bwdh newsletter--05-24-2018--pjs--02-05-2019

A Publication of Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc. Spring/Summer 2018

The BIG give
BWDH participating in 24-hour giving rally

Get ready to rally! All donors can have their contributions
More than 70 nonprofits in the Blue Water Area, including amplified with a Bonus Pool.
Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc. and Sanborn
Gratiot Memorial Home, are participating in The Big Give, an Every participating organization
“online giving rally” taking place June 12. The event is being will receive a pro-rated portion
organized by the Community Foundation of St. Clair County.
“BWDH is proud to be a part of The Big Give,” said of the Bonus Pool based
Kathleen Swantek, executive director of BWDH. “This on how much they raise in a 24-hour period.
day of online fundraising provides our supporters with an
opportunity to be a part of one of the most exciting days of
philanthropy in our community.”
According to the Community Foundation of St. Clair County
website, there is added incentive for giving on this day:
“All donors can have their contributions amplified with the
$27,000+ Bonus Pool. Every participating organization will
receive a pro-rated portion of the Bonus Pool based on how
much they raise during the 24-hour giving period.”
According to Swantek, funds donated on behalf of BWDH
will be used to enrich the lives of BWDH residents.
According to the Community Foundation website: “The Big
Give will take place June 12 at 12:00 a.m. ET through June
12 at 11:59 p.m. ET at stclairfoundation.org… Everyone can
participate in The Big Give, and make their gifts extra special
by donating in honor of, in memory of, or on behalf of a friend
or loved one. Giving is easy on any device and all major
credit cards will be accepted through stclairfoundation.org.”
This is not the first time The Big Give has taken place in
the community. The Community Foundation website noted:
“Created to give nonprofits an economic boost, the past
three giving events (2009, 2010, and 2014) leveraged a total
of $1,108,000 for local nonprofits.”
For more information regarding The Big Give and the way
it will impact Blue Water Developmental Housing, follow the
BWDH Facebook page.
To donate on behalf of BWDH on June 12, visit:
http://thebiggivescc.com/

Executive
Director’s
Report:

Accessibility Kathy Swantek
for all remains
law of the land

Earlier this year, those of us who work in the human Sidney Parrish, center, celebrates his 80th birthday with
services field held our collective breath for a moment family, friends and his girlfriend, Bertha, right.
when the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass
the American Disabilities Act Education and Reform Act. R80etshidbeirntht dcealyebrates

By April, the proposed legislation was effectively dead On April 24, 1938, Franklin D. Roosevelt was president and
on arrival within the U.S. Senate when a number of the average cost of a gallon of gas was 10 cents.
senators promised to Filibuster the proposed law.
And, of course, Sidney Parrish was born.
While we understand that no single piece of legislation Parrish, 80, a resident of Oakleaf House, recently celebrated
is perfect, because we work every single day with people his 80th birthday surrounded by family and friends.
with physical challenges and mental impairments, we His family threw him a party at the Visiting Nurse
do know that their lives have been greatly enhanced and Association and Blue Water Hospice location in Port Huron,
improved since President George H.W. Bush signed the where Parrish regularly attends the Adult Day Program.
Americans with Disabilities Act into law in 1990. According to Mary Egan, supervisor of Oakleaf House,
Sidney had a great time at the party. His girlfriend, Bertha,
We are thankful that the U.S. Senate saw to quickly was in attendance as were other family members.
stamp out the spark of flame that threatened to create “Sidney is high functioning and he goes to church on
accessibility issues for those who are different than Sundays and he goes to the movies regularly,” she said. “He
others. has a very supportive family and they get him out regularly.”
A resident of Oakleaf House since 2015, Parrish has also
Some argue that the ADA creates barriers to economic been a travelin’ man. His family has taken him to the Grand
development and makes the creation of new public Ole’ Opery and to the Grand Prix in Detroit in recent years. He
spaces or the rehab of existing public spaces too also regularly attended a fishing tournament.
expensive or difficult. “As birthday gifts, he received some of his favorite things,
including Star Wars collectibles and gift certificates from the
To those of us who work within the human services dollar store and Cracker Barrel. He just loves their meatloaf.
field, creating accessible spaces for all is no different “It’s so nice because his family is so supportive of him.”
that realizing that both men’s and women’s restrooms
need to be placed in public spaces. (Or, at the very least,
restrooms accessible to all).

Just because, through birth or as the result of an
accident or illness, some people need accommodations
for wheelchairs or other mobile devices, makes them no
different than people who walk using their own two feet.
We accommodate pedestrians by creating sidewalks.
We accommodate vehicles by creating roadways.

Ours is a nation of accommodations. And we are
thankful that the U.S. Senate has seen fit to ensure, for
the time being, that the ADA will continue to make sure
accessibility in public spaces is guaranteed for all.

Get ready to rummmble!

Resident celebrates birthday with heroes

Wellington Mahosky was ready to rumble! Wellington Mahosky, right, celebrates his birthday with a
Mahosky, 46 and a resident at Thornhill House, celebrated his professional wrestler
March birthday in a very big way.
Staff took Mahosky, a huge WWE Wrestling fan, to Autorama activities that would interest residents. “A lot of these things are
in Detroit where he was able to meet Roman Reigns, one of his out of town,” she said. “Our staff is always willing to adjust their
favorite wrestlers. schedule to do these activities because we know it brings our
“When we saw the Autorama ad on TV, we said, oh my gosh, he residents enjoyment. We know what it means to them.”
would love to go!” said Kathy Davis, supervisor at Thornhill. “He
got his picture taken with him and he was ecstatic.” He also got an
Autorama sweatshirt to commemorate the day.
Davis noted that Mahosky has wrestling posters decorating his
room and he really lights up when he has the opportunity to watch
the sport. Even though he is nonverbal, she said he recognized
his hero when he met him in person and just really enjoyed the
opportunity to visit.
To continue the wrestling theme for his birthday celebration at
home, Thornhill staff arranged for members of a local St. Clair
County-based wrestling club to visit Mahosky on his birthday.
Members of the Blue Water Championship Wrestling team
brought posters and a t shirt for him. Wrestler Billy Ray Daniels
posed for photos with him.
“His face just lit up,” said Davis. “It made his year.”
Davis said that staff is always on the lookout for events and

Dreams really do come true!

Existing is not living and we have the opportunity to make a
change by helping our special individuals live a quality life.

With a bit of work, dedication and sacrifices, BWDH staff were
able to make a dream come true for three residents by providing
them with the opportunity to make the trip of a lifetime to Walt
Disney World in Florida.

“It was incredible,” said Lea Lewis-Hicks, community support
worker at Muter and Byington homes, who coordinated the trip.
“We spent some time at Daytona Beach where the ladies were
able to walk in the ocean. We went to Disney World where they
were able to see many of their favorite Disney characters and
meet Mickey Mouse himself. We also took time enjoy the resort by
swimming, relaxing and walking the beautiful grounds.”

A trip of a lifetime, indeed! Many thanks to the BWDH staff who
work so hard to make sure the people supported in their care
receive exceptional opportunities for travel and fun!

Home Depot provides grant Editor
Kathy Swantek
Stonybrook Home sweet home is about to get for improvements on the home and store Executive Director
sweet home sweeter thanks to a $2,000 grant employees have volunteered their time to plant Blue Water
from Home Depot. flowers and trees on site, as well. Developmental Housing, Inc.
Writer & Designer
According to Vicki Scheffler, supervisor at “The grant will be used to make a number Patti Samar
Stonybrook, the sister of a resident works locally of capital improvements to the home,” said The Write Company
at Home Depot and has been instrumental Scheffler. “We are very thankful for their www.TheWriteCompany.net
in securing the grant. Home Depot has, over assistance.”
the past few years, donated other materials Bulletin is published bi-annually by:
Blue Water
Developmental Housing, Inc.
Coventry Court
1600 Gratiot Blvd., Suite 1
Marysville, MI 48040
Phone: 810.388.1200
Email: [email protected]

www.BWDH.org

Blue Water Developmental Housing, Inc.
Coventry Court

1600 Gratiot Blvd., Suite 1
Marysville, MI 48040