Supporting People with DisabilitiesSince 1934

1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty

www.eastersealswise.com

Bruno Independent Living Aids helps create independence in a new way

In our current economy, unemployment rates are high, but even more so for individuals with disabilities, with the rate at over 70%. This reality makes our many successful job placements in 2011 even more impressive. But, our success is dependent on community partners being willing to open their doors and realize the benefits of hiring a diverse workforce.

Mark was a young adult with dreams of finding his first job, and was referred to Easter Seals through the Waukesha school district one year ago.

A new partnership with Bruno Independent Living Aids put him on the path to employment with a temporary job opportunity. With an employee out on medical leave, Mark was hired as a production worker in their deburring department, sanding and grinding metal parts. All of Bruno’s employees extended a warm welcome to Mark and job coach Jamie Schroeter and they quickly felt like part of the team.

Additional support and helpful ideas from Bruno Manufacturing Manager, Alan Karch, soon enabled him to meet Bruno’s daily production rates. Mark was eager to learn and expand his skills and was hired permanently in June of 2011 as a laser tender, removing, separating and grinding metal parts from two laser machines.

In November, Easter Seals nominated, and was proud to present Bruno with the Wisconsin APSE (Association for Persons In Supported Employment) 2011 Large Employer of the Year Award.

“We were honored by the recognition we received for simply doing the right thing. As you know, the corporate decision making process leans heavily (and rightly so) in the direction of doing what is best for the organization. My hiring decisions are based on this premise, that I will hire people who best fit the Bruno culture and add value to the organization through their future efforts. The decision to hire Mark was certainly the right decision. It was not only the right decision for Bruno, it was the right decision for Mark. We accepted the fact that there would be some initial challenges but we knew that working together, we could overcome any challenge that would arise. Once the decision was made to hire him, it became our goal to make Mark’s working relationship with us a successful one. I believe that the award we received is recognition of that success. I also believe that Mark has found a home as a valued member of the Bruno Manufacturing family.”

Alan Karch, Manufacturing Manager

Congratulations to Bruno and Mark!

From the left - Jerry Gnabasik, Mike Bruno, Alan Karch, Jay Schroeter, Tom Jacobson

http://www.facebook.com/ eastersealswise

https://twitter.com/ ESSoutheastWI

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A Message from our CEO

Happy New Year from all of us at Easter Seals! It may sound cliché but the new year brings new hope, new opportunities and a clean slate. 2012 will continue to see the expansion of our Project SEARCH program at Children’s Hospital and four new children will receive intensive in-home services from our autism services staff. Our After-School Respite and Adult day participants return to their routines learning and developing new skills. If you can believe it, we are putting final touches on our applications to summer camp!

Unfortunately, with all these new events and activities, we start this year without one of our traditional services. For over a decade, Easter Seals provided a customized social and community skills program called ACCESS. This service allowed adults with disabilities to select evening activities from watching our home town sports teams to local theater to shopping excursions. Individuals learned money skills, social skills and even more importantly, new friendships were formed, reducing social isolation and segregation individuals with disabilities had suffered for generations. The variety of informal relationships and community supports truly was the best way to connect individuals with disabilities to our greater Milwaukee community. Sadly, this program closed in late 2011 due to funding changes, leaving over 100 people more isolated, less connected to others. We lost opportunities to make friends, engage in new activities and empty seats at events where people with disabilities would have sat, cheering for their favorite team, just like you and I. The program was not valued, it was expendable.

We are having a great debate in our country as to what government should fund and what it should not? I believe we need this debate as our country’s debt service will squeeze out spending on programs in the long term and hurt untold millions of Americans. The age old questions are being asked. How do we teach a person to fish? How do we give a hand up, not a hand-out? Should we turn our swords into plowshares? These questions are not about dollars and cents or left or right politically. It is about our country’s values and beliefs for those that require society’s assistance to live, work and play. How do we assure the spending cuts proposed do not hurt those that have no other resources or support? This year is also an election year. As we embark on this election year, let’s ask the candidates where they stand on their values and on the role of society in helping all people achieve the American dream?

Bob GlowackiCEO, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin

Jeff Blakely, CVS Pharmacy

John Bosbous, Retired, Caterpillar Global Mining

Nancy Creuziger, Manpower

Dennis Farrell, Trustee Village of Menomonee Falls

President Roger Schaus Jr., Generac

Vice President Greg Schoepke, Custom Production Grinding, Inc.

Secretary Beth Schimel NovoNordisk

Treasurer Frank Windt Schenck Business Solutions

Ina Fischer, Parent Representative

David Glaz G2 Properties

Raejean Kanter, Development Consultant

Melissa Koeppel, Grant Thornton

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin Board of DirectorsKaren Ordinans, Children’s Health Alliance of WI

Pete Papageorge, Century Services

James J. T. Pittelkow, Pittelkow & Associates Financial Services

Mitchell Quick, Michael, Best & Friedrich LLP

Bob Ranus, Retired Roundy’s Linda Ryan, RE/MAX Realty 100

David Wiedholz Sam’s Club

Dale Van Dam, M3 Insurance

Bob Artin Haig, Honorary Board Member

www.eastersealswise.com 3

Supporting our Misson

Bob GlowackiCEO, Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin

ACCESS“My daughter recently moved into her own apartment. The ACCESS program reinforced her basic daily living skills and the social aspect was a big component in forging friendships outside of family.”

“The program was unique to our community and I have not been able to find another like it which is a big disappointment.”

“It was great that my son had his own activities. I am an older mom who does not drive and this program helped open many doors for him.”

“This program was extremely helpful to me as a mother. The ability for my daughter to learn from someone other than “mom” was a tremendous help.”

These are some of the feelings echoed by many of the nearly 100 participants and their families when our ACCESS program recently ended, due to funding cuts driven by our struggling economy.

For over a decade, ACCESS created opportunities for individuals to strengthen their independence, social skills, money management skills, decision making skills and forge new friendships through inclusive community outings and activities. These feelings, and the many others shared with us, reinforce our belief in the importance of our mission, programs and services. We are saying goodbye to ACCESS but not to our participants, as we look for ways to meet their needs through some of our other programs.

PRESIDENTS COUNCILEaster Seals National Presidents’ Council was created to honor the generous individuals who make an annual renewable gift of $1000 or more* This premiere recognition club is comprised of friends who share the belief that everyone with a disability or special need deserves access to quality, comprehensive and compassionate programs and services.

You can become a member of the Presidents’ Council at a variety of giving levels.

Independence Level $25,000 and upEmpowerment Level $10,000 - $24,999Opportunity Level $5,000 - $9,999Dignity Level $2,500 - $4,999Ability Level $1,000 - $2,499

MISSIONS SOCIETY $500 - $999 Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin has created our own local Mission Society It recognizes generous individuals who provide an annual gift, of $500 to $999**not related to special events, tickets sales or other premiums

LEAVE A LEGACYThrough a variety of estate planning vehicles, a future gift that is thoughtfully planned allows you to combine your personal financial objectives with your charitable giving goals and establish a lasting legacy.

The National Easter Seals Legacy Society was established for donors who inspire today and assure tomorrow with a legacy of compassion and care to children and adults living with autism and other disabilities.

To become a member of this society, one just needs to establish a bequest in a will or living trust, a charitable Gift Annuity, a charitable trust, or a beneficiary designation to support Easter Seals.

If you are already a member of this Society, we would like to reach out to recognize and thank you. Please contact Susan Russell at 414-604-5066 if Easter Seals is in any of your estate plans or for more information on our other giving options.

Help us say welcome instead of goodbye

Please consider a $50 to start our year, and help us to continue to meet the wide variety of individual needs of the nearly

10,000 lives we will touch. Enable us to say welcome, instead of goodbye.

Donate using the enclosed envelope or visit wi-se.easterseals.com/giving

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Soaring at school and in the clouds!

As a toddler, professionals never thought Anthony would get past a first grade academic level, but his parents knew differently. Through early intervention therapies and 12 hours per week of specialized autism therapy through Easter Seals, Anthony is exceeding those limiting predictions and is on his way to reaching his true potential like his typically developing peers.

He is main streamed into regular high school classes at New Berlin Eisenhower School, and is a proud freshman with a 2.4 grade point average. The only additional support he is receiving is working with a tutor to help reinforce and navigate the “rigorous rules of high school mathematics”. Anthony is on target to receive his high school diploma, graduate with his class in 2015 and plans to attend college after he graduates.

Not only is Anthony thriving in school, but he is actually flying higher than a kite …literally! Anthony has a great passion for planes, flying and air traffic controlling. He aspires to be a pilot or an air traffic controller some day, and has participated in two observation flights where he has had the opportunity to take the controls, alongside his instructor.

His hobby is to monitor and listen to air traffic controllers in real time on the internet. He simultaneously uses a flight simulation program to fly his “own aircraft”, using the real time data to coincide with his simulated flight.

Be sure to watch for Anthony in an Easter Seals Public Service Announcement that will be played at every home Admirals Game this Season, and join us on April 1st when we launch Autism Awareness month with the Milwaukee Admirals and other corporate partners.

Walk With Me

June 15, 2012polish fest • potawatomi stage

Walk With Me Milwaukee is Easter Seals signature fundraising event that raises funds to support families living with disabilities in our six county area.

registration and entertainment

walk start

post walk Celebration at the Potawatomi Stage

Register or sponsor a walker at www.walkwithme.org/milwaukee(after February 15th)

5:00pm Tent outside main gate of Polish Fest

6:00pm One mile walk along the lakeshore

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ARIELAriel is 19 years old and began attending Easter Seals Adult Day program in the Kenosha YMCA in the summer of 2011. Prior to that, her family did not have any funding for her to receive day services and Ariel remained at home. After her mother enrolled her in the IRIS program, she wanted to find a place for Ariel to socialize, exercise, participate in the community, and most importantly find people who cared about her individual wants, needs and strengths. She attends the day program 5 days a week. Her mother loves the self-confidence that staff has helped Ariel build, which has led to increased independence in her daily living skills. Ariel loves the outdoors. She enjoys swimming, walks in the park, and most of all, camping. Register for Walk With Me today, and come walk with Ariel.

GAYLAGayla has been a part of our Easter Seals family for over 38 years! She was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth and began attending Easter Seals Summer Camps when she was 10. Since then, she has stayed actively engaged with us. She served as an Easter Seals volunteer in our After School Program where she worked with and mentored children with special needs. Gayla currently participates in our Wauwatosa Adult Day Services where she loves going on community outings and meeting new people. She is also a part of our Adult Recreation program. She especially likes shopping and going to new restaurants. Sign up for Walk With Me today so you can come and meet one of our longtime family members, Gayla!

JULIAJulia is a five year-old who always has a smile on her face for everyone. She participated in Easter Seals Birth to Three program and has since graduated to out-patient therapy. She was born with a chromosomal abnormality that creates multiple disabilities including a hole in her heart, low muscle tone and developmental delays. With early intervention she reached many milestones of typically developing toddlers and is now on her way to learning to walk with a walker, get dressed, spoon feed herself, and make puzzles. Julia loves people and music, especially singing and dancing. She also likes to do anything her big sisters are doing. Register now to meet the girl behind this great smile and Walk with Julia.

SARAHSara has been working at our Workforce Training Center in Waukesha since 2008 but has been part of the Easter Seals family since she was nine months old. Diagnosed with developmental delays, Sara was enrolled in our Easter Seals Birth to Three program and has taken advantage of a variety of Easter Seals programs over the years, as her needs and interests changed. She is a great self- advocate and is always looking for new ways to challenge herself and grow her job skills. When Sara is not tackling a new job challenge, she loves to paint and participate in Special Olympics. Over the years, she has made many wonderful friends at Easter Seals and would love to meet you at the walk and share her stories.

5:00pm Tent outside main gate of Polish Fest

6:00pm One mile walk along the lakeshore

Walk With Me Ambassadors

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Autism

Creating Awareness and Making a DifferenceApril is autism awareness month and Easter Seals is planning an eventful April to help spread autism awareness and raise funds for Easter Seals’ autism services. Partnering with area businesses, this month-long cause marketing campaign will include autism pin sales, special events and retail promotions.

The month kicks off on Sunday, April 1st when we Act for Autism with the Milwaukee Admirals at the Bradley Center. Join us for the Admirals home game and the annual Battle of the Badges showdown. This hockey doubleheader will benefit Easter Seals Autism Services, and provide scholarships for families with limited or no resources for therapies.

Battle of the Badge, More than just a Score!

Rob Douglas has been involved in Hockey all of his life and is now using his passion and hobby to help children. In early 2003, Rob’s daughter passed away from a life threatening disease. Losing a child and wanting to make a difference for other children, Rob decided to ask for help from his friends who shared a similar love of hockey, to raise money for his first cause.

This spearheaded the inaugural, Battle of the Badges, a hockey game that pits firefighters against law enforcement officers on the ice, to raise money for charity.

Over the years, the event has grown from an ice rink in Kenosha to the Wilson Ice Arena and now is hosted by the Milwaukee Admirals in conjunction with an Admirals Home Game. In addition to the excitement of this classic rivalry, the event has raised nearly $30,000 since its inception.

We want to welcome Rob, the Battle of the Badges event committee and all of the players to the Easter Seals family as they support our autism awareness efforts in 2012.

This year marks the 9th Annual Battle of the Badges playoff. Join us on Sunday, April 1st when the Firefighters, Police and Milwaukee Admirals take the ice to Act for Autism!

Donate a Dollar and Save!During the month of April, Please visit CVS Pharmacies or National Bakery to purchase autism pins for $1 to show your support and spreads autism awareness

Each unique pin is painted by one of our adult participants and is assembled and packaged by our Workforce Training Center participants. Each pin is packaged with important autism information and features a special coupon or promotion, courtesy of our partners, that helps you save money. Proceeds from the pin sales will benefits Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin autism services.

If your business would like to help our cause please contact Vicki Hastings at 414-449-4444 x3220 to see how your business or organization can get involved selling these unique pins.

Watch our website at www.eastersealswise.com/autism for more information about our autism events, and where to purchase your one-of-a-kind autism awareness pin

Pictured Above - Roy Spielman, Jon Greenberg, Ned Timmons

with Easter Seals and the Milwaukee AdmiralsSunday, April 1st,

Admirals vs. Rockford Icehogs at 3pm and Battle of the Badges 6pm

Each ticket sold through Easter Seals, no matter where you sit, a $5 donation will be made by the Milwaukee Admirals

to support Easter Seals Autism Services

ACT FOR AUTISM

To place your order, contact Nate Harker at 414-227-0556 or nharker@milwaukeeadmirals.com

www.eastersealswise.com 7

Events

Breakfast with SantaIn December over 100 people visited our Child Development Center to enjoy breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Clause. Thank you to CVS Pharmacy, Retirees of Harley Davidson, Volunteer Center of Milwaukee and Board President, Roger Schaus (Santa) and Board Member, Raejean Kanter (Mrs. Claus) for helping us make this event such a success year after year!

Retirees of Harley Davidson donated gifts for this event through the Holiday Giving Tree program of Volunteer Center of Milwaukee. CVS donated breakfast and CVS managers staffed serving and other aspects of volunteering for the event.

Donate a Dollar and Save!During the month of April, Please visit CVS Pharmacies or National Bakery to purchase autism pins for $1 to show your support and spreads autism awareness

Each unique pin is painted by one of our adult participants and is assembled and packaged by our Workforce Training Center participants. Each pin is packaged with important autism information and features a special coupon or promotion, courtesy of our partners, that helps you save money. Proceeds from the pin sales will benefits Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin autism services.

If your business would like to help our cause please contact Vicki Hastings at 414-449-4444 x3220 to see how your business or organization can get involved selling these unique pins.

Left - Thank you to the Retirees of Harley Davidson who donated gifts for this event through the Holiday Giving Tree, facilitated by the Volunteer Center of Milwaukee.

Above - Thank you to CVS for their support of this event through donations and volunteerism. We could not have such a great event without you!

Right - CVS manager David gets to take a break from cooking and serving to enjoying some snuggles with Adam who attends our Birth to Three Program.

8th Annual “Autism: A Day with the Experts”Participants will learn about some of the latest advances in

autism research, and will hear firsthand from a panel of experts individuals diagnosed with ASD and their families

Saturday, January 28, 20129:00 a.m. - 1:45 p.m.

Hosted by the Autism Society of Greater Madison and the Waisman Center,

University of Wisconsin-Madison and Easter Seals Southeast WI Sponsored by the Friends of the Waisman Center

Join us for a live webcast of this presentation at Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin’s Workforce Training Center

505 Northview Road, Waukesha, WI 53188

Please pre-register at www.eastersealswise.com by Wednesday, January 25th

Below - Board President, Roger Schuas, had the honor of being a part of this baby’s first Christmas.

with Easter Seals and the Milwaukee AdmiralsSunday, April 1st,

Admirals vs. Rockford Icehogs at 3pm and Battle of the Badges 6pm

Each ticket sold through Easter Seals, no matter where you sit, a $5 donation will be made by the Milwaukee Admirals

to support Easter Seals Autism Services

To place your order, contact Nate Harker at 414-227-0556 or nharker@milwaukeeadmirals.com 35th Annual Snowmobile Festival

Sponsored by the Rolling Dice Riders Snowmobile Club of Franklin

Saturday, February 4th, 201211-4 pm snowmobile rides from 12-3:30

Wil–O–Way Underwood Recreation Center10602 Underwood Pkwy, Wauwatosa

The Snowmobile Fest will be held snow or no snow! This annual event is FREE and open to persons with disabilities and their families, caregivers and friends.

Supporting People with DisabilitiesSince 1934

1016 Milwaukee Ave. South Milwaukee, WI 53172 414.571.5566 phone 414.571.9212 tty

www.eastersealswise.com

Community EmploymentNonwwProfit

Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMilwaukee, WI

Permit No. 2781

Experience and Skill Sets:• Data entry• Filing & sorting• Organizing, & shredding files• Light office cleaning• Dependable• Personable

Employment Desires:• Data entry• Library• Office Setting• 10-20 daytime hours per week• Waukesha

Easter Seals Southeast Wisconsin1016 Milwaukee AvenueSouth Milwaukee, WI 53172

www.eastersealswise.com

HELP CHRIS FIND PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT

If you know of a business that needs an employee like Chris please contact Jamie Schmitz 262-953-2234