LIFEMarbridgeLearn • Experience • Achieve

2nd Quarter 2010

• Time for summer camp fun! - pgs. 2-3 • Learning of gardens and earth’s goodness - pgs. 4-5

2nd Quarter 2010

FEATURE STORY > pg. 2

is a publication of Marbridge P.O. Box 2250, Manchaca, Texas 78652

Voice: (512) 282-1144 Fax: (512) 282-3723DADS license numbers 000706, 005191, 000520

Web: www.marbridge.orgE-mail: info@marbridge.org

Editor/Designer: Cathy Cabrera

To subscribe contact:editor@marbridge.org

Board of Trustees: H. Eddie Dick, chairman

J. Mitchell BellThomas P. Douglass

John D. HeadStephen T. Matthews

Tom M. O’BrienC. David Perry

W. Norm PhillipsW. Barry Schneider

James F. Stacey

Advisory Board: Aubrey L. CarterJonathan D. Levy

Steven J. Thiel

Administration James F. StaceyPresident & CEO

Scott McAvoyVice President of Operations

Craig WojtowiczVice President of Support Services

Michelle LevyVice President of Development

Will HoermannDirector of Admissions

Steve LarsonVilla Director

Brian HaddockRanch Director

Sally FletcherVillage Director

Janis BennettHuman Resources Director

Jerry NicholsonFacilities Director

Jana KayDirector of Training & Education

LIFEMarbridgeLearn • Experience • Achieve

As birds herald a new day, counselors begin rousing campers from their sleep. What new adventures await them on this bright, summer day? A trip to town, maybe? Tours of Austin occur regularly during our week long sessions. Campers may visit the Texas Capitol Building, then take in a show at the IMAX Theatre, followed by a Duck Tour through town in a bus that becomes a boat as it plunges into Lady Bird Lake and floats over for a look at Austin dam. Or the day could include horseback riding and a few lessons on how to groom and care for our equine friends. After a morning of horsing around, campers are ready for a swim in the pool. In addition to providing a week of fun, camp also gives them a peek into daily life at The Ranch and The Village communities. There are opportunities to enjoy meals, build friendships and participate

Drum therapy is a blast!

We swim almost everyday!

I love to groom and ride the horses in Marbridge’s Equine Therapy Program!

fIt’s an active, exciting week at Camp Marbridge!l Swimming

l Horseback riding

l Arts, crafts, music, games!

l Sports

l Community outings

pg. 3

Wish you were here!

Our summer camp cottage is so cozy! We have big trees all around us.

We visit the Texas capitol

and other places around

Austin. It’s so much fun!

in activities with many of our residents. Camp can be beneficial to young adults who may be considering a future transition into our post-secondary programs. It’s a full week at Camp Marbridge, one that many young adults with special needs look forward to summer after summer. “Steven is living for the moment when he can return to Camp Marbridge,” says Debra Moreno, mother of Steven Moreno, who is featured on the front cover of this issue. “You can tell how happy he is with Camp Marbridge.

He feels very comfortable and loved there, and I love that end-of-session party, where the kids share what they’ve done all week.” With lots of room to roam and many activities to choose from, Marbridge Summer Camp offers young adults a unique opportunity to step out on their own in a safe environment. They make new friends, experience new activities, and have fun in the process. When it’s time to go home, some are sad to see the good times come to an end—but there’s always next summer to look forward to!

2010 Summer Camp Schedule

l Session 1: June 13-18

l Session 2: June 20-25

l Session 3: June 27-July 2

l Session 4: July 11-16

l Session 5: July 18-23

l Session 6: July 25-30

l Session 7: August 1-6

l Session 8: August 8-13

l Session 9: August 15-20

Our summer camp employs a full time camp coordinator and full-time counselors with experience and/or training in special education or related fields.

For more information, visit us online at http://www.marbridge.org/ admissions/summer-camp-application.php

In Horticulture Therapy, we learn about plants and how to take care of them.

FEATURE STORY > pg.4 Learning about

This year, residents in our Gardening classes are hoping for a good, rain-filled summer. Instructors Bryan Webb and Mark Knox teach the classes. They worked with our facilities team last year to transform the grounds around the Training & Education office building into an organic vegetable and herb garden—and a classroom for residents. As it turns out, the garden has become a good teacher for everyone. Bugs, weeds and drought plagued their efforts in 2009. “Gardening mirrors life, in that there are successes and failures,” said Knox. “We enjoy our successes and try to learn from our failures. Residents also can learn how plants

grow and what some of the foods they eat look like while they are growing. Gardening also provides lessons in patience, commitment and teamwork.” Slowly, but surely, they are learning to garden. Despite setbacks, last year they produced a harvest that helped residents in the independent cottages learn to cook. But last year’s drought did convince the instructors to install a rainwater collection system. Two large barrels now flank the herb garden. Pipes running from the barrels to the roof collect the rain for days when none will fall. This spring, the two Garden classes planted a variety of herbs and vegetables, most of

The garden is our teacher. We learn lessons about our relationship with food, and that helps us make healthy eating choices.

Above, the capable hands of Jesse Russell help residents start most of the plants that grow in our vegetable and herb gardens,

including the row of Boston lettuce at right. Here, resident Sarah Shepherd

and instructor Bryan Webb add basil plants to the

herb garden.

pg. 5

Our new butterfly garden teaches

us about the beauty of

nature.

Worms and compost help us understand the natural cycle of life.

which were started from seed by our Horticultural Therapy classes. If you meander down the neat rows of Swiss chard, basil and lettuce, you’ll see a large mound of dirt on the right. That’s our worm

garden. It serves the lofty purpose of supplying bait for our Fishing Class, but it also provides lessons on how worms help prepare and enrich soil for plants. Beyond the worm pile, in the corner of the back lot sits our compost bin. Residents regularly add garden clippings, damaged vegetables and other organic matter. They learn about the cycle of life and how it helps keep the earth healthy. After months of work, harvest time brings residents a sense of accomplishment. Those in the independent cottages turn the garden into their grocery store, picking fresh vegetables and herbs for the nightly meal. “A lot of residents in the Gardening classes like to eat the produce right off the plant,” said Webb. And why not? It’s all from the good earth.

Above, Ken Holfus examines an earthworm from the worm plot; Doug Dillman harvests collard greens in the middle photo, and John Perry adds to the compost pile below.

This spring, residents in our Horticulture Therapy class re-purposed a small garden plot beside the greenhouse. They germinated purple, red and yellow butterfly weeds to plant there, and they learned the importance of creating habitat. “As humans, we take from the earth, and this is a way to give back,” said horticulture instructor Jesse Russell. He said the butterfly garden will also serve as a place where residents can gather, relax and watch the butterflies. Color attracts butterflies, and that’s why the class planted seeds of many different colors of butterfly weeds. Since the flowers are perennial, the class doesn’t expect to see too many butterflies until next spring when the plants will finally begin to bloom. But they know that this spring they gave back by planting the seeds for a new wildlife habitat.

Horticulture instructor Jesse Russell shows

Amy Morby the bloom on a butterfly weed

they will soon plant in our new

butterfly garden.

OUR COMMUNITY > pg.6

As warm weather arrives, we celebrate with Inside/Out and the Village Block Party!Blue skies and warm sun brought residents out in droves for Inside/Out, a celebration that provided a fun alterna-tive to the classroom setting. “By taking the lessons outside, we allow residents to participate in training they haven’t taken,” said Jan Meeks, art instructor. Residents enjoyed drum therapy,

healthy snacks that reinforce healthy food choices and

a variety of activities that represent

lessons commonly taught in skills-based training sessions. “This event demonstrates how instructors are able to teach a vast range of skills while keeping residents active and engaged,” said Meeks. In addition to the change of pace offered by Inside/Out, residents also “jived” at our springtime Block Party held at The Village community on April 10. The Backtracks band, accompanied by resident pickers, jammed through the cool spring evening while many took to the pavement to dance.

Seth Felder accompanied the band at the Springtime Block Party while many residents danced. Dancers include, from left: Rob Battin, Jonathan Mettke, Ronnie Reed, Kyle Gaeta, Matt Landry (partially visible) and Kevin Vogt.

Above, Amy Koch leads residents in Drum Therapy at Inside/Out.

pg. 7

Above, a newly landscaped area complements the backside of the Marbridge Chapel. At right, John Hunter and other members of the landscape

crew cleaned beds and added new plants in the Senior Dorm courtyard, including an avocado tree planted by Mike Kolb, left, and Dan Beckmeyer.

Residents in Horticulture Therapy grew the tree from a seed.

Resident employees on our grounds keeping team spend extra time cleaning beds and installing plants—all to restore warm weather beauty to our campus.

Residents who work on our landscape crew learn the value of employment, but they also get lessons on the impact of weather. Last summer’s drought took a toll on many areas of our campus landscaping. It increased the amount of irrigation needed and decreased the amount of mowing. This winter and spring abundant rain fell, and now the crew is back to mowing everyday. It’s a busy time of year for the team. Not only do they mow more, it’s also time for spring cleaning. The record low temperatures during the winter created a landscape of frozen plants that required cutting back. Fallen leaves must also be cleaned from flower beds and new plants added. This year, the landscape crew decided to refurbish the Senior Dorm garden and add a new landscape bed behind the Marbridge chapel. “We never had this bed looking this nice and clean,” said Dan Beckmeyer of the work he and Mike Kolb did in the Senior

Dorm garden. The two removed thorn bushes and replaced them with an avocado bush grown from a seed by the Horticulture Therapy class. “We like to help out,” said Mike Kolb, “It makes people happy.” For resident John Hunter, the landscape crew provides a job he truly enjoys. “I really like this job,” he said. “I’ve worked on the landscape crew three months, but it seems like yesterday when I started.” John is reaping the benefits many residents receive through employment —a sense of value and purpose along with opportunities to learn new skills. “They rely on us to make the property look better,” he says of the residents, staff and visitors to our campus. Thanks to our landscape crew, we can rest assured that the grounds and flower beds at Marbridge will continue to add beauty and color to our days.

RESIDENT LIFE > pg 8

ResidentEmployment Update

Sarah Shepherd began a new job in April as a lunchroom monitor at Tobias Elementary School.Good luck, Sarah!

Even though she is legally blind, Sylvia Hermes wanted to prove that she could compete in the showman-ship event at the Golden Stirrup equine competition held at the Austin Rodeo in March. Horses’ hooves create many pits and gouges in the ground of the competition arena, and Sylvia knew she would have to guide her horse and make turns as the judge circles around the animal. For a person with limited sight, it would be a difficult challenge. But Sylvia felt she was up for it. She practiced all semester, gradually convincing equine coordinator Shonda Corn that she was ready for the event. Sylvia began her journey to the Golden Stirrup competition three years ago, when she began to

take Equine Therapy classes. At first she was shy around the big animals, but gradually, as she learned how to approach them, touch them and then groom the horses, she gained confidence. “We were a little surprised to learn that she was into horses,” says Mary Hermes, Sylvia’s mother. “She went to the state competition last year, which was a big step up for her.” The culmination of her success finally came at the Golden Stirrup competition. Sylvia took first place in her division! “Sylvia enjoys the horses and looks forward to riding,” said Mrs. Hermes. It’s a wonderful program and very worthwhile.”

Sylvia Hermes holds her first-place trophy and ribbon won at the Golden Stirrup competition in March.

Through equine therapy she experiences success—and builds confidence

Barrett Minor landed a job in the Ranch Dietary Department helping with food prep.Way to go, Barrett!

Daniel Stevenson started a new job in April as a dish-washer in the Ranch Dietary Department.We wish you well, Daniel!

Buda YMCA marks one year as a Marbridge employment partner

Congratulations to the Buda YMCA for reaching the one-year mark as our employment partner. Resident Lynn Thomas was hired one year ago to help maintain the workout facilities, women’s locker rooms, and family locker rooms. Lynn’s supervisor, Travis Green, says that Lynn does an excellent job and has become a special part of their community.Like many other employers, the Buda YMCA recognizes that Marbridge provides well trained employment candidates!

pg.9

Project SEARCH at Seton Medical Center Austin is the first program of its kind in Texas. The partnership between Marbridge and the Seton Family of Hospitals began in the fall of 2007 with six interns and three participating hospital departments—Environmental Services, Food Services and Sterile Processing. Out of this first class, three Project SEARCH graduates found employment at Seton, while others took their newly developed skills to search for employment opportunities in the community. In its second year, Project SEARCH developed internships in several new departments, including Supply Processing and Distribution, Clinical Lab, Surgical Services, and Medical Administration. Four of the six graduating interns in the class of 2009 found positions at Seton, and all received important job skills training and lasting professional contacts. Now at the end of its third

year, Project SEARCH interns and graduates work in 11 departments throughout the hospital. Six Project SEARCH graduates have maintained employment with Seton Medical Center Austin.

Project SEARCH graduates third class of interns

Our 2010 Project SEARCH graduates, from left: Brooke Duren, Kyle Leyden, Brendan Kelly, Justin Dick, Bryan Barnett and Luke Stenftenagel.

Six more residents are ready for competitive employment!

Individual UpdatesEach issue of Marbridge LIFE contains a progress report on some of the residents who currently participate in Project SEARCH. Last issue we reported on Brooke Duren and Bryan Barnett. Here’s the progress made by the four remaining residents in the program:

Luke Stenftenagel tried his hand in the Food Services Department during the second rotation of Project SEARCH. Each morning, Luke worked in the dish room loading the industrial

dish machine. He was the first Project SEARCH intern to have been given this large responsibility, and he did a great job, taking ownership of the task. Luke also worked on the fast-paced patient tray line, which requires great attention to detail. Luke mastered the skill, and learned the importance of teamwork.

Brendan Kelly completed his second rotation with the Health Information Management. His main responsibility was to sort and file patient records using tertiary ordering. Brendan met

the challenge and learned the department’s complex filing systems. The transferable skills Brendan acquired during this rotation will help him as he moves into the competitive workplace.

Kyle Leyden met a great need in the Environmental Services Department by keeping the flu season kiosks clean and stocked with hand sanitizer, face masks and tissues. Kyle’s thoroughness in

this task was essential and was one of many efforts to keep both the H1N1 and seasonal flu under control.

Justin Dick worked in Supply Processing & Distribution (SPD) for his second rotation. He restocked linen carts throughout the hospital and made sure the other departments were fully stocked with

linens needed for a full day of patient care. Justin proved himself to be a truly valuable member of the SPD team and impressed his coworkers and supervisors with his strong work ethic.

OUR VOLUNTEER ARMY > pg.8

The 2010 Volunteer Appreciation Banquet provided a time to relax in a creek side setting, visit old friends and make new ones and reflect upon the tremendous gifts of time, treasure and talent that our volunteers give to the residents of Marbridge. Last year, more than 178 individuals and 28 groups donated in excess of 13,580 hours of service that saved Marbridge an estimated $283,143. But their greatest gift is the joy they bring to the lives of our residents. On behalf of them, the staff and the families connected to Marbridge, we extend our most sincere

Scott Cary has volunteered as a Special Olympics coach at Marbridge for 16 years and has served as master of ceremonies at our Sports Banquets. This year, he received the esteemed Volunteer of the Year award for his selfless gifts of time over the years. Scott, center, was presented his award by Scott McAvoy, vice president of operations, and James Stacey, president of Marbridge.

Karen Little belongs to The Oak Leaves, which traces its service to Marbridge back 25 years. She has volunteered at Marbridge for nine years. She also serves on the Benevon Development Team and participates in our monthly JAM (Just About Marbridge) Sessions to introduce visitors to Marbridge. For her contributions, Karen was presented the Outstanding Commitment award. James Stacey, president of Marbridge, presented the award to Karen.

The members of Come Drum for Fun bring a fun energy to our campus and have taught us the value of drum therapy for people with special needs. From left: Sandy Smith, Nick Batik, Mae Stoll and Margaret Weston.

Scott CaryVolunteer of the Year

Karen Little Outstanding Commitment

Come Drum for FunVolunteer Group of the Year

pg. 9

CurrentVolunteer OpportunitiesOffice AssistantIdeal Time Commitment:2 to 4 hours weekly or biweeklyArea of Involvement: AdministrationRole: We need help with light office work such as mailings, filing, and other duties. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm M-F, and volunteer time may be flexible within those operating hours and days.

Greenhouse CareIdeal Time Commitment:Weekly: Tues., Wed. or Thurs.,Area of Involvement:Horticultural Therapy CenterRole: We are in need of assistance with weeding and general care for plants in our main greenhouse.

Grocery Shopping & Cooking Mentor Ideal Time Commitment:Weekly: Thursday afternoonsArea of Involvement: The Village Role: Many of our Village residents cook their own meals. Volunteers are needed to assist them at the grocery store once a week and help them with meal planning and learning new recipes.

Personal MentorIdeal Time Commitment:8 to 10 hours per monthArea of Involvement: Campus-wideRole: Mentors work with one resident and commit to spending time each week or every other week with the resident to act as a positive role model. Volunteer mentors may assist with fun town trips to movies, restaurants, shopping, sport events and other leisure activities.

Top photo: The Bourgeacq Family, who volunteer at The Villa, greets their friend, Bud O’Neal.

2nd row, left photo: The Rockin’ Chairettes lead the way in a line dance to excellent music provided by The Derailers. Right photo shows a gathering of people early in the event, which was held at the Salt Lick Pavilion.

3rd row, left: Matt Cabrera took a stroll down to watch the creek tumble over an embankment. Middle: Chairman of the Board Eddie Dick dances with his wife, LouAnn. Right: A group of volunteers checks the evening line-up while visiting.

Bottom: Destinee Greene was an easy choice for Outstanding Gift of Time. To date, she has donated more than 600 hours to the residents of The Villa. Steve Larson, Villa director, presented the award.

Destinee GreeneOutstanding Gift of Time

Many thanks to The Derailers for providing

excellent music for both dancing and listening at our

Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.

You were awesome!

MIRACLE OPPORTUNITIES > pg.12

The Dream Team launches an effort to build Victory Hall, a much-needed facility for athletic training and special events

The Marbridge Dream Team includes residents, family members, business people and Marbridge staff. From left, front row: Cathy Cabrera, Bell Cabrera Marketing Services; Kevin McCutchon, Village resident; Dr. Teri Albright; James Stacey, Marbridge president, Michelle Levy, Marbridge vice president of development; Tom Leyden, associate executive director of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals; Dan Beckmeyer, Village resident; Luke Sanchez, Byram Properties. Second row, from left: Craig Nasso, architect; Jennifer Walker, director of marketing communications, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau; Brent Kelly, community representative, Austin Police Department; Hughie Shaw, Marbridge coach; Cindy Kirby, director of high school services, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals; Scott McAvoy, Marbridge vice president of operations; Gary Manley, president, Iron Cactus Restaurants; Jeff Kauffmann, assistant vice chancellor, UT Systems. Not pictured: Mark Tester, director, Austin Convention Center; Pam Owens, I Live Here/I Give Here; State Representative Valinda Bolton.

The Dream Team seeks to build a facility that will replace the existing gym, which was constructed in the 1950s and is neither heated nor air conditioned and is far too small to meet current resident needs. The rendering below envisions a facility that would include a basketball court, an indoor track, a weight and wellness room, staging for performances and offices and multi-purpose rooms. The facility is planned to serve Marbridge residents as well as the community.

A group of concerned and committed individuals met in January of this year to discuss the pressing need for an athletic facility at Marbridge. The sale in 2006 of Mabee Village included the gym facility that coaches and instructors utilized for exercise classes and team practice sessions. At the end of the meeting, each person in at-tendance committed to becoming an active participant in the Dream Team. They would dream it, then build it. Leading the team is Tom Leyden, the principal organizer and father of Kyle Leyden, a resident of The Village at Marbridge. Tom knows firsthand the tremen-dous challenges that the Marbridge coaching staff now face in trying to find and procure athletic facilities for team practices. Exercise classes had to be moved around

as well, with some taking place outside and others at earlier hours to avoid the heat on hot weather days. “Tom has done a tremendous job in organiz-ing the Dream Team, and the team itself is an amaz-ing group of highly qualified individuals who bring an impressive depth of experience and knowledge to their various areas of service,” said James Stacey, Marbridge president. As initial architectural plans are firming up, the team has also begun to develop fund-raising and com-munication strategies to get the dirt moving to build Victory Hall, a modern athletic and event center that will serve residents and the community for many years.

pg. 13The

Important ItemWish List

The Village• George Foreman Grill or Panini PressWhy: We need it to prepare grilled foods for residents with special dietary needs. The Ranch• Gift cards or donations to purchase twin-size sheets, pillow cases and comfortersWhy: Our bed clothes need to be replaced!

The Villa • Cookie BakerWhy: The residents would truly enjoy a snack break with chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies!

Training & Education• Repairs and a small addition to horse barnWhy: With new construction in the area , last summer’s drought and this spring’s rainfall, our barn now experiences flooding when it rains.

For other donations, contact Michelle Levy,

vice president of development, at 512-282-1144,

ext. 1006, or mlevy@marbridge.org

Friends of Marbridge in Texas now have another way to provide financial support—at no extra cost—while you grocery shop!

Focus Groups provide helpful input for design of a new dormitory facility

Above, the footprint of the complex includes two courtyard areas for outside gathering and leisure activities. The layout provides optimal placement of staff in relation to resident rooms, as well as ample office space. The facility will incorporate a fully functioning kitchen and dining hall, as well as a recreational room and all-purpose room for events and meetings.

The resident rooms, at right, feature a suite-style arrangement. Each resident will have his/her own room with a shared bath. The rooms will also include large, walk-in closets for ample storage of clothing and other personal items.

Randalls grocery stores offer customers a way to donate dollars simply by linking their Remarkable card to Marbridge. A portion of each purchase will then be donated to Marbridge.

“We are thrilled!” said Amelia Mettke, parent of Jonathan, a Ranch resident who lives in the Winters Dorm. She has participated in two focus group studies to provide feedback on plans for a dorm to replace Winters, which was built in the 1960s. “I think it’s going to be a beautiful complex. Jonathan is already excited about it.” Mrs. Mettke particularly likes the location of staff areas,

which provide improved supervisory capabilities over previous plans. She also likes the green areas and outdoor gathering spots that were incorporated into the design. But her favorite part is the suite design of resident quarters, which feature two individual rooms, a large shared bath and ample storage. “We’re thrilled,” she repeated, “that something new like this is go-ing to happen at Marbridge.”

STAFF & FAMILY NEWS > pg. 14

Sixty-nine and counting--that’s how many families have joined MPFA so far this year! We are very pleased with that number,

but we hope those of you who haven’t joined yet will do so. We are planning an MPFA Family Day on Saturday, June 12th, and we would love for as many of you as possible to attend. We will meet in the chapel on the Marbridge campus from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Marbridge staff will do a presentation on all the exciting happenings at Marbridge. More than likely you will hear some interesting facts about Marbridge that you were not aware of previously. Immediately following the staff presentation, we will have a brief business meeting. After that we will pick up our loved ones and go to lunch as a group. We will be going to the Salt Lick, a renowned barbecue restaurant close to Marbridge—with lots of character and good food! The menu and costs can be found at their web site http://www.saltlickbbq.com. Come and join us for food, fellowship, and fun on MPFA Family Day! We hope to see you there and look forward to getting acquainted with you.

Lana LevinsTreasurer

Weaves a n e-Tapestry

These days, Suzanne Johnson’s favorite tune may well be the old standard, “Getting To Know You.” That’s because she has spent the past nine months getting to know the residents, family members and friends of Marbridge contained in our old database to make sure the information is correct. It was a herculean effort, all aimed toward an eventual upload of the records into a new and more efficient soft-ware system called “eTapestry.” Unlike most database systems, eTapestry was designed to run on the Internet. It employs the latest technology and provides a sophisticated system that is simpler to maintain, costs less to operate and provides the ability to customize features to meet spe-cific needs. Suzanne loves the new ability to plan events and track

attendance through online regis-trations, and she’s equally excited that e-Tapestry integrates well with the Marbridge Web site. “It can process donations made online through our site, and it’s available 24/7, 365 days a year,” she said. The security is a plus, too, as is the back-up service—double back-ups occur daily to two separate off site locations in the U.S. Volunteer John Crosby also played a vital role in the conversion. “He was very instrumental in helping us through this transi-tion,” said Suzanne. “It’s one more way people who support Marbridge can be assured that we know them as people, that we know their wishes and honor them.”

pg. 15Staff News

Rita MarchanLead HousekeeperThe Villa

Rita is a valued Villa employee who always comes to work enthusiastic and full of energy. She motivates other employees and is always look-ing for ways to improve upon her work. Rita has been very support-ive in sharing ideas that will help solve problems or fix areas of con-cern. Her dedication, hard work, patience, and care for our residents have made Rita an important part of the Villa team. She truly goes above and beyond what is expected.

Sandra Miles HicksNurse AssistantThe Ranch

Sandra’s knowledge of her area and the residents’ personal histories makes her a cornerstone in the Ranch Nursing Department. She helps maintain continuity of care and demonstrates a high level of commitment to the residents. Her attention to detail and her efficiency ensure we maintain supplies of needed medications and her support of our medical staff is invaluable. Sandra is a dedicated and responsible employee and a valued member of the Ranch team.

10-year Service Award

Kristen BoswellInstructorTraining & Education

Kristen teaches Level 1 classes that include Skills for Life, reading and writing, math fundamentals and money math. Kristen established the Marbridge recycling program, which is highly valued by both residents and staff. On average, Marbridge now recycles nearly four tons of paper, cardboard, glass and plastic waste products each month. Kristen is a hard worker and a cre-ative employee. Prior to joining the T&E staff, Kristen worked as a resi-dent trainer and earned the Premier Employee award. She is a certified yoga instructor and also teaches Shape-Up, a fun form of dancing for exercise. She also leads residents in biking and walking for exercise.

Cynthia CasanovaHousekeeping SupervisorThe Villa

Cindy began her career at Marbridge as a housekeeper and was quickly promoted to the Housekeeping and Laundry supervisory position. She does a commendable job to ensure that the Villa is always presentable. Further, Cyndi steps up to take on additional projects, such as cleaning the Davis Guest House and the Summer Camp House. Cyndi is highly dependable, yet flexible. She can be seen at the Villa at all hours of the day or night and even weekends, performing the necessary jobs to keep the Villa clean.

5-year service recognitions

Kimberly FloresActivity CoordinatorThe Villa

As the recreational coordinator for the Villa, Kimberly exhibits high levels of patience when interacting with the Villa residents. She always goes out of her way to make the residents happy and makes sure their days are filled with activities that keep them engaged and entertained. She puts a smile on everyone’s face on Fridays when she brings her dog, Pinto, to the Villa for all the residents to enjoy. Kimberly is highly dependable and always exhibits a pleasant attitude to everyone. She is a valued member of the Villa staff.

Weaves a n e-Tapestry

New admissions coordinator will focus on The Bridges Express Recover Center

Barbara BushAdmissions CoordinatorThe Villa & The Bridges

Barbara Bush has a famous name, one she aims to connect in peoples’ minds with The Villa and now The Bridges Express Recovery Center. The new six-bed upscale rehab and recovery center will open in mid-June, and Barbara hopes to have it filled in a short amount of time. She comes to Marbridge with more than 15 years of estate planning and probate experience as well as a practice in holistic health, which incorporates physical/spiritual with legal/financial needs. Barbara is a certified senior advisor with training in aging and the important issues that affect seniors.

Marbridge FoundationP.O. Box 2250

Manchaca, Texas 78652Web: www.marbridge.org

E-mail: info@marbridge.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

On the cover: Camper Steven Lafon discovers one of the

wonders of nature during his week at Marbridge Summer Camp.

Marbridge provides a safe, loving community where adult residents with cognitive

challenges can achieve their full potential through Abilities Centered Training

with the opportunity for lifetime care. Marbridge provides a broad spectrum of

services designed to meet each individual’s specific needs through three distinct

communities—The Village, the Ranch and the Villa—each providing a different level of lifestyle support, guidance and supervision.

Non-Profit Organization US Postage

PaidAustin, Texas

Permit No. 2900

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