A Letter from Jim Schaum, President / CEO: Spring Brings New Goals and Challenges

The first quarter of every year is in many ways the "spring cleaning" quarter for the year to come. From a program prospective these months are our busy months. Similar to other healthcare service providers, we have days when clients and staff are unable to get into the facility largely due to severe weather conditions and winter related illnesses. We find schedules are constantly being rearranged to accommodate our client’s needs. The "new" year budget, which was Board approved in December, is also implemented as we prepare our requests and justifications to the Richland County United Way. This is closely followed with our application to the Richland County Mental Health Board seeking funds for the fiscal year that begins July 1^st.

The beginning of 2008 was further complicated when Dan Loguda, Vice President of Progress Industries and soldier for the United States National Guard was called upon for a year of active duty. We are pleased that Dan has been stationed stateside and is doing well; however, the challenge left behind with his deployment was identifying a one-year interim replacement. Thankfully, we were introduced to Dick Baker who had retired from MAPCO last fall and was excited to take on a new challenge. Dick has hit the ground running and is doing a great job keeping the department intact and continues to seek out new opportunities for the clients presently being served through Progress Industries.

Dan’s deployment was followed shortly by Vice President of Behavioral Health Services Linda Kafer’s announcement of her retirement in March. After nearly 30-years of service at The Rehab Center, Dr. Kafer has made the transition from full-time employment to a much deserved "life of leisure" on Lake Erie. She will definitely be missed, but we are all delighted for her new phase in life. To fill the void vacated by Dr. Kafer, Kelly Pack, MSW, LISW-SUPV was promoted to Director of Behavioral Health Services.

The beginning of the year is when we conduct our fund raising events that help defray many of the costs involved with providing services to those who cannot otherwise afford them. On February 9^th we conducted the 17^th Annual Rehab Telethon at the Richland Mall. With little time to recoup, the following week we partnered with the Renaissance with a revival of the Town Roast on February 15^th. Again, with very little time for staff to recoup and volunteers to regroup, on March 20^th the 30^th Annual Mansfield North South Basketball Classic was held at Lexington High School. Staff and volunteers took advantage of a small break in order to prepare for the 22^nd Annual Chili and Hot Wing Cook-off this past Saturday, May 17^th at its new venue at the Mansfield Motorsports Park. A BIG thanks to all who volunteered and made these events a success!

Again, with little time to regroup, the final push is on to meet the agency’s $3 million capital campaign goal.  With YOUR help, along with the leadership of Chan Stevens, Chair of the Rehab Renewal Campaign, his Dream Team of Co-Chairs and the many volunteers committed to raising $3 million I feel we have a great shot of making our dream come true!

Jim Schaum, President

Get to Know Us Better: New Beginnings

2008 marks the 25^th anniversary of New Beginnings, The Rehab Center's Division for Addiction Recovery Services.  Since opening in 1983, it has outgrown two facilities.  Between the facility at 270 Sterkel Blvd. and its present residential home on Sturges Avenue, New Beginnings and its staff of 13 serve over 350 clients annually.

New Beginnings:  An Independent History                                   New Beginnings Recovery Services was originally formed in 1983 to provide drug and alcohol rehabilitation services in North Central Ohio.  Its formation marked an important milestone for Richland County residents:  they no longer needed to travel out of county to seek these services.   In 1999, New Beginnings fully merged with The Rehab Center as its fourth division. 

Today, New Beginnings offers both residential and outpatient services to its clients.  It remains the only facility in the County to provide residential treatment to both men and women.  Since people with addictions do not live in isolation, New Beginnings works with the court system, the Mental Health Board, United Way and other service agencies to mitigate the effects of addiction on the entire family.

Addiction Recovery:  Changing Lives                                                                                                 Susan M. Lehr, LICDC, LSW, Director of New Beginnings describes the best part of her job as watching the change in the lives of its clients.  Its impact on families has been the most impressive to her:  "We have the joy of being part of the birth of many drug free babies whose mothers come to treatment while pregnant.   These tiny infants restore hope in all of us.  We are here for those who suffer from addiction, especially for the children, who have been so hurt by the world of addiction that their parent lives in."  She goes on to say that many fathers are inspired to get clean as well.  Recently, she says, "one of our former male clients just stopped by to show us pictures of his newborn son, and to talk to us about what he is doing to be a good father and not being a drug addict for his child.  It was pretty moving." 

Understandably, the toughest part of Susan's job is seeing the effects of addiction on those who have not chosen to receive treatment.  She is very aware that "people die because of alcohol and drug abuse:  car accidents, overdoses, violence against others, suicide."  In facing these troubling statistics, Susan and her staff funnel their energy into impacting the lives of those who have chosen to seek treatment.  "All our energy must instead, be in helping to restore the broken spirit of the addict, their children, and their families. We must all bring the best of ourselves to the table, to help bring the addict out of the dark world they live in."

To that end, the staff at New Beginnings, working with its collaborative agencies, treats not just the specific addiction and the family symptoms but also helps to reintegrate the addict into society.  50% of clients served will obtain and maintain employment and have earned income during their treatment program.  Those not obtaining employment are actively seeking employment or will be involved in vocational training and 50% of clients will maintain or improve employment income at their 1-year review.

The Capital Campaign:  A New Beginning                            New Beginnings stands to benefit tremendously from a successful capital campaign.   The New Beginnings halfway house is based in a home on Sturges Avenue that was built prior to 1900.  Although the home has been modified over the years, the electrical, plumbing, heating and air conditioning are inadequate and the overall construction is not efficient as a residential treatment center, programmatically or otherwise.  Today, Susan explains, "The building repair costs begin to exceed the actual value of maintaining the present facility.   The Capital Campaign money will allow us to build an updated, more efficient building, which will include the capacity to better treat the needs of our families." 

A new one-story handicapped accessible facility located on the city's bus line is needed to ensure client reintegration into the community.  This will allow New Beginnings income to be channeled from building maintenance to offering services. "The number of people seeking services outnumbers the actual funds we have to provide care.  We have had waiting lists of up to six weeks during the last couple of years.   We have to have efficient and effective physical plant to ensure that our clients can get off the streets, and into intensive treatment."

Photos:  Above right, A client bedroom at the New Beginnings Residential Facility; above left, New Beginnings staff members  Barb Phillips, Tech Supervisor / Case Manager and Stacey Shoup, Residential Coordinator are pictured with Spencer Flannery, 7th Grade Student at Claggett Middle School who spent a day job shadowing at New Beginnings. 

Campaign Update from Amy:  It Takes a Village to Raise $3,000,000

As we approach the end of the Rehab Renewal Campaign this coming August, I am happy to report that we are on track to meet our $3,000,000 goal.  To date, we have raised over $2.3 Million, including $300,000 we are on line to receive from the State of Ohio - thanks to the support and assistance of State Representative Jay Goyal and State Senator Bill Harris.  Of course, the money is the ultimate goal of the campaign, but it is the hard work of our many volunteers that is truly priceless because so much of our campaign's success relies on their efforts.  Jay - along with the rest of the campaign volunteers - is a good example of the kind of cooperation we've received over the course of the Campaign.  Not allowing his commitment to end with being a co-chair to the campaign, his own personal financial contribution he undertook and he also continues to put us in contact with other resources as well.

This form of collaboration has created a network of supporters that has been crucial to the Campaign's success.  For many of our Board members, staff members, clients, volunteers and contributors, their commitment did not end with their personal donation.  People from all areas of the community have been willing to tell friends, challenge employees, dare competitors, solicit employers, involve family members, and generally spread the word about the campaign.  They've introduced me to potential donors and, in some cases, simply approached friends, gotten a commitment for a contribution and called us to take care of the follow-up work.

In addition to the willingness to solicit donations, many contributors have volunteered in a variety of helpful ways.  Mailings don't get mailed if envelopes aren't stuffed and events and meetings don't take place without coordinators - I have been truly touched by the countless Rehab supporters' and each person's willingness to perform the smallest of tasks to achieve the greatest of results.

This kind of stewardship reflects a community that is honestly invested in seeing The Rehab Center achieve success.  Clearly, if, throughout its history, The Rehab Center had not touched the lives of so many people, we would not have such a ground swelling of support in our time of need.  Furthermore, the relationships established will now continue its legacy and benefit The Rehab Center for many years to come.  As we continue to reach deep into the community by providing information about our mission and the importance of our work, we will generate new clients, new volunteers and new contributors.  Today's clients may be tomorrow's donors, and vice versa.  By raising awareness, we create partnerships that will last well beyond our campaign and continuing the legacy of our work far into the future.  I am so pleased to offer a heartfelt thanks to our many supporters for their volunteer efforts.

We don't want you to be left out. If you'd like to "join our army of volunteers", please call our Fund Development Office at 419-756-1133 or visit our website at www.therehabcenter.org for additional information and to learn how to become involved. There is an important place in our community for The Rehab Center. And there is an important place at The Rehab Center for our volunteers!

Photos from Key Bank's "Day of Caring" -- during which employees of the bank volunteered with the Rehab Center:  Above right, ; Sally Gesouras, Ann August, Jeanette Carpinelli and Nick Gesouras stuff envelopes for a mailing.  Above left, Sally Gesouras, Rehab Renewal Campaign Committee Member & Agency Board of Trustees member, who arranged for visit.. 

Volunteer Spotlight:  "The Rehab Renewal Campaign Is Just What the Doctors Ordered"

When Campaign Chair Chan Stevens accepted the charge to run his 3rd capital campaign for The Rehab, he knew it might not be as easy as before.  With a tightening economy and competition from other non-profits, Chan decided to reach out to dedicated volunteers from the agency's past.  Two obvious choices to help with the campaign were found among Mansfield's medical community.  Doctors Don Beddard and Larry Gibson had a unique perspective on The Rehab Center's importance.  As previous Medical Directors, each had a unique insight on the mission of the organization, and as doctors, they have seen first-hand the quality of services.

Dr. Beddard explains that it was Chan who was first responsible for his involvement some 40 years ago shortly after he had moved his practice to town.  When this most recent call for help came, he had no reservation about saying yes.  "[When I was in practice] The Rehab Center was a wonderful place to refer patients.  The quality of services were as good as one would find anywhere in town."  Now retired, Dr. Beddard feels that The Rehab Center has continued to grow in the direction of answering the community's needs.  "[The Rehab Center] has fulfilled a tremendous variety of roles.  Years ago we had physicians with sub-specialties visiting regularly.  There was a neurosurgeon who came weekly and a geneticist who came monthly.  As these services became more widely available, The Rehab Center continued to adapt to the changing needs of the community, offering physical therapy, occupational therapy and the sheltered workshop."

Dr. Gibson agrees that changes at The Rehab Center have reflected broader changes in our society.  When he first became involved in 1973, the organization was still referred to as the "Crippled Children's Clinic".  "We certainly wouldn't call it that now", he states.  At that time, much of their work dealt with complications from Cerebral Palsy.  "[Much of the benefit] now comes from the Physical Therapy program and Occupational Rehabilitation."  In 1977, he replaced Dr. Beddard as Medical Director, a position which he held for more than ten years.  He was "eager to participate" when Chan called to ask him for help with the Rehab Renewal Campaign.  He had not been previously involved in raising money for the agency, but he senses that there has been "fair enthusiasm [for the campaign] because it has been the only capital campaign from The Rehab Center in so long."

Dr. Beddard adds that the community trusts the need for the fundraising effort "because The Rehab Center has always attracted good leadership...Smart people are involved."  Chan Stevens is typically modest in response to the comment.  "What was smart," he says, "was knowing just who to call.  We've been very pleased with the response from the medical community, and we have Don and Larry to thank for it."

Photos:  Doctors Larry Gibson and Don Beddard enjoy the Patron Party before the Town Roast.

Memorial and Honorarium Gifts:  “The Gift that Keeps on Giving”

Memorial Day is here again, and it seems an appropriate time to remind you that contributions to The Rehab Center may be made in memory or honor in the name of loved ones.  So if you’re wondering what to get for that special “dad or grad”, consider a gift that will impact the community in his or her name.  

Contributions may be made in any amount.   Donations directly support programs and services for the seven-county area we serve.  What better way to honor a person who has everything than giving a gift that keeps on giving?  All contributions to The Rehab Center, a nonprofit, 501(C)(3) organization, are tax deductable to the fullest extent allowed by law.  Please send donations to:  Fund Development Office, The Rehab Center, 270 Sterkel Blvd, Mansfield, OH 44907 or call 419-756-1133, ext 237.

Town Roast:  A Smashing Success

The 2008 revival of the Town Roast's Miss Dollarship Pageant was a huge success.  We'd like to say a special thanks to the following people, who were not mentioned in the evening's program:  Dick Rohm, for his amazing set; Rodger Smith who helped greatly with PR and Marketing; Liz Castle for her fabulous costumes; Nancy Them and Heidi Sazdanoff for creating the program in conjunction with Progress Industries; Suzie Davis and Leslie Eichinger for making sure that invitations to the Patron Party got out and RSVP's were received; Carolyn Carto and her committee for planning and hosting the Patron Party; Ed and Pat Olson for the wonderful cast party; and Phil Pendleton for his super photography.

A special thanks also goes out to The Rehab Center's Board and staff along to the Renaissance -- whose assistance and cooperation helped make the evening possible and a grand sucess.

A good time was had by all, and almost $27,000 (net) which will go directly to services for our clients was raised.  We hope you'll enjoy these pictures from the evening.

  Welcome Aboard:  New Staff as of 1st Quarter by Division

The Rehab Center is pleased to welcome the following new staff to the "family" and announce recent promotions within the agency.  We're glad to have you on board!

Behavioral Health                                                                                                                        The Rehab Family would like to wish the best of luck to Dr. Linda Kafer, PhD who retired after 29-years of service.  Following her retirement, Kelly Pack was promoted as the Director of Behavioral Health Services.

Kelly M. Pack, MSW, LISW-SUPV, Director                                                                                             This April, The Rehab Center was pleased to announce that Kelly Pack was promoted to Director of Behavioral Health Services.  Kelly received her BA in Psychology, with a Minor in Business, from Mount Vernon Nazarene University and her MSW from Ohio State University.  She served as Gateway Coordinator and a Child and Family Therapist with The Rehab Center from 1996-2000 and rejoined the staff as a Child and Family Therapist in 2007.  Kelly has more than a dozen years experience in private practice in Richland and Ashland Counties.  She is married with four children.

Other new hires in Behavioral Health:

• Debra Brown, Deaf Services
• Darla Mash, Counseling       

Medical Rehabilitation

Progress Industries                                                                                                                                 The Rehab Family would like to wish the best of luck to Dan Loguda who was called to active duty as a member of the National Guard.  In his absence, Dick Baker was hired as the Interim Director of Progress Industries.

Dick Baker, Director                                                                                                                      Dick Baker started his career in manufacturing at Mansfield Aircraft Products Co. (MAPCO) where he began as a galley builder and worked his way up to foreman.  Leaving MAPCO in 1979, Dick took a position as General Manager with Peachtree Aircraft and, eventually, a Quality Control Manager position with Pullman Transportation.  In 1986, he founded Midwest Aircraft Products (also known as MAPCO) with three other managers from the original organization.  Dick brings with him a broad understanding of manufacturing as well as a history in sales and quality control.    Dick is a Mansfield native and a veteran.  He and his wife have two children and live in Lexington.

Other new hires in Progress Industries:

• Paula Worner, Office Assistant
• Kailey Bashline, Screen Assistant

Precise Janitorial Services

• Danyell Waters
• Jennifer Waggoner
• Robert Short
• David Jones
• James Jose
• Marcia Hootman
• Rocky Wood
• Roger Wolfe
• Reese Walker
• Tony Felser

New Beginnings 

• Darren Johnson, Outpatient Clinical Supervisor

 Upcoming Events:  Contact Us for Details

Summer Events 

Therapy Groups: June 23-August 11, 2008    Ages 4-6 Mondays 5-6:30 p.m.,    Ages 6-8 Tuesdays 5:30-7:00 p.m.     Ages 9-11 Mondays 7-8:30 p.m.

Kaleidoscope:    May 5^th-June 16^th, 2008     Ages 4-K Mondays 5-6 p.m.     1^st grade - 3^rd grade Tuesdays 6:30-7:30 p.m.     4^th-6^th grades      Mondays 6:30-7:30 p.m.

We will also have a summer parent class: "Surviving the Experience of Kids":   June 2-July 7, 2008     Monday evenings: 5-7 p.m.,       Thursdays 12-2 p.m.      June 5-July 10, 2008

On-Going Events

Kinship Support Groups are held on the first and third Mondays of each month from 6:30 - 8:00 PM. Child care is provided.
 
*The Hearing Loss Association of America - North Central Ohio Chapter meets at The Rehab Center. 
Second Tuesday of each month at 7 pm

*Free hearing and speech screenings through July 31st by appointment only. Call 419-756-1133.

*This a local consumer run support group meeting to go over issues and technology related to hearing loss.  Group leader is Debbie Schaaf at debbie1496@aol.com with Professional Advisor Lynn Feldman 419-756-1133 v/tty

Promotional Events

Hearing testing and

Digital hearing aids available.

THE REHAB CENTER

270 Sterkel Blvd.

Mansfield, Ohio 44907

419-756-1133

www.therehabcenter.org

Present this Ad for $100.00 off each hearing aid.

Offer expires July 31, 2008

Rehabilitation Service of North Central Ohio, Inc.

270 Sterkel Blvd., Mansfield Ohio 44907

(419) 756-1133     

http://www.therehabcenter.org