ACAP Ink Spring 2015

ACAP Ink
Spring 2015
Our Mission
ACAP’s mission is to encourage people with disabilities to achieve their highest potential and acquire
life-long skills which will enable them to
become contributing and valued members within their communities.
A Parent’s Perspective
By: Kristy Peer
Picture a girl-19 years old- with a cognitive disability, nonverbal, difficulty understanding the
simplest of instructions. She is currently being trained to have a career in housecleaning
because she hasn't shown any aptitude for much else. Does she want a career in housecleaning
-no one knows because they haven't asked her. She will spend her life being shadowed by a
mentor who will do 95% of the job this girl has been hired to do. Her days will become
repetitive and non-fulfilling.
Now picture this girl attending ACAP. She will have the opportunity to finally make musicone of her greatest loves. She will be able to go to the YMCA and swim (or at least be in the
water holding on the side of the pool). She will be able to help in the kitchen and work on her
table skills. She will have friends and people who support her as she explores her interests and
pursues her goals. Her life will be rewarding and satisfying.
The late, great philosopher Ronald Dworkin wrote, “The value of autonomy lies in the scheme
of responsibility it creates; autonomy makes each of us responsible for shaping his own life
according to some coherent and distinctive sense of character, conviction, and interest. It
allows us to lead our own lives rather than being led along them, so that each of us can be, to
the extent such a scheme of rights can make this possible, what he has made himself.”
ACAP will help my stepdaughter be the writer of her own story and the author of her own life.
Welcome New Staff and Board Members
Ashley McGinness
ACAP Staff Member
I grew up on a small farm with a younger brother in the town of
Clinton, WI. I graduated high school thinking I would become a
pastry chef, then I wanted to be a nutritionist, then a nurse, then
a teacher, and FINALLY I heard about therapeutic recreation. I
completed my Associates degree at UW-Rock County, which is
where I met my now husband, who I married in August of 2014.
We now live in a nice little apartment in Muskego, with our cat
named Turtle.
I began my 16 week internship with ACAP in August 2014. I
learned a lot of valuable lessons and knew that I wanted my
future career to be somewhere just as great as ACAP. In
December of 2014 I graduated college with my Bachelors
degree from UW-LaCrosse.
I had such a wonderful internship experience; when I heard that
ACAP was hiring I called Carol up and asked how I could apply.
A few days after I met with Carol I started as an employee of
ACAP and I am so happy to be able to say that I not only have a
job but one that I love!
I’ve done lots of things from being a deli girl at Kohl’s Food store, a
merchandise manager for a fashion shoe company, to owning an
advertising company. I would like to tell you it’s because I am so
multi–talented but it’s probably just because I am old! Currently I am an
independent realtor with Realty Executives Integrity. Personally, in 2011 I
married my best friend ever and high school sweetheart, Karl Fechner. I
have a daughter and son-in-law who live in Michigan and Karl has a son
and granddaughter who live in Hawaii.
I met Carol through the Ladies Theme Table Event and I became
Pat Wunderlich
intrigued with ACAP and it’s mission. I hope to bring a wider
ACAP Board Member
appreciative audience to the work that ACAP does while continuing to
Fund Development
work on fund raising.
Committee Member
Erin is a Finance graduate of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee
and currently resides in Muskego with her husband, Taylor, and
daughter., Autumn. She is a Financial analyst with ProHealth Care.
Erin joined the ACAP Finance Committee in 2012 after hearing what a
great place it was through her coworker, Kristy Peer. She hopes to
bring awareness about ACAP to the community and enjoys
volunteering at the ACAP events, especially the Theme Table Event
and Artful Bowls.
Erin Rose
ACAP Board Member
Finance Committee Member
Friends gone too soon...
Dear Friend Kathleen Collins
By: Mark Cage
Kathleen and best friend
Karen Simmons
“To be or not to be, that is the question?” We can all
picture Kathleen as she dramatically recited that line
from Hamlet, she had a flair for the dramatics. Kathleen
also had a keen sense of rhythm that she displayed in
dance classes, a willingness to help other members in
painting classes and her attention to detail in her job
within Art Links Works was second to none, she always
had an ability to spread “Kathleen's Kindness’ to the
artists around her. She was never at a loss for giving
compliments and encouragement to all of us here.
Memories eventually fade as people move on with
living day to day, but we like to think that we can all
spread Kathleen’s Kindness and live a tribute to the
person who inspires us to do it.
………..and Donald Kleinhans
Donald Kleinhans was a member of ACAP for a short time before his medical
condition required him to move to a skilled nursing facility. Donald was an
all-around great guy. He was an avid sportsman, he was a mechanic and real
jokester. Despite his departure from ACAP we stayed in touch through visits and
this past summer Donald joined us for a day at the Waterfront Festival. Years later,
his sister, Katherine, joined the ACAP team and she helps us keep the memory of
Donald alive each day.
9th Annual Bowl a Thon a Success!
Thank you to everyone who made this event a success. The local businesses who donated to the
silent auction, Tammy and Penny for putting together the silent auction, Sunset Bowl and staff,
Bob and Debbie Kabitzke for the raffle item, and all the bowlers and supporters!
Olivia Chones
BARK
Dums Barber
Shop
Oconomowoc Tree
Service
Maddie
Kaczor
Family
Jill Sherman
Anich’s
Liquor and
Beer Store
Event Highlights and Upcoming Shows
Show of Shows...Them All
By: Jennifer Goetz, Michael Kozlowski, & Gianna Balistrieri
Typed by:Maddie Kaczor
Natalie Bushman
Between two performances on November 15 and 16, 2014
over 350 people filled the seats at Waukesha Civic
Theatre to take witness to ACAP Playmakers first ever
Show of Shows. This was the Playmakers first venture
into the variety show format, which featured over 40
actors with and without disabilities exhibiting their
passions and talents on stage. The show featured a hula
hooping troupe of beautiful women, to sprites ballet
dancing, playing instruments, and singing and performing
comedy sketches and much much more. Members and
volunteers performed Billy Joel's Piano Man; The Prayer
was brought to life through the
voices of Chuck and Kendyl and Mark and Mo brought the
The Dance of the Sprites
house down with Abbott and Costello's “Who’s on First?”
Actors performed skits from the previous eight Playmaker
productions to give the audience just a taste of each play
and hopefully left them wanting more! The Show of
Shows was such a success the dates for 2015’s
performances have tripled!
Don’t forget…
ACAP Playmakers next show
runs April 16th through April
19th. For more information or to
purchase tickets, visit the
Waukesha Civic Theatre’s
Website
www.waukeshacivictheatre.org.
Volunteerism
Planting Seeds of Kindness
By: Jennifer Goetz, Michael Kozlowski & Gianna Balistrieri
Typed by: Maddie Kaczor
Kindness is defined as the quality of being friendly, generous, and considerate.
ACAP is privileged to have numerous wonderful volunteers that give to ACAP
throughout the year in various capacities. From our professional board of
directors, to dedicated daily volunteers to enthusiastic special event volunteers,
their generosity is invaluable. To celebrate this amazing group of people ACAP
hosted a dinner to recognize the efforts of these individuals. The theme of the
party was ‘Planting Seeds of Kindness’ with each guest receiving a packet of
coriander seeds. Coriander means ‘hidden worth’ which represents volunteers in
any capacity but especially the volunteers of ACAP and Art Links.
Long time friend and volunteer of ACAP, Larry Kascht read an excerpt from ‘The
Sand County Almanac’ titled “Draba.” Draba is a small flower that does not stand
out nor does it seek to stand out. In other words draba is very humble, much like
the volunteers of ACAP. They do what they do without a need for recognition or
praise. We are thankful for and fortunate to have each of you in our ACAP family.
Home of the Brave
When Bob Flowers opened Home of
the Brave in late 2014 he never
imagined a military apparel store
would become so much more. Veterans
have found Home of the Brave to be a
place where they can go to shop or sit
and chat while enjoying a cup of
coffee. When ACAP caught wind of the
work Bob was doing, they knew a way to help. ACAP
drops off sweets weekly, for the coffee corner so
customers and friends can enjoy a tasty morsel while
receiving or offering support to each other. Home of the
Karen Simmons delivers a
Brave is located at 231 South Street in Waukesha. They plate of sweets to the coffee
are open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
corner at Home of the Brave
Inspired in part to the memory of Waukesha native and
friend, Nathan Thomas who served in Afghanistan and
left us way to early. To veterans everywhere, we say
thank you for serving our country.
Spreading Love Thread by Thread
By: Jennifer Goetz, Michael Kozlowski & Gianna Balistrieri
Typed by: Maddie Kaczor
ACAP Thread Heads display their beautiful items with representatives
of Safe Babies Healthy Families
The ACAP Thread Heads class, along with sewing volunteers extraordinaire,
Nettie, Jean, Alice, Sherry and Stacy, set out on a mission to give back to others
through their passion for creativity and sewing. The lucky recipients of their
generosity came to be our neighbors at Safe Babies Healthy Families (SBHF).
Their mission is to ensure safe and healthy children through education, support
and resources to end the cycle of abuse. After countless hours of matching fabric,
measuring, cutting, ironing and sewing the Thread Heads crew produced 17
boppy pillows and 12 discovery quilts.
On January 26 the two organizations came together at a celebratory tea to present
SBHF with these beautiful hand crafted quilts and pillows. Representatives form
SBHF were thrilled with this generous donation, which will be given to clients of
their program.
Catherine Goran, Megan Allen and
Nettie Sadler give a sewing
demonstration at the tea.
Board of Directors
Mark Your Calendars
April 17-18
The Legend of William Tell
Waukesha Civic Theatre
April 17
Ladies Theme Table Viewing Walk
Through Event
Noon-2:00
$5 donation
St. John Neumann Catholic Church
2400 Hwy 59, Waukesha
Executive Director
Pie, Learn and Plan
An educational workshop that
covers the importance of estate
planning, disability planning for
special needs, asset protection
and the ever-changing Medicaid
laws. Offered by Attorney
Joanne Leifheit. Call to register
262-347-2821
May 1
Waukesha Area Symphonic Band
Concert
May 25
ACAP Closed
June 25
Women’s Tea
ACAP 1 p.m.
Board of Directors
Susan Telford President
Cathy Atkinson, Vice President
Ellen Langill, Past President
Terry Mezera,Treasurer
Allison Maroo, Secretary
Debbie Blum
Janet Curtis
Anne Molzberger
Kristin Peer
Erin Rose
Nettie Sadler
Peter Schuler
Paul Smart
Pat Wunderlich
Phone: (262) 521-1120
Fax: (262) 522-7698
Email: [email protected]
Check us out at
www.acap-waukesha.org
ACAP
Last Friday of each month
People First Waukesha
ACAP 10-11:30 a.m.
Carol Ann Kay,
April 14, 28 at 6 p.m.
April 29th at 1 p.m.
The Adaptive Community Approach Program
121 Wisconsin Avenue
Waukesha, WI 53186
3rd Thursday of each month
IndependenceFirst’s Women’s
Support Group
ACAP 10-11:00 a.m.