St Marys Profound Love newsletter - issue 8

LoveEXCHANGE
It is a place where dreams are nurtured, where hope is brought to life, where severe challenges are met with profound love.

st. mary’s
08J U N EISSUE

Laissez Bon Temps Rouler with St. Mary’s! profound2018

Two exciting events make their return to help support St. Mary’s mission of caring for children BI-ANNUAL
and young adults with developmental disabilities. NEWSLETTER

“We were very excited to bring these two events back to our This Issue
community,” said Tamara McNulty, St. Mary’s Director of Development.
“Activities like the Challenge Walk and Greco Bowl are our opportunity CLUB BRINGS Campus Secret Exposed! P.3
to share St. Mary’s mission. While the money raised makes a remarkable
difference, the hearts we touch mean just as much.” SUNSHINE TO Family Shares Hear t to Hear t P.3

Together, both events raised more than $70,000 to support the ST. MARY’S St. Mary’s Wishlist P.4
programs that make an impact for St. Mary’s residents. Programs that
Louisiana is known for letting the good times roll and this year, many of you receive funding include St. Mary’s Day Habilitation Program, Works
chose to fill your social calendars with special events dedicated to the mission of Readiness Program and Applied Behavior Analysis Learning Center.
St. Mary’s.
To learn more about future St. Mary’s events, visit St. Mary’s website
Most recently, the community joined us at St. Mary’s Super Hero Challenge 5k at www.stmarysalexndria.org or contact the development office at 318-
and Fun Run. Held annually for many years, St. Mary’s Challenge made its return in 445-6443 ext. 2144.
May of 2018 after a five-year hiatus. This year, in addition to the traditional 5K and
fun run, participants enjoyed a full day of festival fun including carnival games, live When members of the TAKING CARE
music and arts and craft vendors. Exchange Club bring out the OF BUSINESS:
cookers and hot dogs, we
Last year also saw the return of another hallmark fundraiser for St. Mary’s. know it is the unofficial start to LOCAL
Chef John Folse and Whiteoak Plantation returned to Alexandria to host Greco summer at St. Mary’s! COMPANIES
Bowl. WELCOME ST.
It is called the Sunshine MARY’S WORKERS
Managers’ Wish List • Portable DVD Players – Technological devices like Special and each year, If you travel to Alexandria’s local Kroger’s Grocery
portable DVD players help expose St. Mary’s residents Alexandria’s local Exchange Club Store, you may be greeted by a bright smile and a for young adults with developmental disabilities.
You can team up with St. Mary’s management team to provide the top-notch to new skills and stay motivated to learn. Portable DVD hosts it to bring a little sunshine prompt “thank you for visiting Kroger’s!” Our corporate partners like Kroger’s are helping us
programming children with developmental disabilities need to reach their God- players are used in both the ABA Program and Day into St. Mary’s residents’ lives. overcome the challenges our residents face by simply
given potential. Please consider purchasing one or more items from our wish list Habilitation Program. Residents and staff enjoy a hot Greg is one of 11 St. Mary’s residents who is giving them the opportunity to live a normal, healthy
or making a gift to St. Mary’s Annual Giving Campaign to make a difference for a Total Cost = $100 each dog lunch, live entertainment fulfilling his dream of joining the workforce thanks to life.”
child in need. and an afternoon under the your support of St. Mary’s growing works readiness
• Utility Rolling Cart -- Utility carts are an asset in all pavilion. program. Hired by Kroger’s Grocery Store in October As part of St. Mary’s Works Readiness Program,
• Portable Snoezelen Bubble Tube – Bubble Tubes help provide classrooms! You can help our ABA Program stay organized of last year, Greg not only enjoys his job, but has also residents are taught simple, vocational skills and
multi-sensory experiences for St. Mary’s residents. The constant by purchasing a utility cart to help transport learning “We are always happy to quickly risen as a favorite face in the Kroger’s check- workplace etiquette. Once those skills are mastered,
effects of color changing and bubble movement are also useful in materials to and from storage. Total Cost = $150 each come out to St. Mary’s,”said Mike out line. Thompson assists St. Mary’s residents through the
promoting color recognition, visual perception & enhanced levels Hislop of the Exchange Club. “I application and interview process to obtain outside
of relaxation. think some of our members get “Everybody at Kroger’s loves Greg,” said Wanda employment.
Total Cost = $700 each more out of it than the clients Blackmon, Greg’s supervisor at Kroger’s. “He welcomes
do.” all of our customers, thanks them for shopping with In addition to Kroger’s, St. Mary’s clients are also
• Indoor Hanging Nest Chair – Sensory activities can assist • Art Supplies – St. Mary’s clients in both our ABA and us and does a great job bagging their groceries. He employed by Cracker Barrel Restaurant, Diocese of
the learning process and overall behavior of children with Day Programs use art supplies in various classes. Our kids The Sunshine Special is a has really become an asset to our store.” Alexandria’s Catholic School’s Office, Rapides Regional
developmental disabilities and/or autism. The addition of an can always use items like crayons, markers, construction longstanding tradition for clubs Hospital, Central State Hospital, Burger King, and the
indoor hanging nest chair with a stand will benefit ABA learners paper, finger paints, paint brushes, etc. Total Cost = Varies across the United States. The To recognize his efforts, Greg was given Rapides Parish District Attorney’s Office.
as well as Day Program participants by providing them a space heartwarming event typically Kroger’s “Fresh -n- Friendly” award for doing such an
to experience the sensory activity of swinging while providing a To learn more or to make a gift, contact St. Mary’s development office at focuses on children who are outstanding job. St. Mary’s employment specialist, If your business is locatetd in the Central
calming environment. Total Cost = $200 each 318-445-6443 ext. 2144 or P.O. Drawer 7768, Alexandria, LA 71306. underprivileged or disabled in Carlet Thompson, says moments like this are what Louisiana region and you are interested in employing
an effort to bring happiness – or makes our mission worthwhile. St. Mary’s residents contact Carlet Thompson at 318-
a little sunshine – to children’s 445-6443 or carlet.thompson@stmarys-rts.org.
lives. “We all want the chance to do something positive
with our time,” said Thompson. “That doesn’t change

Profound Love Issue 08 June 2018

CONTACT US Administrator’s Message St. Mary’s Family Sheds Light on Campus
“Thank you for staying committed to St. Secret
Physical address:
6715 Highway 1 North Mary’s as we fulfill dreams for our residents” It is not unusual to share St. Mary’s
Boyce, LA 71409 story and have several people in the
Do you have activities thrilled to share with K.T. (and Thank you for remaining crowd respond with ‘I never knew…” “Like so many communities, make a difference. You can be a saint to a
Mailing address: in your life that you could set you!) that soon is finally here! committed to St. Mary’s as we After nearly 65 years of meeting the our Lafayette family is great about “The Community Foundation
P.O. Drawer 7768 your watch to? It is a certain fulfill this dream for our residents. needs of children with developmental supporting our neighbors in need. The child with developmental
Alexandria, LA 71306 something that happens at a After many years of planning, I hope you will continue to be disabilities from all across Louisiana, problem was that no one in Lafayette of Acadiana does excellent work
(318) 445-6443 particular time every day. That preparing, and praying, St. Mary’s engaged and an active member St. Mary’s is still largely considered a knew about St. Mary’s and the impact promoting its partner organizations,” disabilities. By joining St.
something is usually so reliable breaks ground on our group of our St. Mary’s family as we hidden treasure within our state. they could make for families living said Vicki. “Our goal is that together,
Board of Directors that you can set your watch to it. home construction project June move forward to the next leg in their home town,” said Vicki Elliott, we can shed a little light on this hidden Mary’s ‘Be A Saint’ Giving
28th. This is one of the largest of our journey. We could not That truth was the motivator Cole’s mom. gem so that St. Mary’s is no longer a
Most Rev. David P. Talley For me, it is a visit from K.T. endeavors our organization has have come this far without your behind one Lafayette family’s quest to Louisiana secret.” Program you are making a
Chairman He is a resident here at St. Mary’s embarked on in recent history. support. share St. Mary’s mission within their To turn the tide, the Elliott family
and for over a year he’s lived in a Once complete, the Group Home community. teamed up with St. Mary’s Development To learn more about St. Mary’s difference for the more than
Christi Guillot dorm. Everyday, when he comes Construction Project will help St. With Many Blessings, Office and the Community Foundation partnership with the Community
Administrator home from school he visits the Mary’s continue its mission by Christi Guillot Shannon and Vicki Elliott turned of Acadiana. Together, they hope Foundation of Acadiana and how you 200 individuals living on our
office and like clockwork he asks providing a space where some of Administrator to St. Mary’s for their son Cole, more the partnership will bring awareness can help, you can contact St. Mary’s
Rev. Scott Chemino, VG, JCL the same question… God’s most vulnerable children than 10 years ago. It was the only to St. Mary’s mission and provide an development office at 318-445-6443 campus. Monthly gifts sustain
Darrell Dubroc can grow in a loving, nurturing place they could find the supportive easy outlet for their neighbors to help ext. 2144 or the Community Foundation
Robert “Bob” Hecker ‘When will the group homes environment. services and educational opportunities of Acadiana at 337-769-4840. our mission & ensure that the
Martin Johnson be ready?’ their child needed to help him reach his
Ann Masden For residents like K.T., this fullest potential. But the Elliott family important programs & training
Rev. Bruce Miller, JCL I always reply, soon buddy, project is a true blessing. They soon learned they were not alone.
Jim Parks and he smiles as he leaves my will no longer have to live out More than two dozen families from the opportunities that help
Rev. Chad Partain office reminding me that he just all their days in a congregant Acadiana region have a loved-one who
Thomas Ruemker can’t wait to have a room of his environment with as many as 40 lives at St. Mary’s. The campus also residents can continue.
Rev. August Thompson* very own. plus of their peers. 120 residents has a sizeable client population from
Dennie Williams living in dorms will have a home the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and We couldn’t make a
This was our conversation and private bedroom of their Shreveport regions.
*emeritus member almost every day. Just when I own.
thought he was starting to see difference without you.
Administration: through my ‘soon’ response, I was

Tony L. “Bo”Vets, II Visit us online at www.
Programs Director
Meet Kiara! Heart-to-Heart stmarysalexandria.org to
Bonita Walker
Health Services Director Your Gift is Helping Her “I didn’t realize how trying to do it schedule your recurring gift
Uncover New Places to all impacted us both”
Cinda Fussell Explore! today. Donations are easy,
Controller When my son, Derek, was born, I realized quickly how his
disability was going to affect his life. Like every obstacle I’ve faced, secure and flexible.
Tamara McNulty I tackled it head-on. As his mom, Derek’s well-being is all that has
Director of Development ever mattered. Would you like to find

Keep In Touch! I didn’t realize how trying to do it all impacted us both until a out more? Contact St. Mary’s
close family friend asked if I needed help.
Stay up-to-date and sign up development office at 318-
to receive our e-newsletter After a good cry, I took my friend’s advice and visited St. Mary’s.
by visiting our website or her favorite colors and displaying During my first tour I felt as if God had led me to this special 445-6443 or at tamara.
on Facebook (facebook. all of her favorite baby dolls. place where my son could receive the help he needed. I could still
com/StMarysRTS) visit our be a hands-on mom and Derek could gain access to the supportive mcnulty@stmarys-rts.org.
channel on YouTube.com/ A groundbreaking for St. services he needed.
SaintMarysRTS or follow us Kiara is always full of energy! on campus. The completion of St. Mary’s Group Home Construction I thank God daily for St. Mary’s and the peace and joy they have
on Twitter (twitter.com/st_ A resident of St. Mary’s for more Mary’s Group Home Construction Project is scheduled for June 28th brought my family. I’ve watched Derek reach new milestones and
marys_rts)! than 10 years, she still enjoys Project will mean that she and her on St. Mary’s campus. 15 new can rest easy knowing that my son will always have a loving home
finding new places to explore dorm-mates will be able to move group homes will be built to give that meets his needs.
on campus. One place she from campus dormitories into a Kiara and all St. Mary’s residents a
cannot wait to explore is her new group home where they will each true home of their own. ~Rhonda
bedroom. have a bedroom of their own. Derek’s Mom
If you would like to learn
Kiara is one of 126 residents Kiara says she looks forward more about St. Mary’s Group
who currently live in a dormitory to decorating her new room in Home Project, contact our office
of development at 318-445-6443
ext. 2144.

Profound Love Issue 08 June 2018