Lake. For a $10
donation, participants will receive a T-shirt, wristband and
get to join in the mass Zombie Walk from Circle Park to
Chautauqua Park where they will enjoy food, games and
other activities. In addition to all these activities, many
service projects were completed at various Genesis sites
in an effort to give back to our communities.
None of these events would have been possible without
the support and contributions from our many supporters.
We thank you all for making our 40th year a very rewarding experience for our members and staff.
Board of Directors Begin New Year
July 1 marked the beginning of a new fiscal year and several changes for the Genesis Board of Directors. With the
election of officers, Steve Pope of Jefferson became President of the Board. Other new officers include Vice
President, Phillip Nelson from Alta; Secretary, Jane Heun from Jefferson; and Treasurer, Gretchen Rowedder from
Jefferson. Steve Pope worked for Electrolux for more than 28 years as the Environmental, Health and Safety
Manager. When Electrolux left Jefferson, Steve took on a similar position at Syngenta Seeds. Phil Nelson is the
Director of Plant Operations and Security at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center in Storm Lake. He and his family
relocated to BV County from Kansas about five years ago. Jane Heun has been the county auditor for Greene County
for the past twelve years. She is just beginning her second 3-year term on the Board. Gretchen Rowedder is now
retired after working as a nurse for several years and 30 years for a
Jefferson optometrist. She is beginning her second year on the Genesis
Board.
A commemorative plaque was presented by President-elect Steve Pope
to Jim Last recognizing his service as President of the Board for the past
fiscal year. Jim recently retired from his position as Controller at Greene
County Medical Center.
Outgoing
members of the
Board, Wayne
Vander Tuig of
Indianola,
Donovan Olson of Boone, and Tim Heisterkamp of Jefferson
also received commemorative plaques. All three served as
Board members for two terms (six years) and each served as
Board President for a year. Other continuing Board members
include Jerry Roberts, Jim Barnett, and Brian Philips.
Donna Sutton of Jefferson and Pam Nystrom of Boone will be
joining the Board as new members for FY2014. Donna, who
has a BS in nursing from the University of Iowa, recently retired after working with Greene County Public Health for 35
years. She and her husband Bill, who farms and is a wind farm developer, have a daughter who is a missionary in
Honduras, and a son who is in his last year of residency in Emergency Medicine. Donna is involved in Abundant Life
Ministries prison ministry at the Fort Dodge Correctional Facility, and enjoys reading, exercising, and supporting and
connecting with young mothers and families in the county. “I have had the opportunity to be connected with Genesis
Development during all my years in public health,” commented
Donna. “I have looked at the organization as one that was active and
fruitful, always putting people first. I am honored to be asked to serve
on the board of such an outstanding organization and hope that I will
be a valued contributor.”
Pam (Lawson) Nystrom comes to the Genesis Board from Boone, but
is actually a Jefferson native. When asked to join the Genesis Board,
Pam says she saw this as a way to “pay back” the Jefferson
community for an opportunity given to her many years ago. In 1970
when Pam was planning her future, Lois Bradley who has a Genesis
group home named for her, encouraged Pam’s father to have Pam
apply to the Greene County Association for Retarded Citizens for a
college scholarship. Pam received that scholarship which led to a
lifetime of involvement with schools and education. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Speech Therapy and
Master’s degree in Special Education from Northwest Missouri State College and her PhD in Education and
Administration from Iowa State University. She’s worked as a speech therapist, Special Ed Consultant for AEA11,
special ed teacher, elementary principal, and Special Services Coordinator for the Boone School district, a position
that encompassed Curriculum Director, Special Education Director, and entitlement programs. Pam and her husband,
Mark, have a son living in Texas and a daughter in Boone. Both of her grandchildren are also in Boone. Pam is still
involved with the school system as Volunteer Coordinator and with the summer meals program. She is also involved
in RSVP, the First Presbyterian Church governance board, and politics.
Grinnell Adds Discovery
Genesis has been providing Supported Community Living services in Poweshiek County since 2008. In February
2013 a group-living home was developed in Grinnell. In July a Genesis building was opened in Grinnell that houses
staff offices, a meeting room/staff training room, and a new Discovery program. Discovery is a day program that
provides social, leisure and recreational experiences in community based settings. It includes a variety of activities
including physical fitness, daily orientation and current events, health and hygiene,
social, leisure, and recreational activities and community awareness and involvement.
Although a fairly new program, the Grinnell group has been very busy. The 21
participants took advantage of a Pizza Ranch fundraiser opportunity and served and
cleared tables for tips. They raised over $400 for their efforts that enabled them to go
to Adventureland and the State Fair. They volunteer at a local assisted living and
nursing home helping residents participate in various activities. Once a week they
unload the truck for Pennysaver, a Poweshiek County publication. They’ve collected
peanut butter and shoes to send to Haiti. They’re exploring some volunteer
opportunities with the local food bank. And they’ve already made the arrangements to designate Genesis as a
location to collect Toys for Tots this Christmas. Discovery programs are also offered at Genesis locations in Storm
Lake, Boone, Jefferson, Indianola, and Winterset.
“I’m There to Care”
Lois Hess has been assisting people with disabilities for a long time!
She started her career in 1983 at River Valley Residential Services
(RVRS) when it was located north of Boone. In 1997 RVRS closed and
many of the residents began receiving community based services in
Genesis group-living homes in Boone. Lois worked directly with the
residents in the nursing department at RVRS until the move. Since then
she has been a Community Support Staff working in the group homes.
“The people I work with learn by doing what they can,” commented Lois.
“I’m there to assist as needed and to care.” Terry Johnson, Genesis
CEO, presented an engraved clock to Lois to commemorate her thirty
years of service.
Betty
Niles,
a
member of the Jefferson Genesis team, received a 15 year plaque
from Mr. Johnson in August. Her first position with Genesis was as
a Work Supervisor in the corrugated box making department
setting up the box making machine to make specific sizes,
preparing it for printing, and getting ink and logo dies ready for
printing.
When
a
dedicated
website
–
www.customboxesonline.com - was developed for the sale of
Genesis boxes, the customer base saw overwhelming growth.
Before the website, most Genesis box customers were in central
Iowa. Custom Boxes Online by Genesis now has customers in
every state and a few overseas. Betty is now the Marketing Rep
handling those orders, working with customers to determine the
right size for their product, keeping track of inventory, and billing for
orders. She also helps on the corrugated production floor when
needed. In addition to Genesis, Betty also works part-time at Muir
Embroidery in Jefferson, at the Do Drop In in Jamaica on Friday
nights, and at West Central Co-op during harvest. In her spare time she’s a sponsor for the Jefferson Aktion Club and
is involved with the Guthrie County Cattlemen’s Association and 4-H groups. For fun she loves playing with her
grandsons and hand feeding her cows.
Five-Year Milestones
Genesis commemorates five-year anniversaries for all staff members.
The following have reached a milestone since June.
Lois Hess, Boone – 30 yrs
Betty Niles, Jefferson – 15 yrs
Darla Lane, Winterset – 15 yrs
Kevin Beaman, Boone – 5 yrs
Tamera Beaman, Boone – 5 yrs
Chris Ivers, Boone – 5 yrs
Darla Truman, Winterset – 5 yrs
Sarah Pfrimmer, Boone – 5 yrs
Ted Reader, Boone – 5 yrs
Daniel Spencer, Indianola – 5 yrs
Special Olympics
The Belle Plaine Special Olympics softball team placed 2nd in their division in this year’s state competition in Des
Moines. Members of this group and other Belle Plaine athletes have also competed in other Special Olympics sports.
Their equipment, however, has been sadly lacking and much of
what they did have was used when they got it. Thanks to a grant
from the Benton County Community Foundation, that situation has
improved. New batting helmets, bats, gloves and softballs have
been purchased for softball in addition to equipment for flag
football, basketball, and practice games for bowling. The grant will
also help pay for uniforms, travel expenses, and meals at
conference and state tournaments. Not only does Special
Olympics give the athletes a chance to participate in competitive
sports, it also affords an excellent opportunity for exercise, staying
physically fit, and showing off one’s talents.
Meals from the Heartland
Members of the Jefferson Discovery group volunteered to help with
the 2013 Meals from the Heartland Annual Hunger Fight at Hy-Vee
Hall in Des Moines at the end of August. They joined over 15,000
other volunteers to assemble more than 5 million meals during the
four day event. This year’s Hunger Fight surpassed last year’s
goal by almost 50,000 meals making it the biggest Hunger Fight for
the organization
to date.
The
packaged meals
are distributed to
malnourished
and food insecure people internationally as well as locally.
Boone Discovery gives Presentation
A group of Boone Discovery members visited Regency Apartment
senior housing complex for “Coffee Hour” with some of the
residents last month. They
explained to the group how they recycle materials that have been donated to
make craft projects. They displayed some of their projects as well as the scrap
books they have assembled of what they do in the Discovery program.
Laundry Celebrates Meeting Goals
The Genesis Laundry in Indianola celebrated their accomplishments over the
past 6 months with an Employee Appreciation Lunch at the end of July.
Laundry Operations Manager, Brad Johnson, grilled burgers and hot dogs for
more than 70 members and staff who did such a great job at meeting
production deadlines and budget expectations.
Thank You for Your Help
We Appreciate Your Generosity!
Contributions made June through September 15, 2013
Aktion Club, Jefferson
American Packaging, Story City
American State Bank, Winterset
Tim & Julie Bantz, Des Moines
Karen Bentz, Jefferson
BPO Elks #2306, Jefferson
Breedings True Vale Hdw, Winterset
Everett & Louise Brown, Indianola
City Carton Recycling, Iowa City
Community Bank, Indianola
Construction by Cambron, Indianola
DFS Inc, Newell
Do Drop In, Jamaica
Farmers & Merchants Bank,
Winterset
Good Connections, Boone
Green Turf Florist, Indianola
Josh & Kris Hagedorn, DeSoto
Allen & Peggy Jacobs, Jefferson
Dr. William Keul, Indianola
Kile & Company PLC, Winterset
Jean Kirkpatrick, Winterset
Kiwanis, Jefferson
Kiwanis, Winterset
Knights of Columbus, Panora
Terry & Jody Lang, Jefferson
Madison County Medical Association
Madison County Tire
Main Street Garage, Winterset
Mark Mallas, Indianola
Wayne May, Indianola
Medicap Pharmacy, Winterset
Merrill Manufacturing, Storm Lake
Monaghan Corp- James Monaghan,
Indianola
Montross Pharmacy, Winterset
NPAP Brittans Standard Parts,
Winterset
Ochiltree Funeral Home, Winterset
Tanji O’Connor, Indianola
Joseph & Michele Rivera, Boone
Roush Collision Restoration,
Winterset
Nick Saluri, Des Moines
Scott Smith, Boone
Jim Sparks, Algona
Steve Steveson, Indianola
Syngenta Seeds Inc, Jefferson
Charles & Phyllis Trost, Jefferson
Union State Bank, Winterset
United Way of Story County
Steven & Pamela Warrington,
St. Charles
Larry & Jody Watts, Norwalk
Honorariums
th
In Honor of Genesis Development’s 40 Anniversary
By Bea Freeman, Jefferson
Doug & Jan McDermott, Jefferson
Warren Robson, Scranton
Joan Schultz, Boone
In Honor of Terry Johnson
By Maxine Hawk, Jefferson
Memorials
In Memory of Elinor Barrett
By Rolfe Blaess, Jefferson
Jack Lewis & Denise O’Brien Van, Jefferson
In Memory of Georgia Bradley
By Denny Lautner, Jefferson
In Memory of Gary Colbert
By Curly & Helen Eason, Scranton
In Memory of Mary Coon
By Rita Dunivan, Jefferson
Curly & Helen Eason, Scranton
Bob & Marian Gibson Gulardo, Jefferson
Tom & Jane Heun, Jefferson
Wendell & Darlene Hoskins, Jefferson
Ned & Janice Johnston, Rippey
In Memory of Diane Foster
By Andy Foster
In Memory of Barbara Harter
By Curly & Helen Eason, Scranton
In Memory of Jim Hunter
By Curly & Helen Eason, Scranton
In Memory of Evelyn McClurg
By Curly & Helen Eason, Scranton
In Memory of Robert Parker
By Rolfe Blaess, Jefferson
In Memory of Caroljean Ann Pedersen
By Sandy & LeDen Pingel, Cleghorn
In Memory of Geraldine Culver
By Neva Eggimann, Jefferson
Deborah Jackson, Marshall, MO
John & Kathy Milligan, Jefferson
Bob & Mikki Schwarzkopf, Jefferson
In Memory of Mark Rossow
By Jean Rossow, Jefferson
In Memory of Jeanie O’Brien Doyle
By Jack Lewis & Denise O’Brien Van, Jefferson
In Memory of John Darrell Wills
By Donald & Patricia Wills, St. Augustine, FL
In Memory of Wilma Dunlop
By Rita Dunivan, Jefferson
Wendell & Darlene Hoskins, Jefferson
In Memory of Teddy Urban
By Sandy & LeDen Pingel, Cleghorn
Genesis Staff Support
Leisel Barrett, Boone
Dawn Batchelder, Toledo
Glo Billeter, Winterset
Bonnie Bonebrake, Storm Lake
Paul Chuol, Storm Lake
Shannon Clark, Winterset
Alana Curnyn, Jefferson
Danielle Dahlke, Boone
Calob Darr, Winterset
Sandra Drewry, Jefferson
Jennifer Ellis, Boone
Linda Foust, Jefferson
Nikki Harter, Grinnell
Lillian Herridge, Jefferson
Emily Herron, Jefferson
Marcia Hoskey, Toledo
Terry Johnson, Jefferson
Linda Karber, Jefferson
Richard Keller, Toledo
Chris Lawrence, Jefferson
Shawna Lee, Jefferson
Theo Legg, Winterset
Tasha Lundberg, Boone
Stephanie Maguire, Boone
Lacey Markmann, Boone
Danielle McDonald, Grinnell
Cathy Miller, Boone
Janet Moore, Winterset
Betty Niles, Jefferson
Tom Patterson, Toledo
Sandra Pingel, Storm Lake
Kathy Pittman, Jefferson
Ted Reader, Boone
Linda Redfern, Jefferson
Angela Richards, Boone
Kay Rouse, Boone
Rhonda Sargent, Toledo
Jody Stern, Boone
Diana Vogel, Adel
Carrie Wilde, Jefferson
Don Will, Jefferson
Gifts-in-Kind
Sandy Alitz, Adel
Sarah Anderson, Storm Lake
All Ability Cycles, Jefferson
Anytime Fitness, Adel
Tim & Julie Bantz, Des Moines
Tracy Beck, Winterset
Elaine Behounek, Toledo
Ben Franklin, Winterset
Wendy Biller, Storm Lake
Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines
Jennifer Bohm, Storm Lake
Brian & Dena Brown, Winterset
Kat Buttler, Jefferson
Bruce Carlson, Storm Lake
Rosie Carmichael, Storm Lake
Dale Carver, Storm Lake
Abby Chambers, Adel
Ashley Coil, Jefferson
Alana Curnyn, Jefferson
Zach Davidson, Des Moines
Howard & Mary Denney, Osceola
Des Moines Marriott Downtown
Angela Duitsman, Storm Lake
Gene’s Barber Shop, Winterset
Harry & Trudy Goettsch, Jefferson
Greene County Beef Producers
Rees Hakanson, Boone
Lavonne Hanson, Jewell
Mary Hayes, Jefferson
HyVee, Indianola
Iowa Prison Industries, Des Moines
Katie Jepson, Storm Lake
Cristy Johnson, Storm Lake
James Jordon, Boone
K & K Auto, Indianola
Tyler Kokenge, Grand Junction
Milan Kucerak, Jefferson
Terry & Jody Lang, Jefferson
Shelly Lenz, Storm Lake
Deb Moyle, Adel
Northside Barbershop, Winterset
Northside Café, Winterset
Trevor Phipps, Adel
Linda Pittman, Adel
Anne Powers, Ankeny
Raccoon Valley Bank, Adel
David & Linda Redfern, Jefferson
Linda Rice, Jefferson
Kenton & Dorothy Richardson,
Indianola
Julia Roach, Adel
Anita Schable, Storm Lake
Deb Scott, Adel
Sports Page Bar & Grill, Winterset
St. John Lutheran Church,
Storm Lake
Stew Hanson Dodge City, Urbandale
Treasurer’s Fine Jewelry, Indianola
Diana Vogel, Adel
Brad Williams, Storm Lake
Karen Younie, Jefferson
Wish List
Vans/vehicles
Washers & dryers
Sturdy easy chairs
Men’s electric razors
Vacuum cleaners
DVD players
DVD game
Wii games
AA Batteries
4-drawer file cabinets
Bookshelves
Step ladders
Shop vacs/Hand vac
Computers at least P-IV
House paint
Dining table & chairs
Punch ball balloons
Beanbag toss games
Educ computer games
Large rubber balls
Foam balls for inside
Craft Supplies:
Craft glue (not Elmers)
Heavy construction paper
Twistable crayons
Fun foam
Scissors – adult size
Markers
Hole punches in different
shapes/sizes
Stencils
Old CDs & DVDs
Our Mission
Genesis Development
creates opportunities, choices and support for people with disabilities.
Genesis Development
401 W. McKinley
PO Box 438
Jefferson, Iowa50129
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Genesis Development creates opportunities, choices, and support for people with disabilities.
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Thank you for including Genesis Development in your charitable giving plans
Mail to Genesis Development, P.O. Box 438, Jefferson, IA50129
Genesis Development is a not-for-profit
profit 501( c)(3) ccorporation.
orporation. Donations to Genesis are usually tax deductible.
If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, please notify us at P.O. Box 438, Jefferson, IA 50129
5012