A Year in Review.
As we look forward to another year of exciting changes for MSI in 2019, I would like to take this time to review some of our agency’s highlights from 2018.
During the first quarter of the year, MSI programs were impacted by the Winter weather conditions which forced two closure days and three days when transportation services were cancelled. In addition, students from the Lerner School for Autism started to use the Chesterland workshop as a vocational transition site.
In April, we began a fundraising campaign which would grow into partnerships for donations/ grants from Bada Bing, Mellaluca, Western Reserve Junior Service League, the Metzenbaum Foundation, the Cleveland Foundation, and the Network for Good. In May, we initiated a contract for Therapy Services with MyoFit, Inc. of Geauga County after partnering with Tu-Dor Inc., for over 4 years.
Mid-Year saw the addition of Lisa Bell who began her duties as the Program Coordinator in Chesterland in July. In August, MSI started cleaning crews with the Geauga County Dept. on Aging at their Ravenwood and West Geauga sites and we began an integrated work group at Neff-Perkins in Middlefield. In addition, work crews helped at Bonita’s International in Newbury and we visited Great Lakes Growers in Burton to discuss a future partnership. During September, MSI started a small work crew at Maine Rubber Preforms in Middlefield, which has since been transitioned to a supported employment site.
The last quarter of 2018 saw MSI certified to provide the new services of; Career Discovery, Career Exploration, Job Development, Situational Observation/Assessment, Employment Plans and Job Coaching. We also were successful in placing and retaining 3 individuals into supported employment jobs in the community. Our Valens/Humaneering site was also converted to a community employment location.
In the month of October, we left the Madison site in Middlefield which had been used as a day program unit and storage location since October, 2013. We also said good-bye to our integrated work unit at POV which has been a successful work location for over 10 years.
During the months of October and November, MSI successfully transitioned seven individuals from the Enrichment Program in Chesterland to the non-vocational programs at the Discovery Center in Burton and the DDC Clinic in Middlefield. We also initiated the Neighbor’s Group which is a stakeholder group made up of MSI workers and staff who assist the administration in making decisions regarding our program transformation.
In December, the Special Hands Shoppe began the transition of the store from mostly consignment products to 100% donated items. This change is a positive result of the number of donations we have received from our loyal customers and friends. In addition, AVI Food Systems moved their vending machines out of the Chesterland facility in early December. This change initiated the launch of MSI’s vending program where workers order, stock and sell snack items and drinks from an MSI owned refrigerator and table top vending machine.
During 2019, MSI will be concentrating on its transformation from facility based to community based program settings. Our focus will be to expand our list of available integrated work settings, volunteering experiences and community events choices. Plans are underway to convert the Special Hands Shoppe retail job to a 6 month training program for individuals who choose help with career discovery, supported employment placement and job coaching.
Lastly, I would like to thank the MSI staff and Board of Directors for their commitment to MSI’s mission of “Providing creative opportunities for life experiences and work through community partnerships“.
We are looking forward to an exciting year in 2019!
Jim Groner