marcfirst's
Crystal Alvey has been chosen by the Illinois Chapter of the American Association
on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAID) as an outstanding Direct
Support Professional. This award is given to a Direct Support Professional "who
has made a significant impact on the lives of those she supports." Crystal receives
a cash award and will be registered permanently on the U.S. Congressional Record
for her achievement.
Crystal has worked at marcfirst
since 2007 and has worked at a variety of residential homes during this time.
She assists people with their daily activities like preparing meals, getting ready
to go to work, helping with community and social activities.
Crystal Alvey (r) Marcfirst CEO Richard Glass (l)
Crystal
had volunteered at Special Olympics prior to working at marcfirst and felt she
would enjoy working with adults with disabilities as she has always enjoyed working
first hand with people and helping others. Crystal says "I really like the relationships
that can be made in this type of setting. I enjoy getting to know extra little
details about all of the individuals and learn who they are; it's very rewarding
to know that I am making a difference in someone's life.
Crystal
continues "It's definitely a great honor to have been picked for this award. It's
nice to know that others recognize the effort that is put into this job."
Congratulations Crystal! - thank you for all you do for people at marcfirst, an
award well deserved.
"Thanks
to FriendsFirst, more than flowers take bloom"
By
Mary Ann Ford | The Pantagraph | Tuesday, August 31, 2010
BLOOMINGTON
— Butterflies love the garden outside Second Presbyterian Church on East
Street and its colorful flowers are aesthetically pleasing to passersby. But its
significance goes well beyond that. It’s been a learning experience for
those who attend FriendsFirst, a three-day-a-week activity program for developmentally
disabled adults. Read
more >
Photo by The Pantagraph, David Proeber
"Filling a void: Agencies step up after
ODC closure"
By Paul Swiech | The Pantagraph
| Sunday, August 1, 2010
Slowly, the family is recovering.
The family is nearly 600 former clients of the Occupational Development Center
that closed a year ago amid the state budget crisis that remains unresolved. Normal-based
ODC provided life skills, job training and job placement for people with disabilities.
But others . . . are enrolled in a developmental training program at Marcfirst,
are in a supported employment program through Marcfirst or have jobs through Bridgeway,
a nonprofit agency that is new to the Twin Cities and employs people with disabilities.
Written by Brandon James
Smith | Daily Vidette Senior Staff Wednesday, 17 March 2010
Susan Martello is a woman who knows how to live life. Whether it is through singing,
dancing or exercising, she puts her heart into everything she does.
Martello
is indeed quite the woman and despite having the developmental disability Down
syndrome, she refuses to let that get in her way or make her different. In fact,
if there is something different about Martello, it is that she is more positive
than the average person. For instance, take her views on the recent earthquake
tragedies. “If everybody gave $1 to the countries of Chile and Haiti, then the
people would all have a place to live,” Martello said. It is easy to say that
if more people felt like Martello, the world would be a better place.
Luckily
for her, she is surrounded by people with similar hopes every Tuesday and Thursday
at FriendsFirst in Bloomington.
Illinois Wesleyan's ARC
brews a potent mix of student research and community involvement
Story
by NANCY (STEELE) BROKAW
It’s Friday morning, a time
when most Illinois Wesleyan students can be found in classrooms, labs, studios
and rehearsal rooms. But a few blocks west of campus, one IWU student finds herself
in the middle of a very different kind of learning environment. Linda Ruan, a
junior English-writing major, smiles with satisfaction as she watches her college
work in action: a new drop-in program for adults with developmental disabilities.
"Marcfirst
Memorial Garden becomes reality with volunteers' help"
By
Tony Sapochett | The Pantagraph | Saturday, May 15, 2010
Cari
Cavitt has been thinking about the design for the Marcfirst Memorial Garden for
nearly three years. With the help of several volunteers from Nicor, that vision
became a reality Saturday morning.
“I just love it,”
she said about the area outside Marcfirst on 1606 Hunt Drive. “I always thought
it would be nice to have an area where we can come and remember those who we have
helped.”
Cavitt, a Marcfirst employee, was seen working
with her daughter, Revin Sandrock, 4, and several Nicor Gas and Marcfirst volunteers
Saturday morning, planting and mowing the area outside of the office.
Saturday
was the 14th annual Volunteer Day for Nicor. The day looks to help promote volunteerism
within a community and to help project sites or not-for-profit groups in need.
