Gallagher Services
Fall, 2011
Through the power of human relationship & pursuit of excellence, we open doors to a fuller life for people with developmental disabilities.
What does service mean to you?
The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others. — Mohandas Gandhi
E
very Sunday morning I
Ever since that fall day in
am greeted by two
freshman year when I set
older men with huge,
foot in Gallagher, I’ve had a
sparkling smiles, both with two
passion for service, and I
open arms, in their own
just can’t seem to get
wheelchairs, ready for their
enough. The growth in my
weekly hugs. They are some of
love of service has led me
the jolliest men I know, and
to consider serving others
always have a little charm
as a career path, which is
about them. These men go by
why I aspire to be an
the names of Tony and Glenn,
Occupational Therapist.
two of the many residents at
Gallagher has prepared me
Gallagher Services, a
to take on the challenge of
community for adults with
helping others overcome
Morgan Malishchak, Tony Peddicord & Sarah Malishchak
developmental disabilities. This
any learning or physical
sense of love and willingness to welcome is not only
challenges that may prevent them from performing
communicated through Tony and Glen, but by every person
everyday tasks.
in the Gallagher community and by everyone I have ever
Even if you don’t think the “Special Friends Program” would
interacted with through service involvement. Moments like
be
something you would personally enjoy, there are
these make me realize every person has a purpose in life,
numerous opportunities offered within NDP itself that you
and I can positively say mine is serving others.
can be involved in, from Habitat Builds to Umoja to El
As Mohandas Gandhi once said,“The best way to find
Salvador or Mississippi delegations. Every service
yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others,” and
opportunity offers a unique experience that can’t be found
throughout my high school career, I think I did just that.
elsewhere.
As a freshman, I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to be
If anyone had asked me freshman year what service meant
involved in, so I decided to put myself a little out of my
to me, I can’t say for sure if I would’ve had a solid answer.
comfort zone and sign up for Gallagher Services’ Special
But now, three years later, after meeting people like Glenn
Friends program. With this program, groups of students
and Tony, I can sum it up in four words: service is my life.
come in to make crafts, sing, dance, and go to church with
These past three years have reassured me that my purpose
the developmentally challenged adults that live there. Yes,
is serving others, and nothing will stop me from achieving
I’ve had my artwork ripped up due to disapproval, been
my goal. In the sense of Gandhi’s quote, I have undoubtedly
told my outfit doesn’t match, and that I’m singing off tune,
found myself. But now the real question is—how will you?
but I can honestly say some of my funniest and sweetest
memories are shared at Gallagher, and I can’t wait to begin
Morgan Malishchak
my fourth year this upcoming Sunday.
Notre Dame Preparatory School Class of 2012
What a Difference a Day Makes!
Our brightest blazes are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks. — Samuel Johnson
A
ngela Seabron is a
Supervisor in Gallagher’s
Medical Day Program in
Timonium. She brings a rich
background of professional and
personal experience to her job
overseeing the nursing, nutrition,
and supervised work and
occupational therapy in the day
program. There is a high priority
for excellence in caring in every
area; however, to Angela the
recreational, arts, and social
aspects of life in the day program
are of equal importance in
providing participants with a
meaningful daytime experience.
course work and is an internship
away from receiving her degree.
She had previously received a
Bachelor’s Degree from UMBC in
Social Work. Angela’s family
includes a step-son,Willie Jr., and
four children: Shikera, Latiesha,
Tyrell, and Corey, ages 40 to 16,
with nine grandchildren so far.
Family gatherings, in addition to
holidays, include summer trips to
Massanetta,Virginia and Myrtle
Beach, South Carolina.
Whatever life brings next,Angela
says that it’s likely to include
working with people with developmental disabilities.
Although she has worked in the mental health field for 20
years, she finds her seven years working with Gallagher
Services the most rewarding.
Angela Seabron
Prior to coming to Gallagher Services, Angela was a
licensed day care provider for children. She ran the
program called “Tiny Boppers” in her own home. She also
founded and still does run a trucking company called
“Seabron Transportation Corp.” with her husband Willie.
Their company delivers Xerox equipment under contract
with Ryder Systems. She closed her day care business
when she came to Gallagher Services, and decided at the
same time to pursue a Master’s Degree in Social Work at
the University of Maryland Baltimore. She has finished her
Angela develops the monthly activity calendar for the
Medical Day Program. There is quite an array of events
during the month. She plans as full a day as she can
arrange, taking into consideration each person’s ability
and interests. The monthly calendar includes: Spiritual
Activities, Men’s Group Fishing Outings, visits to Ravens
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Nail Spa: Lysbeth Grossman and Helen Dyer—Instructor
2
Dance: Angela McAllister—Instructor, Holly Andrews, Shanell Owens—Assistant Instructor, and Alva Shoats.
Camp,Women’s Cooking Group, Ice Tea Day, Cheese
Cake Day, Bingo,Arts and Crafts, Books on Tape,
Movie Day, Kite Flying, Gardening, Casino Day, Chair
aerobics, Music, and Dance. Angela strives to arrange
activities that respect what the individuals want
while giving them what they need—something for
everyone. This way everyone benefits. Something as
simple as the “Parachute Game” can really make the
day. Seeing individuals in the program enjoying the
interaction with volunteers, you know that they
really want to be there to enjoy relationships that
they would not have experienced otherwise. Doors
to fuller lives are opened.
Jim Hillmann
Art: Angie Bubczyk—Instructor, and Theresa Schroder
Bowling: Patrick Kujawa and Steven Jackson—Instructor
3
Welcome Volunteers!
It is when you give of yourself that you truly give. — Kahlil Gibran
One of the most memorable volunteer groups that we
have had recently was from St. Margaret’s Parish in Harford
County. The students assisted with the parachute game,
and were genuinely concerned about being companions,
and seeing that the individuals were comfortable while
playing. All of the Gallagher staff involved in the activities
asked when the students would be visiting again! We are
so glad to have the various groups that volunteer. Each
one is unique and beneficial.
Medical Day Program
My outlook on volunteers goes back to my own roots as a
volunteer coordinator for AmeriCorps, where I had the
opportunity to visit a rescue mission, soup kitchen,
homeless shelter, and Habitat for Humanity project.
Before I had exposure to these programs, I had the
mistaken idea that the reason people were homeless was
always because of drug or alcohol addiction. These
opportunities changed my outlook entirely, giving me
compassion, and a different outlook toward those who
were from different walks of life. I gained so much from
my own volunteer experiences that I began taking my
son,Tyrell, to Our Daily Bread to help out. After working
there for the summer, he gained a new sense of gratitude
and empathy for others. I always have that in mind when
we have students visit us!
St. Margaret’s volunteers
Volunteering is like farming. Seeds are planted, opening
doors to a different way of life or group of people we may
have never known without the experience. When I see
students come in I think that they represent hope for the
future. When we expose them to different elements of
society, the experiences instill valuable knowledge. At first
some students seem a bit reluctant to interact, perhaps
because they are unfamiliar with people with
development disabilities. It is gratifying to see them
become more relaxed when they begin to realize that
they are with another human being with likes, dislikes,
opinions, and talents similar to theirs. It is refreshing to
me when I see the students realize how genuine our
individuals are: what you see is what you get.
Angela Seabron
Medical Day Program Supervisor
Gallagher Day Program
Volunteering gives people a personal
connection to others that they may have
never interacted with in day-to-day
living. This is also true for our
individuals when they have visitors. An
example of this was the weekly visit of
the three seminarians from St. Mary’s
Seminary last year. One of the special
aspects of their visits was the cultural
diversity they brought into our program.
One of the men was from Poland, and
two were from Columbia. Those from
Columbia brought in a Latin American
CD, and demonstrated how to dance to
the rhythm of a different beat. The
seminarians mingled well with the
St. Mary’s Seminarians; Marcin Burek, Andres Araque & Jorge Ramirez
4
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seniors and were very active. Besides music and dancing,
the individuals really looked forward to playing bingo
during their visits. It was also great to have them help out
with the contract work for Fastenal. We were always
happy to see them.
Art Therapy
Art therapy is a means of calming individuals through color
and different mediums. If one of the individuals is having a
bad day, he or she can come to the art room and find
expression through painting, drawing, coloring, or pasting.
By the end of class they are excited about what they have
done, and love to take their projects home to display! They
are so proud of their work, and so am I. I have the need to
have art in my life just as the individuals do. When we
have volunteers, it is great to have them share in this
process.
I think that our volunteer program is so enriching that I
had my daughter, Jasmine, volunteer with us when she
was in high school. I wanted her to see the people that I
work with, and to get to know them as individuals with
their own special personalities. I think it would be great
to invite some of the students from inner city schools to
volunteer at Gallagher Services.
I welcome volunteers! It is always helpful to have them
assist me with preparations for art projects for the
individuals. Helping out may involve cutting, pasting,
tracing, or organizing supplies. When there is a group of 6-8
students, they can give one-on-one help to each person.
Our individuals really benefit from this “hands-on” approach.
Onika Duke
Day Program Instructor
Volunteers are especially helpful when there is a large
group art project, when at least half of the individuals in
each of the eight classrooms are involved. The students
assist me in showing individuals how to follow through on
a project, which is really beneficial with the more involved
work. It is an enriching experience for the individuals to
have visitors interested in them and what they are doing.
It is gratifying for me to offer this opportunity to
volunteers.
Kelly Schnitzker
Art Therapist
Yvonne Mennuti, a
Loyola University
volunteer with
Tony Peddicord
Sheila Taylor with Melissa Brigham, a Loyola University volunteer
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Welcome Volunteers
(Continued from page 5)
Gribbin Center
The individuals and staff at Gribbin Center always
welcome volunteers. Loyola Blakefield is one of the
groups that has visited us on a weekly basis for the past
few years. The freshman students join us each Wednesday
afternoon just in time to attend our worship service. It is
always exciting for the individuals to have a friend to sit
with to enjoy the bible lesson, or share in the singing.
Those who do not come to the worship service may be
busy with contract work, and are always glad to have the
company of volunteers. The consistent visits of Loyola
Blakefield students give the
staff the opportunity to plan
ahead, and act around their
visits. One of the many
benefits of hosting student
volunteers is that they often
decide to come back for their
service hours!
Another of our volunteer
partnerships is with The
Catholic High School. The
students visit us once a year
for their service day. They
host a carnival, bingo game,
and help out with crafts and
other social activities. Several of the young ladies who are
cheerleaders have performed some of their routines for
the individuals. The students bring a lot of energy and
enthusiasm to our center. They are willing to help out any
way they can to make the day exciting and memorable!
One of our most recent volunteer partners is St.
Stephen’s Bradshaw Parish. For the past two years a
group of young men and women, accompanied by their
parents, has come to help improve the landscaping
around Gribbin Center. They
have planted flowers and
completed the project by
mulching.
The volunteers came with an
agenda of helping, and that is
exactly what they did,
working non-stop until the
job was finished! We were
very pleased with their work,
and look forward to their
next visit.
St. Stephen’s volunteers
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Alyscia Smith
Gribbin Center Manager
Workforce Development
One important key to success is self confidence. An important key to self confidence is preparation.
— Arthur Ashe
M
y name is Katie Beinstein, and I will be a
senior at Mount St. Mary’s University in the
fall of 2011. I have been welcomed with open arms
to Gallagher Services as an intern this summer. I
began my internship the beginning of June until
mid-August. I am so impressed with Gallagher
Services, including the clients, staff and the great
services provided. One of my responsibilities was
working with Tradonna Lang, Employment
Counselor, with Workforce Development in the Day
Program. This program has taken flight this summer
with training programs and job hunting for
individuals. There are twenty-five individuals
currently in the Workforce Development Program,
from Gallagher Services in Timonium, as well as
from the Gribbin Center in Perry Hall.
Kaitlyn Beinstein, Shawn Haynie, Thomas Billings & Tradonna Lang
Workforce Development provides training for
individuals to succeed in the community by teaching
fundamental skills, such as cleaning, sweeping, mopping,
getting a job as a dishwasher.” Tradonna believes it is a
vacuuming, and more. Besides going out in the
great opportunity for our guys to be out in the
community, the individuals go out job hunting, handling
community. She said,“It is an essential part of Catholic
applications and interviewing for positions. The
Charities, of acclimating them to the community so that
individuals are so energized by this program. They are
they are able to work on their own.”
excited to go out into the community and search for
employment. Tradonna and I have worked with the
Shawn and Thomas are two individuals in the program
individuals in group settings, as well as one-on-one with
who have been going out job hunting with Tradonna and
them to learn about their goals, backgrounds, and possible
me. We have searched throughout the Towson and
jobs they are interested in obtaining.
Timonium area for a perfect fit for them. Watching Shawn
and Thomas talk to different employers showed me how
strong of a drive they have to find a job. Thomas would
strike up a conversation when job hunting with any of
the employees in the store, talking about how he was
applying for the job, and asking about hours of operations
and if they were hiring.
One of my projects for the Workforce Development
Program was to create a database for information on each
individual, which includes personal information,
educational experience, work experience, skills, and
preferences for employment. It also covers what
individuals may need and whether they are able to be
independent or need assistance when working. This is
beneficial for filling out applications efficiently and
effectively with individuals and for understanding what
their basic needs are. Any staff member would be able to
sit down with each individual and fill out the application
with the use of this database.
Shawn and Thomas are so grateful for the opportunity to
search for employment in the community. Every time we
were in the van on our way to a job site, Shawn would
said,“Thank you,” to Tradonna and me for spending time
with them and job hunting. I have learned so much from
them—their likes, dislikes and character—just from the
car rides on Tuesday mornings throughout this past
summer. These two gentlemen are great candidates for
job positions. I wish them the best of luck. I will miss
them, but I know in my heart that they will be successful!
Being involved in this program has opened my eyes to
how determined these individuals are to find jobs. They
are just as determined as you and I would be, if not more
determined. As we were handing in some of their
applications,Thomas said,“I am excited about hopefully
Katie Beinstein
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Gallagher Services
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
2520 Pot Spring Road
Baltimore, MD 21093
Return Service Requested
PAID
Baltimore, MD.
Permit No 5595
To receive Open Doors electronically — e-mail your name & address to [email protected]
Gallagher Services’
Twenty-Third Annual Golf Tournament
Monday, May 7, 2012
Hunt Valley Golf Club • 14101 Phoenix Road • Phoenix, MD 21131
8:30 a.m.
10:00 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
Registration & Lunch
Shotgun Start
Awards Dinner & Auction
$300 per Player • $1,200 per Foursome
Registration:
410-252-4005 x115 • [email protected]