JULY EDITION 2017

GHAze e

Summer is here and so is the inaugural season of Camp Puzzle Piece! GHA received a grant in early December in the amount of $5,000 from the Charlotte Motor Speedway Chapter of Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC) in Concord, and most recently received another grant in the amount of $5,000 from the Stanly County Community Foundation. The funds have been used to develop day camp activities

for the children that GHA supports this summer. Camp activities, such as pool time, sensory games, therapeutic riding time with the horses, and arts and crafts have been wrapped around each child to best meet their individual needs. This summer’s activities served as a pilot program, with hopes to continue this program in future years. Special thanks to members of the Camp Puzzle Piece Planning Committee: Eric Baldwin, Janet Banks, Kyoko Rorie-Bruton, John Fields, Sandra Morton, Beth Olivieri, Anita Terry, Anna Walker and Marsena Williams.  

In Full Swing

Staff Spotlight

As part of GHA's ongoing training, GHA Managers recently participated in an autism refresher and structured teaching training by Janet Banks, Chief Professional Services Officer. Managers evaluated individuals' skills and developed visually structured activities appropriate for their learning style. These adaptive books and activities have been modified to make them more accessible to individuals who may have difficulty with typical books. Managers creatively incorporated individual interests with interactive learning to make fun, educational leisure activities. Additionally, their activities will be incorporated into a virtual resource library that is in development so that everyone can benefit from their inventive ideas. Thank you Managers for your service to our individuals!

2017

Board of Directors

Brinn Smith

Marianne Bright

Ronnie Michael

Dr. Rob Morrell

Gina Martin

Sue Bohnsack

Jim Hively

Jane Lisk

Al Sadowsky

Melissa Smith

Dr. Russ Sharples

The Honorable Ron Burris

Ex Officio

Robert Thompson

CEO

Dawn H. Allen

GHA Autism Supports provides quality,

community services to meet the

unique needs of individuals with Autism Spectrum

Disorder.

Over 50 individuals gathered at Second Street Sundries in Albemarle on Friday evening, May 19th for the GHA Family Forum! This always serves as a great opportunity for CEO Dawn Allen and other members of the Management Team to share the latest updates from the organization. In addition, family members get to connect with one another and gain support from each other. The next GHA Family Forum meeting is scheduled for Sunday, October 15th. Please make plans to join us!

GOING FOR THE GOLD — INDIVIDUALS FROM

STANLY AND NEW HANOVER COUNTY PROGRAMS

WIN MEDALS AT STATE SPECIAL OLYMPICS EVENTS

More than 1,900 athletes were in Raleigh, Cary and Holly Springs on June 2-4 to participate in the 2017 Special Olympics North Carolina Summer Games. The Games kicked off Friday, June 2nd with the opening ceremony in Reynolds Coliseum on the campus of North Carolina State University. Law enforcement officers carried the Flame of Hope across North Carolina before lighting the cauldron at the opening ceremony. The Summer Games is the largest state-level event for Special Olympics North Carolina and was comprised of nine events this year: aquatics, powerlifting, volleyball, softball, bowling, cheerleading, cycling, gymnastics and athletics. More than 40,000 adults and children with intellectual disabilities are trained by Special Olympics North Carolina all year long. GHA Autism Supports has had a rich history with Special Olympics for a number of years. Participants supported by GHA have excelled in

bowling, basketball, soccer, track and swimming to name a few. Congratulations to the participants listed in the yellow box to the right from both our programs in Stanly and New Hanover Counties.

Like us on Facebook—GHA Autism Supports

Special Olympics Winners

Brittany B. Bronze medal in the 25y Backstroke and Bronze medal in the 25y Freestyle Nicholas H. Gold medal in the Softball Throw and 5th Place Ribbon in the 25m Dash Alex H. Gold medal in the Athletics 25 M Dash, Silver medal in the Softball Throw, 4th Place Ribbon in the 50m Dash Adam H. Gold medals in four swimming events including the 50y Backstroke, 50y Freestyle, 25y Freestyle and 4X25y Freestyle Relay. Jonathan M. Gold medal in the 4X25y Freestyle Relay, Silver medal in the Aquatics 50y Backstroke, Bronze medal in the 50y Freestyle and 4th Place Ribbon in the 25y Freestyle Sam P. Gold medal in the Softball Throw, Silver medal in the 25m Dash, Silver medal in the 50m Walk Chris W. Gold medal 25y Backstroke and Gold medal in the 25y Freestyle

 

NINTH ANNUAL GHA RUBBER DUCK DERBY RAISES $45,000

A record crowd gathered at the Stanly County Family YMCA Park in Albemarle on Saturday, May 20th for the 9th Annual GHA Autism Supports Rubber Duck Derby, which raised $45,000. At 1:00 pm on event day, 6,281 rubber ducks were dumped from buckets by GHA volunteers and staff members as those in attendance watched excitedly inside the YMCA Olympic-size pool facility. Kathy Odell was the proud owner of the “Lucky Duck”, the first duck to cross the finish line, winning $3,000 cash. Robin Anderson won $1,000 cash as the owner of the “Runner Up Duck”. Other prize winners included Judy Smithmyer, $250 cash; Ron Loflin, $100 cash and Fran Hildebrand, $75 cash. Prior to the rubber ducks taking the plunge into the pool, those in attendance took advantage of lots of free family-friendly fun including

inflatables sponsored by All 4 Fun Inflatables of Albemarle, numerous children’s games, balloon art and face painting by Vicki Galloway. Representatives from the Albemarle Police Department, the Albemarle Fire Department, Stanly County Health Department, The OT Clinic, Lake Tillery Equestrian Center and Carolinas HealthCare System-Stanly were also on hand with activities for children. Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 19, 2018 for the “10th Annual GHA Rubber Duck Derby”! 

Corporate Sponsors Presenting Sponsor Uwharrie Bank

Platinum Sponsors GHA Autism Supports Board of Directors Ellen Brooks Thomas H. Finch, Jr., Attorney

Gold Sponsors Albemarle Pediatrics All 4 Fun Inflatables Jeff and Brinn Smith South Central Oil Company & Professional Propane Southern Pharmacy

Silver Sponsors Bear Insurance Service Crook Motor Company Davidson, Holland & Whitesell & Co.

Bronze Sponsors Stanly Appliance Parts & Service Storm Technologies, Inc.

Media Sponsors The Stanly News & Press WSPC/WZKY Radio

Family Patrons Teresa Andrews Kimberly Bond Steve & Susan Boyd Ellen Brooks The Bynum Family Jose & Tonia Camiña Pete & Nancy Carriker Henry & Jocie Cremisi Steve & Jean Cory Lester & Dawn Davis Derek Denton Billy Dunlap & Shawnee Sunquist Ed Ferro Dotty Foley Sarah Gaither Larry & Thea Gardner Nick & Bobbilynne Garner Betty Gladstone Mike & Lesley Graves Belinda & Glenn Harder The Hardev Family Fran Hildebrand Jim & Lesley Hively Kevin Hoyle Larry & Martha Hupp Chet & Elaine Gurski Tom & Sue Jasinski

Jimmy & Catherine Jones Brenda & Phil Julian Jim & Sharon LaRocco Eric & Linda Lawrence Stan & Annette Leggett Jan & Sue Martin Terri Meyers Rich & Lyda Mihalyi Nancy Millwood The Morrell Family Jim & Pam Morrow Phillip & Carol Parker Peter & Rita Pena Dale & Sherry Poplin Eric & Beverly Roberts Al & Ann Sadowsky Brandi Saine Mike & Carla Shinn Craig & Ulla Skeffington Steve & Judy Smithmyer Ronnie Steed Dale Stittgen Ramon & Eman Sunquist Rachel Cory Tarvin Robert Thompson Amy Whichello Gary Whichello Jane Zeller & John Townson

Thanks to our Sponsors

Cody, Brittany and Katie enjoyed tie dying t-shirts at Port City Academy in Wilmington.

Creative Arts Coordinator Kyoko Rorie-Bruton always keeps those creative juices flowing with lots of arts and crafts related activities for the individuals that GHA supports.

Congratulations to the Class of 2017

Congratula ons to our 2017 Albemarle High School graduates

Sam (le ) and Lynn (below)! Special thanks to the staff of AHS

for the meaningful ceremonies for these two young men.

Quality Management: Helping Keep the Quality in GHA!

GHA’s preeminent goal is providing quality community services for the individuals we support. How can we be sure we are achieving that goal?

The Quality Management Department is constantly on the lookout for things related to quality services we can measure. We crunch those numbers and look for patterns that reflect how we are doing. A few examples based on recent evaluations:

              

And the list goes on. If Quality Management thinks some information relates to quality services, we will track that data down!

Are the individuals we serve satisfied with their supports and services? 100% of those answering the survey question strongly agree or agree they are satisfied.

How are our staff relating to parents and guardians? According to our March, 2017 survey, 100% of parents and guardians reported they strongly agree or agree that GHA staff are courteous and helpful..

Are we keeping our administrative overhead low? Yes. Our accounting consultants suggest our goal should be 14% to 6%. Our Finance Department reports: For the past seven years, GHA’s overhead has been in that range.

What about our community supporters? On our last annual survey, 100% strongly agree or agree they are satisfied with GHA’s services and supports.

Day of Caring . . . As part of the United Way of Stanly County Day of Caring, employees of Carolinas HealthCare System-Stanly spent several hours on April 27th sprucing up Carolina Farms. The group planted a number of annuals in the sensory garden, and planted several other fruit-bearing items around the property. In addition, the volunteers reseeded several areas with grass, and they placed new river rock in areas where the mulch had washed away. The volunteer hours provided marks the second time that the employees from CHS-Stanly have given of their time and talents at Carolina Farms. We appreciate this valuable partnership!

As warmer weather rolled in, Charlie, with the help of staff persons Gus and Derek, built his own small raised garden.

Meeting Billy Dee Charlie attended the Star Wars Celebration in Orlando in mid-April that attracted thousands from across the universe. Charlie and staff person Derek took time out from the exhibits to pose with Billy Dee Williams who plays the role as Lando Calrissian in the film franchise.

Volunteer Services

Cape Fear Hospital recently recognized Jenny for reaching and surpassing 1,000 hours of volunteer service! She was given a gold pin to honor her commitment. Jenny volunteers at the hospital weekly where she assists in assembling patient packets.

Both Chris and Jenny were recognized recently for their volunteer service at the Food Bank of Central and Eastern North Carolina’s annual luncheon, where they took time out to pose with their hats at the photo booth.

GHA Autism Supports

P.O. Box 2487 213 N. Second St.

Albemarle, NC 28002 704-982-9600

704-982-8155 (fax) www.ghaautismsupports.org

MISSION

GHA Autism Supports provides quality, community services to meet the unique needs of individuals with

Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Cultural Corner GHA Autism Supports respects and values the unique differences of our individuals supported and staff, as we strive to provide quality supports daily. Our agency promotes inclusion and strongly encourages our individuals to participate in a wide range of activities.

WELCOME We are pleased to welcome Japanese visitors Takumi (left) and Kazuki (right) to GHA Autism Supports! Both gentlemen are here to learn and observe in an effort to share this information with other autism professionals in their native country. While Takumi’s stay in the United States will end in July, Kazuki will remain an intern at GHA through March, 2018. Both visited the top of Morrow Mountain during a recent tour of the area with GHA Chief Executive Officer Dawn Allen.

Carolina Farms Participates in Cooking Camp

The staff at Carolina Farms were excited to host a visit from a group of children on June 22 that were par cipa ng in a cooking camp     sponsored by First    Presbyterian Church of Albemarle.  The camp consisted of  informa on  related to healthy ea ng habits and basic cooking 

skills.  Campers enjoyed picking blueberries,   blackberries and basil, and received a few other      vegetables to use in cooking related projects during camp. Camp      Director Jane Snyder felt the visit to Carolina Farms gave many children the      valuable im-portance of the “farm to table” philosophy.