On behalf of the 2014 Imagine Awards judging panel, the Rauch Foundation is pleased to announce this year's Imagine Awards Honorees. Please join us in congratulating the following deserving recipients!
For many years, artistic exploration has been a focus of Rauch's programming for people with disabilities. Beginning with A Place to Create downtown New Albany and now operating as The Studio at Fairmont Neighborhood Center, a division of our Adult Developmental Activities program, our talented staff have guided program participants in a variety of activities. As a result, these individuals have discovered a creative outlet, new ways of expression, and a sense of pride and accomplishment.
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We lost a good friend this week. As the world bid farewell to 2013, we parted ways with Diane, who touched our lives at Rauch on and off for the past fifty years.
Diane received Rauch preschool services, went on to attend school at Mt. Tabor, and later was a participating artist at Rauch's "A Place to Create" art studio, an attendee of ourAdult Developmental Activities program, and one of the first residents in our housing at Hawthorn Glen. Although she was born with Down Syndrome, Diane's parents, who loved her unconditionally, worked to ensure that her life and activities were happy and meaningful, including Girl Scouts and voice lessons.
Today, at Diane's service, many of our staff shared their sweet memories of her.
Read MoreWe are pleased to feature a guest post from our Director of Interpreting Services, Dave Calvert.
On January 11, 2014, Rauch Interpreting Services will begin offering Video Remote Interpreting (VRI). VRI is a video-telecommunication service that uses devices such as web cameras with your computer or videophones to provide sign language interpreting services.
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This week, we hosted an open house at Rauch’s Hawthorn Glen housing development. As we eagerly anticipate the move-in date for our next twelve residents, many people from our community paid us a visit to see the beautiful homes we have constructed there.
Over and over again, I heard our visitors delight in the beauty and quality of the residences. Of course this made me very proud. However, even more wonderful was something the parent of one of our current residents said to me.
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Each year, our ADA and ACCESS programs gather to celebrate the holidays with a pot luck lunch, a visit from Santa, some carols, and a few gifts. Loved ones of those we serve graciously make this special day possible with contributions to purchase food and gifts, and many bring a dish to share.
This year, ADA & ACCESS Director Sandy Braunbeck kicked the festivities off by introducing all the Rauch program participants in attendance. Everyone was celebrated with their own round of applause, and the family and friends in attendance got some special waves and smiles in return.
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Are you ready for a new tradition?
Each year, we stuff ourselves with green bean casserole, turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, watch football, and read the sale ads to prep for the next few days. We get up Friday (or maybe never go to sleep) and spend it in a flurry of malls. Saturday, we show some love to small business. Monday, we carve time out for some online shopping. And starting last year, many of us culminated the frenzy of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday with Giving Tuesday.
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Each year, we host a holiday celebration for participants in all our programs… the most genuinely and completely joyful day we have all year. On Christmas Eve, our clients and staff will gather atRauch Industries to dance, dine, and be merry… and yes, receive a small gift. Can you help?
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December 17th • 3:00 to 6:30 pm
You’re invited to a holiday open house to celebrate the completion of Rauch’s four newest homes for adults with disabilities in Hawthorn Glen subdivision.
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Dear Friend,
Most of us look forward to the holiday season as a time of good tidings and great cheer, of families reconnecting, for laughter and sharing.
But for some, this time of year can be lonely.
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The Rauch Foundation and Title Sponsor Horizon Wealth Management are thrilled to announce that the 2014 Imagine Awards will feature the talents of entertainer Sujeet Desai. An accomplished musician who was born with Down syndrome, Mr. Desai plays seven instruments: soprano and bass clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, trumpet, drums and piano. He graduated from high school with honors and completed a two-year residential post-secondary study in Music and Human Services at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts. Sujeet lives independently in his home in Niagara Falls, NY.
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Today, I had the happy experience of being the guest of theHorseshoe Foundation of Floyd County at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Louisville Chapter's National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. It's an event that reminds you of the potential we all have within us to do good, make change, and give back. They honored a bevy of individuals and organizations who have devoted countless hours to the betterment of the greater Louisville community - a truly uplifting experience that puts your heart and mind in the right place.
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Last year, Dr. Joseph A. Fleck, DDS; Mr. Andrew Ganote; and Ms. Kim Kruer had a moment in the limelight in recognition of their contributions for individuals with disabilities. Who will be honored this year?
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Today, Bettye (our CEO) and I attended The Arc of Indiana and INARF's Legislative & Critical Issues forum in Indianapolis. This annual gathering of disability service providers from across the state provides a time to look at data, trends, and legislation that is impacting or may impact our consumers. This is also a time to recognize a legislator who is doing good work to impact people with disabilities in Indiana.
We heard from Family & Social Services Administration Secretary Debra Minott and American Network of Community Options & Resources (ANCOR)'s liaison Diane McComb. Some food for thought we gained:
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I'm so tired. My day started two hours ahead of usual, and ended over two hours later. It involved spending over seven hours in the car on a drizzly day. I came home tired to a messy house and the prospect of another day of long hours in the car ahead of me. So, understandably, I started to feel a little whiny (you might have noticed!).
I decided I needed to do a little exercise (seeing as I had sat idle in meetings or the car nearly the whole day), and in the process, I took a step back. The part of my day which seemed like the biggest chore, the most mundane, the least interesting, was probably the most exciting and full of promise.
Read MoreLike all of us, the people Rauch serves have an array of interests, abilities, goals, and dreams. Staff members like Peggy Pinaire spend their days helping these individuals on their journey of expanding those abilities, enjoying these interests, and achieving their goals and dreams. Along this path, however, Peggy often finds that our clients give back just as much as they receive.
Read MoreI grew up in New Albany, and thought I was pretty familiar with Rauch when I came to work here. However, even with my knowledge of the agency and the community, there were some surprises. Probably the biggest one was that Rauch is one of only two American Sign Language interpreting agencies in the Louisville Metro area. Interpreting is our one program which serves both the Kentucky and Indiana side of the Ohio River. We are proud to help the members of the local Deaf community navigate school, medical needs, the legal system, the world of work, and more.
We recently received this testimonial from one of our Interpreting clients, and it touched my heart. I just had to share, and am grateful to Debbie for letting us:
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I was struck by something almost right away when I came to work at Rauch - how much the people in our programs enjoy having their photos taken. Many times, if they spotted me with a camera, they would ask me to take their picture. They would remember for weeks and ask me to print them a copy of it.
Most of the people we serve at Rauch aren't worried about their smile looking just right, sporting the latest fashions, or if the camera adds five or ten pounds to their frame. They take joy in the simple pleasure of having their image captured to keep for themselves or share with loved ones... something I've found to be incredibly refreshing.
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(adapted from a story written by Pam Sinsel)
Pam, a Rauch Supported Employment Consultant, first met John in late 2012. He was a very large fellow with piercing blue eyes and a somewhat disheveled appearance. He was very quiet and seemed guarded when speaking to her. At first glance, he appeared intimidating.
John wanted to work in food service. After several meetings and through setting small goals for him, his grooming improved. He became more trusting of Pam and began to share information about his interests and dreams, including that he enjoys photography and would like to eventually become a chef.
Read MoreRauch Interpreting Services is pleased to present renowned CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Comedian Keith Wann of Clearwater, Florida, in recognition of Deaf Awareness Month.
Born with abundant energy and a penchant for mischief, Wann first learned about facial grammar when asked to interpret for his mother in the fourth grade. Upset at the constant interruptions and laughter, Wann’s teacher told his mother that her son was the class clown. Keith turned to his mother and signed, "Teacher says me good boy always!" Looking at the frowning teacher and back at the grinning child, Wann’s mother chose to finish the meeting with pen and paper. Keith had been fired from his first interpreting job.
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