Fall 2013

Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. extraordinary people, extraordinary programs

What’s Inside:

Message from the Executive Director 2 Bikers Make Dreams Come True 5

As I See It Photo Contest 3 A Page from Our Scrapbook 6

Founders’ Day, Life Sharing 4 Kegs & Corks, Calendar of Events 7

Photo by of Kenny Sturm

www.ehca.org 2

Management Team

Paul Carpenedo Executive Director

Mary Jo Fulton Director of Nursing & Health Services

William F. Harriger Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

James R. McMann Director of Human Resources

Peg Smith-Rich Director of Residential & Program Services

Hope Ruedy Director of Community Services

Jonathan Rilling Director of Development

Barbara Renker Executive Secretary

Message from the Executive Director

As you are probably aware, the mission of EHCA is to assist

people with disabilities to live rich and fulfilling lives. Another

way of looking at that mission is for EHCA to continue to

support those already receiving supports and services from

EHCA, and when funding and opportunities exist, it is also

our mission to support those on the waiting list. I am pleased to report that recent

developments have enabled the agency to meet both parts of its mission.

We are successfully resolving rate appeals for both FY 12-13 and FY 13-14. This

enables us to continue to provide the same level and quality of services as we have to

meet the needs of those already supported by EHCA.

Pennsylvania has a very large waiting list of persons with intellectual disabilities who

need supports and services. As of September 30, 2013, the Pennsylvania Waiting List

Coalition reports 14,647 persons in the Commonwealth in need of such services. The

breakdown of those on the waiting list in the counties where EHCA provides services

is as follows: Erie County, 706; Crawford County, 149; Venango County, 77; and

Potter County, 11. This represents a total of 943 individuals.

Three exciting developments are making it possible for the agency to meet some

significant needs of those on the waiting list. First, the Options program, which

provides support for those who may be living at home with families or living on their

own, experienced very significant growth in the past year, and that growth is

continuing in the current fiscal year. The program, overall, grew by 20 percent, from

serving 132 persons to 159 persons. In Erie County, the Options program grew by 27

percent, from serving 92 persons to 117 persons in FY 12-13. So far this fiscal year,

that growth is continuing at a similar pace. These non-facility based and non-residential

services are very customized to meet the needs and desires of the individuals and their

families.

The second development is the imminent opening of a new group home on Raymond

Court in the Lakeshore subdivision of Fairview Township in Erie County. As soon as

billing approval is received, this house, which was purchased in the spring and

renovated to be a group home, will serve two individuals and eventually will be a home

for four persons.

The third development will be the expansion of the agency’s day program options. The

agency is in the process of purchasing a facility to offer a licensed adult training facility.

(continued on page 7)

is a publication of

Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc.,

and is distributed three times a year.

Board of Directors Timothy S. Wachter, Esq. President

Jeffrey J. Presogna, CPA President Elect

Edwin W. Smith, Esq. Vice President

Andrew J. Glass Secretary

James Thomas, Jr. MD Finance-Endowment

William G. DeWitt Future Planning

Andrew J. Abramczyk Bruce E. Arkwright Carla Barnes Lisa Bergquist, CPA Jeffery I. Blake, MD Rev. Samuel W. Bourne Jerry Cannon Nancy Dolan Cathy Fresch Colleen Gildea Sr. Patricia Hause Carl Larese Angela L. Leasure Elizabeth F. Lechner Carly Manino Ellen Masteller G. Nan Mehl Edison Nicholson III Brenda Pasko

Erie Homes for Children & Adults, Inc. (EHCA)

226 East 27th Street

Erie, PA 16504

Ph (814) 454-1534

Fax (814) 452-6723

www.ehca.org

The mission of EHCA is to assist people with disabilities to live rich

and fulfilling lives.

Admissions, the provision of services, and referrals of residents or program participants shall be made without regard to race, color, religious creed, disability, ancestry, national origin, age, sex, or limited English proficiency.

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Regional photo contest initiated

to showcase creative abilities

Ashley Sheridan, MOVE participant and EHCA resident, took first

place honors in the As I See It photo contest. Her winning entry,

Storm Chasing, featured the Bicentennial Tower at Dobbins Landing.

She received a wooden plaque of her photo. Other finalists received cups, certificates, and ribbons. The photo contest was a collaborative

project by EHCA, L’Arche Erie, and Corry Counseling Services.

The idea to create a regional photo contest for people with

developmental disabilities originated with Stephanie Wincik, associate

director of nursing at EHCA, who modeled the concept on a contest

for individuals with Down syndrome held annually in Great Britain.

Stephanie’s son, Zach, a professional photographer, created a website

and Facebook page for the contest. Over 50 entries were received

from as far away as Pittsburgh, Cleveland, and Buffalo. The only

requirement was that the person submitting the photo had to

operate the camera, either independently or with the assistance of

an adaptive switch.

A group of professional photographers organized by Zach took on the

difficult task of choosing 25 finalists from all of the entries. Millcreek

Mall provided a high-traffic display location in September, and we

rented display panels from the Erie Photo Club.

Winners were determined by public balloting via email and at the week-long display in the Millcreek Mall. A

total of 768 people cast votes. Winners received prizes during the As I See It reception and awards

presentation for finalists and their families, held at L’Arche Erie on September 28. Want to see their

entries? Go to the contest website and click on “Photos.”

First place winner Ashley Sheridan holds the

wooden plaque award featuring her winning

entry, Storm Chasing. This regional photo

contest for people with developmental

disabilities was sponsored by EHCA, L’Arche

Erie, and Corry Counseling Services.

Contest Winners

1st Place Ashley Sheridan, EHCA

Storm Chasing

2nd Place Michael O’Brien, Buffalo, NY

Train Tracks

3rd Place Jeremy Burge, Girard, PA

Jellyfish

Runners-up: Becky Brown, EHCA, Misty River Run

Valery Proctor, Corry, Untitled

Charlie Kopera, Buffalo, Music on the Water

www.asiseeitcontest.com

www.ehca.org 4

Learning from Katie…

Stephanie Wincik’s story about Life Sharing through Family Living

is published in national nursing journal

Stephanie Wincik, EHCA’s associate director of nursing

and health services, had an article published in the July

issue of Nursing 2013, a well-known nursing journal. In

the article, Stephanie describes her experience as a

provider in EHCA’s Life Sharing through Family Living

program and explains how living with Sissy (called Katie

in the article) has changed not only her daily routine but

her outlook on life.

Stephanie says she wrote the article because the journal

is read primarily by nursing students who receive little

training related to patients with developmental disabilities. She wanted to make these

nurses aware of patients with disabilities in order for them to provide those patients

with quality nursing care.

Sissy has been a member of Stephanie’s family for over 5 years.

“In Katie’s mind, everything can wait while you enjoy the sunshine.”

EHCA Founders’ Day celebration recognizes

volunteers, staff, board, and supporters

On Founders’ Day, EHCA honors the dedicated team of volunteers whose contributions and compassion have

enriched the lives of the individuals we serve. This year’s event was held September 26 in the Ambassador Center’s

Hemingway Lounge.

Receiving the 2013 Cornerstone Award were Howard and Mary Lincoln. Established in 1998, the Cornerstone

Award is a philanthropic award presented to “a person, family, corporation or foundation whose combined financial

and/or personal support of $50,000 or more made a major impact on the lives of

children and adults with developmental disabilities and influenced the future of Erie

Homes for Children and Adults.” From music

and the arts to healthcare, business, and

education, Howard and Mary Lincoln have

demonstrated a remarkable commitment to

individuals and organizations in the Erie region.

The Lincolns received a framed floral wall hanging

created by participants in EHCA’s MOVE (Making

Opportunities for Volunteerism & Exploration)

program.

At the end of the program, executive director

Paul Carpenedo was surprised with a plaque

recognizing his 25 years of leadership at EHCA.

Jeff Presogna, EHCA board president elect,

presented the award. Mary and Howard Lincoln

Volunteers included Chuck Dahlkemper, Sarah

Girard-Jones, Lucia Doyle, Karen Carpenedo,

Carla Barnes, Rev. Damon Peterson, Jim

Laughlin, and Edie Testa.

5 www.ehca.org

Bikers fulfill EHCA residents’ dreams by riding around Presque Isle State Park with happy sidecar passengers

Just because a person cannot walk does not mean he or she isn’t a

biker at heart. This was proven in August when area bikers helped two

EHCA residents experience the rides of their dreams.

Aaron Hilinski, age 27, got his love for motorcycles from his mom,

Linda, a rider who took Aaron to many Make a Wish bike rallies over

the years. Aaron’s mother passed away last year, and it was Aaron’s

dream to ride a motorcycle someday. That dream came true on August

11 when EHCA nurse Reneé Krineski, Aaron’s friend Jim “Fish” Fisher,

Patriot Guard rider and sidecar owner Mark Burick, and other bikers

and supporters surprised Aaron with a ride around Presque Isle. Reneé

rode on the bike with Mark beside Aaron. When the

ride was over, Aaron didn’t want to leave the

sidecar. He just kept giving everyone an enthusiastic thumbs up, grinning.

Paul Bateman, age 54, also loves motorcycles. To

make a ride happen for Paul, EHCA staff member

and first-year biker Carrie Carner contacted Friends

of Erie HOG Chapter 2293. She talked to Mike

Schleicher, chapter director, who in turn contacted HOG

member and sidecar owner John Honey. Paul’s ride around

Presque Isle took place on August 17. Carrie rode on John’s

bike beside Paul. EHCA staff member Stefanie Payne rode

with the group too. Erie HOG Chapter photographer Kenny

Sturm mounted a camera on the sidecar, and Paul smiled the

entire ride.

There were more than a few biker tears shed at both rides,

but they were all tears of joy. Mission accomplished.

Aaron’s Ride

Paul’s Ride

Photos by Kenny Sturm

Photos by Kaitlynn King

www.ehca.org 6

Summer Memories

MEMORIAL

SERVICE

C A M P

G L I N O D

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8 GREAT TUESDAYS

ERIE

ELKS ZOO

DAY

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Upcoming Events

EHCA Luncheon and Tour Thursday, December 19

Thursday, January 23

Thursday, February 13 Luncheons are held at noon in the Berst House conference room.

Join us for lunch and see firsthand the work that we do. Call

Jonathan Rilling at 454-1534 ext. 155 to make a reservation.

An EHCA premiere…An EHCA premiere…

THE Spring EventTHE Spring Event Friday, May 30, 2014

Ambassador Center

Expect surprises!

Summer Memories

Good food, good friends, good brews, good cause.

EHCA’s fourth annual Kegs & Corks was held at Blue Canoe Brewery in

Titusville on October 19. The event included wine and beer tastings, prize auctions,

food by Blue Canoe, sweet treats from Warner’s Bakery and Dove Chocolatier

Denise Huffman, and music by Dan Stockwell.

Mission speaker Debbie Leasure, an EHCA parent and volunteer, described how the op-

portunity for friendships, activities, meaningful experiences, and support made available

to her daughter, Amber, through EHCA have made a difference in the lives of her entire

family.

We want to thank Blue Canoe Brewery, all of our generous sponsors and auction

donors, the participating breweries and wineries, our dedicated crew of volunteers, and

of course our fun-loving guests!

We Thank Our Sponsors Prenatt Manufacturing

PNC Bank VFW Post 5958

Engineering & Inspections Carter Orthopedics

The Colonial Machine Co. McKinney Family

Titusville Moose Lodge Titusville PNA

NW Rural Electric Co-Op BKD (Malin Berquist) The Titusville Herald

Save

the

Date!

Message from Executive Director...continued from page 2

This will provide opportunities for a number of individuals in

need and desirous of day support services. As funding

permits, this site will provide the opportunity for significant

expansion to serve many more individuals. Of course, such

continued expansion will require the continued support of the

Department of Public Welfare’s Office of Developmental

Programs and our state legislators at the state level and

support of the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services

and Congress at the federal level.

Maintaining the quality of care for which the agency is known

will continue to be a top priority as the agency expands and

grows. The Board of Directors and management at EHCA are

committed to reasonable growth while maintaining quality.

NON PROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

ERIE PA

PERMIT NO 273

Erie Homes for Children and Adults, Inc. 226 East 27th Street Erie, PA 16504 www.ehca.org

extraordinary people, extraordinary programs

Be-A-Friend helps you share gifts with EHCA families

EHCA supporters are invited to share the holiday spirit with our community program participants and their families. The

Be-A-Friend project, entering its 14th year, provides gifts for

children and adults served by EHCA’s community programs whose

parents or guardians cannot afford to buy gifts for them. Those

receiving services range in age from infant to age 67. Gifts are also

purchased for the older children in families so that siblings are not

excluded from receiving a gift. Donors will receive a card with the

recipient’s name, age, and “wish list” to make shopping easier.

If you would like to learn more about how you can Be-A-Friend

for an EHCA community program participant this holiday season,

contact us at (814) 454-1534. The deadline for bringing unwrapped

gifts to EHCA’s main office is December 13.

Our Mission

The mission of EHCA

is to assist

people

with disabilities

to live rich and

fulfilling lives.