Author: cmogden1

Pictured are staff members from Rainbow of Challenges’ Making Rainbows and Tyson Foods of Hope behind one of two large containers of toys, educational materials, clothes, blankets, coats, and toiletries. The donation was made by the management and team members of Tyson Foods. For the ninth consecutive year, Tyson has organizes a toy and clothes drive which has aided the Making Rainbows Angel Tree campaign.

Making Rainbows childcare center of Hope will again conduct its annual “ROC Angel Tree” drive.

The goal of the project is to provide a merry Christmas complete with toys, clothes, and essentials for many area children whose family fulfilling their Christmas wishes may be impossible. In 2015, more than 185 children had their wishes filled.

ROC Angel Trees will be located at a front entrances of the Wal-Mart Supercenter in Hope beginning Monday, November 21, and each tree is filled with deserving “Angels”. Those wishing to participate may simply pick a number from the tree containing specific information on each child such as shoes and clothes size, specific wishes, etc.

After purchasing the items on the Angel’s wish list, the unwrapped toys and items may be dropped off at the Rainbow of Challenges Administration building located at 500 South Main Street in Hope. The items will then be distributed to the families of the Angel during the month of December.

Those who purchase items are urged to attach the number representing their Angel when they drop off their items in order to match it to the name on the list being kept at Making Rainbows.

Making Rainbows has again teamed with Tyson Foods of Hope for additional ROC Angel Tree toys, toiletries, and gifts. The Tyson employees will provide many heartwarming smiles through their generous efforts.

Prescott/Nevada County Special Services will also conduct their own Angel Tree drive, allowing members of the community to assist in making the area children’s Christmas a bright one.

For more information, please contact Rainbow of Challenges at 870-777-4501.

Pictured from left to right are Joseph and Mary Joseph, T.J. Connell, and Faye and John Connell of Living Hope Disability Ministry upon their presentation of a $300 donation check to be used for the annual ROC Fall Ball. The celebration is planned for late November and the check will go toward expenses for the event. The Living Hope Disability Ministry mission statement states it is “an outreach ministry to uplift and provide an acceptable environment for people with disabilities.” The ministry meets and conducts services at the Fair Park Community Center every third Monday at 6:30 p.m. For more information, call 870-777-5056.

They have compassion, dedication, and patience. They are a friend, mentor, and protector.  Are all simple descriptions of the qualities of a Direct Support Professional (DSP). But each of those qualities originates in one place, their enormous hearts.

Carolyn Stuart serves as a DSP in the residential component of Rainbow of Challenges and she not only serves one individual, but reaches out to care for the eight ladies who reside in the North Town Square in Hope.

While the nation continues to shine the spotlight on DSPs and the extraordinary work they do this week, Stuart is yet another example of a DSP who quietly leads others.

Stuart got her start many years ago when ROC was known as School of Hope. She then worked privately for approximately 20 years, but returned to ROC two years ago and is a steadfast example of a DSP.

“Seeing what progress we can make and trying to meet their needs is what I love,” she was quick to remark. “I want to see them get as far as they can go.”

Many times, the general public is unaware there is a silent partner who accompanies the individuals of ROC, ensuring they are safe and functioning as independently as their abilities allow. “The public doesn’t realize that many of the individuals don’t have family that understands how to put forth what it takes to get that person into the community,” Stuart says.  “It’s not that their families don’t care, it’s simply they don’t know how or have the resources to do so. I will go as far as I can to get things done.”

Working in a residential setting is quite different than working one-on-one. As anyone can attest, a home setting can be trying, but the rewards and bonds that are made are priceless. “Each person is capable of doing more than they want to do because they are just like anyone else in a family,” she notes. “I have a lot of empathy. It takes going out of your way, doing a little bit more than you have to, in order to get the job done and not be too rigid.

“There is a lot of learning what it takes to motivate a person to get them to do what is expected,” Stuart says.  “I try to do it in a family way, because many times that’s the only family they have.”

Through all the struggles, it’s a rewarding career. At the end of the day, Stuart knows why she is a DSP. “When I know that I’ve done something that day to help someone feel better, to help them accomplish something, that’s all I need,” she notes.

Stuart has experienced a difficult year personally, but her ROC family has uplifted her and been motivational in navigating her troubling waters. “My professional life has saved my life,” she says wiping a tear. “I think if I didn’t have it I would have fallen completely apart. I lost my child and had difficulty at home. When I walk in that door (of North Town) I’m completely at home. “

On the other end of the DSP spectrum, Nathalie Smith serves as one-on-one with an ROC individual. She has an easy smile and is quiet in tone, qualities that serve her well.

She brings a certain drive and truly understands being a DSP is not like an ordinary job. “You never know what you are facing, what obstacles each day may bring” she quickly states. “You have some good days and you have some bad days as well. So, you just have to be prepared for anything.”

Communication with her charge goes a long way. It helps clear the path to provide solutions and also the occasional insights into humanity. “We talk a lot,” says Smith. “She asked me what it meant to care about someone”. I said, “when you care about someone, you care about their well-being, you love them, you don’t want them to hurt, you are there for them,” things like that.”

Living independently is tantamount to many of the ROC individuals but having the support of a DSP is essential. “She gets to do things on her own now,” says Smith. “Just her being independent is so important. She shows me she’s wanted to do these things and that she can be independent. She is so happy when she does something she doesn’t have to ask help for. It’s such a milestone for her and I’ve seen her change so much in the past months.

Smith learns from the individual she cares for just as her individual learns from her. “I think she’s not scared to try anything and it’s something we can all learn from,” she states.

“It’s challenging work,” Smith concludes. You have to want to do this. This isn’t something you do for a paycheck. I love what I do. You have to want to see the individual better themselves and not stay in the same position. You can give that person a lift. You want them to go out there and learn and experience different things.”

Some say there are no angels on earth. For the skeptics, they need only to walk the halls and peek into the classrooms at any Making Rainbows facility in Hope, Lewisville, or the Prescott/Nevada County Special Services Child Services center. Inside they would see the loving hands and hear the voices of the angels known as Direct Service Professionals (DSPs) as they go about their daily activities.

This week, all across the country, the spotlight of appreciation shines on all DSPs during ANCOR’s National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

DSPs are employees who serve as direct care workers, in-home support personnel, personal assistants and attendants that ensure that all people with developmental disabilities are able to live more independently and integrate into the community seamlessly.

In the case of the children, their task is to ensure each child moves from preschool to kindergarten with the tools necessary to learn on the next educational level and become confident and successful students.

Two instructors at Making Rainbows in Hope stand out with those qualities and serve as examples of terrific DSPs.

Rashawnda Young has been with Making Rainbows since 2013 and with her infectious smile and soft voice it’s easy to understand why she is such a deserving DSP. She works with children at a very critical age between three and five-years-old.

“It was just the passion of working with children,” she says of what led her to apply for a childcare position. “It’s just not a job to me. I feel it’s my destiny.”

She knows each child is different and they learn at different levels and at a different pace. “Some children learn visually, some by hands-on learning, so you have to multi-task around the classroom. It’s almost like a puzzle. I try to move around the classroom and see what works for that child.”

The teaching with a particular class doesn’t end after they move up to the next level. “When my kids move to the graduation class, I will ask the other teachers how they are doing and maybe share some tips that worked for me and help them progress and go farther,” she notes.

Chaos can sometimes reign with the children, but Young has the ability to identify what may be triggering their behavior. “As they come into my presence, I want them to come into a loving environment, a caring environment and welcome them to meet their needs,” she says.

Young knows at the end of the school year, she has put all of her energy and dedication out for her children. “It’s such a privilege,” she states. “If they only get one thing from me, maybe even learning to count from one to ten, it’s an achievement not only for them, but for me too. It was a goal we accomplished together.”

Rachael Simington is the ABC (Arkansas Better Chance) Lead Teacher. She’s been with ROC since 1995 and a second generation employee as her mother worked before her. She has a great foundation beginning as a Life Skills Instructor while in college before serving as a House Manager and Weekend Manager at some of the ROC group homes. She also has experience in the Medicaid Waiver component before finding her niche in Children’s Services. To say she has a well-rounded background in the world of a DSP is an understatement.

“I do believe I was born to be a teacher.  Ever since I was in fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a teacher because we had popcorn every Friday,” she says with a laugh.

“I know what I do with the children at this age, four to five-year-olds, is going to have a major impact on the rest of their life,” she said.  “This could be a future doctor that I’m working with. It’s my job to instill these things in them.”

“I still see kids I had five years ago and their parents say ‘Thank you for what you did’. It helps a lot and it keeps me going.”

Simington sees the big picture. She understands when the children leave her care they will enter the next level of learning and it’s her desire they are on a level playing field with the other students. “Kindergarten is like a pre-first grade,” she says. “If they go in there lost, they are going to come out lost, so getting them ready to enter the real world is so important.”

Consistency in the classroom is a key. “I have it so that the kids can virtually run that classroom because of the consistency and repetition. They always know what comes next and it’s good they know how their day is going to go.”

Graduation day is an emotional one for Simington. Letting go is difficult. “Letting go is always hard for me,” she says. “I have built a relationship with that child, with their parents and I’m excited for graduation but it’s heartbreaking for me. It’s like my child. I take it real personal. I’m excited for where they have come and where they are going. “

The American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) National Advocacy Campaign is sponsoring National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week beginning Sunday, September 11. National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, beginning September 11, 2011.

Rainbow of Challenges and Prescott/Nevada County Special Services will observe the week with a wide variety of activities and gifts to show support to all area DSPs.

A planned DSP appreciation reception will be held on Thursday, September 15 at Hempstead Hall from 2:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. Hope Mayor Dennis Ramsey will read a special DSP proclamation during the event.

Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are employees serving as direct care workers, in-home support workers, personal assistants and attendants to ensure that people with disabilities are able to live more independently and in community settings.

The appreciation event is an opportunity for Rainbow of Challenges and the entire community to honor the local direct support workforce and the tremendous difference they make each day in the lives of those they serve.

Pictured are the children and staff of Kids on the Go and the Making Rainbows ABC class as they deliver a large donation of can goods and non-perishables to Mae Dulaney, Director of Hope in Action. The donation was the completion of a successful food drive held by the children. Way to go kids!

The children of Kids on the Go with Making Rainbows – Hope hosted the Hope/Hempstead County Chamber of Commerce Community Coffee on Wednesday, July 6 from 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at the Chamber office in downtown Hope. There was a great turnout of friends from the surrounding community. See more photos on the ROC Facebook page!

The children of Making Rainbows – Lafayette County recently adopted “pet rocks” and decorated them to the max! See all the fun under the “Photo Gallery” link.