In March, the Tapemark Charity-Pro Am donated the following funds:

$15,000 – Arc Greater Twin Cities
$5,000 – The Arc of Minnesota
$5,000 – Children’s Home Society and Family Services
$2,500 – ProAct
$2,500 – Dakota Communities

Visit their Web sites and see all the great work they’re doing!

The Tapemark Benefiting Charities and the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am offer the promise of this constant support. For more than 50 years, our benefiting charities, Arc Greater Twin Cities, The Arc of Minnesota, Dakota Communities, ProAct, and the Learning Disabilities Program of Children’s Home Society and Family Services, have been working daily to help people with disabilities reach their full potential and live the lives of their choosing in their own communities. And the Tapemark Pro-Am has been their partner for 38 years, raising and donating more than $6.4 million to support them.

All Tapemark Pro-Am funding comes in the form of General Operating funds. Much of the grant funding given to non-profits is tied directly to specific programs, and they can often find themselves strapped for cash to operate on a day-to-day basis. The Tapemark Pro-Am is committed to providing General Operating funds to ease this burden, and help ensure these agencies will be there for their constituents and members.

While we have made tremendous strides in how we support people with disabilities, we are still working to overcome the stigma that ruined many lives when people with disabilities were shunned, hidden away, or shuttled off to state institutions to face lives of limited hope or promise. The Tapemark Pro-Am is staunchly committed to a day when all Minnesotans, regardless of ability, can live, work, and play in their own communities with dignity and respect.

Uncertain economic times almost always result in dramatic state budget cuts in the human services, and Minnesota’s most vulnerable citizens invariably face the biggest of these cuts in funding. The past several years, while difficult for all of us, have seen this played out again and again. We know how tough the past several years have been for everyone, and how difficult a decision a financial contribution can be. We only ask that you remember how much your support means to people living with a disability, to their family, and to their friends. And then remember, you are those people.

Southview golf professional Phil Anderson dropping off donation for Arc's Value Village Store in St Paul.

At the close of the golf season, Anderson takes all his remaining clothing stock from his pro shop and donates it to Arc’s Value Village. In 2009, that donation amounted to $6,170 of brand new golf apparel. In the last two years, Anderson has donated more than $15,400 worth of clothing to Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores & Donation Centers. Pam Carlson, director of community relations,  Arc Greater Twin Cities, lauded Anderson for his contribution. “This is easily one of the biggest individual donations of clothing we receive each year, and it’s all new, so it’s in great condition.”
 
“I believe that people with disabilities deserve a good quality of life,” Anderson said while making his donation at the new Arc Value Village store on the east side of St Paul. “I know how important the Tapemark charities are to them, and that these organizations continue to have their budgets cut. This is something I can do to help.” To anyone who knows Phil, his generosity and commitment are not surprising. Philip Callen, president of the Tapemark Charity Pro-Am sees this first-hand. “We know from working closely with him that Phil spends a great deal of time in the off-season thinking up ways to make the Tapemark a better golf event and a better fundraiser.” Apparently, it’s a full-time job.
 
Arc’s Value Village Thrift Stores carry gently used and new clothing and household items at locations in St Paul, Richfield, Brooklyn Center and New Hope. All proceeds from the stores benefit the programs and services of Arc Greater Twin Cities, a Tapemark Pro-Am benefiting agency supporting people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Visit them at www.arcsvaluevillage.org or at www.facebook.com/arcsvaluevillage.

Kimberly was feeling overwhelmed. Her daughter, Maryam, a freshman in high school, was recently diagnosed with
autism. Her son, Salahalein, is an eighth-grader who struggles with dyslexia. The private school they attend doesn’t provide all the support services they need and shuttles them back and forth to public schools in the same district for certain classes. The arrangement had grown more complicated. Kimberly needed an advocate.

“I picked up these flyers from Children’s Home Society & Family Services and I said, ‘That’s it, I’ve got to call and find out what help I can get,’” Kimberly says.

“Kimberly was trying to put a lot on her plate, and she had no outside support system,” explains Brooke Freitag, Learning Disabilities Program specialist at CHSFS. Since September, Kimberly has been meeting with CHSFS for support navigating the school system and searching for better resources for her children.

Brooke helps Kimberly prioritize what actions to take on behalf of her children’s education. They complete paperwork to apply for benefits and enroll in programs, and attend school meetings together.

“We are the eyes and ears,” Brooke explains, “We want clients to advocate for themselves.” She notes that simply attending a meeting with a parent “often provides the extra confidence they need to speak up to be their child’s best advocate.”

This spring, Kimberly discovered that Maryam’s Individual Education Program had expired without the school notifying her. The IEP is a written plan outlining the services a child will receive and the steps that will be taken to help a child meet academic goals. Now Kimberly and Brooke are developing a new IEP. Brooke will join Kimberly at the IEP review meeting at Maryam’s school, too.

Frustrated by dyslexia, Salahalein would act out in class and find ways to avoid reading or writing. He began a special reading class at the public school instead, but it conflicted with the science class at his private school. “Kimberly didn’t want him to miss the science class, because he really enjoyed science and did well in that class,” Brooke explains. “She felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.”

At the end of a difficult school year, Kimberly is meeting with Brooke weekly to work on new IEPs and put things in place for her children to attend new schools next year so they’ll get the services they need to succeed.

“I can see Kimberly is more calm now,” Brooke observes. “We set weekly goals for the kids, and for herself. We work on getting anything to help Maryam and Salahalein be successful.”

Ten months into our current fiscal year, 104 families like Kimberly’s have received help through CHSFS’ Learning Disabilities Program—a 15 percent increase over last year. Of those families, 40 also receive support from CHSFS’ internal network of family support programs. Our staff cross-refers clients of Financial & Home Ownership Education, Parent Support Services, and Individual & Family Counseling to the Learning Disabilities Program. In a 2008 client survey, 74 percent of parents told us they are better able to communicate with their child’s school as a result of the services they received through CHSFS.

Support from CHSFS makes Kimberly hopeful. “Without CHSFS, I probably wouldn’t have pushed the schools—I probably would have given up,” she says. “It would be easy to say ‘forget it.’ But I want the best for my children. I want them to be able to go on to get college education and to do something with their lives.”

More about CHSFS

Children’s Home Society & Family Services knows that a child in a safe, nurturing home is a child who thrives. For 120 years, we have been serving families in Minnesota, throughout the United States and in more than a dozen countries worldwide. We help families stay strong and care for their children by providing counseling, financial education and quality early childhood care. We help children without families find permanent, loving homes through adoption. Our mission is to help children thrive; and to build, strengthen and sustain individual, family and community life.

In addition to the Learning Disabilities Program, CHSFS offers an array of services that support children and families including Early Childhood Care & Education, providing high-quality, developmental education for children at corporate- and community-based Early Learning Center sites; Parent Support Services, working with parents in crisis situations to prevent child abuse and neglect, and to support and strengthen families; Individual & Family Counseling, clinical counseling to help people dealing with a wide range of personal and/or family problems; Financial & Home Ownership Education, face-to-face debt-management counseling and educational workshops for first-time home buyers; Domestic Abuse & Anger Management, professional counseling to stop the intergenerational cycle of abuse; and Pregnancy Counseling Services to support women and couples experiencing an unexpected pregnancy.

CHSFS also provides Domestic and International Adoption services, and through the program for Minnesota’s Waiting Children, we find permanent homes for children in the foster care system. Post-Adoption Services offers educational programs and cultural events to support adoptive families as their children grow. Our International Child Welfare programs improve the lives of vulnerable children in 13 countries worldwide by investing in projects that build family permanency and community sustainability.

Now in her early 60s, Kathy Thames was born into a different world for people with disabilities, a time of low expectations and limited resources devoted to care and development programs. The oldest of 10 children, Kathy grew up in a close and caring family and she was encouraged to become her own person. Although she had limited verbal skills, her puzzles were always out and she had a favorite seat at the table. Her mother, Jane Thames, recalls that she had nicknames for all of her siblings, and their friends, too. Kathy’s regular daily chore was emptying the dishwasher.

Life outside the home was not as comforting. One early social worker suggested Kathy spend a month at the state hospital in Cambridge, in case she would become a ward of the state. The experience was horrifying for the
family. Kathy was retrieved after just three days. Later, Cambridge was closed.

Over the years a number of possible programs were tried, and some proved more valuable than others. After several trials with day activity and work programs for Kathy, with many of them focused on job skills, her mother found that it is the people who make the difference. She is pleased with what ProAct has provided. The service compares favorably to the Merriam Park Day Activity Center that Kathy attended when she was 22.

Jane was concerned about the sheltered workshops of the 1980s. “Why teach her that money is the most important thing? She will never be able to support herself,” she said. More importantly, she wanted her daughter to have choices.“ We all get to chose where we work. Why shouldn’t she?” she queried.

“I want her to be happy and comfortable each day,” said Thames of the services for her daughter, a 7-year participant with ProAct. ProAct not only provides Kathy with many choices of classes, but variety. To fishing she says “No, thank you,” but volunteering at Feed My Starving Children, mall walking, cooking class and bagging cards on the work floor all get a “thumbs-up.”

Each day, Kathy carries a notebook between ProAct and home so her favorite people at ProAct can write about her activities of the day. Staff members write short messages about outings and work progress, often adding very complimentary notes. Each is cherished by Kathy, and the communications help her mother ask questions about the day’s events.

In contrast, a work program attended prior to ProAct placed Kathy in a fast food kitchen chopping tomatoes. “She hates tomatoes … and she doesn’t like messes,” said Jane, “Kathy was miserable.”

Today, it is all different. “Kathy comes home from ProAct happy and satisfied, virtually every day,” said Thames. “It is a great relief and peace of mind.”

ProAct

ProAct, Inc. has been assisting people with disabilities for 40 years, and offers numerous programs to maximize each person’s potential. From life skills classes to vocational and employment programs, the organization is experienced in identifying and working with a person’s needs, strengths and aspirations, helping individuals to lead productive lives.

Working from its headquarters in Eagan, from a substantial facility in Red Wing and through satellite programs in western Wisconsin and Zumbrota, ProAct serves people with disabilities in the Twin Cities metro, southern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Transportation is provided to its facilities and to community work settings.

In helping people with brain injuries, ProAct’s Adult Day Services program is geared toward improving a person’s overall well being, through classes and therapeutic recreation. In preparing for employment, clients receive pre-vocational services, develop good work habits and learn effective interpersonal and problem solving skills. People with disabilities get support in their search for competitive employment to help ensure long term success. Through coaching, the use of adaptive technology and problem solving, ProAct is the catalyst for satisfaction and pride at work, and in successful daily living.

Two initiatives offered through Dakota Communities are providing a way for Angie to do her favorite things while simultaneously improving her health and quality of life.

Angie, a 24-year-old with mild cerebral palsy, moved into Paul’s Place, a Dakota Communities’ home, in September 2008. Almost before her things were unpacked, the staff discovered two of her favorite things to do.

“Angie likes to cook with the staff,” said Jodi Iverson, Angie’s Program Coordinator. “And she loves to talk!” When asked what she enjoys most about being a part of Dakota Communities, Angie responded, “Talking to the staff about my day!” And when asked about what she most enjoyed baking and eating with the staff, Angie replied, “Brownies!”

Angie has the opportunity to pursue her love of cooking with other people from Dakota Communities in a program called “Harvest Meals – Culture Cuisine,” offered through the Center for Therapeutic Horticulture and Recreation Services at the University of Minnesota. The program promotes healthy food choices, increases nutritional knowledge and encourages social interaction between participants. During the summer, the group meets at a farm where residents can see how foods they eat are grown and harvested. “Angie is planning to garden this summer,” said Jodi, “so this program is helping her learn what to put in her garden.”

Angie also combines cooking and friendship through Dakota Communities’ Wii™ Volunteer program. Once every two weeks, high school students Anna Koelsch and Miriam Snyder visit Angie at Paul’s Place and play Wii games with her. Angie was excited to discover Miriam’s Wii cooking games.

“When we started volunteering with Angie in January, we had to teach her how to use the Wii controller and remind her which buttons to hold down,” said Anna. “She likes to do it by herself now.”

“The Wii is great because things in the game remind Angie of stories, and then she talks about those things,”
said Anna.

“Wii has been really good for Angie’s hand-eye coordination,” said Jodi. “Angie is also working on holding her head up; focusing on Wii games is helping that. But one of the best things about Wii is that Angie loves to socialize and loves one-on-one time with people, and playing Wii with Wii volunteers has provided this for her.” Angie also enjoys bowling and yoga breathing exercises on the Wii.

“We like to play Wii golf with Angie because it takes a long time, and we can talk while we play,” said Miriam. “It becomes social hour,” added Anna, “and Angie really loves to talk.” Angie smiled and said, “Anna and Miriam are good at Wii. They usually talk to me. They’re my friends.”

About Dakota Communities

Dakota Communities partners with people who have disabilities to realize their potential in their lives and communities. We provide residential and in-home services to people throughout the greater metropolitan area.

A small group of Dakota County parents and volunteers formed the non-profit organization in 1972, creating one of the first community-based residential facilities in Minnesota for children with developmental disabilities. As Dakota Communities has grown from one home in Dakota County to 32 homes in 18 communities in Minnesota, we have focused on good stewardship—­ stewardship of our organization, our relationships and our finances. More than 500 people work for Dakota Communities today. The vision of the organization, however, continues to be the same: to be a model of excellence in helping people with disabilities live, work, learn and play.

Respect of individual and family needs has been the philosophy of Dakota Communities from the beginning. Over time, a “person-centered program” was developed to emphasize what each person with disabilities wanted, needed and hoped for in his or her future.

Along the way, Dakota Communities has been recognized as one of the best providers in our field. We continue in our tradition of innovation and creativity – to develop new services that meet the changing needs of people with disabilities.

Tom, who has Down syndrome, attends church with his family and has been active in his church for years.
Tim, whose spinal cord injury requires him to use a wheelchair, edits a local newspaper.

Michael, a kindergartner with Down syndrome, circulates among adults and children, flashing a huge smile and extending his hand to everyone he sees. Just a couple of decades ago, all three would likely have lived in an institution, shut off from society, their lives disregarded and their gifts denied.

Judy Blackford and her husband take care of their adult son John, who has autism and spina bifida. She is passionate about sharing John’s story. Thanks to school programs and job supports, John has a good job, earns a good wage, and volunteers in his community. His earnings pay for physical therapy that keeps him strong so he can maintain mobility and stay healthy and active.

Steve Hayes and his family care for son Brett, who has severe developmental challenges, including frequent seizures and a tendency to wander if unattended.

Life for the Hayes’ is next to impossible without outside support. Personal care attendants who help care for Brett enable Steve and his wife Maureen to do laundry, mow the lawn, and meet the needs of their other children — ordinary tasks that make any household function.

“People who don’t have a child with disabilities don’t understand how consuming it can be,” Steve stressed. “It’s non-stop. Brett needs help with every activity in his life — washing, showering, diapering, feeding, watching TV, walking…everything. As he gets bigger and stronger, his care becomes more demanding.”

The Hayes’ look to the future, and they’re worried. “As Maureen and I age, our biggest fear is our continuing ability to care for Brett,” Steve says. “We’ve applied for a place for Brett to live eventually in the community, but we’ve been on a waiting list for almost eight years and have been told not to expect an opening anytime soon.”

Now, supports that have made such a difference for so many families are threatened by state budget cuts. 5,000 families wait for services. Some, like the Hayes family, wait years. As Steve said, “Too many families have passed their breaking point.” How can we talk about making dramatic cuts to services when we have so many unmet needs among those who need supports so badly?

Judith talks about her concerns for her son and others with disabilities. “I believe we are at a critical juncture for society, for humanity, for our spiritual values,” she said. “Cutting back on human services for people with disabilities reminds me of the days when they were devalued, and I fear we are heading in that direction again,” she said. “People with disabilities need our voices to say that they matter to us, that we love them, and this will not happen on our watch!”

About The Arc of Minnesota

The Arc of Minnesota provides support and advocy for people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities and their families. As the state organization, The Arc of Minnesota provides leadership in partnering with 13 local and regional Arc chapters across Minnesota to provide information, educational opportunities, support, advocacy and assistance to individuals with disabilities and their families across Minnesota.

The Arc of Minnesota is a leader in the disability community in efforts to advocate for public policies that provide critical services and supports for people with disabilities and their families. The Arc has made a huge difference in the lives of people with developmental disabilities and their families for over 50 years.

When times are challenging and problems too big to handle alone, Arc Greater Twin Cities is there for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Arc has a comprehensive array of services and programs that can help in many ways. Just as important, Arc is a community of people who have have wisdom and inspiration to share. People like Diane Allen of Rosemount.

“I think people who have kids with disabilities are a little more resilient than most,” said Diane. “We’ve already had to adjust to the idea that things don’t always go the way you expect.”

Diane has been dealing with the unexpected since her daughter, Gracie, was born with a chromosomal abnormality so rare it doesn’t have a name. Her second daughter, Sarah, has the same condition.

To make a difference for her children and others, Diane joined the Dakota County Interagency Early Intervention Committee (IEIC) and Family Support Committee. “I gravitated toward parents who were interested in helping themselves, and I made friends,” she said. “It’s helpful to talk to someone else who gets it.”

Diane connected with Arc through the annual Dakota County Parent Retreat. That connection was useful when she needed advocacy assistance.

“Things were getting ugly at Gracie’s school and I didn’t know how to fix it, so I called Arc,” Diane said. “Now my daughter is getting the right services, and the people at school are much more helpful. It’s been wonderful.”

In addition to her other volunteer work, Diane has also become more involved in the public policy arena.

“I used to think you had to be an expert to talk with decision makers, but what they really want to know is how I get through my day,” she said. “Other parents of kids with disabilities need to know that we have enormous power to influence decisions. And now is a crucial time. We need to make sure decision makers have a good reason to say ‘yes’ to disability dollars.”

Diane’s experiences have given her insights to share with others. “When you have a child with a disability, you need to latch onto something positive,” she said. “You have to find someone who knows what they’re doing and then do what they’re doing. You have to become your own hero.”

She added, “There’s no way anyone can do this by themselves. That’s when it’s good to know there are organizations like Arc that have been helping people for years.”

If you are struggling with a disability issue, Arc is here to help. Call (952) 920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org and click “Ask an Advocate.”

About Arc Greater Twin Cities

Arc Greater Twin Cities is a grassroots advocacy organization serving the needs of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Arc helps people with disabilities live as they choose and connects people with services they need to overcome challenges and thrive in community life. Most of all, Arc is about change – changing attitudes, changing policies and changing lives.

Established in 1946, Arc Greater Twin Cities was one of the first Arc chapters in the nation. Today it is regarded as a pioneer and leader in advocacy for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families.

Arc’s services span the lifetime from birth through the senior years. It helps individuals and families address issues such as early intervention, education, transition to adulthood, health care, housing, employment, guardianship and more. Arc serves residents of Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington counties.

Arc is a membership organization. While no one is refused services, membership strengthens Arc’s voice and ensures that Arc reflects the changing needs of the people it serves.

For more information, contact Arc at (952) 920-0855 or visit www.arcgreatertwincities.org.