Lions Club Hosting Luncheon at School of Bright Promise
STEUBENVILLE-Christmas will come a little early at the School of Bright Promise as the Steubenville Lions Club hosts its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 6.
About 10 members of the Lions Club and Harding Middle School Leo Club are expected to serve faculty, staff and special needs students starting at 11 a.m. A full meal of roast beef, potatoes and pie are on the menu while the kids will get an extra special treat with an appearance by a certain jolly old man from the North Pole.
Mike Zinno, superintendent of the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and a former Lions Club president, said the event has been a longtime tradition for the organization.
“The Lions Club sponsors a luncheon here and they provide gifts to every one of our kids,” he said. “It’s a long-standing tradition and is well over 30 years old. Last year, we had the Leo Club help serve lunches, and between the Leos and Lions we should have 10 members.”
He explained that the civic group uses a portion of its proceeds from its annual Ohio State-Michigan football tailgate party, which was most recently held on Nov. 25 at Froehlich’s Classic Corner in Steubenville, to purchase the gifts for distribution at the luncheon. The activity began during the time of then club members Joe DiCarlo and Rick Pfannenschmidt, the latter of whom served as county MRDD superintendent, and DiCarlo donned Santa’s red suit to visit with the children. DiCarlo would continue that role for 28 years but the luncheon has carried on. Zinno said it is something the estimated 80 special needs students truly enjoy.
“The kids love it when Santa Claus arrives. They go to the gym and he calls out each name individually, and then they sit on his lap and receive their gift. It’s very special.”
STEUBENVILLE-Christmas will come a little early at the School of Bright Promise as the Steubenville Lions Club hosts its annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 6.
About 10 members of the Lions Club and Harding Middle School Leo Club are expected to serve faculty, staff and special needs students starting at 11 a.m. A full meal of roast beef, potatoes and pie are on the menu while the kids will get an extra special treat with an appearance by a certain jolly old man from the North Pole.
Mike Zinno, superintendent of the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and a former Lions Club president, said the event has been a longtime tradition for the organization.
“The Lions Club sponsors a luncheon here and they provide gifts to every one of our kids,” he said. “It’s a long-standing tradition and is well over 30 years old. Last year, we had the Leo Club help serve lunches, and between the Leos and Lions we should have 10 members.”
He explained that the civic group uses a portion of its proceeds from its annual Ohio State-Michigan football tailgate party, which was most recently held on Nov. 25 at Froehlich’s Classic Corner in Steubenville, to purchase the gifts for distribution at the luncheon. The activity began during the time of then club members Joe DiCarlo and Rick Pfannenschmidt, the latter of whom served as county MRDD superintendent, and DiCarlo donned Santa’s red suit to visit with the children. DiCarlo would continue that role for 28 years but the luncheon has carried on. Zinno said it is something the estimated 80 special needs students truly enjoy.
“The kids love it when Santa Claus arrives. They go to the gym and he calls out each name individually, and then they sit on his lap and receive their gift. It’s very special.”
Rogers Gives Special Needs People Outlet in Community
STEUBENVILLE-Monica Rogers has given local special needs people an outlet for fun while also helping them connect with their community.
Rogers, a native of Brazil who now resides in Wintersville, became actively involved with the developmentally disabled 10 years ago and said she enjoys it immensely.
“I started this because I’ve always been involved with special needs kids. I used to coach my twins in soccer with the Jefferson Kiwanis Youth Soccer Club (JKYSC) and there was an outreach program for special needs kids and adults for exercise and activity. I was asked to coach one of the four teams and a lot were at the School of Bright Promise.”
She was eventually named JKYSC coordinator but took things a step further when she learned there were no other activities available once their soccer season came to a close. She then looked for venues where they could play, which led to dances, parties and other events in Hammondsville. The very first event drew 20 children, but these days they attract about 80 kids and adults with disabilities.
She is no longer involved with the soccer program but continues to provide fun activities, including birthday parties, bowling and theme parties, as well as weekly dances at the Steubenville Country Club. During the winter, activities and parties are conducted each Friday at the School of Bright Promise and she also works with others to coordinate events. One of them is Lisa Poole, of Lisa’s Elite Dance in Wintersville, who opened her doors to provide dance lessons to special needs kids. Classes are $10 per month and Rogers and others have sponsored some of the students. The program is now in its fourth year and the students also hold recitals to showcase what they have learned.
“I try to create activities for them to do to create independence, and I found a lot of people want to do things for special needs kids,” Rogers said. “We also had karate at West Academy and about eight to 10 people attended classes in Wintersville. We also have free monthly karaoke, sleepovers, movies and take art classes in Pittsburgh.”
Her hopes are to get kids more active at the school so they can become even more independent in the outside world.
“I just want them to be active and socialize. I am very passionate about it and want more things to be available to them in society,” she added, saying she shares many of the group’s events on her Friends with Special Needs Facebook page.
Rogers also has assisted School of Bright Promise officials on many occasions, including “Spread the Word to End the Word” discussions about references to developmentally disabled people at Pugliese West Elementary School in 2016, but she wants to hold an event where typical kids could talk to special needs children, have hands-on lessons and socialize with them to understand that they are people too.
“These kids have taught me so much over the years and we should educate other young kids about compassion, inclusion and acceptance. Typical kids may not understand, but if you make an impact on 10 kids out of 100, they can carry that message. Otherwise, it’s just words.”
(Photo Cutline: Monica Rogers volunteers her time to provide activities for special needs children and adults so they can participate in society. She is pictured, at front, with a group during a Halloween party at the School of Bright Promise.)
Jones Builds Bonds with Special Needs Bowling League
STEUBENVILLE-Every Tuesday, Maria Martin Jones and a group of special needs individuals gather at a local bowling alley for an evening of fun and fellowship.
But for Jones, it is more than a simple get-together and carries on nearly three decades of helping the developmentally disabled. Her interest has extended well beyond working with them through the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and even continued in another state. It all began 28 years ago when the Wintersville resident applied for a job at Shaffer Plaza Apartments. She assisted in a group home setting and with day programming at the Jeffco Workshop from 1989-98 before moving to Indiana, where she continued in a different capacity at a public school.
“I also opened a day care that also helped special needs kids and some of them were autistic,” she explained.
Five years later, she returned to the Ohio Valley and became a program manager and house manager at Horizons but is now on her own as a contracted provider. More recently, she started a bowling league for people with special needs that meets each Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Steel Valley Bowling Lanes in Weirton.
“The Strikers Bowling League has been a really big success. We have more than 40 individuals and average 20 or more on bowling night,” she added. “We’re very limited with what we have and it’s a good way for them to meet other people. It’s good for social skills.”
The league restarted this month and lasts until spring but Jones has also incorporated other events for extra fun, including birthday parties, a Halloween bowling party with costumes and a New Year’s party. She also held a pool party in July at Toronto Community Pool which drew more than 70 people and included a DJ, plus she plans to hold two more next year.
Jones said she has found great rewards in working with the developmentally disabled.
“It’s the type of job you get satisfaction from. I went back to school to become a special education teacher and I’d eventually like to teach,” she commented. “We take it for granted when we can do things and people with special needs cannot. They are just like us. They are human beings and they should be treated with respect like everybody else.”
The bowling league is open to any age. For more information, check out the Strikers Bowling League for Special Needs Individuals on Facebook.
(Photo Cutline: Wintersville resident Maria Martin Jones has been involved with special needs individuals for nearly three decades and began the Strikers Bowling League to provide fun and fellowship. A group of more than 20 individuals meet each Tuesday at Steel Valley Bowling Lanes in Weirton as a way to integrate into mainstream society.)
STEUBENVILLE-Every Tuesday, Maria Martin Jones and a group of special needs individuals gather at a local bowling alley for an evening of fun and fellowship.
But for Jones, it is more than a simple get-together and carries on nearly three decades of helping the developmentally disabled. Her interest has extended well beyond working with them through the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities and even continued in another state. It all began 28 years ago when the Wintersville resident applied for a job at Shaffer Plaza Apartments. She assisted in a group home setting and with day programming at the Jeffco Workshop from 1989-98 before moving to Indiana, where she continued in a different capacity at a public school.
“I also opened a day care that also helped special needs kids and some of them were autistic,” she explained.
Five years later, she returned to the Ohio Valley and became a program manager and house manager at Horizons but is now on her own as a contracted provider. More recently, she started a bowling league for people with special needs that meets each Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at Steel Valley Bowling Lanes in Weirton.
“The Strikers Bowling League has been a really big success. We have more than 40 individuals and average 20 or more on bowling night,” she added. “We’re very limited with what we have and it’s a good way for them to meet other people. It’s good for social skills.”
The league restarted this month and lasts until spring but Jones has also incorporated other events for extra fun, including birthday parties, a Halloween bowling party with costumes and a New Year’s party. She also held a pool party in July at Toronto Community Pool which drew more than 70 people and included a DJ, plus she plans to hold two more next year.
Jones said she has found great rewards in working with the developmentally disabled.
“It’s the type of job you get satisfaction from. I went back to school to become a special education teacher and I’d eventually like to teach,” she commented. “We take it for granted when we can do things and people with special needs cannot. They are just like us. They are human beings and they should be treated with respect like everybody else.”
The bowling league is open to any age. For more information, check out the Strikers Bowling League for Special Needs Individuals on Facebook.
(Photo Cutline: Wintersville resident Maria Martin Jones has been involved with special needs individuals for nearly three decades and began the Strikers Bowling League to provide fun and fellowship. A group of more than 20 individuals meet each Tuesday at Steel Valley Bowling Lanes in Weirton as a way to integrate into mainstream society.)
Local Church Adopts School of Bright Promise for Outreach
STEUBENVILLE-One local church has taken on the School of Bright Promise under its wing as part of its community outreach.
First Westminster Presbyterian Church, located on North Fourth Street in Steubenville, adopted the school since it has no parent-teacher organization of its own and has provided events and treats for faculty and students alike. The idea was born amid discussions between Neysa Rogers, a physical therapist assistant and development specialist at the school, with her church pastor.
“They were having a community outreach program,” she said. “After talking to Pastor Jason Elliott, he thought it would be a good idea to work with the school. They had a luncheon for teachers in May, and when we came back in the fall they wanted to have another luncheon and also collected snacks and fidget spinners for the students. They also bought brand new shoes for three of our students.”
She noted that because the school did not have a PTO of its own, the church decided to work with the site. Pastor Elliott and Jennifer Kirkbride, who co-chairs the Mission Outreach committee with Susan Allen, led collections within the congregation to help the school.
“It’s a new community outreach to us and we are just so thankful for all that they do and are willing to do for us,” Rogers added.
Kirkbride said the church felt compelled to help after visiting the school last year and providing an appreciation luncheon for teachers and staff.
“It touched our hearts,” she said. “We adopted the school since they don’t have a PTO and decided we would try to fill those shoes. We wanted to help the school in some way, so we provided lunches for teachers and staff to lift their spirits.”
She added that the luncheons will be held in the fall and spring while 80 students were also treated to pumpkins to decorate for Halloween. The congregation has also donated needed supplies, including ear buds for iPads, bottles of water, fruit snacks to help the children take their medicine and fidget spinners.
“Principal Rachel Bodo gave us a list of items they needed and the church collected them for the school,” Kirkbride continued. “We gave water, ear buds and snacks to help the kids take their medicine. We just want to be God’s hands and heart in the community. The school touched our hearts and we thought we could touch theirs by helping them out.”
STEUBENVILLE-One local church has taken on the School of Bright Promise under its wing as part of its community outreach.
First Westminster Presbyterian Church, located on North Fourth Street in Steubenville, adopted the school since it has no parent-teacher organization of its own and has provided events and treats for faculty and students alike. The idea was born amid discussions between Neysa Rogers, a physical therapist assistant and development specialist at the school, with her church pastor.
“They were having a community outreach program,” she said. “After talking to Pastor Jason Elliott, he thought it would be a good idea to work with the school. They had a luncheon for teachers in May, and when we came back in the fall they wanted to have another luncheon and also collected snacks and fidget spinners for the students. They also bought brand new shoes for three of our students.”
She noted that because the school did not have a PTO of its own, the church decided to work with the site. Pastor Elliott and Jennifer Kirkbride, who co-chairs the Mission Outreach committee with Susan Allen, led collections within the congregation to help the school.
“It’s a new community outreach to us and we are just so thankful for all that they do and are willing to do for us,” Rogers added.
Kirkbride said the church felt compelled to help after visiting the school last year and providing an appreciation luncheon for teachers and staff.
“It touched our hearts,” she said. “We adopted the school since they don’t have a PTO and decided we would try to fill those shoes. We wanted to help the school in some way, so we provided lunches for teachers and staff to lift their spirits.”
She added that the luncheons will be held in the fall and spring while 80 students were also treated to pumpkins to decorate for Halloween. The congregation has also donated needed supplies, including ear buds for iPads, bottles of water, fruit snacks to help the children take their medicine and fidget spinners.
“Principal Rachel Bodo gave us a list of items they needed and the church collected them for the school,” Kirkbride continued. “We gave water, ear buds and snacks to help the kids take their medicine. We just want to be God’s hands and heart in the community. The school touched our hearts and we thought we could touch theirs by helping them out.”
Bethany Bison Visit SBP
STEUBENVILLE-Friendships were renewed with a day of fun as the Bethany Bison baseball team spent time with special needs students at the School of Bright Promise.
The fourth annual “Fall Out with the Bethany Bison Day” was held Oct. 17 and about 55 athletes and coaches—as well as team mascot Boomer the Bison—appeared early to help students arriving at school. The fellowship continued as the athletes assisted students with crafts and learning activities in the classroom and played in the playground. The building was divided into two groups, with the older students heading outdoors and the younger children staying inside in the morning before sharing lunch and switching locations. The ballplayers later helped the children board their buses to depart at the end of the day.
Principal Rachel Bodo said the children always look forward to the visits and they have a profound appreciation for the team.
“It’s an easy, fun day,” she said. “I think they enjoy this.”
“This is fun,” said student Cheyenne Hooper.
Coach Rick Carver added that the activity went well and his team also enjoyed the day, while his athletes echoed the sentiment.
“I love it,” added athlete Jacob Schubert. “I enjoy it every time. I like interacting with the kids and they look up to us.”
“It’s great,” noted teammate Seth Gordon. “I like watching the kids smile and have fun.”
“I enjoy it very much,” said team member Saige Micomonaco. “I just like seeing the kids happy and it’s neat to see them playing and interacting with us.”
The bond of friendship extends beyond that one day and both groups have been known to exchange gifts and cards throughout the year. The team has supplied sweet treats, sports jerseys and even correspondence during spring training in Florida, while the students have sent care packages and cards the athletes have kept as good luck charms. They will have another chance to catch up when the students are invited to Bethany this spring, where they will enjoy a barbecue and take in a ballgame as guests of honor.
(Photo Cutline: The Bethany Bison baseball team was back to visit students at the School of Bright Promise on Oct. 17, where they spent time with kids in the classroom and on the playground for a day of fun interaction. Pictured are, from left, are School of Bright Promise student Jacob Wells, athlete Matt Colton, teammate Alex Six, student Logan Briggs and team member Kyle Goodwin.)
Employment Navigation Pairs Individuals with Opportunities
STEUBENVILLE-The Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities is helping people with special needs make their way in the world by seeking out job and other opportunities within the community.
Alex “Cookie” West, who served as direct care service specialist at the Jeffco Training Center for more than a decade, was named employment navigator and community facilitator this spring and expects to serve more than 100 individuals. Her work entails communicating with schools, organizations and even some businesses to seek opportunities for her clientele, whose ages range from 14 years through adulthood. The goal is to establish their skills and find job or recreational opportunities in the area, which also helps meet oncoming federal mandates to integrate the disabled further into mainstream society. West has spent time training for her new role and has been making contact with potential resources.
“I’m going to be the common denominator for students, schools and state services that will allow them to transition into community-integrated employment. They have a transition plan on what they want to do after their high school graduation,” West explained. “I would speak with the transition team to learn the student’s goal, such as college or work, and coordinate a team to reach the desired end.”
West is a familiar face in the community after creating the Lee Alexander West Spiritual (LAWS) Movement as a tribute to her late son. Her experience working with churches and the community has also provided her with a wealth of possibilities she can use in her job.
“I’ve made contact with the Ohio Valley Pastoral Network and spoke to them about what we’re hoping to do. A lot of schools are taking part in community-based efforts that already established that connection with churches,” she continued. “The churches have already opened their doors and I’ve also spoken with Prime Time (senior citizens organization).”
West has also made initial introductions with some local businesses and plans to network with members of the Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce to help spread the word about her program.
“I know a lot of people probably know me through LAWS, and we have awesome individuals who have untapped skills and talents,” she added. “The more we connect, I think what we have will continue to grow and I think it re-energizes the community. I think people are becoming more and more aware [about] special needs and that some are visible and some are invisible, but people are seeing how we can close the gap. If we use every aspect of the community, then the community has the opportunity to thrive.
“I think a lot of people who are connected to individuals with special needs are excited about this opportunity because they know barriers are not just physical or mental, but societal,” she said. “With the push [for integration], the effort is there to really make this work.”
For more information, contact West at (740) 264-7176, extension 2118.
Jeffco Services Raises $1,600 for TEAR Fund
STEUBENVILLE-Jeffco Services showed its support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month by raising $1,600 for local patients.
Consumers, caretakers and members of the public turned out Oct. 17-18 for the third annual Open House Cancer Awareness Event at the Jeffco Training Center in Steubenville. Proceeds from the activity benefit the Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief (TEAR) Fund, which helps ease financial burdens related to patients’ care. The fund assists qualified patients with travel to and from appointments, accessories such as wigs, hats and scarves, office co-pays, utilities and more. The fund is largely aided through contributions from community members, schools and businesses.
The open house featured tables full of pink items from crafts, hats and jewelry to scarves and even Christmas bulbs while TEAR, Images and Weirton Medical Center’s All About Women also provided information tables. In addition to light refreshments, facepainting and raffles, a few new offerings included a manicure table and a silent auction where gift cards to baskets of goodies were up for grabs. Officials said wreath made by a patient at Trinity’s Tony Teramana Cancer Center was also among the prizes and was won by Deb Thompson. Silent auction and raffle winners included Dawn Barath, a hot beverage and cookie bag donated by Images; Mike Zinno, 50-50 raffle; Jo Thomas, Best Western room and breakfast certificate; Todd Shrieve, wine baskets, a spa basket and a candy basket; Angie Goodrich, a $25 Krogers gift card and candy basket; Denise Jurosko, oil change and car inspection from Precision Lube Express; Mary McElhaney, a pink baby item basket; and Deb Thompson and Brittany Tice, candy baskets; and Penny Parks, an all-pink basket.
Connie Giamos, manager at the Jeffco Training Center, said this year’s event was very well received and the total exceeded last year’s figures.
“About 175 people attended and we raised $1,600,” said Giamos. “Last year we made $1,100.”
Some of the consumers in attendance said cancer hit close to home because they or someone they know had undergone treatment and taking part in the open house was significant to them.
Alexis Satiropoulis said she has always supported the cause since her aunt battled breast cancer.
“We always donate money and it’s good to help,” she added. “I’m supporting my aunt.”
Jackie Baksa said she lost both parents to the disease, while Robert Smith’s father and grandfather and Barb Culp’s father and brother all succumbed to lung cancer and Culp’s cousin was a cancer survivor. John Montgomery added that his father and grandfather both had prostate cancer and he believed it was important to support the cancer awareness event.
“I feel good about helping,” Montgomery noted. Meanwhile, Giamos said the real purpose was to give back to the community.
“It’s a wonderful event for the consumers, staff and the public,” she said. “We are honored to assist those who are fighting a courageous battle.”
Marsha Lewis, an oncology clerk with Trinity, said officials were grateful for the support they have received from JCTC and the community because it does make a difference.
“It’s amazing and it’s wonderful how hard they work to do all of this. All donations to the TEAR Fund go to the patients,” Lewis continued. “The money goes to travel, wigs, scarves, hats and to help them pay utilities and co-pays based on individual needs. We’re very lucky to be blessed with their donation.”
The training center was also decorated as part of Change Inc.’s Paint the Town Pink activity to promote the month and earned first place last year for its entry.
Photo Cutline: About 175 people attended the third annual Jeffco Services Open House Cancer Awareness Event on Oct. 17-18, where they purchased a bevy of pink items, collected information and took part in raffles and silent auctions to benefit the Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief (TEAR) Fund. Pictured with some of the items for sale were, from left, consumers Alexis Satiropoulis, Jody Bucy, John Montgomery, Barb Culp, Mike Harris, Michael Melko, Danielle Tressler, Lisa Hannen and Kristen McGlone.)
Thomas Named New CEO of Jeffco Services
STEUBENVILLE-A new chief executive officer has been named for Jeffco Services, but for the new officeholder it is just like coming home.
Area native Tracey Thomas officially began on Aug. 21 and will oversee the transition in privatizing adult services.
A 1981 graduate of Wintersville High School, Thomas obtained her bachelor and master’s degrees in special education and rehabilitation counseling from Bowling Green State University. She remained in northwestern Ohio and served with the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities as a habilitation specialist, semi-independent living support specialist, job coach and also women’s basketball coach for the Special Olympics from 1986 to 1990. From there, she headed west and served as a special day class teacher at Webster Elementary School through the Mesa Unified School District in Mesa, Ariz.
“It was a pilot project for mainstreaming in the school district with nine- to 12-year-olds who had severe developmental disabilities. We were in a self-contained classroom in a public elementary school,” she explained.
Thomas remained there for two years and then joined Butler Valley Residential Facilities Inc. as a residential counselor in Eureka, Calif. There she developed and implemented individual living support plans for adults with disabilities in a group home facility. Subsequent posts were with Eureka City Schools as an adult education teacher and the Humboldt County Board of Developmental Disabilities in various positions including a resource specialist, supported living services specialist and respite support worker.
She served another 18 years with the College of the Redwoods in Eureka, where she was a director of programs and services for students with disabilities, financial literacy advising specialist and finally dean of mathematics, science, behavioral and social sciences. Thomas returned to Steubenville in 2016 to be closer to her family and said she was pleased to be part of Jeffco Services.
“I feel like I’ve returned to my roots, both personally and professionally,” Thomas added. “I’ve come full circle.”
Thomas will lead the effort as JCBDD privatizes adult services to meet state and federal mandates.
“My primary commitment is to ensure Jeffco Services is successful in obtaining Medicaid authorization to become a private provider and to work with JCBDD, Jeffco Non-Profit Board, leadership, staff and consumers in short and long-term planning to get to that end.”
She reflected on the operations between those in California and Ohio and said there are similarities, except for geography. Both are rural areas facing the same issues such transportation, technology infrastructure and changes to the local economy, and she hopes her experience will be an asset during the transition into privatized services.
“Humboldt County was in a similar transition to where Ohio and Jefferson County are now from a sheltered workshop and segregated facility for adults to sites that are more community-based and community-integrated. I believe the experience of being employed at that time of transition gives me some indication of what we will be going through in the next couple of years.”
She intends to complete the Medicaid application, which will warrant a site review by state representatives prior to approval.
“County Boards of Developmental Disabilities in Ohio had a choice of how they wanted to be involved with the privatization process, and it’s very impressive that Jefferson County, through the Jeffco Services Non-Profit Board, has chosen to hire a CEO and support a successful transition to privatization while allowing continuity in habilitation and vocational services for the consumers served. I think it speaks volumes to who the boards are professionally and their commitment to consumers.”
Most of all, Thomas sees her new role as a way to give back to the roughly 120 adult consumers and community as a whole.
“It’s the perfect way to serve humanity and to be of service. It’s a selfless service, and what better way to contribute to humanity and be of service to the greater good? I’m very proud to work for the county and grateful to be of service to the community. I’m proud to return to my hometown.”
(Photo Cutline: Local native Tracey Thomas is back serving the area as the new chief executive officer of Jeffco Services. Thomas will work with the Jefferson County Board of Developmental Disabilities as it transitions into privatized adult services to meet federal mandates.)