www.sunshine.org

Sunshine StudiosReciprocating community support

“We’re really talented. We all have different strengths, but we all create

striking artwork.”

Large banks of glass windows break down barriers between the artists and the community. “People feel invited to

stop in to see what we’re about or what the artists are working on,” said studio manager Joan Campbell. “Uptown Maumee has been a very welcoming, happy place.”

Being in the heart of Maumee allows the artists to reciprocate community support. “We’re really talented. We all have different strengths, but we all create striking artwork,” said an artist who did not want to be named.

Sunshine Studios was created to be a collaborative art space. Local artists, coming in to donate time and talent, build relationships with the artists at Sunshine Studios.

“I love volunteering here because I leave with more than I give. Always,” said volunteer Florence Seger.

If you’re interested in taking art classes or volunteering at Sunshine Studios, please contact Joan Campbell at 419-891-8877 or jcampbell@sunshine.org.

Winter 2014

I n August, Sunshine Studios opened in uptown Maumee. The artists not only have a larger area to create their art, but also a new way

to showcase and sell their pieces.

The artists at Sunshine Studios used to work on Sunshine’s main campus in two separate rooms with limited public access. The new location provides a community connection that was previously nonexistent.

“Not only do we have more space, but the pottery, weaving, and Super Saks are

all under the same roof now,” said

Melissa Grimes, a direct s u p p o r t professional who works

with the Super Saks program.

Sunshine Studios artist Melissa loves

all the windows: “It allows natural sunlight to come in, which helps our creativity.” “It also draws people in,” artist

Tatiana added.

Sunshine CommunitiesSteven J. Nafziger – ChairLavon J. Welty – Vice Chair

Michael J. Beazley –TreasurerKaren Rich Ruth – Secretary

Gary L. ByersJohn ChildressLaura N. HoagRuth M. Miller

Douglas J. SchmuckerDiane S. Tinsman

Laura B. VothEllen U. Williams, Ph.D.

Sunshine Foundation, Inc.Bob Buschur – Chair

Kevin Kelly - Vice ChairMary Mancini, CFRE – SecretaryTyson Stuckey, CPA – Treasurer

Luther L. GautscheKaren E. KerrRobin Laird

Beth A. Savage

Sunshine Inc. Residential & Support Services

Ellen U. Williams, Ph.D. – ChairDouglas J. Schmucker – Vice Chair

Lavon J. Welty – Secretary/TreasurerLessie L. Cochran, Ph.D.

Diane FrazeeTerry Teufel

Interactive Financial Solutions dba SOLANA

Robert W. Cabanski – ChairKaren Rich Ruth – Vice Chair

Anthony J. Paparella – Secretary/TreasurerSteven J. Nafziger

John E. Yoder

Sunshine Inc. Vocational ServicesMichael J. Beazley – Chair

Kathleen W. Korduki – Vice ChairKaren E. Kerr – Secretary/Treasurer

Richard M. AndersonLaura N. HoagAmy L. Struble

A Letter from the CEOSpiritual Life Activities

Elizabeth Holland, PhDPresident & CEO

I t was the best of times, it was the worst of times…” Charles Dickens, in opening A Tale of Two Cities, draws our attention to the turbulent contradiction inherent in times of

change.The hope of a better life draws us forward. The fear of losing what we

have holds us back. Hope and fear exist together as two extremes of the same promise. At a public meeting last week I heard a woman describe what her life might have been

if she accepted what was offered when she graduated from high school. Her options? A sheltered workshop -- that’s it. Oh, she might have adjusted. But she knew it would define her, and not as the person she wanted to be. So she said no to the workshop, and got herself a job, a marriage, and a family. She perfectly defines the hope before us in this time of change; hope that every person with a disability will have real choices about where to work, where to live, who to love. The “best of times” are what regulations and funding now aim toward in the name of individual choice and life in the community.

At the same meeting, I heard people argue to keep choices made long ago. I heard anxiety surface at the thought of trading the certainty of today for a promise that may never be fulfilled. The possibility for “the worst of times” is what is being called into question. Long-established organizations, state and private, see an uncertain future as government demands change with little support to make it happen.

So here we are at Sunshine, acting on faith that we can navigate the changes required and create opportunities to give people with disabilities real choices about where they live and where they work. Government can demand change and redirect their dollars. But at the end of the day, those of us who join together in community make change happen. Our job is to bridge the distance between fear and hope and show people the way to a new certainty that requires no accommodation to a life of less. Our mission demands that we change, and that we ease peoples’ fears as we do so.

We cannot do it alone. Creating homes and jobs in the community requires cultivation of a community willing to be part of a grand endeavor. It takes employers and neighbors willing to embrace the people we support as valued contributors. It takes donors willing to help us build a home and fund the transition from fear to hope.

Charles Dickens also brought us A Christmas Carol. About one man’s transformation, he wrote: “No space of regret can make amends for one life’s opportunity misused.” Please join us in helping people with disabilities find the promise of opportunity.

Sunshine Communities, Georgette’s Grounds & Gifts @Sunshine7223, @MyGeorgettes

Giving to Sunshine Communities

As a faith-based organization, Sunshine recognizes the spirituality of all in our community --- the individuals we serve, as well as the staff who serve them.

While Sunshine is firm in its longstanding Mennonite affiliation, we are a place of diversity. Our spiritual life department is ecumenical, and we respect and affirm the religious traditions and practices of those we serve.

Volunteers are the heart of Sunshine’s spiritual-life activities. We welcome faith communities and individuals who participate in a variety of ways – through worship, music, activities – but none more important than simply offering the gift of their presence.

In nurturing the spirituality of Sunshine’s individuals, we can find our own soul is nourished. People might begin as “spiritual-life volunteers.” But, over time, they often realize they’ve become spiritual companions – and that they, too, have gained spiritual companionship.

As the philosopher/theologian Jean Vanier wrote, people with disabilities “do not have the same rationale intelligence and capabilities as others, but at the same time they do not wear masks…. They are more intuitive, spontaneous, and live closer to the heart.”

Sunshine welcomes those who would wish to “live closer to the heart” by journeying in spiritual companionship with the individuals we serve. Come join us!

P eople give to a variety of charities for a variety of reasons. Long-time Sunshine donors share why they give:

• “I give to Sunshine because the people served are treated with respect and like family.”

• “Sunshine staff does a great job of helping people with disabilities reach their potential. Contributing to the cause, we not only show caring for the individuals served, but also appreciation and support to the staff and families of those Sunshine serves.”

• “I know that my giving helps enhance the lives of people with disabilities at Sunshine.”

• “I owe a debt to Sunshine. The people at Sunshine helped me and my family. But, why not give to Sunshine? Everybody in my mind needs to give.”

• “I know that Sunshine uses the funds wisely.”

Clearly, these long-time donors see the value of stewardship come alive at Sunshine Communities as community is created among people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Donated funds are used to purchase needed adaptive equipment, purchase accessible vans, or support programs like Spiritual Life, Community Recreation and Sunshine Studios. Also, individuals served at Sunshine are given choices about where to live and where to work, further contributing to the community and enhancing their lives.

Join the Sunshine community by making your gift in 2014! If you are interested in knowing how your gift will help create community for people with disabilities at Sunshine Communities please call Douglas Siebenaler 419-794-1393 or email dsiebenaler@sunshine.org.

Happy holidays and happy giving!

JOIN US!Be a part of our

mission! Donate. Volunteer.Make a difference.

i

“

SunshineTodaySunshine’s mission is to create community among people with developmental disabilities, their families, friends and staff. We do this by offering services that enable all of us to build relationships that enhance our lives through mutual caring and growth.

NON PROFIT ORG US POSTAGE PAID

TOLEDO OHPERMIT NO 811

7223 Maumee Western Rd.Maumee, Ohio 43537-9656419-865-0251www.sunshine.org

www.sunshine.org

Walk, Run & Roll 2014 was another succesfull event. Thank you everyone who participated, volunteered or donated. A

special thanks to our walk sponsors:

For more information visit www.sunshine.org

Thanks Walk Sponsors

At the end of a worship service in the Spiritual Life Center, a new volunteer was sobbing. I fetched her some tissues and then, seeing her surrounded by fellow church volunteers, left her in peace.

Days later, I found out what provoked this weeping.

The pastor for these volunteers told me this woman’s time at Sunshine had “transformed her.” A native of another country, she has a sister who lives back home with her parents. This sister has a number of developmental disabilities, and it seems our new volunteer never made the effort to communicate – she simply assumed her sister didn’t have the capacity to engage.

But in the mere hour she spent worshipping with us, her assumptions were shaken to the core. She told her pastor that from now on, in her weekly Skype sessions with family, she will make a point to include her sister.

She sees her sister with different eyes now.

Most volunteers don’t have such dramatic experiences at Sunshine. But spending time with people served by Sunshine offers everyone the potential gift of coming alive to a fellow child of God.

A “ministry of presence” is all that’s required. And sometimes, what’s given in return is a vision that’s wholly renewed.

Changing Lives of VolunteersPerspective from Roberta Durham, Sunshine’s Spiritual Life Coordinator

• Applied Medical Technology

• Brookside Contracting• Dave's Perfomance

Footgear• Everence Financial• Flex-Com• Franklin Park Lincoln• Fresh Cut Lawn Service• GEM Inc.• Gilmore, Jasion, &

Mahler, LTD• K-100• Key Bank• Maumee Indoor Theater

• McKesson Medical-Surgical

• Miller Diversified Construction

• Minuteman Press• Omnicare Inc• PNC Bank• Smitty's Automotive & RV• Steve Grabke's Bodyshop,

Inc.• The Trust Company of

Toledo• Tranquility Products (PBE)• V&A Risk Services• Willis Group Holdings

Limited• 107.7 The Wolf