Onward Together - Easterseals
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Issue n. 60 | July 2021
Onward Together
To our amazing team at Easterseals Midwest,
Summer is in full swing! I hope you are all taking full advantage I cannot thank all the advocates enough, who let legislators know
and enjoying some wonderful summer activities. how important this funding not only is to our essential workforce,
but to the people who are counting on us each and every day.
As things continue to open up, it is exciting seeing our calendar fill
up with the many exciting events we will once again be able to host Lastly, I want to remind you that if you have not yet completed our
in-person later this summer and into the fall. If you haven't yet, take employee survey, which should have appeared in your inbox from
a moment to check the events section of this newsletter and our the Institute for Organizational Excellence, please do so as soon as
events page online so you can be sure not to miss out! possible. The information we are able to gather from this survey
(which is all completely anonymous) helps us guide the future of our
Last week, Governor Parson and the Missouri Legislature passed organization, to ensure that we are constantly improving to provide
the budget, which went into effect for this fiscal year that started you with the best work experience possible. If you did not receive a
last Thursday. Within the budget was one of the largest survey email in your inbox, please reach out to Lindsey Henderson,
investments in disability rate increases we have seen. and she can help you get a new survey link.
Thanks to this additional funding, we are one step closer to solving As always, thank you so much for your dedication, compassion, and
the Direct Support Professional Crisis. As you should have seen commitment to making the world a better, more inclusive place.
in your email, this has allowed us to increase all starting wages to
$15/hour and provide merit-based raises to an astounding
number of qualifying staff members. Best,
I want to thank everyone who was involved in this. Legislators
heard from you - the people who are truly affected by this - as you
made your voices heard and reached out to let them know how
important this issue is to you. Wendy Sullivan
CEO, Easterseals Midwest
PHOTO GALLERY
July Marketing Campaign: Now Hiring!
Know someone who you think would make a great addition to our team? Tell them to apply! Thanks to increased rates by
the state of Missouri, we're now offering $15-$22.50/hour and up to $1,500 in bonuses within the first year of employment.
Don't forget to follow Recruitment at Easterseals on Facebook, where we'll be sharing a ton of great information about the
amazing work we do and new job opportunities! Click here to like the page.
Trying Out Her Green Thumb
Mindy tried her hand at gardening for the first time this summer, with some beautiful flower pots and tomato plants. We
can't wait to see how her garden turns out!
It's Fun to Stay at the YMCA! Sweet Summer Treat Perfect Riding Weather
Our St. Louis Autism Services’ Respite Department took a group of 10 young adults on the annual weekend trip to Is there a better way to cool off than with a snow cone? Calan took advantage of some of the beautiful summer
YMCA’s Trout Lodge! They had a weekend of swimming at the waterfront, horseback riding at the ranch, meeting We don't think so! Tristen is beating the summer heat weather to get out on his bike and explore. What's your
animals at the Nature Center, and climbing the Alpine Tower. Not the mention archery, tie dye, games, and so much more! with this cool snack. favorite place to ride?
Newsletter Issue n. 60 | July 2021 3
FEATURES
FREE FINANCIAL WEBINAR FROM FREDDIE MAC ADVOCACY SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT
Through our partnership with Freddie Mac, we Want to grow your advocacy efforts on your social media? Take a look at the
are offering a free webinar designed to equip Advocacy Social Media Toolkit, complete with sample posts, relevant hashtags,
people with disabilities and their families to and a list of elected officials you can contact using social media.
achieve their financial goals. Topics include
building and maintaining better credit and Whether it's Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or any other platform, using social media
preparing for successful, long-term home- to advocate for change helps spread awareness to your network of friends, family,
ownership. coworkers, and beyond
To access this free resource, please visit: bit.ly/2Gr1VM5.
Click here to view the toolkit.
SHARE YOUR STORIES
Want to see your story featured in media outlets across the region or on social media?
We’re always looking for stories that illustrate the life-changing work we do every
day. Whether it involves staff, volunteers, donors, or individuals and families we serve,
we want to share a look into the services we provide through the unique lenses of the
people who make up our organization. Have a moment you think is newsworthy? Help RECRUITMENT AT EASTERSEALS
us tell our story by sending us your ideas.
Do you know someone who you think would be a great fit for Easterseals Midwest?
No idea is a bad one. Please send all story ideas to marketing@esmw.org. If you’re sharing
Like and share our new Recruitment page on Facebook!
the story of another person, please confirm that they are comfortable with the possibility
of sharing the information being released to media outlets.
We'll not only be sharing open positions and hiring events, but also giving you a closer look at
what a job at Easterseals involves, introducing you to some of our amazing employees, talking
about benefits, career growth, and so much more!
SHARE YOUR PHOTOS
Want to see your photos featured in the newsletter or on our social media accounts?
We’re using social media to highlight the many great moments happening across
our region – help us recognize your good work by sending photos of events, parties,
classes, or even just fun moments between program participants and staff.
Cell phone pictures welcome. Please send all images to marketing@esmw.org with THANK YOU, DOLLAR GENERAL LITERACY FOUNDATION
subject line “Social Media Pictures.” If your photos include program participants, please
confirm that they have a photo release on file, or attach a signed and dated release. We want to say a huge thank you to the Dollar General Literacy Foundation for supporting our
Self-Determination in Action Project.
You can find the Adult Release form here and the Child Release form here.
The Self-Determination in Action Project is a program that inspires individuals with disabilities
to become advocates for themselves and others.
Click here to learn more.
Newsletter Issue n. 60 | July 2021 5
UPCOMING EVENTS MISSION MOMENTS
OPEN INTERVIEW DAYS
Kansas City | July 14
This month we had a lot of activities and I worked much closer with our Shared Unit team than I
Springfield | July 14
St. Louis | July 14 & 21 have in over a year. I was really impressed with all the effort that went into providing activities for
St. Joseph | July 21 our individuals and how well everyone worked together. There was a great comradery between
Bolivar | July 21 the staff and the individuals and several individuals mentioned to me how much they liked
being back at Easterseals, seeing the staff and their friends, having ELS discussions, and going
Are you or someone you know looking for a career where you can make a difference? We hope you will
on trips together. I work with the best individuals and have the best group of co-workers and
join us for our Open Interview Days! This is the perfect opportunity for candidates to submit same-day
supervisors ever!
applications and have face-to-face interviews with our HR team.
SUBMITTED BY KATHY MCMEEN
Visit our Facebook to learn more!
EASTERSEALS DAY AT BUSCH STADIUM
For one of my kids, May was a roller coaster. His mother passed away early in the month and
August 22 | 1:15 PM
it did not seem like we were going to make the deadline for him to complete his school work
Busch Stadium | 700 Clark Ave, St. Louis, MO
to graduate. He went into a dark place for a little bit because he didn’t know what his life would
Join us for an afternoon at the Ballpark! The St. Louis Cardinals will be taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates. look like after his mom passed. I would be in constant contact with his aunt and we were both
Tickets are $29 per person and include an Easterseals T-shirt, hot dog, and soda! concerned about him finishing his school work to graduate. A couple of days before the deadline
came, I got a call from him and he said, “I finished it”. When I asked what he meant he said, “I
Click here to register!
finished the class by myself and I passed with an 82%”. I was so excited for him and said his
mom would be so proud of him. He was so relieved with completing his class that he changed
his mind on walking at graduation. He got a sign to put in his yard that said, “Graduate 2021” and
sent me a picture with him standing next to it with his gown on. I am beyond happy for all the
SPORTING KC WITH EASTERSEALS work he put in and how he finished his goal of graduating even when life threw him the biggest
challenge anyone can ever go through.
September 15, 2021 | 7:30 PM
Children's Mercy Park | 1 Sporting Way, Kansas City, KS 66111 SUBMITTED BY NICK ROTHWEILER
Join us for an evening at Children's Mercy Park in Kansas City to watch Sporting KC take the pitch
against Minnesota United FC. Tickets are $29 per person, with a portion benefiting Easterseals Midwest.
Click here to get your tickets today! I’ve been working with a client who has struggled with developing relationships with peers and
engaging successfully with faculty while at school. Over the past few months, we’ve had good
days and not-so-good days, which has made for some discouraged conversations between
support systems. We recently began to all meet weekly to discuss the strategies that are working
and those that are not. We share achievements as well as points of struggle. Since meeting
35TH ANNUAL PAR-TEE DINNER AUCTION & TEE-IT-UP GOLF TOURNAMENT consistently with caregivers, we have seen considerable improvement in his socialization skills.
This has improved the relationship between all parties which ultimately helps in the success of
The 35th Annual Par-Tee Dinner Auction and Tee-It-Up Golf Tournament is back at Meadowbrook the child. I saw so many more smiles at school which solidified why I invest my time in helping
Country Club! Registration is now open. others. I am thankful for the determination of the parents and schools staff to support the child
to succeed and involve themselves in therapy!
Par-Tee Dinner Auction
Sunday, September 19, 2021
SUBMITTED BY DAVIS NORBER
Tee-It-Up Golf Tournament
Monday, September 20, 2021
Newsletter Issue n. 60 | July 2021 7
CONGRATULATIONS!
Congratulations to our Kudos winners for this month! Thank you for your dedication and hard work.
Fernanda Alexander – I can't thank you enough for translating those workshops to Spanish! I know it is a big task, but
it makes a huge difference for so many families. You're awesome!
Amanda Browley – Amanda goes above and beyond in the kid's room to ensure the kids are safe and having fun. She
has included them with the ABA kids and created new opportunities for socialization. Amanda is cheery, reliable, and
hard-working. We are lucky to have her as a team member in the Autism Services Department. She is always willing to
help in the ABA and Respite Departments, often working seven days a week. She is a superstar!
WHO GOT KUDOS?
Alison Jones Courtney Wheatley Jason Rekittke Landy Wedlock
Amanda Browley Danielle Jones-Mntanga Jennifer Kerner Nick Rothweiler
Amie Detchemendy Davis Norber Kathy Greene Philip Pulliam
Anna Duke Fernanda Alexander Kris Krieger Sophia Rhodus
Ateara Taylor Jaime Leach Kristin Fleukiger Tracy Conboy-Renuard
KUDOS CARDS
Give us all the opportunity to recognize a job well done. Each month, winners are selected
from the submitted cards to receive Easterseals swag and gift cards. For your teammate Got Kudos for your teammate?
to be eligible to win, fill out a card and clearly write the person’s name, date, and how they
earned kudos. Submit your cards by the third
Friday of the month.
Submit a copy or photo of the card to strongertogether@esmw.org or your Human Resources
Generalist. Winners are chosen by the Stronger Together Committee and announced each
month in the newsletter. Kudos Cards are just the beginning of the Stronger Together Employee
Appreciation Program. Stay tuned for more awards, discounts, and activities!
Newsletter Issue n. 60 | July 2021 11
JOB OPENINGS
More than a job.
Music Therapist | Springfield
The Music Therapist is responsible for successfully planning, organizing, and conducting music therapy activities to influence
behavioral and educational changes in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
Community Living Specialist | St. Louis | Springfield | Bolivar
Community Living Specialists, also known as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs), are the link to the community for those they
serve and is one of the most exemplary reflections of the wonderful mission-driven work we provide every day. The Community
Living Specialist works cooperatively with the program staff in providing consistent programming and behavioral interventions.
Provides direct support and actively involves clients in programming as outlined in the personal plan. Ensures clients are safe and
healthy.
Independent Living Advocate | St. Louis
The Independent Living Advocate is responsible for overseeing the effective and efficient delivery of individualized supports to
those we support. This position takes formal responsibility for coordinating weekly schedules to fulfill clients' designated units. The
Independent Living Advocate contributes to determining working outcomes for the Individual Service Plan. This includes keeping
accurate documentation and ensuring that supports are delivered within funder requirements and policies.
Together, we’re changing the way the
Community Services Specialist | St. Louis
The Community Services Specialist works cooperatively to provide consistent, quality programming and addresses the physical,
world defines and views disability by
health, and behavioral needs of clients. Provides direct support and mentoring, being actively engaged with clients, in programming
as outlined in the personal plan, in either a group setting or alone. Ensures clients are safe and healthy and responsible for providing
making profound, positive differences in
people’s lives every day.
direct care to clients as outlined in a daily schedule. The support given will follow specific goals and objectives of each client.
Community Services Instructor | Springfield
The Community Services Instructor is responsible for providing direct care to individuals participating in services and supports as
outlined in a daily schedule. The support given will follow specific goals and objectives of each individual served. The Community
Services Instructor will actively engage with individuals in programming as outlined in the personal plan, in either a group setting or
alone. Ensures individuals served are safe and healthy.
Apply at
joineasterseals.com.
easterseals.com/midwest
1.800.200.2119
Newsletter Issue n. 60 | July 2021
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