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Olivia Cunningham Education Fund

Almost two years ago, a special fund for trainings and in-services was created in memory of Olivia Cunningham, a former Friendship Community Team Member who recognized the importance of learning and applying new skills and information. She appreciated new-found knowledge and saw the benefits first-hand. We were able to interview a Team Member who has been the recipient of this fund; below you will find her answers on how this fund has benefitted her work experience. 

 

[Question] Team Member name:

Louise Barton

[Question] Job Title:

[Louise] Administrative Generalist

[Question] Number of years employed at Friendship Community:

[Louise] Over 16 ½ years at Friendship Community

[Question] How did you use monies from the fund?

[Louise] To attend a seminar, entitled “The Extraordinary Administrative Professional”, and to receive the accompanying handbook.

[Question] Why did you want to attend the class?

[Louise] I was attracted to this training because it sounded like it would really apply to my position at Friendship Community. Since I work closely with Caleb Cunningham, in Facility Services, and since I was an elementary teacher for 24 ½ years, before coming to Friendship Community, I was especially honored to be the first recipient of funding from The Olivia Cunningham Education Fund!

[Question] What did you hope to learn? 

[Louise] I looked forward to learning some new ideas, skills and techniques that I could apply to and enhance what I already do at Friendship Community, as I work with Team Members in various departments. It was my hope as well to share what I learned with my Administrative Services Team.

[Question] How did your attendance in this class help you in your job / role?  How did your job benefit from the training you attended?

[Louise] The seminar and the manual provided me with much “food for thought” as I consider and strive to apply what I have learned to my job and to my life!

The seminar covered skills related to relationships with others in the workplace, various forms of communication, problem-solving, organization and time management (including event-planning and effective delegation), stress management, etc. 

I really liked the handbook, entitled Administrative Professionals Handbook - 42 Ways to Bring Out the Best in Yourself and Others! The book is fairly easy to read, includes many real-life stories/examples and is loaded with great advice! My opinion is that it would be very helpful for any Administrative Professional, not just for Administrative Assistants/Administrative Generalists like myself. Even though it says “written for women, from a woman’s point of view,” it also says “Anyone who is responsible for coordinating, managing, or being an effective member of an office team will benefit from this serious evaluation of how you think, how you look, how you act, how you live, and how you deal with others.” The book is all about “building and strengthening your people skills, learning how to put yourself first, and get more done in less time.” It’s “a practical book, where you learn to handle your own quality control.” 

 

Thank you, Louise, for your willingness to answer these questions for us!

 

Want to donate towards the Olivia Cunningham Education Fund and help Team Members like Louise? Your gift to this fund enables Team Members the opportunity to attend valuable and insightful trainings at no cost to them. You can make your donation via mail, phone or online! https://www.friendshipcommunity.net/donate/

 

Happy Monday! We hope you all have a wonderful week!

 

~Stephanie

 

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Meet Ed and his Team Member, Don.

Tonight, they’re eating baked chicken, peas and sweet potatoes for dinner. Smells good, doesn’t it? But, what may seem to be a simple dinner is actually the culmination of in-depth conversations and decision-making processes. See for Ed, Don and the other Individuals at Ed’s home, this dinner really started a week ago, if not longer.

The housemates sat down together at the kitchen table and planned out their breakfasts, lunches and dinners for the week. With the help of Don, they talked about nutritiously-balanced meals and healthy snack options. They looked through the grocery store circulars and created their shopping list. Prior to COVID-19, they would go grocery shopping together as a unit. What is often a mundane task for some is actually a learning opportunity and social outing for others.

With your gift of $227, you can provide Ed and his housemates not only a week’s worth of groceries, but more importantly, crucial opportunities to learn valuable life skills and be accepted as responsible members of the greater community.

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Meet Jen.

Jen is a Heart Artist who has been crafting beautifully delicate jewelry and painting sophisticated landscapes since 2015. She is a detail-oriented painter and enjoys mixing her own colors to accomplish the perfect hue.

Jen is also very social in the Studio and will charismatically greet fellow artists with kind words and a gentle smile. She has sold many pieces in the Gallery during her tenure and feels an extreme sense of pride as a professional artist when each creation is wrapped up and transported to its new home.

With your gift of $186, you can provide Jen and other Heart Artists with essential art supplies and materials needed to continue expressing their capabilities while promoting financial responsibility and encouraging self-worth, free expression and collaboration.

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Meet Barney, Jeff, Donna & Lon.

When these four Individuals moved into their residential home, they became part of Friendship Community – a close-knit team of family, friends and Team Members ready to uphold and promote each Individual’s basic human needs as well as every-day values. Friendship Community’s four Pillars of Culture – Communication, Collaboration, Competency and Respect – are used to ensure Individuals’ rights (including health and safety), stability and partnerships are being routinely met.

As an essential, life-sustaining, non-profit organization, Friendship Community strives for a comfortable home environment, but must adhere to both federal and state rules and regulations. For example, in addition to attending job-specific trainings and required in-services, Team Members must also be certified in First Aid and CPR every 2 years.

With your gift of $91, you can provide that mandatory training to certify two Team Members in both First Aid and CPR therefore allowing Friendship Community to continue its high standards of quality care and services.

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Meet Josh and his Team Member, Dave.

Josh is a joke teller, nature enthusiast and aspiring author. Dave is a kind-hearted and compassionate Team Member who loves jokes almost as much as Josh. When they get together, adventure (and laughter) abounds. Some weeks, Dave drives Josh to a medical appointment or they determine the best flavor of ice cream at a local dairy. Other weeks, they tackle Josh’s to-do list of grocery shopping and other helpful tasks for Josh’s family. When the weather is nice, they enjoy nature hikes together along the Susquehanna River.

Regardless of what they do or where they go, Dave’s in-home care and unwavering support is tailored to Josh’s specific needs. Today, though, is an important day because Josh has a meeting with his publisher to submit the first rough draft of his new book and review the next steps in the publishing process.

With your gift of $42, you can provide one tank of gas in one vehicle – that same vehicle that transports Josh to becoming not only a more independent and self-supporting community member, but now also a published author.

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Welcome to the Friendship Community Blog!

Welcome to the Friendship Community Family!

We want to highlight inspiring stories, helpful resources, event info, and more, that would be of interest to those with a heart for Friendship Community and the mission to “Impact the World with Capabilities”. Hopefully, community members, supporters, team members, and the general public might all find a connection with this vital mission.

If you aren’t familiar with us, Friendship Community is a Christian ministry cultivating capabilities of Individuals with Intellectual Disability and Autism. Our faith-based disability services, including residential services, day programs, and life enrichment opportunities help to Impact the World with Capabilities. Our Team Members provide exceptional care consistent with our values of Relationships, Integrity, Spirituality, Excellence. Partner with us through gifts of prayer, time, and resources and with your help we will Impact the World with Capabilities!

We hope to get to know you better!

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