Month: September 2020

Golf For Independence 2020

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golf

Fundraising events play a significant role at LIFEDesigns. They help raise funds for our programs and also give us the opportunity to meet with people and other organizations in our community we otherwise may have never met before. These events are a great and fun way to give and get an enjoyable experience in return for everyone involved!

We hosted our 4th Annual Golf Scramble on September 17, 2020 at the Bloomington Country Club and it was a huge success! We had 18 teams participate this year, which helped us raise a little over $10,000 net profit for our agency. We are thrilled we were still able to safely host this event, despite the challenges of the pandemic and social distancing restrictions. The day of the event was beautiful and everyone had an enjoyable experience. This event would not have been achievable without our sponsors, donors, volunteers and the Bloomington Country Club (check out our golf scramble page to see our 2020 sponsors). We are so grateful to have so many relationships, partnerships and supporters within our community.

The German American Bank team is holding on to the winning title, as they placed first in the tournament for a second year in a row! They never fail to show true kindness and generosity, as they donated their prize money back to LIFEDesigns. The Hula Hole is also a long-time favorite at the golf scramble, as everyone gets a kick out of seeing a teammate dress up in a hula skirt and coconut shells! We had so many wonderful donations for our raffle prizes and we thank everyone who participated in the 50/50 raffle and other activities at the scramble. Thanks to everyone for being a part of this event and helping us provide, support and promote independence for individuals with disabilities. We hope to see you again next year!

For photos of the Golf Scramble, check out our Facebook Page.

Meet Seamas

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seamas at feddys

Seamas began working with LIFEDesigns Employment Services earlier this year. Seamas is a volunteer at the IU Art Museum and he plays Euphonium in the Bloomington Community Band. Like many younger adults, Seamas didn’t have much employment experience. He had some experience working in a café at Holiday World, but it was very limited as he only worked there when he was visiting extended family.  

With the help of his Employment Consultant JD, he started his career exploration with a work experience that was set up with Freddy’s. The work experience allowed Seamas to see if he liked working in a kitchen like Freddy’s and gave him a chance to show that he was able to do the job. This is not only a success story because Seamas was hired after his work experience ended, but showed success in that work experiences that are paid by the services provider for clients to participate in, help clients in the discovery process to help consider employment in an area with little or no experience.  Since LIFEDesigns pays the client to work during the work experience, the employer doesn’t have to say no immediately to a person with disabilities seeking employment opportunities due to fiscal concerns.  Instead they get to see the client in action!  Even if the work experience ends without a successful placement into a job, their Employment Consultant can use this experience to help guide further employment discovery.   

The culture is good for Seamas at Freddy’s as they believe in a “work family” philosophy where they all help and support one another to succeed.  Freddy’s was able to set Seamas up with a mentor/trainer when he first started and that beginning had a lot to do with his success! We wish Seamas the very best with his “work family” at Freddy’s. 

Recognizing our Employees

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amy
We are always looking for ways to recognize and celebrate our employees at LIFEDesigns. We introduced our Kudos Program in January 2019 as an incentive to recognize Direct Support Professionals for going above and beyond in their work. Team managers are provided with ‘Kudos Cards’ to distribute to members of their teams when they observe a DSP going above and beyond their traditional job responsibilities. Along with the acknowledging excellence in direct support, the Kudos Cards also allow the DSP to be eligible for a monthly raffle drawing of two $50 gift cards. The Team Manager who gives a DSP a Kudos card is also entered into a monthly drawing for one $50 gift card.

Recognizing DSPs through the Kudos Cards is just one-way we can continue to acknowledge DSPs year-round for their hard work. In addition to providing staff with a chance to win a gift card, the program also helps build and reinforce a positive culture across the organization.

Click here to read about our Kudo Cards Program!

United Way Campaign 2020

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The United Way plays a significant role in our community, as the United Way Member Agencies work together to make sure that all members of the community of various ages and facing different struggles receive the support they need. With that being said, it is very important LIFEDesigns participates in this campaign, as the United Way gives us over $30,000 in funding each year! Read below to see how LIFEDesigns employees will be raising money for the United Way this fall.

 

 

Jeans for a Cause:

Starting Monday Sept. 28th, dress down for the day with a pair of jeans just by donating a minimum of $1.00 (Fridays are always casual, regular work appropriate jeans are still required, no holes or stains)! Please give your money to Vern at the front desk if you plan to partitpcate.

Penny War:

LIFEDesgins staff will be nominating fellow colleagues for their own Penny Jar, where they will receive a “special” surprise if they end up with the most pennies! The jars with the Nominee’s pictures will be in the front lobby starting Wednesday, October 1st and will end Friday, October 30th. We’re asking employees to bring in their spare change of pennies and dollar bills to give the Nominee’s positive points, and your silver coins for negative points. We will have 12 nominees, and the top 3 will win the “special” surprise!

Snack Table:

We will be having a prepackaged snack table available in the front lobby starting Oct. 1st until supplies last! All items will be $1.00 and money can be given to Vern Hageman.

We are inviting all Board and Staff members to donate prepackaged snacks for our snack table in an effort to raise as much money as we can! Any donations can be brought to Claire Schapker, Developement Fellow. Please feel free to email Claire at cschapker@lifedesignsinc.org with any questions regarding donations.

Check out our social media pages for any updates and a Penny War count. We are excited to begin help raise money for the United Way!