Our Story: A Parent’s Perspective of

Supported Living Services at

Rainbow Homes By Melanie Majorana Ryan was able to move into his own (duplex) apartment in February 2011 and life is so much richer and fuller for him than ever. He is involved in many RH activities and its general culture. Within months of moving, he started his first paying job at Peckham, which has pro-vided additional social opportunities. He has already been on three major vaca-tions with RH, which previously were almost impossible. Ryan enjoys the support he has received to learn many new skills, especially cook-ing with his guy friends. He is learning how to be a roommate, and all that that entails. Most significantly, with staff guid-ance, Ryan is learning to make choices for himself. For one thing, Ryan chose a church, and RH sent staff with him for weeks to make sure he would be safe on his own, and to help him to get ac-quainted. He chooses activities, how to spend money, and much more. When we return to visit friends in Ann Arbor, they are amazed at how Ryan is thriving and how much he has grown. Just the other day, Ryan was very sad over a relationship not going the way he had envisioned. I called a staff member and asked if they could do anything spe-cial with him to cheer him up. Later that day, I found out that an entire group went with him to get ice cream and was very kind and supportive to him. He was con-soled and able to be hopeful again. I have always witnessed this kind of care and concern for residents, and am very grateful that I can entrust Ryan to RH and have peace of mind about his well-being. We are so pleased that we made the de-cision to have Ryan be a resident at RH and look forward to all the ways he will continue to grow and develop due to their commitment to him.

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Volume 19 Issue 15

Summer—2012 Friends of Rainbow Homes,

This Summer Newsletter offers unique insights

from a wide variety of people involved with

RH. Enjoy their articles. Have a wonderful

Summer! Joann Davis, RH Executive Director

Message from: Pat Kelley, RH Board President

As many of you know, Rainbow Homes (RH)

was started by a group of dedicated parents

concerned about their adult children’s future

residential needs. Those dedicated parents

formed RH in 1989. They also set-up the RH

Board of Directors.

In February, 2012, I became the President of

the Board, taking over from Tom Keenoy, who

had been President for about 5 years. I have

been on the RH Board since about 2005 as a

representative from Community Mental Health

Authority (CMHA), Community Services for the

Developmentally Disabled (CSDD). As a su-

pervisor of Case Managers, I worked with

people that have disabilities and their fami-

lies. The Mission of Rainbow Homes, was an

exciting opportunity for me to be apart of. I

grew up in Lansing, went to MSU for both

Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degrees, and

began my career at CMHA at the Jail in Ma-

son, as a psychologist. In 1982, I transferred

to CSDD and began a long career working with

people that have disabilities, and their fami-

lies. Because of RH Mission, the work that RH

does for the people who live there, and be-

cause of the commitment of the staff at RH

who make a positive difference everyday in the

lives of the residents, I decided to stay on the

board after my retirement from CMHA after 35

years.

We thank Tom Keenoy for his dedication to

RH as it’s president for the past 5 years. I look

forward to working with the Board and continu-

ing our mission of supporting adults with

disAbilities to live up to their God-given poten-

tial.

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R a i n b o w H o m e s “ M a k i n g a D i f f e r e n c e ”

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Our Mission

To provide ecumenical Christian housing and services

for adults with cognitive disAbilities,

where they can grow personally and spiritually to reach their God-given

potential. The residents will be

nurtured in a homelike

Christian setting.

Women’s Health is another topic we will be talking about, on Fridays from 2pm to 3pm. We will talk about a variety of things from healthy eating to dealing with stress in an effective way.

Our new CLS director is Emma Maylen. Emma comes to us from Michigan State University with a de-gree in Family Community Services with a concentration in Adult Devel-opment. She is excited to join us at Rainbow Homes and especially ex-cited to plan CLS events.

CLS integrates participation of resi-dents and other community partici-pants in area activities as well as events exclusively at Rainbow Homes. We focus on what is impor-tant to our participants as individuals and attempt to use that knowledge to create lasting programs that our par-ticipants participate in.

This Summer Session (until July 27), we will be taking advantage of the nice summer weather.

CLS - Community Living Support Happenings!

Resident Lesion to RH Board

Jonathan’s June Report

Good Stuff:

1. Chicago Trip—39 people went. Willis

Tour was not so crowded. Boat ride on

Lake Michigan. The ride was fun. We

had a flat tire but it was not big deal.

Good dinner parties. There was a lot of

dancing and good food.

2. Three people went to Civitan camp.

3. 6 people went to MSU Music Camp

4. New staff: Learning stuff at RH.

5. About 13 people went to Phun Phest.

It was hot. Danced a lot.

6. Learning how to prepare for severe

weather.

Things that we need fixing

1. Sidewalk needs fixing 2. Need a handi-

capped Van. 3. Better exhaust fan for

the kitchen. Thing we need to purchase

1. Atomic Clock. (was purchased recently)

Special Olympics - Mike, K1 and

Mike P all participated in the

State Special Olympics. Mike

bowled and brought home two medals.

K1 and Mike P participated in volley ball

and also brought home two medals.

The garden is growing fast with the

early warm weather. We have har-

vested lettuce, beets and herbs.

Group of residents spent Memorial Day

picnicking at Hawk Island. Twenty-five

people including resident, CLS and res-

pite participants enjoyed a picnic and

playing yard games.

Another group

enjoyed their Me-

morial Day week-

end at Heart Lake

Resort in Gaylord.

Card making, Smores and seeing the

sights were in order. Highlights were

the elk viewing and feeding, but a

close second was eating chocolate

covered potato chips. Some of the

trip was spent developing future trips

to Northeastern Michigan.

On May 8th Thirteen people both resi-

dents and respite folks attended the

Blossom Time Ball. All enjoyed the

dinner and dancing to the

Sea Cruisers

Kevin-3 Received the

“Most Improved Worker

of the Month” from

Peckham. Congrats, Kevin!

Mary Ellen, our Kiwanis Aktion Club

president and Susan attended an

Aktion Club Conference in New Or-

leans. They went by train.

Can’t wait to hear their

stories!

Every Thursday is Fishing Thursday! We will be going to a dif-ferent area each week with a picnic lunch to enjoy the great out-doors and spend time by the water. Come join us from noon to 3pm.

Every Monday is Bike Riding! We will have bike class on Monday from 1pm to 2pm as well as Tuesdays from 1pm to 2pm

One of our July outings is going to The Bug House at MSU on July 11 from 1pm to 3pm. We will get a first hand look at the live bugs and the display of preserved bugs as well as talk about the working bee hive and butterflies.

Page 2

Residents On The Move!

Rainbow Homes

Annual Picnic

“Proud to be an

American”

Sunday, August 5, 2012

At Rainbow Homes

1:00—3:00 PM

RSVP is required.

Call 517-699-8454

Meat and Drinks

will be supplied

Call RH to sign up to

bring passing dish.

“Chicago Trip Highlights from Donna” (View from a Volunteer)

One man really amazed me. He walks with a cane all of the time, and took it up on the dance floor with him. After about 5 minutes, he put the cane away and spent at least another hour dancing with the oth-ers! I think what moved me the most was watching the residents do something so “normal” and fun. It was truly an amazing evening.

Rainbow Homes has given this group something to remember the rest of their lives – residents and staff alike! I am hoping to be able to join the residents on many more trips in the future (Nashville in October!) and I am so thankful for the experi-ences I have already had.

With Gratitude and Love, Donna Stacy Nashville October 8th to 11th. Medical/Photo Form available on website.

www.rainbow-homes.org

Through-out the week we visited a Zoo, Art Museum, Sears Tower (now owned by another company), Navy Pier, the Aquarium, and, of course, places to shop. The other great mem-ory I have is of our last night in Chi-cago. Our dinner was in a room that was part of a big hotel in the downtown area. During our meal a small group played music for us – mostly jazz, as we ate. As soon as we were finished eating, a dance floor was cleared and they started playing a variety of mu-sic. At first our “regular” dancers were up there, but within the first half hour, after coaxing from many of the staff, every single resident was on the dance floor! Some of us were just kind of swaying and moving our feet, but oth-ers were actually doing the many dances the music moved them to do. One of our volunteer staff, Haleigh, showed them different dance moves! What fun that was to watch!

I have had the privilege of travel-ing with several Rainbow Homes residents on vari-ous trips over the

past three years. Some of the more memorable ones were tour bus trips to Washington, D.C., Mackinaw Island, and more recently, Chicago. Because of the work Susan Shehan puts into organizing trips like this, we are all able to experience more travel than we ever imagined!

I enjoyed watching everyone as we rode on the bus, entertaining them-selves by reading, sleeping and talking to each other. Lots of joking with each other went on, too.

10. Cooking Lessons- I needed to learn how to cook in large

quantities. This comes in very handy with my large family.

9. Culture Lessons- I went to my first symphony, great out-

door concerts, and toured NY City with RH.

8. Humility Lessons- I learned that I don’t know directions

very well, that I almost always forget something, and that

without the residents constant reminders, I would probably

have been fired.

7. Great Parties- RH knows how to party. We are always

celebrating something or someone.

6. Adventures- Every time I showed up to work, I knew

that there could be a great adventure waiting for me… a flat

tire, a run to urgent care, or going to a new location without

knowing how to get there, (hence a lot of parking lot tours).

5. Surprises- Baby showers, finding cards in my mailbox,

and those surprise moments with RH friends that filled me

up for the week.

4. True Friends-Being taken care of when I was sick, meals

being brought to me when I had a new baby, and having the

best shoulders to cry on when I was struggling with my

Grandma’s death.

3. Big Brothers- I always wanted a big brother, and at RH

Homes, I have many great ones. Big brothers, who carried my

overnight bag so I wouldn’t hurt the baby, who worry about my

kids when they are sick, who greet me with excitement in

their eyes, and who love pulling pranks on me.

2. Unconditional Love- Absolutely no conditions are put on me.

I am accepted with all my flaws and loved because of them.

Rainbow Homes really is a family. Once you’re in, you are never

let go of.

1. A place that I always feel welcomed- even at church, I find

myself seeking out a RH friend when I am feeling out of place,

or self- conscious. I know I will always be accepted without

any expectations.

If I had to choose one word to sum up my experiences at RH

over the last 6 years, I would have to choose “unparalleled”.

Nothing could possibly have given me the phenomenal experi-

ences that I have had the privilege of living out. Thank you

for teaching me and growing with me.

Sandi Datema

Top 10 Reasons Sandi Is Thankful For The Last 6 Years At Rainbow Homes

Thank you to Lansing Civitan who sponsored Mark to camp this year. The event was held at Camp Dowagiac. Also to the Howell Civitan sponsoring Yvette and K3. On June 19th Mark spoke at the monthly meeting telling of his camp experience. Susan spoke about Rainbow Homes Programs during the meeting.

Have a wonderful

Summer!

Easy safe secure

way to donate

online!

NONPROFIT ORG

U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

HOLT MI

PERMIT NO. 2

Phone: (517) 699-8454

E-mail: rainbowhomes@sbcglobal.net

Web: www.rainbow-homes.org

“Designation Card” Use #1751 Rainbow Homes, Holt, Michigan

Special Recognition

Thank you, to Cheeney Media Con-

cepts of East Lansing for the re-design

of our Website! If you have not visited

it already, please do so and see our

New STYLE! www.rainbow-homes.org

We are grateful to the Knights of Columbus Area Coun-

cils for their on-going support of RH through the “MR Drive”

Our annual Yard Sale was June 21st, 22nd and 23rd. The proceed go to-wards the Travel Club. Thank You to those who donated and purchased items. Special Thank you to, Marilyn Ebuagh, Bea McComb, Donna Stacy, Jean Smith, Sally Aldrich, Angie Jasmund, Ty Boogaard, Travis Miller, Sarah Dorothy and Jerry Spinks, Carol Bappert, Patricia Beranek, Ann Welling, Ruth Tatara, Sarah George, Melanie Majorana, Julie Allen, Luisa Fuentes, Jacob Biggs and Pat Kelley who all help set-up and assisted in the hot, humid weather through-out the event.