Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
VOLUME I, 2016
A quarterly
publication of MIRCI
From the desk of the Executive Director:
Inside this issue:
From the E D 1
52 Windows 2
Midlands Gives 2
Inside Story 3
Donors 4
Like us on
Facebook.com/
Follow us on Twitter
@MIRCISC
On April 1st, I began my 26th year with MIRCI. Of course, that
means MIRCI has been a large part of mine and my family’s life
for a quarter of a century. This milestone has made me
reflective, about MIRCI, about my personal life, and how the
two are so much intertwined.
When I started working with MIRCI in 1991, my then
boyfriend was quickly enlisted as a volunteer, and for 25 years,
my now husband has been called on to assist with everything
from camping trips with MIRCI’s clients to cooking for events
and hanging art for 52 Windows. Our 18 year old son has
spent almost every single Thanksgiving Day with us at MIRCI,
with his job being to serve everyone their dessert of choice. He and his buddies have
stuffed stockings and gift bags during the holidays for the residents of MIRCI’s housing
program.
My parents and in-laws have been brought into the MIRCI family as well. My Dad has
made furniture for residents in our apartments. My sister-in-law has served Thanksgiving
and Christmas dinners at MIRCI for more years than I can count. Before his death, my
brother-in-law played for many fundraisers at MIRCI. Countless friends have been called
upon to use their time and talents to benefit the individuals served by MIRCI.
The common thread for me and each of my friends and family members is not what we’ve
given or done for those served by MIRCI. Instead the benefit for each of us is what draws
us together. Each of us has always left MIRCI feeling better than when we arrived. Not
because of what we did, but because of the grace shown to us by those served. Not a
day goes by that the clients of MIRCI don’t make you feel welcome. Never do you enter
MIRCI without receiving a warm, heartfelt greeting. I’ve never received more genuine
comments and compliments.
Over the years I’ve been to dances, dinners, family days, awards programs, etc. at
MIRCI. I know we all attend those kinds of events in many different venues. No other
venue can compare to attending an event at MIRCI. The thoughtfulness and kindness of
everyone, staff and clients alike, are second to none. I couldn’t begin to count the
number of clients throughout the years who have followed my son’s progression through
school and sports – genuinely followed. When they ask about him, they really want to
know. They ask me to tell him they asked about him, to tell him congratulations on
football games, to tell him hello. It’s not the empty polite conversations we all have at
times with people we know. It’s like we’re family. We’ve grown up together over the
years. We’ve grown close. We know each other, and we care.
My life over the past 25 years has been enriched by MIRCI and the caring people we are
privileged to serve. I’ve been a better family member, better parent, and better friend,
because of the grace I’ve learned from the kind people who make MIRCI their family. I
won’t be here another 25 years, but I will be here more years. Oh, and for my friends and
family, I’ll be sure to keep inviting you to be a part of the MIRCI family.
Julie Ann Avin, Executive Director
PAGE 2 NEWSLETTER TITLE
52 WINDOWS—An Evening of Art
MIRCI is participating in Midlands Gives on May 3rd.
Midlands Gives is an Online giving event put on by Central
Carolina Community Foundation. This is the 3rd year
MIRCI has been apart of the national Giving Day. All Funds
raised from this event will go towards MIRCI’s Housing and
Homeless Programs.
Come out and celebrate the beauty of art that supports the minds of those in need! There will be
heavy hors d'oeuvres catered by Aberdeen Catery, an open bar, live music by The Knott Trio, and a
silent art auction, featuring the art of: Marshall Foster; Sam Wilkins; Barrie Tompkins;
Stephen Chesley; Michael Story; Irene Tison; Brian Rego; Julia Seabrook Moore;
Heather Lahaise; and Missy Mciver.
This is MIRCI’s 5th year for the fundraiser event and all funds raised support MIRCI’s Housing and
Homeless Programs.
Tickets are $75 (1) or $125 (2) www.mirci.org
MIDLANDS GIVES
PAGE 3 VOLUME I, 2016
Catrina’s Story
At the time Catrina came into MIRCI housing in February, 2014, she was experiencing numerous life stressors which exacerbated her diagnoses of severe anxiety and depression. Despite her upsetting circumstances, Catrina maintained her employment at the time as well as her role of single mother of three. With the support of services such as psychiatrist appointments, nursing Interventions, medication management, individual therapy and psychosocial rehabilitation from MIRCI, she was able to gain stability and concentrate on improving the quality of her family’s lives. At the outset of her second year in the program, Catrina experienced a setback with the trauma of two deaths in her family. From that point on, she vowed to herself to continue in a positive direction and began to process several items of unfinished business in her life. As a result, she experienced tremendous personal growth. Last summer, her middle son came to live with the family permanently, and most recently, Catrina found a more suitable job which aligns with her goal of finding a job in the area of her Bachelor’s degree.
During a recent meeting, Catrina’s case manager reflected on her last two years in the MIRCI program, and commended her on the progress she has made. Catrina stated, “Yes, I believe I have. I was in such a terrible state at one point- now I’m happier than I’ve ever been my whole life.”
“YES, I BELIEVE I
HAVE. I WAS IN
SUCH A TERRIBLE
STATE AT ONE
POINT, NOW I’M
HAPPIER THAN I’VE
EVER BEEN MY
WHOLE LIFE”
MIRCI Donors: November 2015—March 2016
Steven Von Hollen and Julie Ann Avin—Honor of Sally Turner, Mike Herring, and
John and Nela Balling
Kara Bailey
Victoria Barnes
Joyce Britt
Jason Buckland, M.D.
Ronny and Mary Burkett
Brooke Clover
Walker Covin
James Cox
Bill Davis
Mary Anne Ehasz
John Evans
Bruce Fewell
Anita Floyd
Shirley Furtick
John and Margaret Garrison
Eugene and Lois Green
Steven and Debbie Hamm— Honor of Julie Ann Avin
Dr. Numa Hero III
Dawn Hinshaw
Mark Hodge
Kristen and Chad Horne -In memory of Ron Ellison
Kristen and Chad Horne—In Honor of Steve and Debbie Hamm
Laura Jeffcoat
Jane and Robert Key
May & Bentz Kirby
Maria and Jeff Koob
Dr. John lee
Dolores Macey Ph.D.
Councilman Bill Malinowski
Councilman Jim Manning -Honor of Councilman Gregory Pearce
Tom and Patricia Minor
Liz Norris—Honor of Julie Ann Avin
Dr. and Mrs. Georges Postic
Noni Richards -Honor of John and Cyndi Bell, Don and Corey Wood, and Curtis Richards
James Riddle, M.D.
Dr. Ruthie Saunders
Carolyn Seabrook
Charmelle Staples
John Stock
John and Susan Turnbull
Will Warren
Richard Widdifield
Ellen and Laurel Widdifield—Honor of Richard Widdifield
Joel and Diane Wier
Diane Zygmont
Good Unlimited Trust
CCM Advisers, LLC
Spring Valley Rotary Club
The Ed & Dorothy Kendall Foundation