Tuesday, July 17th from 7-9pm at the 1st United Church.Childcare available by reservation, contact catgray@indiana.edu.
Meet candidates for state and federal offices, listen to presentations on current disabilities issues ans submit questions of interest for candidate answers.
Make your voice heard as an advocate for the disabilities community!
LIFEDesigns Celebrates the Accomplishments of Employees, Customers and Volunteers at the 2012 Annual Awards Celebration
June 4, 2012
Bloomington, Indiana: LIFEDesigns, Inc. is pleased to announce that its 30th Annual Meeting, now called the Annual Awards Celebration, was held on May 23rd at the Liberty Ballroom. With over 300 people in attendance, it was a huge success! These supporters came together to demonstrate a commitment to partnering with people with disabilities to bring about self-directed and enriched lives by offering opportunities for people to work and live in communities that are inclusive.
At the event, LIFEDesigns celebrated the merger of two long standing local organizations, Options and Christole, into one new agency that became effective January 1, 2012. The past year, staff worked diligently to bring the two organizations together so that as state funding declines, administrative costs could be cut without cutting quantity or quality of services to customers. Excitement about the new organization showed as customers, staff, donors, volunteers and board members cheered when Chief Executive Officer, Susan Rinne, asked “Who is with LIFEDesigns?” Bringing the two cultures together has not been easy, but it has been worth it. The Annual Awards Celebration brought everyone together to recognize the outstanding work done during 2011 and to celebrate the future of LIFEDesigns.
Optimism Award – Katelyn Hamilton 
Lois Edwards Memorial Award- Linda Herzner
Community Service Awards – Michael Runyan and Jessie Wagers
Dan Day Employee Recognition Award- John Howell
Angie Morgan Employee Recognition Award – Joe Connor
DSP of the Year Award – Megan Runion-Hunter
Bob Magee Volunteer of the Year Memorial Award- Susan Gray
LIFEDesigns’ 2012 Stewardship Award went to Bloomington Moose Lodge #1081. The Moose has graciously donated the space for LIFEDesigns’ Holiday party and other events for many years. Their continued support of LIFEDesigns and our customers shows their dedication to our agency and the work we do in our communities.
LIFEDesigns celebrated the service of many staff members, including Danie Norris, LIFEDesigns’ Support Services Director, and Sandra McKamey, a Direct Service Provider (DSP), who each received awards for 15 years of service. Therese Dovenbarger and Elizabeth Christenberry, Direct Service Providers (DSPs), each received awards for 10 years of service. There were 20 people who received awards for 5 years of service and another 25 people who received awards for 2 years of service.
The mission of LIFEDesigns is to partner with people with autism and other disabilities and our communities to bring about self directed and fulfilled lives through information, education and support. Our new name reflects our commitment to individualized supports so that people with disabilities design a life of living, working, learning, and participating in their community.
For more information about the services LIFEDesigns provides or to find out how you can help, visit www.lifedesignsinc.org or call (800) 875-9615.
CONTACT: Susan Rinne, srinne@lifedesignsinc.org or 800-875-9615 for more information or to schedule interviews with awards winners or staff. Pictures of the event will also available upon request or at www.lifedesignsinc.org. Also, find us now on Facebook!