A Tribute to Gary Lee Hall

On March 11, 2012, a friend of ours whom we served for 20 years died after a long battle with pneumonia.  Gary Lee Hall was born in 1956 in Barstow California, and TURN began serving him in February, 1992.

Gary had a deep love for many things and people, but none rivaled his love of his favorite doctor, Dr. Pepper.

Gary loved the color yellow so much that he often dyed his hair yellow in his early punk rock days. In his wild youth, he would often plan elaborate escapes on the bus to his favorite places, old work sites, or programs. Many years ago, Gary went on a trip with SPORT to New York City and Washington D.C. Gary loved the TV show, “NYPD Blue”, especially Jimmy Smitt’s character. Although many people tried to tell Gary he wouldn’t meet Jimmy Smitt in New York, he was certain he would. At the end of the trip they were getting ready to leave from DC when Gary disappeared; he was found several states away determined to find Jimmy. Gary was a man of passion and did not give up easily.

Gary loved mischief, excitement, disasters, the police, and all members of the Emergency Response System.  If the police were to show up near where he lived, he was known to sneak over to their cars while they were distracted and let the air out of their tires.  He would use any excuse to call 911 or to give the police a reason to interact with him.  He was also fond of locking staff out of his program.

As Gary got older, he mellowed slightly, but he would continue to look his friends in the eye in a knowing way and laugh at them as if he knew something they will never know. The world is a less wonderful place without Gary in it. Information will be coming shortly about a memorial service at which we will all raise our cans of Dr. Pepper in a toast to Gary Lee Hall.

Exemplar Program Accepting Nominations

The Exemplar Program comprises a group of Direct Support Professionals who go above and beyond the regular duties of their jobs. They serve as role models for other Direct Support Professionals in how they support people receiving TURN’s services, and in how they demonstrate effective teamwork with the other staff. Exemplars are nominated and selected for the program by their peers. Once employees have been selected and have agreed to participate in the program, they remain in the Direct Support Professional position. However, they have additional expectations and duties and, while they don’t receive a gold statuette, they are paid at a higher hourly rate for their work.

Exemplar Staff will attend program staff meetings in February and March to explain the selection criteria and nomination process, and Direct Support Professionals will be getting the nomination form as an S-comm on Therap. Memo to Direct Support Professionals: Look around you and be prepared to nominate a peer who performs like a star! And the award goes to…..

Remembering Our Friends

Devin Harris

At 43 years old, Devin Harris passed away on February 18^th at his apartment in Provo. Since high school, Devin continued his education by feeding an insatiable hunger for knowledge. He loved reading, especially encyclopedias and atlases, and was the family champion at Trivia. Everyone who invested the time to get to know Devin was rewarded by his quick wit and sense of humor. He would often break out in a song or a dance, and one of his brothers says that Devin taught him, “Never be embarrassed”.  He loved to camp and hike with his family, and his favorite hike was to Bridal Veils Falls in Provo Canyon. Devin also traveled all over the country with his family, and once went to Washington DC to testify as an advocate for housing for people with disabilities. Devin was proud that he lived on his own and in his own apartment.

Cheryl Rae Pooser

Our friend, Cheryl Rae Pooser, was 65 when she passed away Sunday, January 29, 2012 at her home. Cheryl, who was the first residential apartment client to be served in Cedar City by TURN (formerly Iron Parke Corporation), lived the last years of her life at the St. George Women’s Group Home and attended New Horizons Day Program. Cheryl enjoyed TURN dances and banquets, and trips to Salt Lake City to go to Lagoon or to see a Utah Jazz game. She also enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her only child Doug, who was the pride and joy of her life.

Dale Matthews

Albert Einstein said, “The value of a man should be seen in what he gives and not in what he is able to receive.” Simply put, Dale Matthews was a man who gave. He not only was cheerful in himself but he also gave much cheer to others. He had a beautiful smile, a sense of humor and a gentle demeanor. He was a good friend to many people, and his family and caregivers always knew he appreciated them and loved them.

He grew up on the family farm and learned to be a hard worker by helping his father and brothers. Dale spent his winters at the Utah State Developmental Center in American Fork and his summers on the farm in Pleasant Grove. Dale enjoyed going to work each day, and he greeted everyone with a hand shake and a pat on the back. He flirted with every young lady that he met, and was always going to marry “all the pretty girls”.

Dale enjoyed spending time with his twin brother, Glade, and Glade’s wife Martha. His best friend, Greg, was his housemate for many years and will dearly miss his friend, Dale.

Dale Matthews passed away in an Orem hospital on February 16, 2012. He was 81 years old.

United Way of Salt Lake Honors TURN Diamond Donors

On February 8, most of the twenty-three TURN Diamond Donors (employees who have given to United Way for at least twenty consecutive years), were recognized during TURN Directors Meeting. Alison Cunduff, United Way Resource Development Executive, expressed her appreciation, and then presented each Diamond Donor with a gift bag filled with Valentine candy generously donated by Sweets. TURN has been a United Way Community Partner agency for thirty-one years, and is one of more than five hundred area businesses and organizations that conduct annual United Way employee giving campaigns.

Front row from left: Linda Loma, Alison Conduff, Karen Wright, Cindy Workman, and Tom Retz.
Back row: Eliza Detherage, Brenda Harris, Peggy Laursen, Eleanor Houston, Chris Topham, and Cheryl Hansen.

From left: Phil Shumway, Fiona Hildebrandt, Kerry Hawkes, Nancy Pace, Rod Olson, JoNell Evens, and Bill Jorgensen.

Virginia Butler

Not pictured: Peggy Butler, Sonja Kenison, Mistina Adolphson, Bob Richardson, and Ghulam Sediqi.

Let Your Voice Be Heard!

Dear Families & Friends,

Many of you have probably heard that our 2012 legislative session has started and are wondering what this might mean to your loved ones receiving supports through TURN. Now is the time to let your voice be heard. You can make a huge impact by contacting your local representatives in the House and Senate by email, letter, or phone calls. To locate the names and contact information for your State Senator and House of Representatives member, go to http://le.utah.gov/GIS/findDistrict.jsp, enter your address, and click on the links provided.

What information do you need to share with legislators? Here are some key points you might share:

• Ask legislators to protect the most vulnerable. Share with them how State funding helps you care for a loved one with disabilities. Explain what would happen to your family if funding were cut.
• Remind legislators that current levels of funding are wisely and carefully used and have positive impacts in our community. State programs help individuals with disabilities be more independent. State funding actually helps individuals give back by working in the community, where they are taxpayers and consumers who support local business. State funding keeps people with disabilities out of institutions.
• Help your legislator understand that people are involved, and they are working on a “human budget” that protects our most vulnerable citizens. These are our families, friends and neighbors, not just a line item in a budget.
• Ask legislators to support the Governor’s Budget.

Please share your personal story with legislators. If you would like to be more involved, please contact me at 801-524-8603.

Thank you for your involvement that will benefit all Utahns with disabilities.

Sincerely,

Phil Shumway
Executive Director

Civil Rights Remembrance at TURN

On Monday, January 16th, nearly 50 volunteers visited TURN’s four Utah County Day Programs to provide service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. Prior to the event, TURN staff and participants taught each other about the civil rights movement of the 1960’s, and about the lesser-known disability rights movement that ultimately impacted so many of our friends and colleagues. We learned about our rights as human beings and about periods in history where rights were denied. Some of our individuals could describe situations where their own lives and choices were restricted. It was a day of learning and understanding, and a day of service.

The United Way of Utah County provided the funds to buy art supplies and 75 12×12 inch wooden tiles. Each individual in the Day Programs were assisted by staff and volunteers to produce a multi-media piece that reflected their understanding of human rights and Martin Luther King, Jr. New friendships were formed, and many volunteers asked if they could come back and take part in future activities.

The volunteers were organized by the United Way of Utah County as part of the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Outreach Day, and Day of Service. Hundreds of volunteers were dispatched on that day to over 30 service projects in the area, and TURN is grateful to have been part of that “army for good”.

Our thanks go out to Brandon Boulton, TURN’s resident artist volunteer who helped United Way staff in their purchase of supplies. Thanks also to Lauren Carlile and Lisa Hammon from the United Way for funding the project, for working with us in preparation for the activity, and for pointing so many good people our way on that day.

Volunteers bring strength to our agency!

Meet Our Community Partner: Hincklease

Just in time for Christmas, Hincklease Leasing Manager, Brian Baker (pictured left), delivered a check for TURN, along with a company hat, to Phil Shumway, TURN Executive Director. For more than 25 years, Hincklease, the commercial lending arm of Hinckley, Inc., has fulfilled a vital service for TURN by offering reasonable leasing and purchasing options for the agency’s transportation system. Today, TURN operates a fleet of 45 vehicles, nearly half of which are leased. The vehicles provide transportation for many of the more than 600 TURN clients in programs throughout the state.

In addition to the monetary donation, Hincklease employees contributed hundreds of in-kind gifts for TURN’s Labor of Love, which served 133 low-income individuals with disabilities this past season. TURN extends expressions of appreciation to Hincklease and to its generous employees.

Passing of a Good Friend

Laurie (Lorie) Stephens was 58 when she passed away on January 15, 2012 after a short illness. Lorie was one of the first Iron Parke (now TURN) individuals to be served residentially when she moved into the first Cedar City apartment program in 1985.

Lorie enjoyed community living until 2006, when she moved to TURN’s Harps Cottage for 24-hour support. Lorie loved living at “The Happy House,” and enjoyed many activities, especially bowling. When Lorie became ill, she had been practicing twice a week in preparation for the upcoming Winter Games. The morning of the games (the day before she passed away), Lorie’s Program Coordinator presented her with an Olympic “participation medal” in honor of her dedication to bowling and to her teammates. Lorie was so proud that she repeatedly showed her medal to doctors and nurses, as well as family and staff members.

Meet Our Board: Jeff Cline

Jeff Cline, past-president and five-year trustee of Salt Lake Advocacy and Community Training (ACT), is passionate about continuing his advocacy of people with disabilities.  Following the merger of ACT with TURN in June 2011, Jeff, an Investment Advisor and President of Responsible Asset Management, LLC, brought to the Board his extensive experience in conscientious investing and fiscal management. In his role as Development Committee Chair, Jeff is enthusiastic about helping the Board with fundraising efforts, planned giving, marketing, and other opportunities that will enhance the lives of the individuals who have chosen to receive services through TURN.

Honoring TURN’s Own Stars

While Hollywood’s award season is in full swing, TURN is also gearing up for our own celebration of excellence. The Exemplar Program is now accepting nominations to induct 2012’s Exemplar Staff into the program.

The Exemplar Program comprises a group of Direct Support Professionals who go above and beyond the regular duties of their jobs. They serve as role models for other Direct Support Professionals in how they support people receiving TURN’s services, and in how they demonstrate effective teamwork with the other staff. Exemplars are nominated and selected for the program by their peers. Once employees have been selected and have agreed to participate in the program, they remain in the Direct Support Professional position. However, they have additional expectations and duties and, while they don’t receive a gold statuette, they are paid at a higher hourly rate for their work.

Exemplar Staff will attend program staff meetings in February and March to explain the selection criteria and nomination process, and Direct Support Professionals will be getting the nomination form as an S-comm on Therap. Memo to Direct Support Professionals: Look around you and be prepared to nominate a peer who performs like a star! The envelope please…..

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