We are Thankful

With it being so near the Thanksgiving holiday, there is no better time to express what we’re thankful for. We asked the employees of LIFEDesigns what they’re thankful for this year. Read below to see why we’re grateful for our teams, clients and more!

“I’m thankful I get to have a meaningful impact in our clients lives and I get to meet so many different people I might not have met if I didn’t work for LIFEDesigns. Also, that this is a company where hard work is recognized and rewarded.” – Braden Kinser

“I am thankful for so many things about LIFEDesigns. I am so happy to be part of an organization that provides consistent housing to many who have experienced chronic homelessness. We, the worker-bees of LIFEDesigns, genuinely make a positive difference in the lives of our clients and greater community.” – Timothy Baer

“I am thankful for all the employees who dedicate themselves to our clients and making their lives better. I am thankful for the great team I have and that we are always willing to jump in and help each other in any way possible.” – Heather Bagshaw

“I am so very thankful for the opportunity to work with really caring, sincere and giving people who help LIFEDesigns clients become independent, stay healthy & happy and build relationships both at home and in the community!” – Sandra Reynolds

“I’m thankful to work for an agency that allows me to use my education and experience to help others in a rewarding way. I’m grateful that I work for an agency that I’m proud to be associated with.” – Desiree Branaman

Mona’s Wine Tasting

LIFEDesigns would like to thank Mona Mellinger for hosting a wine tasting party at her house to raise funds for LIFEDesigns endowment campaign. Mona was first introduced to LIFEDesigns through her daughter Sarah Burgess who is on our board. She immediately was touched by our mission to partner with and promote independence for people with disabilities, and subsequently she became a LIFEDesigns ambassador. As an ambassador she assists with fundraising, promotes our mission, and helps to connect us with others who want to support people with disabilities. In addition to hosting the wine tasting party, Mona played a major role in helping to connect German American Bank to LIFEDesigns for the Angel Tree. The project was very successful the first year, employees, bank clients, and people from the community enjoyed choosing a wish list. This year, we’ve received several phone calls and emails from people in the community who want to help, and have absolutely no connection with either German American Bank or LIFEDesigns. We’re excited to see the engagement from the community grow. 

Mona was surprised that many of her friends did not know about LIFEDesigns which gave her the idea to plan a fundraising event to help others learn about our mission and generate new donors. Mona invited 20 of her friends to her house to taste delicious wines. This fun social event raised $3,750 for our endowment held at the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County. Mona, a very humble woman, did not wish to be acknowledged too abundantly for her efforts. She said that “seeing the work LIFEDesigns does with clients just melts my heart” and she wanted to help.  We thank Mona for all of her support, and hope that this can serve as an idea that will help others create similar experiences! 

Meet Jewel

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Jewel is a very talented musician and artist. She came to LIFEDesigns for help finding a job. During the time we’ve been working with her, in addition to employment services we’ve hosted a work experience for her, contracted her to paint a painting for our office lobby, hired her temporarily to assist with graphic designs for the Week of Chocolate event marketing, and hired her to play her cello at some of our events. Jewel is amazing. She has so much to offer to employers, friends, and the community. Jewel has worked with a few different employment consultants with us. She is currently working with our newest employment consultant Jennifer Jones. Jennifer has a background in art and graphic design. Her pairing with Jewel has been serendipitous. Jennifer is currently working with Jewel to help her develop her art portfolio and giving her ideas for new projects to work on which will enhance her portfolio. Jewel is very excited at the prospect of working with Jennifer and focusing on further developing her graphic design portfolio.

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Jewel’s painting hanging in LIFEDesigns lobby
Jewel’s father really enjoys listening to her play music. When we asked Jewel to play background music at an event on her cello, she was very excited, and spent hours at home practicing and preparing for the event. We received so many compliments from guests at the first event, that we invited Jewel to play at our Donor Reception this month! She’s looking forward to it, and it’s a great opportunity for her to earn some extra cash while refining her skills and presenting herself publicly as a professional musician. We’re also planning on her playing her keyboard at the Art of Chocolate February 22, 2020 featuring jazz numbers during the social hour before dinner.

Jewel is currently seeking employment. She is looking for part-time, full-time, temporary, or contract based work either as a graphic designer, painter, or musician. If you’re interested in hiring Jewel for a party, contracting some graphic design or drawing/painting artwork out, or interviewing her for a position, please contact jljones@lifedesignsinc.org.