Like most people, I spent a good chunk of last weekend getting shoveled out from the snow. When I was a kid, I loved winter. I would ice skate, play boot hockey, slide down the neighborhood hill and create some chaos with snowballs. As I have gotten older, the charms of winter have pretty much worn off. I worry about slipping on the ice, my hands and feet get cold much faster, and I am anxious about not being able to see well at intersections when driving.
Life changes. Or more accurately, we change. Some of it is really good, as I am more responsible at this age than I was when younger. But some of it is not so good. I admit to having lost some of the spontaneity and wonder that I once had.
It is important, at least for me, to occasionally suspend all the important “adult stuff” that fills my day and try and recapture the spontaneity and wonder of childhood. Yesterday the sun was shining off the new snow and a friend texted me and said, “let’s go for a walk”. I dropped what I was doing, and we went to a park near his house that had good, paved trails. As we walked, we noticed that a small group of kids were having a blast in the new snow nearby. We both stopped walking and just watched them. Soon all the worries and anxiety of daily life melted as we were drawn into their joy. As I drove home, I vowed to remember that joy as I resumed the tasks that I needed to get done.
Life can be very hard. Children teach us that it does not need to be a drudgery. When daily life seems overwhelming it is good for us to be taught by the children that newly fallen snow can be a chance to let go and embrace joyfully whatever comes our way.
Blessings,
John Estrem
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Dear Friend of Northeast Residence,
My name is Becky Bollinger, and I am writing to ask for your support for Northeast Residence, where my aunt Mary Anne has lived since the mid-1990’s.
You can read Mary Anne's full story HERE
Mary Anne and I thank you in advance for your generous support.
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Spotlight on:
Kelsey Curwick
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Kelsey has been with Northeast Residence for several years and joined our Cedarwood home this past spring. She wanted to live nearer her family whom she is close to. Kelsey is the youngest of two children and an aunt to both a niece and nephew. Kelsey cherishes time with her family at home or traveling. She had an opportunity to go to Florida and is looking forward to an upcoming trip to Texas in the New Year.
Kelsey is enjoying living at her new home. She quickly became a sister to and best friend of her peers. She also recently went back to work at Merrick. Kelsey reports she is excited to be working again and is proud of the job she is doing. She appreciates the new friendships she is making and spending time with individuals she hasn’t seen for some time.
Kelsey’s favorite seasons are Spring and Summer. Winter would furrow her brow were it not for the Joy of Christmas! Kelsey is enjoying the season and the special occasions it brings. Kelsey and her housemates were recently treated to an ornament making session (Kelsey’s Mom is a volunteer and brought the crafts in to complete). Cedarwood’s tree is a treasure to behold.
Kelsey is a fan of a great many things. She adores the color pink splashed over most anything. She likes a variety of music from 60s to 80s. Live shows and concerts are her favorite. Kelsey also appreciates variety in what she watches. A favorite show is That Darn Cat; equally entertaining are the Avengers, Star Wars and Star Trek. Her pastimes include playing basketball, bowling, riding bike, swimming, doing arts and crafts, playing cards or board games (bingo!), doing puzzles, shopping, and eating out – fish tacos and cheese pizza rock her world! Sous chef is an appropriate title for Kelsey. Side dish or entrée, cooking or baking, Kelsey is up for the challenge!
Kelsey is a kind and charming individual with a smile that lights up the room. She has a remarkable memory. She easily recites all the state capitals, most people need to Google to confirm! Kelsey also has an uncanny ability to remember people’s names and recall how she met them.
Happy Holiday Cheers to Kelsey!
Janell Jones-Trester
Program Manager, Cedarwood
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What do the Holidays Mean to You?
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This is the time of year when we all start thinking about the holidays. All of us have our own thoughts, traditions, and favorite things we appreciate around this time of season. As a fun project some of the home Program Managers asked the individuals living in NER homes what the holidays mean to them.
Cedarwood:
- It’s beautiful, cheerful, Christmas lights, snow and fun
- Family and friends, pets, housemates, grace and food
- Happiness, excitement, proud, laughing and spending time with loved ones
- Being off work, having lots of food, seeing Christmas lights, taking pictures with family and friends and road trips
Brenner:
- The holidays mean family and friends, presents - I get spoiled with presents
- Right now, there is too much Christmas music. I like to go with people I love and know It’s a good time, but I don’t need to dress up or anything. I just like being around people
- My dad and my brother, food, presents and Christmas music
- Spending time with family and friends. Being thankful for what you have
Belmont:
- Family, food, and presents
- Angels and Santa
- Christmas tree, snow, kitty, and cookies
Hwy 96:
- Halloween is my favorite holiday, and it means candy
- Snow, pretty Christmas lights and decorations
- Family get togethers and having a good time. Christmas gifts, decorations, tree and good food
Rollingview:
- Put up my tree and I like to sing. I’m thankful for family, the holiday, bingo, Santa Claus, love my mom and daddy, baby Jesus and music
- Going home, food and thankful for my mom and dad. I love to decorate, the music and singing
- Singing and music
Cty Road F:
- Black Friday shopping with mom
- Christmas tree and seeing family
- Christmas lights and Santa “Ho-Ho”
- Remembering Christmases with mom and dad who are now in Heaven
5th Street:
- The Holidays make me smile, laugh, and makes me very happy
- Christmas makes me happy
- Christmas music
- Seeing family and setting up the Christmas tree
Hale:
- Seeing family and Santa Claus, eating food, and getting presents
- Being with family, staying at mom’s house to sleep, lots of food, and buying presents for people
- Getting more Etch a Sketches, eating good food, seeing my brothers and sisters
- Being with my parents and grandparents, going to Michigan, decorating the house and tree
Arcade:
- Thankful for mom and dad
- Thankful for his sisters and his day program
- Thanksgiving
B2:
- The Christmas tree and Star along with decorating the tree
Edgewater:
- Presents
- The birth of Christ
- Jesus
- Love and family and being able to see family
As you see, there is a theme throughout the holidays of people loving to see family, friends, decorating, holiday music, eating good food, Santa Claus, Jesus, and of course PRESENTS!
From all of us at NER we wish you the happiest of Holidays.
Lin Curran
Director of Program Operations
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A Fond Farewell and Happy Retirement to
Shelley Weiss
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A Fond Farewell and Happy Retirement to Shelley Weiss
Shelley Weiss came to Northeast Residence in 2003 as a full time “QMRP” or Qualified Mental Retardation Professional (now known as QIDP/Qualified Intellectual Disabilities Professional or Designated Coordinator/DC). A friend’s daughter, Amy Lushine, worked for NER and thought that Shelley would be a good fit, so she encouraged her to apply. In 2018, she became the Program Manager (now known as Program Director) for the South Community. In her 18 years at NER, Shelley has worked closely with 17 of the 25 sites and has helped out at an additional 6! Shelley retired from working full time in 2019, but stayed on to help out with paperwork for annual meetings. She’s now retiring for good to spend more time with her grandkids and volunteering in her daughter’s preschool classroom as well as moving to a new home. Those who have worked with Shelley, know her to be full of energy, very supportive, honestly forthright, and always has an idea of what direction to go with any problem!
Shelley’s favorite part of working at Northeast Residence has been working as a team and developing close, trusting relationships - both with her coworkers and the teams of the people supported. She said that while she was not always a fan of going to the staff meetings of all the sites she worked with EVERY month, she recognized that it was important to gain the trust of the DSPs at the site. She loved it when the DSPs “owned” their job and the house. She believes that helped many to stay long-term. Having food at the meetings never hurt either!
Shelley’s advice is to find time to have a little fun. And while working as a team, to find time to get to know each other better, which also helps establish trust. After establishing this, she always found that when she or someone else was in a pinch, someone would always jump in to help.
From everyone who has had the good fortune to work with Shelley, we wish you well and can’t wait to see what new ways you will enjoy spending your time!
Becky Bollinger
Program Compliance Manager
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Celebrating NER November Anniversaries
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Thank you for all you do for Northeast Residence!
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| First Name |
Last Name |
Department |
Start Date |
Years of Service |
| Wade |
Hartmann |
Highway 96 |
12/28/2020 |
20 |
| Miaway |
Queeglay |
Highway 96 |
12/6/2006 |
15 |
| Mary |
Namondo |
Norway |
12/31/2018 |
3 |
| Kristy |
Corbit |
Edgewater |
12/14/2020 |
1 |
| April |
Udvig |
Allen |
12/14/2020 |
1 |
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Gift Card Winners *
Alyssa Sweet
Qadira Bradshaw
Kenneth Bendel
Obaraeze Charles Uba
*Contact Brion Curran at bcurran@nerinc.org or call (651) 419 - 8615
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"The first step toward change is awareness. The second step is acceptance." - Nathaniel Branden
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