Spring 2017 Newsletter
Helping families find peace and hope!
Today While The Blossoms Still Cling To The Vine
In the beautiful month of May, we celebrate mothers and
caregivers and all that they represent. HOPe embraces
tenacity as we witness parents fight for every inch of success for their child. We admire perseverance as we watch
families endure heartbreaking setbacks. We applaud
progress, big or small, as we recognize the little
successes mean everything to our families. We
accept the things we can not change and move
forward hopefully into the joy that is ours today.
I am always awed by the magnificent job mothers are doing for their children. There is nothing more beautiful than hearing a parent share
a success story with a member of our team.
The day my son, Timmy, was born was
the best day of my life. I will never forget
the overwhelming feeling of wholeness I
had that day. My life was now complete
and I would never need anything more.
Timmy was born at Princeton Hospital
where we lived in 1996. Tim scored “9”
on the Apgar scale, but the doctor said
he thought Tim had “low set ears” and
he would like to test him for any potential chromosomal abnormalities. To me,
Tim was perfect and this doctor was a
bit over the top with the testing, which turned out to come
back “normal”, a word that would haunt me for years.
When Tim turned one, I remember another doctor recommending Tim undergo tests by a developmental pediatrician. Love really can be blinding, because I still couldn’t
fathom what these doctors were seeing. In hindsight, Tim
showed many classic signs; he was not walking, talking or
expressing himself in any kind of constructive way.
This year Timmy turns 21, which is a major milestone for
our family. We have endured tremendous challenges, yet
we have continued to develop our faith in God, the love in
our hearts, the knowledge that all of this will make sense one
day, and perhaps most importantly, our sense of humor.
This Mother’s Day, we want to acknowledge all the
families who have reached milestones.
This past year, we were able to share in many victories that both our children and families
achieved. Many of our HOPe children
were able to celebrate the freedom of
sleeping away from home for the first time,
or to experience the wonders of going
out into the community for an adventure.
Molly can sit and create beautiful paintings for over an hour. Caitlin helps out
with Saturday’s cooking group and is an
engaging, proactive participant. Kevin keeps
asking to come to sleepovers. These are the
triumphs we share together.
In the end, I was right all along, there is nothing
wrong with Timmy. Nor is there anything wrong
with any of our children. Timmy has brought
the good in people around him to life, showing
the love, the patience, and the amazing spirit of
humanity that there is in the world. To be able to do
this is a beautiful gift, a wondrous insight into how
God must view the world. There could never be anything
wrong with someone with this incredible ability. Thus,
there is nothing “wrong” with our special children; rather,
they are blessed with an aptitude to highlight the indomitability of the human spirit.
Here’s to the mothers who see the beauty in each child
and to the many milestones we will reach together.
Love to all,
Paula Kavolius
Paula Kavolius - Founder
“A million tomorrow’s shall all pass away, ‘ere I forget all the joy that is mine today.” - John Denver
House of Possibilities • 350 Washington Street • North Easton, MA 02356
www.houseofpossibilities.org
The
Gift
of
a
Social
Often, we can take for granted the little things in life that our children do,
such as outings with friends or sleepovers. For Natasha, it took almost
18 years for her to partake in her first sleepover, and it was here, at
HOPe. Natasha would first only attend dinners at HOPe during a regular
overnight and would make promises to staff that she would someday
stay the full evening. Natasha’s mom was very scared to have her at
HOPe as she had never spent a night away, but was reassured by the
caring and well trained staff. After committing to her first full overnight,
she made it through with a smile. Mom emailed HOPe stating “yesterday
Carl
Carl loves people and
everyone he meets loves
him. All of us can learn
from Carl’s cheerful smile
and genuine interest in
everything around him.
He most enjoys going out
in the community, where
he makes and maintains friendships along the
way. It is a frequent occurrence to see Carl
having a conversation with someone he has
just met during one of our outings, asking for
their name and following up with how their
family is or what they do for a living. Carl also
has an inquisitive mind, always trying to learn
and read more. One of his favorite community activities is when we go to the Brockton
Recycling Center and visit their Book Swap,
where every week he brings different books to
swap out and read. On any given day he may
be reading an architectural digest or a medical book. When asked what he likes about
the books, he replies, “I like the pictures, the
stories - all of it.” Thank you Carl for teaching
us that all of it is a gift and that if we learn to
be more like you, laugh more, care more, learn
more, we can make this world a better place.
Life
morning we picked up Natasha with a large smile
on her face, and she was asking when her next
sleepover was!” Mom, Marta, expressed “this was
a huge milestone for Natasha and us! But only
possible because of your giving and dedicated
staff! I have never found a program that I could trust
Natasha to be so appropriately cared for. You have
changed her life experience, and you have given her the
gift of a social life!”
Molly
From day one at HOPe, Molly
has never suffered from a
lack of energy! When she first
arrived, she immediately took
off to climb around the playground, as staff quickly made
chase to ensure her safety.
Molly was another child that
required staff to always be watchful, because
on a whim she could take off like a rocket, or
decide she wanted to try and climb a bookcase. At HOPe, our intention is never to bridle
a child’s enthusiasm, but rather, to channel it in
a productive medium. For Molly, that medium
was painting. Molly’s creativity is astounding, and when she gets a paint set in front of
her, all the energy that she used to express
physically now flows across the paper with her
brush. It is truly astounding to see how sharply
she can focus on creating a work of art, when
once she had such trouble staying still for
even a few moments. This is a true milestone
that continues to keep our eyes wide open,
and proud of the inner, hidden talents that our
children have, and we can foster while Molly
visits us at HOPe.
Tyler
When Tyler first arrived at
HOPe, he had trouble with
consistently following along
with our programs. Some
days, Tyler would demand
to be placed in front of the
washing machine so he could
soothe himself with its repetitive motion and sounds. Other times, Tyler
would be running around getting into everything, and unknowingly put himself in
dangerous situations. Tyler required
one-on-one, constant attention and could not
be left alone. Through the patient and nurturing care of our amazing staff, and thanks to
the kindness and friendliness of his peers,
Tyler now thrives in group settings. He has
made great friends here that he looks forward
to socializing with, and is now able to attend
our Overnight programs without incident. His
sense of independence continues to develop,
as Tyler is now able to communicate his food
allergies, prepare his own food and clean his
own dishes. The life skills he has developed
are a paramount example of HOPe’s mission,
and we could not be more proud of Tyler and
all he has accomplished!
Jordan
Community
Give
Back
We have all heard it takes a village to raise a child, and it takes an even more giving and caring
village to raise our special children. The community we belong to is truly amazing and supportive. In particular, our local Police and Firefighters go above and beyond to make necessary
accommodations when coming to HOPe for alarm testing, or drills, making sure we are fully
aware, and any sensitivities and needs are met, including silencing alarms. At HOPe we feel it
is important to recognize those who support
us on a regular basis by giving back. This past
November, HOPe Club did just that, they spent
the evening baking homemade treats, and gave
back. Hope Club made a special surprise trip to
our local Police and Fire Departments to drop
off their home made baked goods as a sign of
appreciation of their support and dedication to
all of us at HOPe. Not only were they thrilled and
thankful to have the treats, the whole crew got to
tour the firehouse and the trucks, and they tried
on helmets and gear. HOPe is so thankful to
have such dedicated first responders who have
the patience and understanding needed to keep
us safe at HOPe.
Jordan has been one
of the bravest and
most energetic gifts
to our HOPe family.
When Jordan made
her initial visit to
HOPe, she struggled
mightily. Her behavioral issues prevented her from fully engaging
in our activities. Jordan is a strong-willed,
independent girl, who knows exactly what she
wants. HOPe is fundamentally committed to
our policy that no child will be turned away, no
matter how extreme their behavioral problems
may be. If nowhere else, there is a sanctuary for every child here at HOPe. Jordan now
visits HOPe nearly every weekend and is an
active participant in Adventure Club, Overnight
Respite, and Vacation Week programs. She
is friendly, happy, lovable, and we all look
forward to her visits every bit as much as she
does. Jordan has created lifelong friendships
at HOPe, the types of friendships we all strive
for and can learn from. We would all be lucky
to be as charismatic as Jordan, with her inner
desire to please and grow, a true milestone
and true triumph at its best!
Save
The
Date!
A Remarkable Night of Inspiration
Please mark your calendars to join us on Thursday,
June 15th at the Four Points by Sheraton Norwood for
HOPe’s seventh annual Embracing Possibilities Gala!
This special event brings together hundreds of business
leaders, advocates, and families who have a passion for
making a difference in the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities. Our annual gala is our signature
fundraising event that raises critically needed funds to
support our clients, maintain high-quality programs, and
reach out to more families in need.
This year, we are thrilled to welcome
back, by popular demand,worldrenowned Irish Tenor, medical doctor,
recording artist, and Paralympian,
Dr. Ronan Tynan! Born with a lower
limb disability, Dr. Tynan has persevered throughout life’s most difficult
challenges with enormous passion
and determination. He attributes
his success to his faith and the
knowledge that the man above guides him through every
door he opens. When he was twenty, his legs had to be
amputated below the knee after an auto accident caused
serious complications. Just weeks after the operation, he
was climbing up the steps of his college dorm, and within
a year, he was winning gold medals in the Paralympics
as a multitalented athlete. Between 1981 and 1984,
Tynan amassed eighteen gold medals and fourteen world
records of which he still holds nine. We are extremely
excited to share his incredible talent with you.
Thursday,
June
15,
6-10
pm
Dr. Tynan’s performance at last year’s Gala was so
moving, and the feedback we received from attendee’s
was so overwhelmingly positive, that we are honored
and thrilled to say that he has accepted our invitation to
once again grace us with a performance. Though Ronan
enjoyed singing as a boy, he did not seriously consider
formal voice study until he was 33, when he was well into
his residency as a physician. His quick success is a typical development in a life of extraordinary achievement.
Ronan won both the John McCormack Cup for Tenor
Voice and the BBC talent show Go For It less than one
year after beginning his study of voice. The following year,
he won the International Operatic Singing Competition in
Maumarde, France. In 1998, Tynan joined Anthony Kearns
and John McDermott (later Finbar Wright) as The Irish
Tenors, an instant worldwide sensation. HOPe could not
be prouder to share Dr. Tynan’s gift with our patrons, a
shining example that disability does not preclude an individual from leading a full, happy, and accomplished life.
For more information about the Gala, please visit:
www.houseofpossibilities.org.
Bringing
Art for the Heart
HOPe
with
a
If a picture is worth a thousand words, then a painting is surely
worth more, for it often captures the thoughts and feelings of the
artist, telling a story that words cannot. Painting is a
wonderful medium for people of all abilities to use their creativity
to express themselves in
a beautiful way.
Our Stonehill Service
Corps Member and
resident artist, Chanel
Mazzone, loves to bring
the joy of art to others by
hosting “Paint Nights,”
where she takes children
through the creation of
their very own work of
art, step by step. Our
inaugural Paint Night in
November was led by
Chanel and put on for the
staff of HOPe, as a way
to unwind and paint some fun snowmen to welcome winter.
This was the first of many paint nights, which all snowballed
from this event. Through Paint Night, we’ve enabled the children
and adults, the staff, and our community of friends to create lovely paintings ranging from spring flower scenes to owls
against a purple sky.
The most special participants of these painting events are
the children and adults of HOPe. The Easton Cultural Council
generously awarded us a grant that allowed us to purchase the
paint supplies, including canvases, palettes, brushes, and the
paints. The children of HOPe were treated to a special “PaintA-Long,” and guided through painting either a heart or an owl,
Wednesday
Wednesdays are my favorite day of the
week. Is it because it means we are
halfway through the week? Nope. Does
something special happen that day, then?
Yes! Every week, I get to take my trusty
crew of four to
Brush
and
a
Canvas
or something left completely up to their own vivid imaginations.
These children dove headfirst into the painting process, quick
to pick out their favorite colors, mix their own paints, and let
their creativity run wild. It was wonderful to see children express
themselves so freely and
constructively, painting as many different
creations as they could
imagine. In the Adult Day
Habilitation Program,
one Friday afternoon, we
brought out the paints
and canvases. They loved
it so much that asking to
paint has quickly become
a frequent request. Often,
these paintings will be
done in honor of various
family or staff members.
In Chanel’s own words,
“it completely fills your heart to see others enjoy something you
love so much and experiencing the wonder of expressing yourself in a different medium.”
Some of these Paint Nights have even served as fundraisers
for HOPe, put on by our committed friends in the community.
At Stonehill College, we were joined by over 80 students on a
Saturday night for their annual Paint to Donate event, raising
$500 in support of HOPe. The students were elated to be there,
and really took the time to understand the mission of HOPe and
what their donation meant. Kathleen Nardi also hosted her own
Paint Night at Red Mill Village in Norton, joined by many of the
lovely members of that community, who were equally engaged in
the painting process.
Shredding
Mansfield Shredding, where my team
volunteers to shred important documents. This may seem like a trivial task
to some, but amongst this crew, it has
been a source of fun, of learning, and of
accomplishment.
Since taking on this group, I have seen
growth in each of my shredders.
They have learned many useful
skills such as teamwork,
dedication, communication, and independence. They genuinely
look forward to their
work, usually asking
about it as soon as the
week starts. It is perhaps
most impressive that they all
take on their own roles and work
seamlessly together as a team. Alex likes
to lead on the vacuuming and clean-up,
working meticulously to clean every inch
of the office. Jamie has become quite the
efficient shredder, and will often be found
working right up to when we leave, trying
to shred every last box and taking the
initiative to partner up and help his peers.
Stephen will do the same, always the one
to shout out “bag check!” when the bag
needs to be swapped out.
Lastly, Danny leads the group in fun
banter and conversation, forming good
relationships with the staff there while
keeping focused, sorting the papers for
the shredders, and keeping morale sky
high! This group is truly incredible and I
have so many wonderful stories of all they
accomplish and the energy they bring to
everything they do. I’d like to thank them
all for making Wednesdays a day I look
forward to every week!
Kenny Jones Memorial Garden
Spring has sprung and just in time for HOPe’s new garden to
begin to flourish. Every spring we anticipate the signs of new
life and renewed hope. Gardens are nature’s best and
purest symbol of that hope, and thanks to Bill and Sue
O’Malley, an amazing garden is being created that will
have the same effect in our families.
This garden stands as a memorial for a wonderful man whose efforts were instrumental in making
HOPe a reality. Kenny Jones was there when HOPe
was just getting its footing, and quite literally helped
us plow through one of our earliest obstacles. In the
early stages of excavation, ledge was
hit and all digging came to a halt. Kenny
forged ahead and out of the goodness of
his heart, drilled through the ledge and
made the HOPe
dream come true.
Cultural
Heritage
-
During the winter months, we celebrated the cultural
heritage of our many diverse individuals through everyone’s favorite activity – lunch! Over the course of several
months, we expanded our palates as well as our understanding of ourselves by sampling staple dishes from
such regions as Puerto Rico, Mexico, Greece, Germany,
and England. Courtney Coan, the head of our cooking group, led discussions about each of these cultures
and the origin of their traditional
foods. Every week, the gang would
get together and create a culturally inspired menu from countries
around the world with their many
different and unique ingredients.
As a group, they would shop for
Sadly, Kenny Jones Sr. died 2 years ago. Kenny loved the House
of Possibilities, and the O’Malleys wanted to show his family we
loved him back. There is no better way to keep his memory alive than to build a garden of HOPe in his honor.
The HOPe garden will also serve as a therapy garden
for both staff and guests. There will be a sensory
garden, a vegetable garden and a flower garden.
Children will be planting and harvesting vegetables,
smelling, feeling, and tasting the fruits of their labor,
hearing the trickle of water, and picking and arranging beautiful flowers. The pathways will be wheelchair
accessible so that the beauty can be
easily enjoyed by everyone! We look
forward to watching the seeds our
children plant here blossom into a
Garden of HOPe!
Appetite
Appreciation
the ingredients under the supervision of Courtney as well
as several of our dedicated volunteers. Together, they
would then put all the ingredients together and create
authentic dishes from various cultures across the world
represented by the individuals in our adult Program.
These dishes included Puerto Rican empanadas, German
Schweinshaxe (a dish consisting of German-style sausage
and cabbage), pastel de carne griega (Greek-style meatloaf), pepperoni ripieni (Italian stuffed peppers), Mexican
chili con carne, English fish and cauli-chips, and Hawaiian
hua kabobs made with fruit. These dishes grew our appreciation for the many diverse cultures that are represented
at the House of Possibilities while providing us a
rewarding and tasty activity to participate in!
Viva la differences!
2017 Boston Marathon: Team HOPe Makes a Difference!
We would like to thank John Hancock and all of our outstanding
runners who represented the House of Possibilities at the Boston
Marathon on April 17th! Thanks to John Hancock, we received
official marathon numbers that were used to raise $89,448 in
critically needed funds for our precedent setting programs.
HOPe Team Runners:
Craig Adler
Erin Digan
Jillian Ricciardelli
Dr. Rafael Castro
Meaghan Irvine
Elizabeth Rock
Lisa Vasallo Castro
Patrick McGovern
Brianna Whelan
The day was unforgettable for both runners and excited
children who were rooting on Team HOPe. We are extremely
proud of our runners’ accomplishments, compassion,
and overwhelming commitment!
Thank you Team HOPe!
House of Possibilities
350 Washington Street • North Easton, MA 02356
508-205-0555 • [email protected]
www.houseofpossibilities.org
501(c)(3) non-profit
Design services donated by ICON Advertising, Inc.
350 Washington Street
North Easton, MA 02356
Please consider a donation of any kind to ensure that our precious mission of HOPe
is sustainable for families who benefit enormously from our services.
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