Our Mission:Community Interactions, Inc. (CI) provides quality services for people with intellectual, physical and behavioral health challenges to help them create lifestyles consistent with their communities while respecting individual choice, self determination and culture.

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Message from the CEO

Fourth Annual Signature Event

More than 200 attendees of Community Interactions’ Fourth Annual Signature Event

donned their “Derby” best as they came out to support Community Interactions and to witness “the most exciting two minutes in sports.” On May 2, Kentucky Derby Day, sup-porters traveled to Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack to help raise contributions for CI’s programs and services which support more than 200 adults with disabilities.

“The event was a tremendous success,” stated Robyn Zippilli, CEO of Community Interac-tions. “Thanks to our supporters, we raised nearly $30,000. We could not have done this without the support of the community. This money will help us to continue to provide quality services to people with developmental disabilities through our dedicated staff who deliver above and beyond the innovative programs chosen by our customers.”

The festive evening was emceed by comedian and radio personality WIP’s Big Daddy Graham and chaired by Rob Cola, president of Brown & Brown Consulting.

I want to welcome everyone back to the new and improved “Connections”, CI’s quarterly newsletter!

I want to announce that CI has established a Special Needs Pooled Trust for our consumers who need a trust. By enrolling a consumer in CI’s trust, Service Coordi-nators and family members can manage “spend-down.” If you have a consumer on SSI and his/her accounts run the risk of exceeding the $2000 asset limit, participating in the Trust preserves government benefits and the money can be used in the future for items or services not paid for by SSI. There is also no need to quickly spend down the money in order to maintain eligibility as long as they are in the CI Special Needs Pooled Trust.

The CI Special Needs Pooled Trust can be used for various expenditures (but is not limited to) such as the following:

• Out of pocket medical/dental expenses• Annual independent checkups• Transportation• Computer/electronic equipment• Goods and services that add to the

quality of life• Exercise, athletic training/

competitions• Personal care attendant/escort• Insurance• Rehabilitation

Please contact Jack Boyle at 610-328-9008 extension 112 to help set up a Special Needs Pooled Trust.

Have a great summer everyone and talk to you in the fall!

Robyn ZippilliChief Exceutive Officer

Turned out in their Derby best, (above from left) Erin Zavarello, Shiela Krondesky and Betty MacLeod participants of this year’s “Best in Hats” contest. (Inset from left) CI staff Paul Waga, Kris Ellegood, Diane Mignone and Tonya Richardson.

Not only were attendees able to watch the 50-1 long shot Mine that Bird make history on two large projection screens, but they were also treated to trivia questions from Big Daddy Graham and mul-tiple indoor horse races. In true Derby fashion and festivity, a “Best in Hats” contest was judged, mint juleps were served, and a bugler was on-hand for all of the important announcements.

After the surprising upset of Mine that Bird in the “Run for the Roses,” CI supporters were able to finalize their bids on the 86 silent auction items. Some of these generous donations included a Brandywine Valley Getaway, a shopping spree to King of Prussia Mall, various dinner packages, and unique sports memorabilia. Guests were also encouraged to buy tickets for the three grand raffle items that appealed to the techno-geek in every-one – a Sharp 32” LCD HDTV, a Sony Blu-Ray Disc player, a Blackberry Storm and Wii Sports console.

As the thrilling night played out, the bugler sounded once again to close the festivities and to thank all of the guests for their support for Community Interac-tions and their excitement for the race and CI during the evening.

740 South Chester Rd.Swarthmore, PA 1908

www.communityinteractions.org

Top Photo: Rob Cola, president of Brown & Brown Consulting and CI’s Signature Event (SE) chair and Gold sponsor (standing fourth from left) and comedian, WIP radio host and SE emcee Big Daddy Graham (standing third from right) joined the SE planning committee at Harrah’s Chester Casino & Racetrack on March 16th. Bottom left photo (from left): Melanie Yoho, Carliss Cook and Charlene Jordan. Bottom right photo (from left) Brian Hayes, Gary Clift, Jack Boyle and Betty MacLeod pose with Indoor Horse Racing winner Theresa Menna (center).

740 South Chester Rd. Swarthmore, PA 19081 • 610.328.9008 • www.communityinteractions.org

Summer 2009

connectionscont’d

Signature Event

cont’d on back page

Look for our New Websitewww.communityinteractions.orgWe are currently in the process of rebranding the Community Interactions website which you can expect to see “go live” by late summer. We have spent the past few month taking professional photographs of our people and operations, updating information about our programs and services, and fine tuning the way our employees, consumers, donors and referral sources will access information on our site. You will be the first to hear once we launch our new site and we welcome your feedback. We are committed to constantly updating the site to make it a valu-able resource to all our visitors. Stay tuned!

TD Bank DonationOn Thursday, March 12th, CI consumers participating in our SEEDS (Supported Employment for Empowerment, Development and Self-help) initiative were treated to the TD Bank WOW! Zone, a free financial education program. CI’s consumers took part in the custom-designed, interactive adult class on the fundamentals of being and staying financially savvy. A TD Bank WOW! Zone instructor helped consumers hone their financial literacy skills and learn industry-proven tips that aim to ensure personal growth and help participants gain the confidence needed to make wise financial decisions. The day also included a check presentation of a grant for $5000 from TD Bank, which was made possible by CI’s board secretary/treasurer, Jamie Waters (photo right, second from right) who is TD Bank’s Assistant VP, Commercial Loan Officer for its Metro Philadelphia Market.

CI welcomes Diane Hannah-Wilson as the new Vice President of Human Resources, pictured here (right) with CI’s CEO Robyn Zippilli. Hannah-Wilson replaces Peggy Smith Glavin at this post, who has moved to supervise Pennsylvania Services as Vice President.

Diane joins CI from her previous appointment as Vice President of Human Resources with a division of Mercy Health System. Prior to this, she spent eight years with the University of Pennsylvania Health System where she served as Chief Human Resources Officer.

“I am delighted to announce that Diane has joined Community Interactions as Vice President of Human Resources,” says Robyn Zippilli, CEO of CI. “She brings more than 20 years of human resource experience to CI along with a wealth of employee and labor relations experience.”

Diane is a graduate of Villanova University where she obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science. She also holds an MBA from Eastern University. She resides in Newark, Del. with her husband, Jack.

This June marked the first year anniversary of CI’s Delaware Resource Center – a community based adult day program that supports 12 individuals with special needs to be active in the community through volunteerism, attending social events and participat-ing in recreational activities.

At the Delaware Resource Center located at Gray-stone Plaza in Wilmington, there are ample oppor-tunities for individuals with disabilities to be included

Staff Recognition and RetreatWednesday, September 23, 2009 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Redwood Community Center, Delaware County

Annual Holiday PartyFriday, Dec. 18, 2009 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Drexelbrook, Drexel Hill, Pa.

740 South Chester Rd. Swarthmore, PA 19081 • 610.328.9008 • www.communityinteractions.org

Carliss Cook (first from left) led members of the Chester Church of Christ (Chester, Pa.) in a round of caroling at the 2008 Annual Holiday Party held at the Drexelbrook.

PEOPLE UPCOMING EVENTS

NEWSMAKERS

SPOTLIGHT ON:

New Board Members

Delaware Resource Center

in community life and help forge relationships with local businesses and organizations and which help the participants build skills that could potentially lead to employment opportunities down the road.

Through the Community Inclusion program, the participants, ages 18 to 51, enjoy weekly volunteer work and community outreach that include delivering meals through Meals on Wheels, volunteering at the Carousel Park Equestrian Center, the Victory Christian Fellowship Church in New Castle and Pet Smart where participants help feed and groom the pets. Participants in the In-House Produce Program make a weekly visit to the local produce market where they sort and select produce that they purchase and deliver to all of CI’s 13 Delaware community homes. When consumers are not busy volunteering, they are able to participate in outings to museums, area attractions and activities like horseback riding, bowling, and trips to the sports center.

“Our Resource Center provides programs designed to meet the individual needs of the person. Because we take a person centered approach, this allows the individuals to interact within their community in ways that are appropriate to them,” says Charmaine Hamilton, Vice President of Delaware Services, who along with Day Program Facilitator, Denyae Jones and four other staff members, oversee the program. “We provide opportunities that fully engage our individuals in their community and provide rewarding experiences for all involved.”

New VP of Human Resources

Michael RaineyThe newest member of CI’s board, Mr. Rainey is an Insurance Broker and Employee Benefits Consultant with more than 20 years experi-ence in developing and imple-menting employee benefit plans for owners and employees of businesses in the Delaware Valley. A graduate of Bucknell University and a member of National Asso-ciation of Insurance and Financial Advisors, Mr. Rainey resides in Media, Pa.

Larry ClarkMr. Clark is a resident of Gle-nolden, Pa. and is currently the Corporate Account Manager for Professional Duplicating, Inc. of Media, Pa. In addition to his work with CI, he has also been involved with many charitable groups and events, such as the March of Dimes and the commit-tee for the “Best of the Main Line” fundraiser. This fundraiser helped to raise considerable money for various charities.

Dave MorrisA graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and a resident of Blue Bell, Pa., Mr. Morris is a regional office leasing specialist for Geis Realty. He has worked for Geis Realty since 1998 and is a 30-year veteran of the commercial real estate industry, working for such companies as Jackson-Cross Co. and Helmsley Greenfield.

James WatersMr. Waters resides in Lang-horne, Pa. and serves as Assis-tant Vice President, Commercial Loan Officer for TD Bank’s Metro Philadelphia Market. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance from St. Joseph’s Uni-versity and an MBA from Drexel University.

Delaware Resource Center participants Arnold Brown (left) and Rob Daley (center) ham it up for the camera

with Community Support Associate Glenis Davis.