Holiday Message from TURN’s Board
This is a challenging letter to write to each of you, the family members and advocates for the people who have chosen TURN Community Services’ supports. And yet, as the year draws to a close, I believe that it must be done. TURN needs your help to continue the wide array of services it provides. I am asking each of you, who have given so much already to your family member, to give some more.
TURN is recognized throughout Utah for the highly individualized supports it provides to people with intellectual disabilities. Many of these services are paid for through federal and state dollars, so why is the agency asking for more financial support? I do so because personalized supports are staff intensive. To TURN employees, your family member is a multi-faceted individual with personal priorities, preferences, and needs. The time and energy it takes to fulfill these hopes do not always fall in the “fee-for-service” model that governs TURN’s reimbursement.
Your financial gift to TURN will help to ensure that the agency is in a position to go beyond contracted services and provide the highly individualized supports that bring joy and meaning into the lives of the 615 people who look to TURN. As you celebrate this season of giving, please consider supporting the agency you and your family member have come to depend on.
The Board of TURN Community Services sends its best wishes for joyous holidays and a satisfying new year.
Mary Grace Miner
TURN Board Chair
Mitch Vosburg has been attending TURN day programs since 1986. When he had to go into a care center in 2009, he missed his friends at the day program that he had treasured for so many years. So, later that year, he was able to come back to the Woods Cross day program part-time.
Mitch loves holding onto hair scrunches and a deck of cards that he plays with. He enjoys Special Olympic bowling and track and field, but he cannot participate in the actual track and field games because of the heat. However, he enjoys practicing when there is cooler weather. Mitch loves being with his friends at the day program, participating in the activities, and going out in the community. He does not speak but he communicates his joy through a big smile on his face!
