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Scarlett Murphy and Krystal Tremblay, February 2019 Consumer Advisory Committee meeting
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August 2019 Newsletter features:
& More!
including
What's New in Day Services?; Consumer Advisory Committee; Staff Appreciation with address by Theresa
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On January 1, 2020 as Casa Allegra Community Services begins its 45th year, I will step down as the Executive Director.
In 1975, at the age of 23, with $1,000 and a vision that all people were entitled to live meaningful lives in the community, Eileen Falvey and I founded Casa Allegra Community Services and I embarked upon an adventure that would be my life's career. It is now time to pass the baton and carry the mission forward.
There are no words to express the gratitude I feel at having spent my career in the presence of incredible people - the clients, their families, staff and colleagues. The lessons they have taught me are many and I am a better person because of them.
From the clients I have learned to be authentic, positive, courageous, adventurous and take risks. From the families I have learned to be resilient, determined and to love unconditionally. From the staff I have learned to celebrate, dance, be humble and loyal. My colleagues have worked side by side with me, sharing successes and challenges, celebrating, laughing and crying. Their collaboration, dedication and wisdom move this agency and will continue to do so. And, possibly most of all, I have learned to listen. If only we all listened to each other a bit more.
To the donors, I thank you for your support of this truly special, values driven agency that has stayed dedicated to its mission since its inception.
I feel so blessed to have had a career of service at Casa Allegra Community Services.
While I will no longer be working in my full time capacity at Casa Allegra Community Services, I will continue advocating for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities.
With much gratitude,
Chris Bonfiglio
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Congratulations are in order to Michael Bruciati for having celebrated 25 years of work at Mollie Stone's Market in Sausalito on February 14, 2019.
When Mr. Mike Stone hired Michael in 1994 he expressed faith in Michael. Michael did not let him down. With initial support from Donna Lemon, the founder of Integrated Community Services and subsequent job coaches; along with encouragement and love from the Mollie Stones' family, Michael was a dependable and reliable employee for two and a half decades.
Working at the market was not just a job for Michael. It was his life. When we think of Mollie Stone's Market we think of kindness - something Michael received every day at work from his employer and co-workers in their support and friendships. We will always cherish these relationships.
Michael approached his job with determination and a strong will to succeed. He has had many challenges in his life with diabetes and celiac diet monitoring He is now facing another challenge that we are preparing for following a diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease. Carlos Lopez, as a long time employee of Casa Allegra, has provided help for Michael in many areas of his life for the past 19 years. He helped Michael this last year of his employment with job support along with Sierra Romain.
Carlos and Sierra continue to support him in his activities in retirement, as well as assisting with diabetes and celiac diet monitoring. They will be there for Michael for the next part of his journey.
We are grateful to so many, especially Casa Allegra Community Services, for their help so that Michael could celebrate his 25th anniversary at Mollie Stone's Markets as a valued employee and continue with the activities he enjoys. His presence at the store will surely be missed. Michael brings with him, wherever he goes, love and a good sense of humor. As Michael has always called it, "a sense of human."
The Bruciati Family wants to take this opportunity to thank all of our supporters through the years. For your help in support of Michael, and in honor of Michael to help Casa Allegra Community Services, we thank you.
~ Jeanette, Ron and Michael Bruciati
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Nicki in the Devon Kitchen
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 Nicki Haskett - Directing His Life
by Shanon Evans & Kim DeLeon
If we choose to pay attention and slow down, we can be sensitive to other's needs. Casa Allegra has been supporting Nicki Haskett since 1978, when he was 5-years-old. Nicki likes to be with familiar people in familiar places. His strongest connection and where he is most relaxed is when he is with his long-time housemate Tom. They have been friends for over 41 years. During quiet times or when others are watching TV in the living room, Tom and Nicki will sit close to each other on the couch. When Diane, a woman with a good sense of humor, moved into Devon in 2016, Nicki, Tom and Diane immediately bonded.
Though Nicki doesn't use spoken language, he does communicate his preferences clearly through movement and sound. Over the course of the past few years, Nicki has begun to make more eye contact with people. He understands conversation and directions so that he can participate with his housemates in household activities. By paying attention, staff learn to honor his choices. Staff have made strong connections with Nicki and are proficient at knowing Nicki's wants and needs. They understand that he feels and responds to positive energy, to being talked to and touched. When he appears frustrated, staff may ask him to "get the mad out." He will ask for hugs by throwing his arms open wide.
When staff and housemates run errands during the week, Nicki likes to go along, keeping a firm grip on the shopping cart. Staff says, "Nicki, you can do it." And he can. Nicki is living the life of his choosing.
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Theresa Eisenberg, Newest Board Member
Theresa Eisenberg joined the CACS board in January 2019. She joins the board with a deep knowledge, passion and appreciation of CACS having been the RN for the long term care homes and six individuals in Supported Living for six years. In Theresa's words "For 43 years, I have been a Registered Nurse, having graduated from the College of Marin Nursing Program with an Associate in Science degree. My nursing experience has included specialty areas such as pediatrics, clinical nursing, home care, and orthopedic spine care. The knowledge I gained from those past experiences served me well during my 6 years as nurse for CACS-my most satisfying position!
"Having worked side by side with our dedicated and expert Support Staff, and having the privilege of meaningful relationships with Clients and their families, has allowed me to witness Casa Allegra's mission in action. To have a place such as CACS, where our Clients are supported in exploring and enjoying their optimal potential, is unique.
"Under Chris's direction, the agency is continually evolving in direct response to clients' needs and aspirations. When I was asked to join the Board of Directors, I learned that Chris was planning to step down for a well-deserved retirement. I realized that this is a time for me to step up and lend a hand in finding the right person to take Casa Allegra forward and continue its mission in a positive manner-while retaining the spirit and heart for which it is known.
"During the school year, I teach six drawing classes a week to kindergarteners through 4th graders in after-school programs in 3 local schools. I continue to volunteer in the community. I live in San Rafael with my husband, George, and our dog, Sailor. Our two daughters, Lizzie and Maggie, are married now, so we have gained two sons and are enjoying it all."
Casa Allegra Community Services is excited to have Theresa join the Board
of Directors.
CACS wishes to thank former Board Member Mary Quinlan, who resigned in January, for her six years of dedicated service.
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Kim DeLeon,
Supported Living Manager
As Eny Campos focuses on her efforts as Director of Programs, Kim DeLeon is stepping into the Supported Living Manager position. She has been employed by CACS for over six years, starting by providing Direct Support, becoming Medical Assistant and most recently Residential Living Assistant. As Supported Living Manager Kim will coordinate the services and staffing for 24 clients who live in the community in apartments or homes with CACS support. She will work in collaboration with CACS Executive Director, Director of Programs and RNs
Kim said, "I love the connections you can build with clients. It's an honor to be in their lives and make a positive difference. If I haven't seen someone in a day or two, they tell me about their day, what's happening in their life. These moments, that's why I'm here. It's a meaningful opportunity to have that type of relationship that can take years to build." Kim likes to spend time with family and friends, bingewatch shows on Netflix and listen to audio books. She's a dog mom to a 3-year-old Chihuahua mix named Dezy.
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In Memoriam
Toni Tresco
3.7.46 ~ 5.7.19
Residents, family and staff of Adrian House remembered Toni at a special memorial in June. Toni was supported by Casa Allegra at Adrian since 2012.
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If #1
by Tamar Mag Raine
If I must repeat myself
when I speak, I will do so gladly.
If I must use a typewriter to write,
I will do so gladly.
If I must use a railing
to go up and down stairs,
I will do so gladly.
If I must wear a hearing aid
to hear better, I will do so gladly.
If I must adapt my lifestyle
to accommodate my physical challenges
-and that they are-
I will do so gladly.
I must do these things,
because to do otherwise wouldn't be me.
I must do these things gladly,
because to do otherwise wouldn't be me.
I must do these things gladly,
because to do otherwise
would make my challenges burdens,
and I already have enough
burdens without adding to
my humanity a sense of burden,
instead of acceptance of myself as a
whole human being.
In being so human, I am subject
to anger, frustration, and sadness.
I do not claim to be
patient or happy all the time.
I do not pretend to love
all people at all times.
Life itself is complex enough without
playing all the human games.
All I am doing - or trying to do - is living
I don't let the physical challenges
in my life control me, I try to control them.
To live otherwise would bore me,
bring me down to a level
of just existing, and I refuse to do that.
Tamar Mag Raine is an artist, a writer and a visionary.
Her poetry and prose, mostly autobiographical, is written with the aim to
create understanding amongst all people.
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Your gift today Makes a Difference!
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| Eny Campos and Nicole Sykes, Picnic at Miwok Park in Novato |
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