LifeROOTS Latest: Fall/Winter, 2012

Twin Dreams – And LifeROOTS:
How the Advocacy of Parents, and the Help of LifeROOTS, Helped Create a True “Success Story”

Dr. Pamela Martin vividly remembers the moment she knew she had become a parent advocate for her twin sons – born prematurely in 1976 and each facing multiple medical problems right from birth.  Standing at the front of her seven week-old son’s crib at NYU Medical Center where he was waiting for a shunt to be put in for surgery, she could just tell that he was dehydrated – and refused to let him be taken in for surgery that day.  When a doctor later came in and agreed with her for insisting on postponing the surgery, she knew how important her role as a parent advocate would be in making sure that her sons always got the right care -- and for many years to come, she continued to be an outspoken advocate for her children as together they navigated the challenges facing children with disabilities.  

Although sons Jason and Scott weren’t officially diagnosed with their disabilities until between the ages of two and three, it was clear early on that they each had delayed motor skills.  Upon moving to New Mexico when the boys were two, Pam brought her sons to “Programs for Children” at UNM – where, after diagnostic tests and guidance from “an incredible pediatric orthopedic surgeon”, it was recommended that she take the boys to LifeROOTS (which was then on the UNM campus) for services.  That move, recalls Pam, was a crucial step towards helping the boys not only receive the services they need, but truly grow and thrive during those important developmental years.

“That time was a critical period for our family,” remembers Pam, who notes that being a full-time working mother also added to the challenges of busy schedules and the need to get the boys the services they needed.  “At LifeROOTS, not only were the boys able to receive all of the therapies that they needed, but LifeROOTS provided them with a nurturing learning environment that met their early education and pre-school needs.  By providing the boys with both special services and a supportive learning environment all in one place, LifeROOTS made it possible for the boys to learn without being limited by their physical disabilities – and made all of the difference during those important early years.”

After such a good experience at LifeROOTS, though (where she still recalls the “amazing staff and the support system she built with other parents in the program”), Pam soon found that she would need to resume her role as an advocate for her sons as they entered public school at age 6.   Remembering that “public school was such a shock” and recalling many instances where she had to advocate for each of the boys in order for them to get the services they needed, she hopes that other parents have also taken on the role as advocates for their children, and offers some important insight from her many years of helping both of her sons reach their true potential.

“I really believe that more attention has to be paid to parent advocacy,” she says, further noting that although both she and her husband have Ph.Ds, they often felt at a loss and confused as they worked to get the right care for their children.  “No matter how wonderful your doctor may be, or how you think your child is getting the right care, you have to be the main case manager for your child.  You have to know your rights and, most importantly, be vigilant when it comes to looking out to make sure your child is getting everything he or she needs so that they can not only receive the best care as a child, but can go on to achieve their dreams as an adult.”

For sons Jason and Scott, their parents’ hard work and advocacy (as well as their early years at LifeROOTS) most certainly paid off – as both have gone on to not only become successful adults, but truly live their dreams.  After graduating from law school and serving as a public defender, Jason has spent the past four years as a disability attorney in New Mexico.   Scott, who graduated from college in Texas and earned two master’s degrees, went on to become a teacher in Japan – and is currently working on his first novel. Both are happily married and Jason has two children.

Having been through years of raising children faced with physical challenges, Pam now hopes to empower other parents with her story of advocacy – and success.  

“It’s important for parents of a child with a disability to remember that they can be their child’s most important advocate,” stresses Pam.  “Help is out there, and there are so many supports that you can find to help both you and your child.  Find the strength and power to do whatever you can to ensure that your child gets the help that he or she needs – and never stop fighting for your child.”

Board Member Spotlight: Linda Geiszler

Linda Geiszler has been an instrumental member of our Board since 2004. As past Board Chair and a current member of the Personnel Committee, she brings a great deal of expertise and insight to the LifeROOTS Board of Directors, and continues to make a tremendous difference in helping us to reach our goals of providing outstanding programs and services to those with disabilities.

An established leader in the local business community, Ms. Geiszler is the Human Resources Director at QinetiQ North America. She formerly held the position of Manager, Staffing & Organization Development at Lockheed Martin KAPL, and was the Human Resource Manager at GE Power Systems. Ms. Geiszler, who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wittenberg University, is a true leader in the community and in her profession – and we remain honored to have her on our Board.

Ron and Ted's Excellent Adventure

LifeROOTS Summer Newsletter 2012

 The Key Role of a Board Member in 

a Not-For-Profit Organization

 ... and How You Can Make a Difference at LifeROOTS

As the new fiscal year arrives, it is important to recognize the crucial role the Board of Directors plays in the operation of LifeROOTS. We are fortunate to be working with so many outstanding individuals as part of our Board – and are currently seeking to further grow our Board as we continue to move LifeROOTS forward in working to achieve our mission of helping to “empower the lives” and “shape the futures” of those with disabilities.

LifeROOTS is looking for Board Members who:

• Love someone who has been diagnosed or struggles with a disability anytime within their lifetime.
• Anyone who would like to lead their community to a more active position in supporting the community.
• Anyone who has a financial education
• Anyone who has experience working with children or adults with special needs.
• Anyone who has skills and access to legislatures or decision makers.
• Anyone who would like to reduce government funding for very needed non for profit services.
• Anyone who is able to use their relationships, skills and abilities to communicate about the services we provide.

Why would you become a LifeROOTS Board Member?

• You would meet and build a trust with other community members who are active in improving their community.
• You would create an opportunity to support the community that supports you.
• Through your hard work you will reduce the need for government support.
• You will have fun meeting employees, clients and friends of our organization at our yearly Explora event.
• You would receive a tax deductible documentation toward all of your financial or in kind donations.
• You will know that your hard work and commitment has improved the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families. Your dedication has created services and opportunities that have empowered lives and shaped their futures.

If you are interested in becoming a board of directors member, please contact Kathleen Cates, CEO at KathleenC@LifeROOTSNM.org or call 505.255.5501.

LifeROOTS and SupplyOne Celebrate 5 Year Anniversary

We are thrilled to have recently marked a very special anniversary here at LifeROOTS – where we have just celebrated 5 years of providing business services to one of our key business partners: SupplyOne. Over the past five years, LifeROOTS has provided packaging and shipping services to this commercial organization – resulting in the successful (and cost-effective) completion of countless assembly jobs for SupplyOne. Over the years, this partnership has helped to enrich the lives of many of our LifeROOTS clients by helping them to secure meaningful, productive jobs within the community – and, in addition, has resulted in permanent intermittent employment for three individuals with disabilities.

As we continue to move forward and help “empower the lives” and “shape the futures” of our LifeROOTS clients through programs such as our business partnership program that provides jobs to those with disabilities, we offer our special thanks to employees, the Job Coaches and, most of all, everyone at SupplyOne – for the tremendous role that SupplyOne has played in the success of our Business Partnership Program.

We look forward to marking many more years, and important anniversaries, of working with both SupplyOne, and our many other business partners, to help those with disabilities thrive in the workplace.

LifeROOTS Launches New Pie Fundraiser, With Proceeds Going to Update Technology for LifeROOTS Clients

 

LifeROOTS is pleased to announce our latest, and most delicious, fundraiser yet!

We will be selling gift cards for pies at the Village Inn -- giving people the chance to order from a wide selection of pies, including: Cherry, French Silk, Coconut Cream, Lemon Meringue, Lemon Supreme, Country Apple, Pumpkin(seasonal), Strawberry Rhubarb and Triple Berry.

Consider purchasing one of these special pies -- great for anytime, and perfect for the holidays!

Pie gift cards can be purchased beginning on September 14th at our special event at Explora, located at 1701 Mountain Road NW., from 6:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. After that, they can also be purchased at the Menaul office through the receptionist and at both Centers. The pie fundraiser continues through December 31.

Pricing: 1 pie card - $15.00 or 2 pie card - $25.00.

Help us make our pie fundraiser our most successful fundraiser ever ... and enjoy a delicious pie in the process!

Client Spotlight: Jesus

Jesus is a LifeROOTS client who, as a young child, was diagnosed with a Wilms tumor -- a type of kidney cancer that occurs in children. The disease, which is the most common form of childhood kidney cancer, occurs in 1 in 200,000 to 250,000 children, and usually attacks when the child is less than 3 years old, and rarely occurs after age 8.

Jesus lives with his parents Ana and Jesús -- who are good parents dealing with a very difficult situation, and who work every day to provide the strength, discipline, love and dedication needed. The family is of very limited resources, and have found great support through LifeROOTS in order to help Jesus, and the whole family, through this difficult time. Working closely with both Jesus and the family, the LifeROOTS team participated in support, information, and coordination of services with other institutions -- ensuring that Jesus not only received the services that LifeROOTS provides to help him overcome any obstacles and reach his full potential, but ensuring that Jesus, and the family, were able to navigate the complex health system during this very trying time for them, and that Jesus received the best possible medical care from a wide variety of health care providers and specialists.

Today we are very happy to say that Jesus is in remission and in very good health. We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to work with Jesus and his family and watch the strides he made each day -- and are so happy that LifeROOTS could play a role in helping a family through a difficult time -- and helping a very special little boy by providing the services, and a team of caring professionals, that helped to bring a smile to his face.

LifeROOTS Partners with Diaper Bank of New Mexico

One in three families in America struggles to afford diapers for their children – and with assistance programs not covering diapers, low-income families often have great difficulty finding a way to secure diapers for their families.  In addition to children’s diaper needs, diapers and incontinence products are desperately needed by the elderly and those with disabilities throughout the region.  In fact, according to information from the Diaper Bank of New Mexico, “a disabled person who cannot afford incontinence supplies cannot work, cannot live independently. And the parents of a disabled child may never be relieved of the expense of diapering a child - even when the child is 8 or 13 or 22.”

To help ensure that diaper needs are met for our area’s low income families, the elderly and those families caring for someone with a disability, we have partnered with The Diaper Bank of New Mexico.  We are collecting diapers to help in this great effort  – and are happy to be part of this community effort involving numerous other not-for-profit organizations all working together to help families in need throughout New Mexico. 

For more information on how to contribute to diaper bank and to arrange a drop off at our offices, call us at 505-255-5501.  For more information about the Diaper Bank of New Mexico and the great work they are doing in spearheading this important initiative,
visit www.diaperbankofnm.weebly.com.

LifeROOTS Fundraising with @Pay

Its now easier than ever to make a donation to LifeROOTS. LifeROOTS is now using @Pay emails to inform supporters and raise money for important issues.

@Pay is now the best way to send donations – straight from within an email. In just two clicks—the first to make a selection, and the second to confirm the payment - you can help fund specific programs; $20 could send a child to the educational play group for 1 week, 80 could buy one equestrian therapy session for a child, and $150 could fund a pool therapy class of 6 toddlers for 2 weeks. Different options are presented on a monthly basis.

@Pay is a natural evolution for the Albuquerque-based consulting firm Clover Leaf Solutions, Inc. From its inception, Clover Leaf’s purpose has been to improve real-world conditions by automating complex systems. Since 2005, Clover Leaf has been developing technology for clients that is both effective and easy to use. Clover Leaf expanded its technology in 2011 to benefit charitable organizations.

If you would to be added to our email list, please email KathleenC@liferootsnm.org with your request to receive updates.

LifeWORKS Now Offering “Broom Clean” Services

 

LifeROOTS is pleased to announce the launch of our latest division of our LifeWORKS program – specialized “Broom Cleaning” services guaranteed to get recently renovated or construction spaces in broom-clean condition before handing the space back to the owners.

Our new “Broom Clean” services offer experienced, professional and courteous custodial workers helping to get a property in broom clean condition, which includes the removal of all debris and trash; cleaning  of construction dust from all surfaces; mopping and vacuuming; and disinfecting all surfaces, fixtures and appliances.  Our workers, LifeROOTS clients with disabilities involved in our LifeWORKS program, specialize in post-renovation/post-construction clean up – providing a great way for contractors to get a property “broom clean” quickly and cost-effectively .. .while helping to provide a great opportunity to those with disabilities.

For more information about LifeWORKS and our new “Broom Clean” Services, call us at 505-255-5501, or visit us online at www.LifeWORKSnm.org.

LifeROOTS Launches Bilingual “Inclusion Playgroups”

 

Parents of 2 and 3 year olds looking for a fun, stimulating learning environment for both typical and special needs children have an exciting new option when it comes to pre-school programs.  LifeROOTS has introduced a new bilingual “Inclusion Playgroup” licensed program specifically designed to integrate typical children and children with developmental delays -- providing an opportunity for them to play together, interact and practice school skills in a classroom-like setting. 

The LifeROOTS Inclusion Playgroups were designed to provide a setting for typical children and those with developmental delays to engage in a number of fun -- and educational -- activities together, including sensory activities and circle time.  The program also offers a special indoor gross motor area and outdoor play area.  Snack time is also provided.  Inclusion Playgroups are led by bilingual teachers with expertise in early childhood education of 2 and 3 year olds, as well as experience in special education.

The Inclusion Playgroup program is available at no cost for eligible children enrolled in the Family Infant Toddler (FIT) Program; for children not enrolled in the FIT Program, there is a $10 cost per session. For more information, call 505-255-5501. 

In Memory of Roberta Ortega, Adult Learner,

LifeROOTS, 1961-2012

We are greatly saddened by the recent passing of LifeROOTS Adult Learner Roberta Elaine Ortega.  Roberta touched many lives here at LifeROOTS and was an inspiration to all those who knew her.  Following is a tribute to Roberta written by Brian Onarheim – a friend of Roberta’s from Literacy class at LifeROOTS. 

Roberta Ortega passed away on August 2nd, 2012.  We all enjoyed the time she spent with us in literacy. The Roberta we knew had a big heart and a great way of helping others when they were feeling down.  She always knew how to give everyone in class a good laugh. Roberta had a warm smile and she loved to bring joy to the adult learners.

She encouraged us to be happy and not to take things too seriously.

She was secure with herself enough to freely share life experiences, which were interesting. Roberta made me feel like a real person. She believed in me especially when I was going through challenging times. Her kind and generous support made the difference in my life when overcoming obstacles.
Roberta was involved with self- advocacy.  She was a strong advocate for me and others. She was always busy typing letters to politicians in class and this inspired me to do the same. 

I had the opportunity to hear Roberta advocate at the Roundhouse in Santa Fe and local presentations in Albuquerque. This was a wonderful experience because it encouraged me to get involved. Seeing the beauty in her made me see the beauty in myself and I became determined to share my life experiences with others as well. With her support I then believed I had value and was an important part of the community. 

We had many good times together in literacy. Everyone will miss Roberta’s jokes and her playfulness.  She would like to tease in a caring manner like calling Bob “Kenny Rogers” or “Sponge Bob Square Pants.” Roberta had nicknames for people -  for instance, she called Carol “Princess” or Max “Grandpa.” She liked to call Richard, “The Teach”; Chris, “George Clooney” and Mia, “My Beautiful Angel”

Roberta still feels very much alive in us so much we still are expecting her to walk through the literacy door any moment. Her spirit lives on in us now.  I know I will never forget her because the love she showed me had a strong impact on how I see the world today.

Brian Onarheim
Adult Learner, LifeROOTS, Inc.

Changes to disabilities waiver could devastate workforce

As seen in New Mexico Business Weekly by Kathleen Cates, Guest Opinion

Date: Friday, August 3, 2012

Kathleen Cates

On October 1, if nothing is done to prevent it, proposed changes to the developmental disabilities waiver will go into effect in New Mexico.

These proposed changes and cuts to the DD waiver will significantly and negatively impact the many individuals with disabilities in our community who have made tremendous strides in reaching their full potential through programs that have helped them enhance their quality of life and enabled them to become active, productive members of the community and workforce.

For months, controversy surrounding these proposed cuts to the DD waiver has spurred health care providers and consumers to voice concern and outrage about the negative impact these cuts will have on a vulnerable population.

Through public forums and public comments, those of us concerned about the issue have worked diligently to try to stop these changes from going into effect on October 1. Final opportunities to voice opposition to these proposed DD waiver changes are coming in August. A public hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. August 6 at the Toney Anaya Building, 2550 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe.

Proposed changes to the DD waiver will have a far-reaching effect that will extend not only to the many families in our area caring for those with disabilities, but also will impact our entire community and local workforce. Families forced to deal with reduced services and cuts in therapy for their children will be searching for ways to continue to help their loved ones thrive through the specialized care that has assisted so many disabled individuals throughout New Mexico.

Cuts to the DD waiver, and a reduction in services for their children, will leave many of today’s working parents scrambling to find the funding and time to supplement this reduction in state services, while still trying desperately to balance the daily demands of caring for a family member with a disability and holding down their jobs in today’s tumultuous economy.

LifeROOTS Wins National Award for “Extraordinary Success” In Helping Those with Disabilities in the Workplace

From left to right: Bob Chamberlain, President and CEO of Nish, Kathleen Cates, President and CEO of LifeROOTS, David Griffis, Director of Contracts at LifeROOTS, Bill Coleman, Chair of the Nish Board

LifeROOTS has received national recognition from one of the most prestigious and well-known organizations serving the needs of the disabled. The award was presented to LifeROOTS by NISH – the national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities – and was presented to LifeROOTS at a special awards ceremony held at the NISH National Training and Achievement Conference held from May 21- May 24 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

At the conference, LifeROOTS was honored by NISH with the “2011 AbilityOne/NISH Performance Excellence in Using the AbilityOne Program to Further Its Mission” award. This award was given in recognition of LifeROOTS achieving “extraordinary success in using the AbilityOne Program to further its mission by partnering with some of the most established organizations in the Albuquerque, NM region and creating many new and fulfilling jobs for those with disabilities.” The award was presented to Kathleen Cates, CEO of LifeROOTS and David Griffis, LifeROOTS’ Director of Contracts, at an Awards Banquet on May 24 – honoring those organizations and individuals making significant contributions to helping to enhance the lives of the disabled.

The NISH conference brought together more than 1,000 individuals devoted to creating employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities – providing an opportunity to recognize and be inspired by personal stories of success. The NISH National Training and Achievement Conference Awards Banquet honored and celebrated the work of those “highly successful individuals, nonprofit agencies, government agencies and businesses” through the presentation of a number of different awards in various categories – and told the “stories” of each winner to highlight how they have made tremendous strides in helping those with disabilities in the workplace.

LifeROOTS Spring Newsletter 2012

Putting Down New “Roots” In the Community: Plans Underway for Planting of a LifeROOTS Garden

At LifeROOTS, we’re all about helping people with disabilities – and giving them the solid “roots” to help them build a solid foundation for the future.  To bring to life our message of nurturing roots and helping those with disabilities grow and thrive, we are in the process of creating a beautiful LifeROOTS Garden – which will bring together those within the community to build, plant – and nurture – the roots we are putting down.
  

To create this special garden, students from local schools, community members and LifeROOTS clients and their families will all work together – planting seeds in special garden boxes and designing a beautiful space that will be enjoyed for years to come.  In addition, we are also in the process of working with local schools on the development of a special garden mural – that will bring added beauty to the garden, as well as be an additional source for community involvement. 

The LifeROOTS Garden is part of a longer-term capital project that we have launched to bring new “life” – and new services – to our members over the next few years.  In addition to the Garden, the plan includes a new cinder block building project that will include an indoor therapy pool.   Fundraising for these projects – which will add not only beauty but tremendous value to the community – has begun … so watch for our growing “seed” icon on our website and other LifeROOTS materials – and see how it progresses from a seed to a full-fledged tree through the generous donations of those within our community.

For more information about the LifeROOTS Garden -- and ways to get involved – visit our website at www.liferootsnm.org or call 505.255.5501.

SPOTLIGHT ON…Don Chalmers; Owner, Don Chalmers Ford

Chances are you’ve spotted one of the vans bearing our LifeROOTS message out on the roads.  The vans have tremendously helped us expand the reach of our message, and mission, to so many people who have now become aware of what we offer – and we owe it all to the help and generosity of Don Chalmers, owner of Don Chalmers Ford, who has so generously provided LifeROOTS with the opportunity to get our messages out through his vehicles!

Don is known throughout the region for his philanthropic work and his commitment to many local causes.  In addition, he is active in numerous boards including Vice President of UNM Board of Regents and Vice Chair of UNM Health Sciences Board of Directors, and a board member of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, Sandia Foundation, Lobo Development Corporation, WESST, Fellowship of Christian Athletes National Board, National Dance Institute and the Rio Rancho Community Foundation.

Don received a Hero of the Planet award from Ford Motor Company for his social and community service, and has been frequently recognized for his generosity, receiving the Association of Fundraising Professionals’ Leader in Philanthropy award, the Outstanding Community Champion by United Way of Central New Mexico,  NM Spirit of Achievement by the National Jewish Hospital Foundation, Outstanding Philanthropist by United Way of Santa Fe, and named a Corporate Hero in the New Mexico Business Weekly.

Don has been a true supporter of our cause and our work for years – and is well known to so many people for his personal vision of philanthropy.  He believes strongly in giving back to his communities by supporting education, healthcare, economic development and community service – and we remain grateful for the important role he has played at LifeROOTs in helping us to enhance the reach of our messages through the fleet of his vans now traveling throughout the Albuquerque region. 

Client Spotlight: Sharon Blankenship

For the past 12 years, Sharon Blankenship has been a client here at LifeROOTS and a familiar face in our Day Hab program.  Those who have come to know Sharon through the years have been thrilled to notice a major turnaround in her life over the past two years – as Sharon has made some incredible strides.  In fact, according to her mother Helen, over the past two years she’s excitedly watched her daughter grow and thrive, noting “She’s a whole new person – it’s like she’s alive again!”

With the help, patience and dedication of the LifeROOTS staff, Sharon’s transformation has been nothing short of remarkable.  Where she previously was an “outlier” – working one-on-one with a single staff member 5 days a week and not showing any interest in anything other than her usual routine (and rarely even looking up to acknowledge another peer or staff member who she wasn’t familiar with), over the past two years she has undergone a dramatic change.  Now, the young woman who was once seemed to have walls that surrounded her is integrating with her peers during group projects, cooking classes and holiday parties – and, where she used to always ride alone in a van with her one-on-one staff member, she has now integrated with her peers while riding in a vehicle.  No longer scared in new settings and environments or expressing aggression at anyone who came into her space, Sharon is now attending numerous outings with her fellow peers and has made it a point to integrate and become social inside of the community.  In fact, in addition to attending a number of out-of-town outings and becoming a regular customer at JB’s diner, she recently also attended her first baseball game – enjoying every moment of this momentous occasion to the fullest!

What amazes people the most – especially those who have not seen her in a few years – is Sharon’s overall personality now, and the range of emotions and affection that she displays.  The young woman who once rarely communicated and showed no emotions is now communicating her likes and dislikes on a daily basis – making recent holidays and special events even more special for her parents by working with LifeROOTS staff to select and create her own cards and presents for her parents.  Sharon’s incredible progress over the past few years has not only made birthdays and holidays for her family all the more special, but has made every day seem like a true gift for all those who know her.

According to Sharon’s parents, the past two years have been two of the best years of Sharon’s life.  At LifeROOTS, we couldn’t agree more – and we join with her parents in not only being thrilled for all that Sharon has accomplished over the past few years, but excited for all that the future holds for this special young woman.

Conversations with the Mayor

Kathleen Cates appeared on Mayor Swisstack’s TV show in March.  If you missed the airing, you can catch it HERE. 

 

 

 

 

Life – And LifeROOTS – “On The Road”

Over the past few months, thousands of people each day have learned about LifeROOTS – simply by driving to and from their job, home or other errands throughout the region.  Through a unique campaign – and the generosity and philanthropic donation of Don Chalmers and Don Chalmers Ford, vans and buses bearing the LifeROOTS logo and messaging have been making their way around town – and beyond.  These vans and buses have helped to reach many people who might not have known about LifeROOTS and our free services – and who have subsequently reached out to us to find out more about how we may be able to help a family member or friend with a disability.

In addition to proving to be an effective way to “drive” home the message about the  LifeROOTS mission and our free services for those with disabilities, the LifeROOTS vans are also proving to be an effective way for local companies to get their name out in front of people, as well.  LifeROOTS has given businesses throughout the area the chance to have their company name placed on a van within the fleet of LifeROOTS vans for six months – travelling all over Albuquerque and Kirtland AFB and seen by countless people.  To date, a number of companies have “climbed on board” – helping to cost-effectively gain visibility for their business.

There’s still a chance for other local businesses to get involved – limited space is available for interested company sponsors.  Contact LifeROOTS at 505.255.5501 for more information about pricing and availability … and keep your eye on the road for even more sightings of the LifeROOTS vans in the months to come!

LifeROOTS Receives National Recognition From NISH  - Award Presented to LifeROOTS at National NISH Conference in Indianapolis

We are excited to announce that NISH, the national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities, has honored LifeROOTS with its “2011 AbilityOne/NISH Performance Excellence in Using the AbilityOne Program to Further Its Mission” Award.  This prestigious honor and national recognition highlights our commitment to helping people with disabilities through the AbilityOne Program – which is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the United States. The award will be presented to us in May at the upcoming AbilityOne/NISH National Training and Achievement Conference being held in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

Check our next newsletter for award ceremony photos and other news from the NISH Conference (including a link to a special documentary about LifeROOTS produced by NISH and shown at the award ceremony.)  Again, we’re thrilled to be receiving this major award from NISH – and even more thrilled to be continuing to work towards our mission of  “empowering the lives” and “shaping the futures” of those with disabilities in our community.

Board Member Spotlight: Linda Geiszler

Linda Geiszler has been an instrumental member of our Board since 2004.   As past Board Chair and a current member of the Personnel Committee, she brings a great deal of expertise and insight to the LifeROOTS Board of Directors, and continues to make a tremendous difference in helping us to reach our goals of providing outstanding programs and services to those with disabilities.        


An established leader in the local business community, Ms. Geiszler is the Human Resources Director at QinetiQ North America. She formerly held the position of Manager, Staffing & Organization Development at Lockheed Martin KAPL, and was the Human Resource Manager at GE Power Systems.  Ms. Geiszler, who received a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Wittenberg University, is a true leader in the community and in her profession – and we remain honored to have her on our Board.

Kirtland Air Force Base Cuts Jobs For Disabled Workers

As most of you know, LifeROOTS has had a long-standing federal contract with Kirtland Air Force Base – and for the past 15 years has provided the base with telephone switchboard operators and custodial workers.  In fact, as many read in the Albuquerque Journal back in June, the Kirtland contract has been instrumental in helping so many people with disabilities work in meaningful jobs – including Gloria Silva, who was profiled in the piece as a great example of how someone faced with a new disability was able to not only succeed, but thrive, in the workplace ... as she rose through the ranks at Kirtland’s switchboard operations unit.

Unfortunately, as of April 1st, Gloria and seven other individuals with disabilities in Kirtland’s switchboard operations department no longer have jobs -- as LifeROOTS’ contract for switchboard operations (which provided numerous jobs for those with disabilities and offered “live voices” on the line for our troops calling home) has instead been replaced with an automatic system. The loss of this switchboard operations contract has impacted -- and will continue to impact -- so many people with disabilities who have suddenly found themselves without the jobs they loved.  And there’s more bad news on the horizon for those with disabilities – as of May 1st, seven out of the 29 custodial workers at Kirtland are also slated to lose their jobs.

Although funding cuts have become common throughout New Mexico and the entire country, what many advocates for the disabled are concerned about is that recent budget cuts all too often are affecting the most vulnerable – those with disabilities.  The KAFB situation is an example of how governments are being forced to balance their budgets ... and are often using programs and services for disabled citizens to do so. However, the truth of the matter is that in this case, these cuts may or may not help the base’s budget ... and, further, all of the employees will be filing for unemployment, social security, social security disability and other government programs when their jobs are eliminated -- costing the overall government more than their employment cost the government.

Losing a job is never easy – especially in today’s economy.  But for people with disabilities who are not able to find other jobs within the community, the loss of a job is even more of a life-changing event that can, unfortunately, have a significant negative impact on their lives.  Let’s work together to see how we can stop this trend towards cutting budgets – and cutting jobs – when it comes to services and programs for the disabled.  It’s the right thing to do – for so many reasons … and for the many people with disabilities who have thrived, and who can continue to thrive, in the workplace – and beyond.

For more information about how to get involved with giving people with disabilities a job, or to see how you can help, email  Kathleen Cates at kathleenc@liferootsnm.org.

As seen in the ABQ Journal: Disabled Lose KAFB Jobs

By Charles D. Brunt / Journal Staff Writer on Tue, Apr 10, 2012

Fifteen disabled workers employed at Kirtland Air Force Base are losing their jobs because of federal budget cuts, and base officials said those reductions and others are necessary to meet the Air Force’s slimmed-down budget.

LifeRoots, a local nonprofit that provides services for the disabled, has contracted with the base for more than 15 years to provide telephone switchboard operators and custodial workers, said Kathleen Cates, the organization’s CEO and president.

Eight phone operators lost their jobs March 30 when the agency’s contract with Kirtland expired, Cates said, and the base has switched to an automated system.

Seven of LifeRoots’ 29 custodial workers at Kirtland are slated to lose their jobs by May 1, she said.
“This is part of the overall federal necessity to reduce discretionary spending,” said Col. Donald Conley, commander of the base’s 377th Mission Support Group. “The (Air Force) chief of staff is on record as saying that, in this economy, we have to make difficult choices. This is certainly one of them.”

“Unfortunately, these cuts are just a portion of the overall cuts that have been made across our corner of the Department of Defense,” Conley said.

Funding cuts have become common in recent years, Cates said, noting that LifeRoots contracts with the base have shrunk from $4 million a few years ago to $2.8 million this fiscal year.

Although she does not blame the Air Force for meeting its fiscal mandates, Cates said she sees a disturbing pattern in government budget cuts.

“I’m finding a trend, whether it’s federal, state or local agencies, that budget cuts are falling on the backs of the most vulnerable — the people with disabilities,” Cates said. “It’s very short-sighted because it’s not going to help anybody in the long run.”

Despite state laws that give job preferences to the disabled, private vendors are often able to undercut contract bids by providing fewer benefits, she said.

“This might help somebody’s budget in the short term … but I bet every one of those operators will go on unemployment, and half of them will be on SSI or SSDI before the end of the year,” Cates said “That’s not going to help the government.”

The federal Supplemental Security Income program pays benefits to disabled adults and children who have limited income and resources. The Social Security Disability Insurance program is a payroll tax-funded program that provides income supplements to disabled citizens.

Conley said ending the switchboard contract made economic sense.

“Of all of our service-level contracts here at the 377th Air Base Wing, this one appeared to be most eligible for monetary reduction by automation,” he said. “Because the equipment was already in place with our existing telephone phone switching system, we made the decision to realize savings in that area by automating the telephone switchboard function.”
Cutting custodial services, Conley said, is proving more difficult.
“There are certain facilities where we can’t reduce the amount of (custodial) service they receive, such as our child development centers, our youth center and our fitness centers,” he said, noting that funding for custodial services this fiscal year was cut by about $1 million.

“In some cases, we will be doing the cleaning ourselves,” he said. For example, the restrooms in the base’s headquarters building, where Conley’s office is, will now be professionally cleaned only once a week, leaving those who work there to maintain them between cleanings.

Conley said he’s hopeful some of the base’s private contractors will work directly with LifeRoots to continue their custodial services.

The Air Force announced late last year that it would cut about 9,000 civilian jobs nationwide in an effort to control costs. Wing officials said then the base would lose 82 positions, but that some of those were already vacant.

— This article appeared on page C1 of the Albuquerque Journal

Kathleen Cates Appears on Mayor Swisstack's TV Show, Coversations with the Mayor

Woman Kept Off Bus

By Olivier Uyttebrouck / Journal Staff Writer on Wed, Jan 25, 2012

An Albuquerque woman who uses a wheelchair said she was denied access to a crowded city bus even as two other riders were allowed to board at the same stop.


A spokesman for ABQ Ride, which operates the city’s bus system, said the driver acted appropriately because crowded conditions on the bus required him to admit only passengers who could stand.


Sharon Brown, 47, said a driver told her Thursday that he could not allow her to board with a wheelchair because the eastbound bus on Lomas NE was too crowded.


“Two other ladies that were standing with me at the bus stop were able to get on, but I wasn’t,” said Brown, who has severe rheumatoid arthritis and relies on a battery-powered wheelchair.


“Because they were able to walk, they were able to get on the bus,” Brown said of the two riders. “My feeling is, if I couldn’t get on, they shouldn’t have been able to get on either.”

Sharon Brown, who relies on a wheelchair, says she was refused service on a city bus last week even though other passengers were allowed to board. Brown had to wait for a later bus. (Roberto E. Rosales/journal)

Brown said she was turned away from the No. 11 bus at Lomas and Carlisle NE about 5:20 p.m. as she returned home from an appointment with a chiropractor. Instead, Brown caught the next bus about 25 minutes later, she said.


Brown, who relies on buses for daily transportation, said drivers have accommodated her in the past, even when buses are very crowded, by asking passengers to stand or move.


Kathleen Cates, president and CEO of Liferoots Inc., a nonprofit that provides services for the disabled, said the Americans with Disabilities Act requires ABQ Ride to accommodate people with disabilities on an equal basis as other riders.
“You can’t say there is room for people who can stand and no room for people who can’t,” Cates said.
Rick de Reyes, a spokesman for ABQ Ride, said the driver told passengers that the bus had standing-room only. The driver would have had to eject passengers from the bus to accommodate Brown’s wheelchair, he said.


“There’s nothing in the (ADA) law that says that we must kick off paying passengers who have gotten on at previous stops just to accommodate her,” de Reyes said Tuesday.


All city buses are equipped with a lift that can hoist aboard a wheelchair, de Reyes said. Drivers accommodate a wheelchair by raising up two seats, which in this case would have displaced two seated passengers, he said.


“There were no other areas for them to stand,” de Reyes said. “The driver felt in that case that we would have to remove people.”

— This article appeared on page C01 of the Albuquerque Journal

LifeROOTS Wins National NISH Award

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We wanted to share some exciting news with you regarding LifeROOTS -- and a recent national award that we are being honored with in recognition of our organization's role in helping people with disabilities in the workplace.
 

NISH, the national nonprofit agency whose mission is to create employment opportunities for people with significant disabilities, has just honored LifeROOTS with its "2011 AbilityOne/NISH Performance Excellence in Using the AbilityOne Program to Further Its Mission" Award -- a prestigious honor and one which highlights our commitment to helping people with disabilities through the AbilityOne Program.  The AbilityOne Program is the largest single source of employment for people who are blind or have other significant disabilities in the United States.  The award will be presented to us in May at the upcoming AbilityOne/NISH National Training and Achievement Conference being held in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Again, as a friend and supporter of our organization, we wanted to let you know about this national recognition.  We're excited about the award and the opportunity to meet with leaders in the field at the upcoming NISH Achievement Conference -- and, most of all, we're excited to continue our mission of "empowering the lives" and "shaping the futures" of people with disabilities through our programs and services.

Thanks again for all of your support, and we'll send you photos in May!  To view a complete list of this year's 2011 NISH National Award Recipients, CLICK HERE.  
 
Kathleen Cates
President and CEO
LifeROOTS