~In This Issue~April 2014

Finding your role by Karen Herrera

Bowl-A-Thon sets a record

Golf Schamble registration now open

ADS opens door to community

Client Spotlight | Sovanny

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Marketing & Communications Coordinator Emberly Hermann-Johnson via email at

EmberlyHJ@MerrickInc.org

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Help us continue to find meaningful work for the clients of Merrick by suggesting business partners who might be interested in hiring a client or a work crew. Send referrals to Executive Director John Wayne Barker at:

JWB@merrickinc.org

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Going & Growing

Multiple changes have faced us in 2014. Staff and clients are meeting these new challenges head-on with a positive outlook and making real our values statement:

M	Motivated	Accomplishing meaningful goals
E	Ethical	Using honest behavior that conforms to professional standards of conduct
R	Respectful	Demonstrating compassionate and fair treatment of others
R	Responsive	Providing timely and complete responses to concerns and questions
I	Inclusive	Seeking the input of those we serve
C	Creative	Developing new ideas while using best practices to deliver current supports
K	Knowledgeable	Maintaining competence through continuous learning

Spring cleaning at Dodge Nature Center

In this issue Development & Communications Director Karen Herrera suggest ways to support our mission, we celebrate the success of our 12th annual Bowl-A-Thon, share the news of a recent open house in North St. Paul, invite you to join the 2014 Golf Schamble and wrap-up with a client spotlight on a lady who truly demonstrates the "M" in Merrick's value statement with her many accomplished goals. Read on for all the details and dare we say, "Happy Spring!" (finally.) ❖

Finding your role by Karen Herrera

As I settle into my position as Development and Communications Director, I am always looking for both creative and trusted ways to promote Merrick's mission of empowering adults with disabilities while increasing support for our programs. Previously, HBH Consultants had worked with Merrick staff to develop a plan for raising additional program support and engaging current and new supporters in the process. I whole-heartedly agree with this approach which invites community members, trustees, employees, clients and their families, into the roles of:

Ambassadors who represent Merrick in the community and inform them about what is happening;
Advocates who promote Merrick's expertise and experience to others; and
Askers who encourage others to do something on behalf of Merrick.

Executive Director John Wayne Barker and I have been meeting individually with each Trustee to discuss how each can be an Ambassador, Advocate, and an Asker for Merrick. Many productive ideas were generated from these conversations.

Some of the ways Trustees decided they could be Ambassadors include inviting Merrick staff to speak to service or other organizations of which they are members; "liking or following" Merrick's social media platforms and sharing posts within their networks when appropriate; and sending a link to this electronic newsletter to encourage others to sign up to receive the newsletter.

Trustees will Advocate for Merrick by introducing Merrick staff to decision-makers at businesses; hosting a dinner to "friend and fundraise;" and encouraging others to attend or donate to the Golf Schamble, Golden Gala and next year's Bowl-A-Thon.

Finally, Trustees will Ask others to support Merrick by purchasing paper from Merrick Paper Products, hiring a client or work crew, sending assembly or kitting work to Merrick, or sponsoring one of the fundraising events.

These are just some of the ways that Merrick's Trustees will be engaging in the roles of Ambassador, Advocate, and Asker. But, you don't have to be a Trustee to help us promote clients in the community or support Merrick's development work. I invite you to replicate the Trustees' action ideas in your own personal network.

We always welcome new Ambassadors who will serve on our committees (Golf Schamble, Golden Gala, Bowl-A-Thon, Development, Finance, and Human Resources for example). Anyone can be an Advocate to encourage others to buy Merrick's paper or hire a client. And be sure to Ask your employer's payroll department if monetary contributions or volunteer time can be matched. If you would like to discuss how I can help you find your role please contact me KarenH@MerrickInc.org or 651-789-6202.

Bowl-A-Thon sets a record

Due to our exceptional presenting sponsor IPS Worldwide along with the many sponsors, supporters, bowlers, and cheerleaders the 2014 Bowl-A-Thon raised more than $40,000 to support Merrick's mission to empower adults with disabilities! Click here to view the complete list of sponsors and for a recap of the event: http://bit.ly/BAT14thanks

View the online photo album, courtesy of photographers Jamey Austad and Cadex Herrera: http://bit.ly/BAT2014Photos

Alec having a ball at the 2014 Bowl-A-Thon.

We sincerely thank all involved for making the event successful and so much fun! ❖

Golf Schamble registration now open

Register now for the upcoming Charity Golf Schamble with proceeds going to fund our mission to empower adults with disabilities.

This guy is ready to take you on!

When: Monday, May 19 | 12:30 Shotgun start

Where: Troy Burne Golf Club in Hudson, WI

Who: YOU! Register as a single, pair, or foursome.

Get all the details here

Merrickinc.ejoinme.org/golfschamble2014

Golfer's Dream Raffle - Miami, Florida

Tickets | $25 each

The Grand Prize: Round trip airfare for two (2) & a three (3) night stay at a four-star hotel in Miami or anywhere in the Continental U.S., and a $250 gift certificate to golf or a restaurant of your choice.

Tickets may be purchased prior to or at the event by CASH or CHECK to Merrick, Inc., from Jo Ann Lizakowski, JoannL@MerrickInc.org, or 651-789-6207. The winner does not need to be present to win and is responsible for all taxes and fees. [Permit#00264-008]

ADS opens door to community

Rob Falk and Barb Huelsman from the City of North St. Paul Finance Department work with Christina, an ADS client, to create May Day cards for the residents of a community assisted living program.

People with many different ties to the North St. Paul community attended the Merrick ADS open house on Wednesday, April 9. Consciously Creating Community, the event's theme was to invite members of the community in to learn more about the program, the services, and to meet staff and clients.

"We wanted to show the community what a pleasant nurturing environment we have, with hopes that some may want to volunteer here," stated Paula Lindblom, Support Services Coordinator. The ADS staff are committed to finding projects in the community for the clients who want to volunteer. Clients showed attendees a mailing project they were working on demonstrating this fact.

Held during National Volunteer Week, two speed volunteering activities were available for guests and clients where they could create something for others in the community. At one station volunteers created May Day cards for residents of the Maplewood Care Center. At the other, guests sewed fleece ear muffs for children at a local shelter.

Frozen custard was served to everyone courtesy of Culver's St. Paul at Sun Ray. JoLane from Crossroads Hair was the winner of a drawing for a $50 Target gift card. It was a successful event and the seeds ADS is sowing in the community are beginning to take root! ❖

Client Spotlight | Sovanny | I Team

Meet Sovanny, a member of Merrick's "I Team". In her own words: "I have been told that my smile would melt icebergs. I am a happy and wonderful lady. Having a job is very, very important to me because I need to make money and feel included in society like everyone else. I was born with cerebral palsy and a severe hearing impairment. I also have diabetes that needs to be constantly monitored by an insulin pump and blood checks---which I do as much as possible on my own. I am fluent in American Sign Language. I love to play cards, work on crafts and puzzles, and go out to eat and shopping. My dream is to live on my own, go to school, work as a salon tech or salesperson, get married, and have children. When I put my mind to things---they happen! I take pride in being INDEPENDENT."

Sovanny looks forward to attending the Linkin Park concert at this year's Minnesota State Fair. She loves to travel and has been to Hawaii, California, New York, and Florida. Her passion for taking good care of herself leads her to attend the annual Diabetes Expo in Minneapolis and local self-advocacy conferences.

Sovanny enjoys her work which provides her with an income to do the things she enjoys like traveling, shopping, and going out to eat.

Sovanny has held varied postions, but has been happily employed with Cummins/A1 Cleaning in Fridley since 2011 where she cleans conference rooms, break rooms, and bathrooms. Her employment specialist, Ginger Beatty-Jawish said, "Sovanny is awesome! She works independently, without the business supervisor always on site. Sovanny's co-workers have expressed how much they enjoy talking with her and what a great job she does."

Sovanny is a wonderful example of a client at Merrick who is doing what we call "meaningful work" defined by these five touchstones:

Engaged in preferred tasks;
Completed by the individual;
In a setting of choice;
Working desired hours;
and satisfactory wages.

Get to know more clients at Merrick with the client spotlight stories on our website: http://bit.ly/clientspotlight❖

Thank you for your continued support of Merrick, Inc.