If you would like to help support the
"LIFE Survivors"
and other athletic initiatives at LIFE,
please send a check made out to
The
LIFE Athletic Fund, 550 Lincoln Road Extension,
Hyannis, MA 02601
The
mission of LIFE, working in collaboration with families, is to assist residents
to develop the skills to function as independently as possible, and to provide
supports to assist them in attaining their maximum level of independence, self
fulfillment and happiness. Our commitment is life-long, and encompasses the
personal, social, and employment needs of LIFE residents.
TO ARRANGE A VISIT TO LIFE, PLEASE EMAIL US
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LIFE
BOARD
OF TRUSTEES
William
G. McKelvey, Chairperson
JoAnn
Simons,
Vice Chairperson
Peter
Capernaros, Secretary
Trustees:
Jody Bellows
Peter
Bowman
Pamela
Dempsey
Jill
Edelson
Nancy
Jones
David
Leary
Michael
Lenehan
Karen
Megathlin
Donald
Moore
Joseph
Reardon
Susan
Reilly
Stephen
Rothenberg
Kathy
Titus
Dick Weir
ABOUT LIFE...
Living Independently Forever, Inc., is a non profit
organization that has served adults with learning disabilities within its
condomium communities on Cape Cod, Massachusetts for sixteen years. Residents
have joined the LIFE community from many areas of our country and beyond.
LIFE's professional staff is dedicated to the goal of encouraging each
resident's aspirations, strengths and abilities.
LIFE provides support and resources in the areas of vocation, education,
social/community involvement and daily living. LIFE is a thriving community,
whose residents live full and productive lives.
AT LIFE... Residents
own or share a condominium within LIFE's condominium communities which
offer recreation facilities and state of the art fitness centers in
Hyannis and Mashpee on Cape Cod, MA. LIFE's professional staff provide responsive support services appropriate to each individual resident. For more information about LIFE, please call Jim Godsill, Acting Director at 508-790-3600 or email Jim
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OCTOBER, 2010
Winning the Bronze at the National Games...
"dreams... believed and achieved"
Trey Marabella and Tim Shriver (photo courtesy Special Olympics)
The LIFE Survivors, the only basketball team representing Massachusetts in the 2010 Special Olympics National Games in Nebraska, proudly brought the Bronze home to Cape Cod. "We not only brought home Bronze medals", said Ian Saarmann, LIFE's Fitness and Athletic Director, "but memories that will be remain with our team members for life. The Survivors were placed in a very competitive division and every game we played was very tense and close in point spread. We actually won two games against the team that eventually took home the Gold" said Ian, "It was exciting and very emotional, and the spirit of genuine caring that developed among all the players really can't be adequately described." A particularly emotional moment occurred when LIFE resident and team member, Anthony (Trey) Marabella, handed a tribute poem he had written for the late Special Olympics Founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver, to her son, Tim Shriver. "When I saw Mr. Shriver", said Trey, "I knew I had to give him the poem. I had written it just before we left for Nebraska. I was so surprised and happy when Mr. Shriver read to the whole crowd. It was unbelievable."
On July 18, 2010, Tim Shriver posted on his blog the following:
"Waiting to march into Opening Ceremony at 2010 Special Olympics USA National Games, with our Wyoming delegation, I was approached by Special Olympics Massachusetts athlete Anthony Marabella (pictured with me below) who wrote the following poem in honor of my mother:"
My poem to Mrs. Shriver by Anthony Marabella
There are not enough words that truly say how much you have touched my life and heart in a special way
For your helpfulness and commitment to people with disabilities throughout various communities nation and worldwide
You were the designer, the leader and the guide
Throughout everything that was done success and smiles came, along with so many friendships and the flame
We stand together here and we are proud
Our voices are heard and they are loud
With love and gratitude in all we do now do
For this we shall do for you
The one who made a dream come true
Mrs. Eunice Kennedy Shriver that person is you
Thank you for letting all dreams be achieved
Inside of everyone when they've believed
The LIFE Survivors is a "unified team"- it includes athletes who have disabilities and athletes who do not. Members of the team are:
LIFE residents: Matt Klompus, Trey Marabella, Amanda McKelvey, Mike Shapiro and Chris Sturz.
LIFE staff members: Ian Saarmann and Corinne Wickel
Community members: Matt Cronin, Kerri Gilroy and Caroline Kokkins
LIFE, Inc. would like to thank Maureen ("Moe") McNamara, our Special Olympics Head Coach, Nancy Walsh, assistant coach, and everyone who contributed to the Survivors' success.
For more information about LIFE's athletic program email Ian Saarmann.
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A Great Job Can Change Your Life
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C harlotte Lawrence with her supervisor, Peter Smith,at LIFE's 6th Annual Employer Recognition Event
The secret to successful employment is finding a job that is engaging and well matched to one's abilities. The LIFE employment team is always looking for that "magic match" for each resident. Mashpee resident, Charlotte Lawrence, is a great example of how a great job placement can change a person's life goals in a very positive way.
Until she took a job at Willowbend Country Club, Charlotte thought she wanted to work with children at a summer camp. "Then my counselor, Jan Viall, told me about a job opening at Willowbend and she convinced me to try it.", Charlotte said. "I never knew that I would love Hospitality so much!" Charlotte performs housekeeping duties and because she is very efficient employee with a great attitude, her part time hours have been recently increased. This is impressive since autumn is traditionally a time when Cape Cod employers cut employee hours. "Willowbend is a really beautiful place" Charlotte continued, "Many celebrities play golf there. It was exciting to see golfer, Christie Kerr, and Tom Brady of the Patriots this summer. My boss, Pete Smith, and all my co-workers are just great and very supportive." Charlotte's mother, Laura Leach, said she is "so proud that Charlotte is doing so well and we are very happy that she has a job she loves especially in this difficult economy. Her supervisor, Pete Smith, is an exceptionally nice man", she added, "and we are very grateful to Jan for persuading her to take the job." So what are Charlotte's future plans? " I plan to continue my education in Hospitality", she said. Charlotte has recently completed a Communications course and has enrolled in a Hospitality course at Cape Cod Community College. "I'm really happy and excited about my future", she said.
If you are a Cape Cod employer, you may find a great employee at LIFE. Email Josie Bouvier, Director of Employment. |
| Our Very Own Coffee House
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 Sam Holmstock, drummer of the group,"Entrain", performed and
accompanied Ron Williams, Tatiana Markos, Karen Reheiser and
Daedre Furman at a recent LIFE coffee house evening in Mashpee.
Art and culture thrive in interesting ways at LIFE. This is evident at the LIFE Coffee House, a project initiated by LIFE Case Manager and professional musician, Ron Williams. "Our residents have so many talents", said Ron," and the Coffee House gives them a forum for expression. It's amazing to me how appreciative our residents are of each other's abilities", he continued. "Performing for an audience is a real confidence builder that is carried into other areas of a person's life." Ron works individually with residents to polish their instrumental and vocal pieces for the "open mike" experience. He also encourages non-musical expression. "We welcome poetry writers and invite visual artists to present and talk about their artwork", he said, "And we'll be including dance and drama soon which is really exciting." Each month a professional musical guest is invited to perform for the group. A recent performance by Sam Holmstock, the drummer from the band " Entrain", was particularly resonant because many of the LIFE residents play drums. If you are a professional musician who would like to perform for a very appreciative audience, email Ron Williams. |
Interview with LIFE Resident, Chris Sturz
Chris Sturz attended Riverview School on Cape Cod and has resided at LIFE in Hyannis for thirteen years. Chris is a member of the" LIFE Survivors" Special Olympics basketball team and leads a very busy life at LIFE. | |
What do you like the most about living at LIFE?
"I love hanging with the great friends I have and the staff here is great too. The staff members are always there to help you out when you need it. But I'm pretty independent."
Where do you work?
"I've worked at Riverview School's summer camp since I've been at LIFE. I'm a prep cook in the kitchen. I also volunteer at the MSPCC. I do filing and collate papers there. I love both my jobs."
We know that you helped the Survivors win bronze medals this year, so you must love basketball. What else do you do when you're not working?
"I'm into fitness and working out. I also play Special Olympics soccer, but basketball is my favorite sport. I think I've won more than 13 gold, silver and bronze medals. I also like watching videos."
What's your favorite video?
"I love "National Lampoon's Summer Vacation". It's all about
things that go wrong on a vacation and it's really funny. I like
comedies."
We heard that you asked for a special present on your birthday this
year.
"Yes, I did. I asked my friends to give me gift cards to Panera Bread instead of presents so I could donate them to "Homeless not Helpless", a program on Cape Cod that helps people. My case manager, Janet Connolly really helped me with that. I really like volunteering and doing things for other people."
What makes you really happy?
"Just enjoying everything I do"
Great attitude, Chris!
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| Interview with LIFE Staff Member, Rachelle Jonas
Rachelle Jonas has been with the LIFE organization for eight years. She has a Masters Degree in Social Work and much of her previous work experience has involved performing early intervention assessments of children with special needs. LIFE, Inc. stresses a healthy lifestyle for its residents and it is inspirational when a staff member "walks the walk" that they talk; Rachelle inspired the LIFE community when she placed 3rd in her division in LIFE's Annual "Lovin' LIFE" 5K in May. She is LIFE's Admissions Director and currently serves as the Director of Supported Independent Living at Mashpee.
What do you find most interesting about working at LIFE
"I love working one on one with our residents and helping them to define what independence means for them. It's gratifying to help them to achieve milestones that many of us without disabilities take for granted. As Admissions Director, I really enjoy having contact with potential residents and their families. Since I have been employed at LIFE for eight years, I feel that I can answer their questions and talk about the many positive components of the LIFE program. It's important that prospective residents are well suited to the Independent living model at LIFE, and that they and their families feel confident about LIFE as a community in which they will thrive."
It apparent that you are very committed to your job at LIFE. What do you like to do in your spare time?
"I have a ten year old daughter, Brianna, and we enjoy doing lots of activities, including reading together. I think we read eight books during the summer. I mostly like to spend quality time with my family, friends (and with our two year old Maltese dog, 'Snowball')."
How did you get involved in participating in LIFE's 5K Race/Walk this spring?
"I think fitness is so important. I love Zumba, and last fall I got a bike. I began to ride it 1 to 2 hours a couple of times a week. I really had second thoughts, though, that I would be able to run a 5K. Our Fitness Director, Ian Saarman, my office mate, Mike Corbett, and most importantly, our residents, convinced me that I could. I think that fitness is so important for our residents. It helps them to have better cardiovascular health and to be more self-confident. Many of them ran the race too. It was just great. We were all in there together."
And you placed 3rd in your division. How did you prepare for the challenge?
"About three months before the event, I spent my lunch breaks on the treadmill in LIFE's Fitness Center, which is a great facility. I honestly just prayed that I'd make it over the finish line. I was pretty surprised that I placed."
So, are there any more 5K's in your future?
"It's interesting that you should ask that. Since LIFE's 5K, I have participated in two additional runs, both on Cape Cod, for local charities. I'm now looking for a run to participate in before the winter. And I'm really looking forward to the 'Lovin LIFE 5K Race/Walk' in 2011. You can definitely count me in on that!"
All rights reserved, LIFE Inc, 2010
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