Marbridge

Learn Experience Achieve

LIFE
2nd Quarter 2010 2nd Quarter 2010

Time for summer camp fun! - pgs. 2-3

Learning of gardens and earths goodness - pgs. 4-5

FEATURE STORY > pg. 2

Marbridge
Learn Experience Achieve

LIFE
As birds herald a new day, counselors begin rousing campers from their sleep. What new adventures await them on this bright, summer day? A trip to town, maybe? Tours of Austin occur regularly during our week long sessions. Campers may visit the Texas Capitol Building, then take in a show at the IMAX Theatre, followed by a Duck Tour through town in a bus that becomes a boat as it plunges into Lady Bird Lake and floats over for a look at Austin dam. Or the day could include horseback riding and a few lessons on how to groom and care for our equine friends. After a morning of horsing around, campers are ready for a swim in the pool. In addition to providing a week of fun, camp also gives them a peek into daily life at The Ranch and The Village communities. There are opportunities to enjoy meals, build friendships and participate

is a publication of Marbridge P.O. Box 2250, Manchaca, Texas 78652 Voice: (512) 282-1144 Fax: (512) 282-3723
DADS license numbers 000706, 005191, 000520

Web: www.marbridge.org E-mail: info@marbridge.org Editor/Designer: Cathy Cabrera To subscribe contact: editor@marbridge.org Board of Trustees: H. Eddie Dick, chairman J. Mitchell Bell Thomas P. Douglass John D. Head Stephen T. Matthews Tom M. OBrien C. David Perry W. Norm Phillips W. Barry Schneider James F. Stacey Advisory Board: Aubrey L. Carter Jonathan D. Levy Steven J. Thiel Administration James F. Stacey President & CEO Scott McAvoy Vice President of Operations

We sw im almost ever yday!

Its an active, exciting week at Camp Marbridge!

l Swimming l Horseback riding l Arts, crafts, music, games! l Sports l Community outings

Craig Wojtowicz Vice President of Support Services Michelle Levy Vice President of Development Will Hoermann Director of Admissions Steve Larson Villa Director Brian Haddock Ranch Director Sally Fletcher Village Director Janis Bennett Human Resources Director Jerry Nicholson Facilities Director Jana Kay Director of Training & Education

I lo ve to groo m and ri de th e horses in Mar bridges Equine Therap y Program!

Drum therapy is a blast!

pg. 3

Wish you were here!

Our summer camp cottage is so cozy! We have big trees all around us.

s capitol We visit the Texa r places around and othe ch fun! Austin. Its so mu

in activities with many of our residents. Camp can be beneficial to young adults who may be considering a future transition into our post-secondary programs. Its a full week at Camp Marbridge, one that many young adults with special needs look forward to summer after summer. Steven is living for the moment when he can return to Camp Marbridge, says Debra Moreno, mother of Steven Moreno, who is featured on the front cover of this issue. You can tell how happy he is with Camp Marbridge.

He feels very comfortable and loved there, and I love that end-of-session party, where the kids share what theyve done all week. With lots of room to roam and many activities to choose from, Marbridge Summer Camp offers young adults a unique opportunity to step out on their own in a safe environment. They make new friends, experience new activities, and have fun in the process. When its time to go home, some are sad to see the good times come to an endbut theres always next summer to look forward to!

2010 Summer Camp Schedule

l Session 1: June 13-18 l Session 2: June 20-25 l Session 3: June 27-July 2 l Session 4: July 11-16 l Session 5: July 18-23 l Session 6: July 25-30 l Session 7: August 1-6 l Session 8: August 8-13 l Session 9: August 15-20 Our summer camp employs a full time camp coordinator and fulltime counselors with experience and/or training in special education or related fields. For more information, visit us online at http:// www.marbridge.org/ admissions/summercamp-application.php

In Horticulture Therapy, we learn abo ut plants and how to take care of them.

FEATURE STORY > pg.4

Learning about

The garden is our teacher. We learn lessons about our relationship with food, and that helps us make healthy eating choices.
This year, residents in our Gardening classes are hoping for a good, rainfilled summer. Instructors Bryan Webb and Mark Knox teach the classes. They worked with our facilities team last year to transform the grounds around the Training & Education office building into an organic vegetable and herb garden and a classroom for residents. As it turns out, the garden has become a good teacher for everyone. Bugs, weeds and drought plagued their efforts in 2009. Gardening mirrors life, in that there are successes and failures, said Knox. We enjoy our successes and try to learn from our failures. Residents also can learn how plants grow and what some of the foods they eat look like while they are growing. Gardening also provides lessons in patience, commitment and teamwork. Slowly, but surely, they are learning to garden. Despite setbacks, last year they produced a harvest that helped residents in the independent cottages learn to cook. But last years drought did convince the instructors to install a rainwater collection system. Two large barrels now flank the herb garden. Pipes running from the barrels to the roof collect the rain for days when none will fall. This spring, the two Garden classes planted a variety of herbs and vegetables, most of

Above, the capable hands of Jesse Russell help residents start most of the plants that grow in our vegetable and herb gardens, including the row of Boston lettuce at right. Here, resident Sarah Shepherd and instructor Bryan Webb add basil plants to the herb garden.

Worms and compost help us understand the natural cycle of life.

which were started from seed by our Horticultural Therapy classes. If you meander down the neat rows of Swiss chard, basil and lettuce, youll see a large mound of dirt on the right. Thats our worm garden. It serves the lofty purpose of supplying bait for our Fishing Class, but it also provides lessons on how worms help prepare and enrich soil for plants. Beyond the worm pile, in the corner of the back lot sits our compost bin. Residents regularly add garden clippings, damaged vegetables and other organic matter. They learn about the cycle of life and how it helps keep the earth healthy. After months of work, harvest time brings residents a sense of accomplishment. Those in the independent cottages turn the garden into their grocery store, picking fresh vegetables and herbs for the nightly meal. A lot of residents in the Gardening classes like to eat the produce right off the plant, said Webb. And why not? Its all from the good earth.
Above, Ken Holfus examines an earthworm from the worm plot; Doug Dillman harvests collard greens in the middle photo, and John Perry adds to the compost pile below.

Our new butterfly garden teaches us about the beauty of nature.

This spring, residents in our Horticulture Therapy class repurposed a small garden plot beside the greenhouse. They germinated purple, red and yellow butterfly weeds to plant there, and they learned the importance of creating habitat. As humans, we take from the earth, and this is a way to give back, said horticulture instructor Jesse Russell. He said the butterfly garden will also serve as a place where residents can gather, relax and watch the butterflies. Color attracts butterflies, and thats why the class planted seeds of many different colors of butterfly weeds. Since the flowers are perennial, the class doesnt expect to see too many butterflies until next spring when the plants will finally begin to bloom. But they know that this spring they gave back by planting the seeds for a new wildlife habitat.
Horticulture instructor Jesse Russell shows Amy Morby the bloom on a butterfly weed they will soon plant in our new butterfly garden.

pg. 5

OUR COMMUNITY > pg.6

As warm weather arrives, we celebrate with Inside/Out and the Village Block Party!
Blue skies and warm sun brought residents out in droves for Inside/Out, a celebration that provided a fun alternative to the classroom setting. By taking the lessons outside, we allow residents to participate in training they havent taken, said Jan Meeks, art instructor. Residents enjoyed drum therapy, healthy snacks that reinforce healthy food choices and a variety of activities that represent

lessons commonly taught in skills-based training sessions. This event demonstrates how instructors are able to teach a vast range of skills while keeping residents active and engaged, said Meeks. In addition to the change of pace offered by Inside/Out, residents also jived at our springtime Block Party held at The Village community on April 10. The Backtracks band, accompanied by resident pickers, jammed through the cool spring evening while many took to the pavement to dance.
Above, Amy Koch leads residents in Drum Therapy at Inside/Out.

Seth Felder accompanied the band at the Springtime Block Party while many residents danced. Dancers include, from left: Rob Battin, Jonathan Mettke, Ronnie Reed, Kyle Gaeta, Matt Landry (partially visible) and Kevin Vogt.

pg. 7

Resident employees on our grounds keeping team spend extra time cleaning beds and installing plants all to restore warm weather beauty to our campus.
Residents who work on our landscape crew learn the value of employment, but they also get lessons on the impact of weather. Last summers drought took a toll on many areas of our campus landscaping. It increased the amount of irrigation needed and decreased the amount of mowing. This winter and spring abundant rain fell, and now the crew is back to mowing everyday. Its a busy time of year for the team. Not only do they mow more, its also time for spring cleaning. The record low temperatures during the winter created a landscape of frozen plants that required cutting back. Fallen leaves must also be cleaned from flower beds and new plants added. This year, the landscape crew decided to refurbish the Senior Dorm garden and add a new landscape bed behind the Marbridge chapel. We never had this bed looking this nice and clean, said Dan Beckmeyer of the work he and Mike Kolb did in the Senior Dorm garden. The two removed thorn bushes and replaced them with an avocado bush grown from a seed by the Horticulture Therapy class. We like to help out, said Mike Kolb, It makes people happy. For resident John Hunter, the landscape crew provides a job he truly enjoys. I really like this job, he said. Ive worked on the landscape crew three months, but it seems like yesterday when I started. John is reaping the benefits many residents receive through employmenta sense of value and purpose along with opportunities to learn new skills. They rely on us to make the property look better, he says of the residents, staff and visitors to our campus. Thanks to our landscape crew, we can rest assured that the grounds and flower beds at Marbridge will continue to add beauty and color to our days.

Above, a newly landscaped area complements the backside of the Marbridge Chapel. At right, John Hunter and other members of the landscape crew cleaned beds and added new plants in the Senior Dorm courtyard, including an avocado tree planted by Mike Kolb, left, and Dan Beckmeyer. Residents in Horticulture Therapy grew the tree from a seed.

RESIDENT LIFE > pg 8

Resident Employment Update

Sarah Shepherd began a new job in April as a lunchroom monitor at Tobias Elementary School. Good luck, Sarah!

Through equine therapy she experiences success and builds confidence

Even though she is legally blind, Sylvia Hermes wanted to prove that she could compete in the showmanship event at the Golden Stirrup equine competition held at the Austin Rodeo in March. Horses hooves create many pits and gouges in the ground of the competition arena, and Sylvia knew she would have to guide her horse and make turns as the judge circles around the animal. For a person with limited sight, it would be a difficult challenge. But Sylvia felt she was up for it. She practiced all semester, gradually convincing equine coordinator Shonda Corn that she was ready for the event. Sylvia began her journey to the Golden Stirrup competition three years ago, when she began to

take Equine Therapy classes. At first she was shy around the big animals, but gradually, as she learned how to approach them, touch them and then groom the horses, she gained confidence. We were a little surprised to learn that she was into horses, says Mary Hermes, Sylvias mother. She went to the state competition last year, which was a big step up for her. The culmination of her success finally came at the Golden Stirrup competition. Sylvia took first place in her division! Sylvia enjoys the horses and looks forward to riding, said Mrs. Hermes. Its a wonderful program and very worthwhile.

Barrett Minor landed a job in the Ranch Dietary Department helping with food prep. Way to go, Barrett!

Daniel Stevenson started a new job in April as a dishwasher in the Ranch Dietary Department. We wish you well, Daniel!

Buda YMCA marks one year as a Marbridge employment partner

Sylvia Hermes holds her first-place trophy and ribbon won at the Golden Stirrup competition in March.

Congratulations to the Buda YMCA for reaching the one-year mark as our employment partner. Resident Lynn Thomas was hired one year ago to help maintain the workout facilities, womens locker rooms, and family locker rooms. Lynns supervisor, Travis Green, says that Lynn does an excellent job and has become a special part of their community. Like many other employers, the Buda YMCA recognizes that Marbridge provides well trained employment candidates!

Individual Updates

pg.9

Each issue of Marbridge LIFE contains a progress report on some of the residents who currently participate in Project SEARCH. Last issue we reported on Brooke Duren and Bryan Barnett. Heres the progress made by the four remaining residents in the program: Luke Stenftenagel tried his hand in the Food Services Department during the second rotation of Project SEARCH. Each morning, Luke worked in the dish room loading the industrial dish machine. He was the first Project SEARCH intern to have been given this large responsibility, and he did a great job, taking ownership of the task. Luke also worked on the fast-paced patient tray line, which requires great attention to detail. Luke mastered the skill, and learned the importance of teamwork. Our 2010 Project SEARCH graduates, from left: Brooke Duren, Kyle Leyden, Brendan Kelly, Justin Dick, Bryan Barnett and Luke Stenftenagel. Brendan Kelly completed his second rotation with the Health Information Management. His main responsibility was to sort and file patient records using tertiary ordering. Brendan met the challenge and learned the departments complex filing systems. The transferable skills Brendan acquired during this rotation will help him as he moves into the competitive workplace. Kyle Leyden met a great need in the Environmental Services Department by keeping the flu season kiosks clean and stocked with hand sanitizer, face masks and tissues. Kyles thoroughness in this task was essential and was one of many efforts to keep both the H1N1 and seasonal flu under control. Justin Dick worked in Supply Processing & Distribution (SPD) for his second rotation. He restocked linen carts throughout the hospital and made sure the other departments were fully stocked with linens needed for a full day of patient care. Justin proved himself to be a truly valuable member of the SPD team and impressed his coworkers and supervisors with his strong work ethic.

Project SEARCH graduates third class of interns

Six more residents are ready for competitive employment!
Project SEARCH at Seton Medical Center Austin is the first program of its kind in Texas. The partnership between Marbridge and the Seton Family of Hospitals began in the fall of 2007 with six interns and three participating hospital departmentsEnvironmental Services, Food Services and Sterile Processing. Out of this first class, three Project SEARCH graduates found employment at Seton, while others took their newly developed skills to search for employment opportunities in the community. In its second year, Project SEARCH developed internships in several new departments, including Supply Processing and Distribution, Clinical Lab, Surgical Services, and Medical Administration. Four of the six graduating interns in the class of 2009 found positions at Seton, and all received important job skills training and lasting professional contacts. Now at the end of its third year, Project SEARCH interns and graduates work in 11 departments throughout the hospital. Six Project SEARCH graduates have maintained employment with Seton Medical Center Austin.

OUR VOLUNTEER ARMY > pg.8

Scott Cary Volunteer of the Year

Scott Cary has volunteered as a Special Olympics coach at Marbridge for 16 years and has served as master of ceremonies at our Sports Banquets. This year, he received the esteemed Volunteer of the Year award for his selfless gifts of time over the years. Scott, center, was presented his award by Scott McAvoy, vice president of operations, and James Stacey, president of Marbridge.

Outstanding Commitment
Karen Little belongs to The Oak Leaves, which traces its service to Marbridge back 25 years. She has volunteered at Marbridge for nine years. She also serves on the Benevon Development Team and participates in our monthly JAM (Just About Marbridge) Sessions to introduce visitors to Marbridge. For her contributions, Karen was presented the Outstanding Commitment award. James Stacey, president of Marbridge, presented the award to Karen.

Karen Little

The 2010 Volunteer Appreciation Banquet provided a time to relax in a creek side setting, visit old friends and make new ones and reflect upon the tremendous gifts of time, treasure and talent that our volunteers give to the residents of Marbridge. Last year, more than 178 individuals and 28 groups donated in excess of 13,580 hours of service that saved Marbridge an estimated $283,143. But their greatest gift is the joy they bring to the lives of our residents. On behalf of them, the staff and the families connected to Marbridge, we extend our most sincere

The members of Come Drum for Fun bring a fun energy to our campus and have taught us the value of drum therapy for people with special needs. From left: Sandy Smith, Nick Batik, Mae Stoll and Margaret Weston.

Come Drum for Fun Volunteer Group of the Year

Current Volunteer Opportunities

pg. 9

Office Assistant Ideal Time Commitment: 2 to 4 hours weekly or biweekly Area of Involvement: Administration Role: We need help with light office work such as mailings, filing, and other duties. Office hours are 8:30am to 4:30pm M-F, and volunteer time may be flexible within those operating hours and days. Greenhouse Care Ideal Time Commitment: Weekly: Tues., Wed. or Thurs., Area of Involvement: Horticultural Therapy Center Role: We are in need of assistance with weeding and general care for plants in our main greenhouse. Grocery Shopping & Cooking Mentor Ideal Time Commitment: Weekly: Thursday afternoons Area of Involvement: The Village Role: Many of our Village residents cook their own meals. Volunteers are needed to assist them at the grocery store once a week and help them with meal planning and learning new recipes. Personal Mentor Ideal Time Commitment: 8 to 10 hours per month Area of Involvement: Campus-wide Role: Mentors work with one resident and commit to spending time each week or every other week with the resident to act as a positive role model. Volunteer mentors may assist with fun town trips to movies, restaurants, shopping, sport events and other leisure activities.

Top photo: The Bourgeacq Family, who volunteer at The Villa, greets their friend, Bud ONeal. 2nd row, left photo: The Rockin Chairettes lead the way in a line dance to excellent music provided by The Derailers. Right photo shows a gathering of people early in the event, which was held at the Salt Lick Pavilion. 3rd row, left: Matt Cabrera took a stroll down to watch the creek tumble over an embankment. Middle: Chairman of the Board Eddie Dick dances with his wife, LouAnn. Right: A group of volunteers checks the evening line-up while visiting. Bottom: Destinee Greene was an easy choice for Outstanding Gift of Time. To date, she has donated more than 600 hours to the residents of The Villa. Steve Larson, Villa director, presented the award.

Destinee Greene Outstanding Gift of Time

Many thanks to The Derailers for providing excellent music for both dancing and listening at our Volunteer Appreciation Banquet. You were awesome!

MIRACLE OPPORTUNITIES > pg.12

The Dream Team launches an effort to build Victory Hall, a much-needed facility for athletic training and special events

The Marbridge Dream Team includes residents, family members, business people and Marbridge staff. From left, front row: Cathy Cabrera, Bell Cabrera Marketing Services; Kevin McCutchon, Village resident; Dr. Teri Albright; James Stacey, Marbridge president, Michelle Levy, Marbridge vice president of development; Tom Leyden, associate executive director of the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals; Dan Beckmeyer, Village resident; Luke Sanchez, Byram Properties. Second row, from left: Craig Nasso, architect; Jennifer Walker, director of marketing communications, Austin Convention & Visitors Bureau; Brent Kelly, community representative, Austin Police Department; Hughie Shaw, Marbridge coach; Cindy Kirby, director of high school services, Texas Association of Secondary School Principals; Scott McAvoy, Marbridge vice president of operations; Gary Manley, president, Iron Cactus Restaurants; Jeff Kauffmann, assistant vice chancellor, UT Systems. Not pictured: Mark Tester, director, Austin Convention Center; Pam Owens, I Live Here/I Give Here; State Representative Valinda Bolton.

A group of concerned and committed individuals met in January of this year to discuss the pressing need for an athletic facility at Marbridge. The sale in 2006 of Mabee Village included the gym facility that coaches and instructors utilized for exercise classes and team practice sessions. At the end of the meeting, each person in attendance committed to becoming an active participant in the Dream Team. They would dream it, then build it. Leading the team is Tom Leyden, the principal organizer and father of Kyle Leyden, a resident of The Village at Marbridge. Tom knows firsthand the tremendous challenges that the Marbridge coaching staff now face in trying to find and procure athletic facilities for team practices. Exercise classes had to be moved around

as well, with some taking place outside and others at earlier hours to avoid the heat on hot weather days. Tom has done a tremendous job in organizing the Dream Team, and the team itself is an amazing group of highly qualified individuals who bring an impressive depth of experience and knowledge to their various areas of service, said James Stacey, Marbridge president. As initial architectural plans are firming up, the team has also begun to develop fund-raising and communication strategies to get the dirt moving to build Victory Hall, a modern athletic and event center that will serve residents and the community for many years.

The Dream Team seeks to build a facility that will replace the existing gym, which was constructed in the 1950s and is neither heated nor air conditioned and is far too small to meet current resident needs. The rendering below envisions a facility that would include a basketball court, an indoor track, a weight and wellness room, staging for performances and offices and multi-purpose rooms. The facility is planned to serve Marbridge residents as well as the community.

The

pg. 13

Important Item
Wish List

Focus Groups provide helpful input for design of a new dormitory facility

The Village

George Foreman Grill or Panini Press Why: We need it to prepare grilled foods for residents with special dietary needs.

The Ranch

Gift cards or donations to purchase twin-size

sheets, pillow cases and comforters Why: Our bed clothes need to be replaced!

Cookie Baker

The Villa

Why: The residents would truly enjoy a snack break with chocolate chip or peanut butter cookies!

Training & Education

Repairs and a small addition to horse barn Why: With new construction in the area , last summers drought and this springs rainfall, our Above, the footprint of the complex includes two courtyard areas for outside gathering and leisure activities. The layout provides optimal placement of staff in relation to resident rooms, as well as ample office space. The facility will incorporate a fully functioning kitchen and dining hall, as well as a recreational room and all-purpose room for events and meetings. The resident rooms, at right, feature a suitestyle arrangement. Each resident will have his/her own room with a shared bath. The rooms will also include large, walk-in closets for ample storage of clothing and other personal items. barn now experiences flooding when it rains.

For other donations, contact Michelle Levy, vice president of development, at 512-282-1144, ext. 1006, or mlevy@marbridge.org

We are thrilled! said Amelia Mettke, parent of Jonathan, a Ranch resident who lives in the Winters Dorm. She has participated in two focus group studies to provide feedback on plans for a dorm to replace Winters, which was built in the 1960s. I think its going to be a beautiful complex. Jonathan is already excited about it. Mrs. Mettke particularly likes the location of staff areas,

which provide improved supervisory capabilities over previous plans. She also likes the green areas and outdoor gathering spots that were incorporated into the design. But her favorite part is the suite design of resident quarters, which feature two individual rooms, a large shared bath and ample storage. Were thrilled, she repeated, that something new like this is going to happen at Marbridge.

Friends of Marbridge in Texas now have another way to provide financial supportat no extra cost while you grocery shop!

Randalls grocery stores offer customers a way to donate dollars simply by linking their Remarkable card to Marbridge. A portion of each purchase will then be donated to Marbridge.

STAFF & FAMILY NEWS >

pg. 14

Sixty-nine and counting--thats how many families have joined MPFA so far this year! We are very pleased with that number, but we hope those of you who havent joined yet will do so. We are planning an MPFA Family Day on Saturday, June 12th, and we would love for as many of you as possible to attend. We will meet in the chapel on the Marbridge campus from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. The Marbridge staff will do a presentation on all the exciting happenings at Marbridge. More than likely you will hear some interesting facts about Marbridge that you were not aware of previously. Immediately following the staff presentation, we will have a brief business meeting. After that we will pick up our loved ones and go to lunch as a group. We will be going to the Salt Lick, a renowned barbecue restaurant close to Marbridgewith lots of character and good food! The menu and costs can be found at their web site http://www. saltlickbbq.com. Come and join us for food, fellowship, and fun on MPFA Family Day! We hope to see you there and look forward to getting acquainted with you.

eaves a Tapestry W n e-

Lana Levins Treasurer

These days, Suzanne Johnsons favorite tune may well be the old standard, Getting To Know You. Thats because she has spent the past nine months getting to know the residents, family members and friends of Marbridge contained in our old database to make sure the information is correct. It was a herculean effort, all aimed toward an eventual upload of the records into a new and more efficient software system called eTapestry. Unlike most database systems, eTapestry was designed to run on the Internet. It employs the latest technology and provides a sophisticated system that is simpler to maintain, costs less to operate and provides the ability to customize features to meet specific needs. Suzanne loves the new ability to plan events and track

attendance through online registrations, and shes equally excited that e-Tapestry integrates well with the Marbridge Web site. It can process donations made online through our site, and its available 24/7, 365 days a year, she said. The security is a plus, too, as is the back-up servicedouble back-ups occur daily to two separate off site locations in the U.S. Volunteer John Crosby also played a vital role in the conversion. He was very instrumental in helping us through this transition, said Suzanne. Its one more way people who support Marbridge can be assured that we know them as people, that we know their wishes and honor them.

Staff News 10-year Service Award

Sandra Miles Hicks Nurse Assistant The Ranch

pg. 15

5-year service recognitions

Cynthia Casanova Housekeeping Supervisor The Villa Rita Marchan Lead Housekeeper The Villa

Sandras knowledge of her area and the residents personal histories makes her a cornerstone in the Ranch Nursing Department. She helps maintain continuity of care and demonstrates a high level of commitment to the residents. Her attention to detail and her efficiency ensure we maintain supplies of needed medications and her support of our medical staff is invaluable. Sandra is a dedicated and responsible employee and a valued member of the Ranch team.

Cindy began her career at Marbridge as a housekeeper and was quickly promoted to the Housekeeping and Laundry supervisory position. She does a commendable job to ensure that the Villa is always presentable. Further, Cyndi steps up to take on additional projects, such as cleaning the Davis Guest House and the Summer Camp House. Cyndi is highly dependable, yet flexible. She can be seen at the Villa at all hours of the day or night and even weekends, performing the necessary jobs to keep the Villa clean.

Rita is a valued Villa employee who always comes to work enthusiastic and full of energy. She motivates other employees and is always looking for ways to improve upon her work. Rita has been very supportive in sharing ideas that will help solve problems or fix areas of concern. Her dedication, hard work, patience, and care for our residents have made Rita an important part of the Villa team. She truly goes above and beyond what is expected.

New admissions coordinator will focus on The Bridges Express Recover Center
Barbara Bush Admissions Coordinator The Villa & The Bridges

Kimberly Flores Activity Coordinator The Villa

Kristen Boswell Instructor Training & Education

Barbara Bush has a famous name, one she aims to connect in peoples minds with The Villa and now The Bridges Express Recovery Center. The new six-bed upscale rehab and recovery center will open in midJune, and Barbara hopes to have it filled in a short amount of time. She comes to Marbridge with more than 15 years of estate planning and probate experience as well as a practice in holistic health, which incorporates physical/spiritual with legal/financial needs. Barbara is a certified senior advisor with training in aging and the important issues that affect seniors.

As the recreational coordinator for the Villa, Kimberly exhibits high levels of patience when interacting with the Villa residents. She always goes out of her way to make the residents happy and makes sure their days are filled with activities that keep them engaged and entertained. She puts a smile on everyones face on Fridays when she brings her dog, Pinto, to the Villa for all the residents to enjoy. Kimberly is highly dependable and always exhibits a pleasant attitude to everyone. She is a valued member of the Villa staff.

Kristen teaches Level 1 classes that include Skills for Life, reading and writing, math fundamentals and money math. Kristen established the Marbridge recycling program, which is highly valued by both residents and staff. On average, Marbridge now recycles nearly four tons of paper, cardboard, glass and plastic waste products each month. Kristen is a hard worker and a creative employee. Prior to joining the T&E staff, Kristen worked as a resident trainer and earned the Premier Employee award. She is a certified yoga instructor and also teaches Shape-Up, a fun form of dancing for exercise. She also leads residents in biking and walking for exercise.

Non-Profit Organization US Postage Paid Austin, Texas Permit No. 2900

Marbridge Foundation P.O. Box 2250 Manchaca, Texas 78652 Web: www.marbridge.org E-mail: info@marbridge.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
On the cover: Camper Steven Lafon discovers one of the wonders of nature during his week at Marbridge Summer Camp.

Marbridge provides a safe, loving community where adult residents with cognitive challenges can achieve their full potential through Abilities Centered Training with the opportunity for lifetime care. Marbridge provides a broad spectrum of services designed to meet each individuals specific needs through three distinct communitiesThe Village, the Ranch and the Villaeach providing a different level of lifestyle support, guidance and supervision.

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To subscribe, contact Suzanne Johnson at sjohnson@marbridge.org.

To see back issues of LIFELines, visit http://www.marbridge.org/news/ and click on Marbridge LIFELines in the right column.