Heartland Elects New Board Officers

The Board of Directors poses outside of Heartland on July 21, 2014. Pictured: Mark Hulsey, right, Jim Brinkmann, Denny Huff, Deborah Moore and Dee Ann Fuller, left. Not Pictured: Vera Williams

Heartland Independent Living Center elected new officers for their Board of Directors.

The board consists of six members. Mark Hulsey was re-elected to fill the position of President, Dee Ann Fuller re-elected to Vice President, Deborah Moore elected to Secretary and the three remaining board members are Vera Williams, Denny Huff and James Brinkmann.

Federal rules require that at least 51 percent of the employees of a Center for Independent Living consist of individuals with disabilities.  That same requirement applies to the Center’s Board of Director’s. Five of the six current Heartland board members are individuals with significant disabilities.

“Heartland is extremely fortunate to have the commitment and stability our board has given to our organization. The organization’s accomplishments over the past five years have been achieved thanks to their support and encouragement,” said Executive Director Pat Chambers.

The Board of Directors meets once a month.

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Heartland Receives Backing for Backpacks

While area school children have been enjoying a little down time and beating the heat of summer, the staff at Heartland Independent Living Center has been busy working on details of upcoming Back to School Fairs for the students of both Maries County school districts. 

“There has been outstanding response to this project.  We’ve seen so much generosity, from donations for supplies to area residents wanting to volunteer at the events,” said Tiffany Reid, Heartland’s Resource Development Coordinator.

TAP-T Phone Reconnects Dad & Daughter

Thanks to a hearing amplified telephone from Missouri Assistive Technology, Warren Venable is now able to have two-way phone conversations.  Using his new TAP-T phone to call his daughter in St. Louis, he says it’s the first time in his life he has been able to have a phone conversation with her. “We had a 30-minute conversation,” says Warren, “and it was wonderful hearing her voice.”  Warren’s wife, Sharon, said he was as excited as a kid at Christmas.

Warren Venable enjoys making birdhouses now that he’s retired.  With his new cordless amplified TAP-T phone for hearing impaired individuals, Warren can still be in phone contact while in his workshop in the barn.

Warren has been hearing impaired since the age of eight when his family home burned and his ears were scarred from the fire.  His hearing further degenerated from years of loud machinery in the candy factory where he worked.

After years of wearing hearing aids, Warren’s new insurance agency sent him to a different hearing specialist.  His audiologist informed him of the hearing amplified telephones available under the Telecommunications Access Program for Telephones (TAP-T.)   He was referred to Heartland Independent Living Center, a certified TAP-T provider, who assessed him as unable to use traditional telecommunications equipment due to disability.

Warren Venable displays one of the many styles of birdhouses and feeders he makes.  

Within a few weeks, Heartland Independent Living Specialist certified for the TAP-T program was at the Venable’s home with several styles of amplified phones to try out.  The Clarity XLC-2, a portable amplified cordless phone, worked best for Warren.  With a 200-foot range, he could take it with him to his workshop in the barn where he makes birdhouses.  “I can even hear it ring over the noise of the table saw,” says Warren.

Sharon, who owns a business in St. Clair, says the phone has really given her peace of mind.  She calls him from work to make sure he is OK, but prior to the TAP-T she would just leave a message as Warren couldn’t hear the phone ring.  When Warren saw the message light on, he would call her back and say he was fine, but there was no dialogue between them.  “Now he can hear the phone ring and actually talk to me,” says Sharon.  “It also voices what number is calling - - a verbal caller ID.”  In addition, the phone flashes lights when it rings.  “It lights up like a Christmas tree making it hard to miss,” says Sharon. “I only wish we had known about the TAP-T years ago.” 

Back to School Fair Already?

It’s not just pencils and paper anymore. Do you feel dread every year when you receive your child’s school supply list? School supplies have become a financial hardship for many families. Heartland Independent Living Center has a plan to help.

Each fall, Heartland has seen an increasing number of families struggle to prepare their children for the return to school. With no formal back to school fair in Maries County since Missouri Ozark Community Action’s loss of funding for the event, area families have relied on the assistance of local churches to ease their school supply burdens. Assisting these families has been quite a responsibility.  More than half of the 1,451 children enrolled in Maries County schools receive free or reduced-cost lunch, due to low household incomes. For parents of multiple school age children, the financial strain is greater.

“As a mother of three, living in Maries County, I personally can see the financial impact that back to school time puts on families,” said Maggie Brooks.  “Without some assistance with school supplies, families are forced to send their children to school with little or no supplies. Last year, my children came home and asked if we might be able to help some of the kids in their classes. Our family decided to buy extra supplies for a child whose family was unable to cover the expense. I am excited to help the families in need through Heartland’s Back to School Fair.”

Heartland recognizes that education directly impacts the prosperity of our communities. Their staff has decided to take action, ensuring that these children have the opportunity to succeed. Heartland is hosting two back to school fairs for the students in the Maries County R-1 and R-2 school districts. The event will be providing school supplies, services, and information to each family attending.

Heartland is respectfully requesting the participation of local community members. Sponsors, donors, and vendors are needed. They have begun approaching local businesses, churches, civic organizations, and human service agencies, asking them to partner in helping make the back to school fairs a success. If you would like more information or can help in any way, please contact Tiffany Reid, at treid@heartlandilc.org.

Heartland Independent Living Center is a nonprofit, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in their quest to remain independent in their own homes.  Services include in-home assistance, home modifications and ramps, adaptive equipment, transition assistance from institution to home, and dental services.  Heartland meets accountability standards and holds the Better Business Bureau Charity Seal of Approval. For additional information on their services, contact Heartland at 573-437-5100, or visit their website at www.heartlandilc.org. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/heartlandilcenter.   

Geek is Chic

It’s very chic to be geek.  Heartland Independent Living Center is bringing “Get Your Geek On” trivia back to the Belle/Bland Community Center.  Heartland invites you to get in touch with your inner “know it all.”  In fact, their staff is hinting that his year’s event will be enough fun to blow the protector right out of your pocket!

Rest assured, you don’t need to be a brain scientist to play.  (Seriously!  The Heartland Fundraising Committee has guaranteed that there will be no questions on how to perform neurosurgery.)  However, you are definitely going to have your knowledge of TV, movies, music and sports put to the test.  In addition to giving your brain a workout, Heartland will be selling concessions.  Plus, they’ll be giving away door prizes and auctioning off lots of items collected from generous donors across the state, like the St. Louis Rams!  All you need to do is bring some friends and get ready for a good time.

Proceeds from Get Your Geek On will benefit Heartland’s Emergency Assistance program.  Nearly all those served by the organization are at or below 185% of the federal poverty level, more than half of which are senior citizens. These individuals have very limited financial resources.  Unfortunately, an unplanned expense such as a vehicle or home repair very quickly results in their inability to meet basic needs for themselves and their families. In response, Heartland developed the Emergency Assistance program to address these unique needs not addressed by other services. As with all other programs, it is designed to aid consumers in meeting essential needs in order to remain independent and living within their own home.  Funds are most often requested for utility or prescription assistance.  Each request is examined on a case-by-case basis by a Heartland Independent Living Specialist and then by administrative personnel. Funded requests are those for items seen as crucial and for which other avenues have been investigated and/or exhausted.

Guardian Alert and Knox-Box Provide Peace of Mind

Ninety-four year old Sophie Valley lives by herself in Sullivan.  She has limited mobility and is not able to complete her daily living tasks on her own.  Her daughter Chris assists her so she can remain at home rather give up living independently.  Chris Brake is her mother’s caregiver through Heartland Independent Living Center’s Consumer Directed Services (CDS) personal care attendant services program. She helps her mom with her meals, daily chores, activities and also transportation. “I’m there every morning to fix breakfast, and every evening for dinner,” says Chris. 

One obstacle posed a threat to Sophie staying alone in her home - - what happens if she is incapacitated in some way and can’t get to the phone to get help?

94-year old Sophie Valley raised 11 children in the 

Sullivan area and is not about to give up her 

independence now.  She lives alone and her daughter 

Chris helps her with meals and activities. “Mom is sharp 

and still has all her wits,” says Chris.  “She will 

remain in her own home for as long as she can.  When 

her independence is removed, so is her will to live.”  

SFD Auxiliary Treasurer Melissa Larrison displays 

a Knox-Box that the department provides free of 

charge to disabled and/or elderly Sullivan residents.  

The locked box contains a key to the consumer’s 

door so that emergency personnel are able to 

enter the residence.  The Auxiliary purchased 43 

Knox-Boxes for consumer use.  “The Sullivan

community supports the fire department,” says 

Melissa, “and we in turn support our community.” 

Pictured with Melissa is Billy Harris, Sullivan Fireman 

and Missouri Baptist Hospital paramedic.

Sophie did indeed fall last winter and couldn’t get up.  “I just laid there and watched the clock,” says Sophie.  “Chris is always here by 6:00 am, so I just told myself I’d be OK until she got here.”  And she was.  Chris says God must have been pushing her along that day as she got there earlier than usual.

Following Sophie’s fall, her Heartland CDS Specialist suggested providing her with a Guardian Alert emergency communications device, which Heartland supplies free of charge to qualified consumers.  Sophie now wears the Alert knowing that if she get in trouble, she can push the button and receive immediate assistance.  And, her daughter will also be notified of the emergency.

Now Sophie faced another potential risk. “Mom has family and friends who visit, but I’ve always told her to keep her doors locked when family members are not there,” states Chris, “but, how does someone get in case of emergency?”

Through local firemen, Chris was informed of the Knox-Box, a locked safety box attached to the front door that can only be accessed by the Fire Department or EMS personnel.  The consumer’s door key is kept in the Knox-Box so an emergency team can enter the home without forced entry.  “This prevents costly repairs to doors or windows,” says Sullivan Fireman and Missouri Baptist Hospital Paramedic Billy Harris.  “But more importantly, it saves life-threatening time in assisting the person.” The box is secure as it is remotely opened through Franklin County Dispatch by a call from the fire truck Captain arriving on the scene.  The box is immediately opened, the call is logged, and the box is remotely relocked once the emergency is over. 

The Sullivan Fire Department (SFD) provides the Knox-Box free of charge to qualified individuals throughout the fire district.  The SFD Auxiliary purchased 43 Knox-Boxes for consumer use with money raised from fund-raising activities.  The only thing the Department asks is that when the box is no longer needed, it be returned for recycling to another consumer.

“I can now go home and sleep at night knowing that Mom is safe,” says Chris.  “Mom and I both have peace of mind knowing that help is on the way whenever she needs it.  We thank both Heartland and the Fire Department for that.”

The In$ufficient Funds Phenomenon

According to the U.S. Census, there are close to 16,500 people living in poverty in Franklin County. Members of the Franklin County Hunger Task Force help many of these individuals when they are in need of food, a winter coat for their child, or school supplies for their children.  

Many consumers at the Franklin County Hunger Task Force Simulation pawned their TVs, cameras,  jewelry, or other valuables in order to pay the rent for the month.  Pictured from left are Deanna Thompson with the Second Blessings food pantry in  Union, and Mary Nienhueser of the Tri-Pantry food pantry in Leslie.

The Hunger Task Force, of which Heartland Independent Living Center is a member, recently staged a Poverty Simulation in which social and community service attendees experienced what life might be like for individuals in a state of poverty.  Each attendee was assigned a role as a family member of a one to five-member family.  Each was given a specified amount of money or other items from which they may derive money.  Four 15-minute time segments equaled a month of trying to make ends meet.

 At the beginning of each week, designated family members would go to work or visit the employment office looking for work.  Others would take their child to school, visit the doctor’s office, go to the bank, pay their utility bill, or shop for groceries.  Some would take a household item to the pawn shop for quick cash, others would visit Pay Day Loans for their needs.  Throughout the evening, a robber was lurking waiting for a chance to snatch valuables.  And, like most communities, a policeman was standing watch to keep residents safe and within the law.

During a recent Poverty Simulation staged by 

the Franklin County Hunger Task Force, a young 

mother and her child are evicted for being three 

months behind on rent. Kelly Landolt of Gerald 

Community Outreach played the local law 

enforcement officer, and Britney Argurieo of 

Jefferson Franklin County Community Action 

Corporation  experienced poverty for the evening 

as a young, unemployed mom.

Frustration struck many as things went awry - - you just spent your allotted gas money getting to the bank only to find out they were closed for the day. The pawn shop didn’t pay enough for your big screen TV to pay your overdue utilities bill.  Your son landed himself in jail for vandalism. When going through the checkout line you found you didn’t have enough money for the week’s groceries.  In your frustration you ran off and left your child in the grocery cart, who was picked up by the local authorities and taken to Social Services.  Now you have to spend more time and gas money to consult with state officials to get your child back.  In addition, your husband has to appear also, and is penalized because he has to take off work.  The hole just keeps getting deeper as the month wears on. 

These are all real problems individuals living in poverty face every day.  It is hard to imagine the downward spiral unless one has experienced it.  The simulation is intended to let community service people walk in the footsteps of poverty so they can better empathize with those that need assistance. “It really is an eye-opener,” says Heartland Independent Living Center Director Pat Chambers.  “This kind of program put on by the Task Force is very beneficial to help understand the situations in which individuals in poverty find themselves.”

As in real life, frustration grows as waiting lines get longer 

and longer.  At the Poverty Simulation given by the Franklin 

County Hunger Task Force, consumers must purchase a 

transportation voucher before they are able to travel 

anywhere in town.  Maria Killian of Gerald Community 

Outreach and St. Vincent DePaul Society portrays the Pay 

Day Loan manager who also sells transportation passes, 

sometimes at an inflated price. 

To schedule a poverty simulation for your business, fraternal organization, school, or social group, please call Franklin County Hunger Task Force at 636-797-2688 or 636-629-6193.

Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) is a nonprofit, non-residential, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in east central Missouri.  HILC offers a number of free services to assist people to live independently in their own homes, including advocacy, information & referral, independent living skills training, ramps and home modifications, nursing home transition, adaptive equipment, and dental services.  For more information on available services contact HILC toll-free at 866-322-3224.

Got Clutter?

Use It or Lose It

Want to get a jump on your Spring cleaning?  As you’re going through your closet, cabinets, or “sort through” stash, keep in mind that one person’s junk might be another person’s treasure.

Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) is accepting gently used items for their annual yard sale in April.  Proceeds of the sale go to Heartland’s dental program which provides services for individuals with acute dental need but lacking the means to address it. Heartland partners with the Agape Clinic of Belle and dental providers in the area to provide these services.   

Heartland is also accepting adaptive equipment, such as wheel chairs, lift chairs, shower seats, bedside commodes or quad canes.  Many times these items are used for short periods of time and show few signs of use.  Heartland will restore or refurbish the item and make it available at no charge to its consumers in need.

It might be junk to you, but a treasure to some-

one else. If you don’t use it, donate it to Heart-

land Independent Living Center for their annual 

yard sale in April.  Proceeds of the sale go to 

Heartland’s dental program which provides 

services for individuals with acute dental need 

but lacking the means to address it.

Items may be dropped off at Heartland’s Owensville or Union office from 8:00am to 4:00pm.  Pickup may be arranged for larger items.  The Owensville office is located at 1010 Hwy 28 West, 573-437-5100, and the Christopher Manhart Office in Union at 104 South McKinley, Suite A, 636-583-7977.

Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) is a nonprofit, non-residential, community based organization that serves individuals with disabilities in east central Missouri.  HILC holds the Better Business Bureau’s Charity Seal.  Heartland offers services to assist people to live independently in their own home, including advocacy, information & referral, independent living skills training, ramps and home modifications, nursing home transition, adaptive equipment, and dental services.  For more information on available services, contact HILC toll-free at 866-322-3224.

Heartland Receives Grant for Wi-Fi

Thanks to a grant from the Kerr Foundation, Heartland Independent Living Center (HILC) will soon have wireless network capability.  The ability to network from anywhere in the building will provide increased opportunities for employees, consumers, and community partners alike.

Heartland’s new wireless, or Wi-Fi capability, will also benefit the community as a whole.  Included in the recently awarded Community Development Block Grant to renovate the building, Heartland has outlined plans for a Community Resource Center.  HILC will partner with area agencies to offer programs supporting better health and life skills to both consumers and the general public.  

Heartland Independent Living Center will soon have Wi-Fi 

capability.  The ability to network from anywhere in the 

building will provide increased opportunities for employees, 

consumers, and community partners alike.

Wireless technology in the Center will provide for enhanced programs in such areas as disease prevention education, healthy eating/cooking courses, disability friendly exercise classes, employment opportunities, disability support groups, veterans’ services, and CPR/First Aid instruction.  The Center would also use Wi-Fi in its proposed low vision/hearing station, food and hygiene product pantry, and adaptive equipment resource room.

“We thank the Kerr Foundation for their grant to make Wi-Fi service available to us,” states HILC Executive Director Pat Chambers. “Wi-Fi will not only make our consumer relations more efficient, but also provide a network friendly resource center for our community partners.”

The Kerr Foundation, Inc. is a nonprofit charitable and educational corporation based in Oklahoma.  Their mission is to support programs that will have a beneficial impact on economic, social and cultural growth and development.