September 2017Fall Edition

Quarterly Blazing Trails Since 1953

From The Director -- 2

“Carf”ing A Path --- 3

Don’t Take Our Word 4

Twice The Learning - 4

Budding Self-Advocates 5

Camp Comedy ----- 5

ETS Spotlight ------- 6

Stop & DRT“C” ----- 6

CPF Highlighted ---- 7

Upcoming Acts ---- 7

New Holiday Card --- 8

Heather

Chris

Tammie

Quoshon

Jason

Lanissa

Jerry

Jeremy

Donnie

Jonathan

New Holiday Card -

page 8

Contents

22 From the Director

Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed. Executive Director

My son, Colin, proclaimed me a “self-laugher” when he was a sophomore at OU. He maintained that I’d make a quip or a comment then convulse into laughter whether or not anyone else was even mildly amused. I was in denial for years but now I own it— it’s true!

The cartoons you see are by Brian Landreth, part of our PR Department which is headed by Michael Jones. I would kill to have Brian’s artistic talent. His poster design was selected for this year’s official Paseo Arts Festival poster. The newsletter cartoon design is Brian’s idea to tell our story in a unique and fun way. He, Michael and James are a great team. They asked me to tell some of my favorite anecdotes for this edition.

Hello, My Name is Connie and I’m a Self-Laugher!

Carl Hamilton DRTC Board President

Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed., Executive Director

Michael T. Jones PR/Marketing Manager, Staff Writer

James Helm PR Coordinator, Staff Writer

Brian Landreth Senior Graphic Designer

My first Dale Rogers Council dance party when I started in 1981 is one such memorable moment. One of our youngish men asked me to dance and as we began, the music shifted to a slow song. His tight grip kept pulling me closer. All eyes

were on the young new director, me, so I couldn’t blatantly pull away from him. Instead we engaged in a kind of secret standing arm wrestle. I was pushing back so hard into him my arms were shaking. He continued to smile, trying to snuggle me up against him. I adore this now “older” man and have watched him pull this trick on others over the years.

I’ll always remember how hard Lillian Hobbs, our CFO, and I laughed on Opening Day of Papa Murphy’s in 2013. She and I were in the store walk-in with hair dryers trying desperately to defrost the coils. We were standing precariously on boxes of frozen stuff waiting to fall or be electrocuted. A local radio station accidentally announced we were giving away “free pizzas” instead of free samples. The line went around the strip mall, and those up front were yelling and banging on the plate glass windows for us to open.

The funeral of a longtime client from the Group Home next to DRTC turned into an unexpected laugh fest. When the pastor handed the mic to those from the DRTC Group Home, I kind of gasped and knew the congregation was in for a big surprise. The first woman looked upwards and addressed the deceased directly. “Alice,” she said, “you always dress so cute. Could I have your blue dress? You won’t be wearing it again.” Everyone laughed. It was such a sweet, innocent thing to say. The last one to take the mic was Alice’s former boyfriend, Ted, who was the world’s nicest person but very much a practical sort of guy. I knew we were in trouble when he started with, “Alice, I sure hope you aren’t still mad at me for kissing Patty that time at the Christmas party. I like you a lot, but you’re gone now.” Then he shrugged and said, “Guess I’ll have to find a new girlfriend,” and handed back the mic. By then, both myself and another manager attending were inappropriately laughing out of control. Ted was just being practical and honest!

I am self-laughing at that memory as I write this.

It was a lot like a scene from The Walking Dead. We should have seen it as an omen.

CONNIE QUICKSTEPPAPA MURPHY’S OPENING

NAMES HAVE BEEN CHANGED TO PROTECT THE INNOCENT

Dale Rogers Training Center

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You Have WorkWe Have Workers

DRTC has once again earned the highest level of recognition from the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF) International, earning its third-straight, Three-Year Accreditation.

The latest honor reaffirms what many associated with DRTC already know about the nonprofit: its dedication to excellence in services for individuals served, programs, and operations.

This year, two surveyors spent days at the nonprofit reviewing hundreds of areas to ensure quality of supports, sound financials, and key policies in place.

To say they left a glowing review would be an understatement.

The surveyors offered DRTC a couple handfuls of recommendations with no major violations. DRTC is already taking steps to address their suggestions.

“The results of our latest CARF survey are a testament to our commitment to person-centered philosophy, as well as to the hard work and dedication of the staff at DRTC who ensure quality services for those served by the agency,” said Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed., DRTC executive director.

CARF International awarded its Three-Year Accreditation to the following DRTC programs & services:

Prism Place

Wyman Frame

Kermit Lindsey Timothy

Bruce

“CARF”ing a Path

Community Employment Services: Employment Supports

Community Employment Services: Job Development

Organizational Employment Services

Transition ServicesSurveyors interviewed DRTC Board members, staff, as well as individuals served and their families.

In their report, they mentioned strengths in many areas, including customized services for clients, a high level of satisfaction from the parents & caregivers of those served, and an engaged and dedicated Board of Directors.

Even though the accreditation runs through 2020, DRTC will keep taking steps to ensure quality care and services for those it serves. As part of the Three-Year Accreditation, DRTC must commit to CARF’s ongoing regulations and provide documentation to remain in good standing with the accrediting agency.

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Students with Oklahoma City Community College’s (OCCC) Occupational Therapy Assistant program spent some time at Camp Tumbleweed this summer, developing a day of fun-filled and educational activities for campers.

As part of their course at OCCC, students came up with the day’s theme, “Camp Carnival,” as well as activities, including safety awareness, how to dress to impress for a job, and building money management skills.

Of course, campers also had a great time playing carnival-style games, earning tickets to redeem at the Camp Carnival Store.

It was a great experience for both campers and students, alike. We thank OCCC for their continued partnership with DRTC!

What did campers like the most about Camp Tumbleweed? Hear from them in their own words.

“I loved when I got to draw my favorite pictures.” –Matthew

“I love the cooking class. Made some yummy stuff.” –Payden

“I love the painting of the frames.” –Sarah

“I love the field trip, love Main Event. The games rock.” –Jaron

“Water park Friday.” –James and Jackson

“The movies were the best.” –Craig

AWARDS DEPARTMENT

TROPHY

DEPARTMENT

Ethel

Rickey

Another fun-filled summer has come to a close at Camp Tumbleweed—DRTC’s day summer camp program for teenagers and young adults with disabilities.

This year’s version, the 18th year at DRTC, featured several community outings to places like Express Ranch, the Oklahoma History Center, and various parks and splash pads in the Oklahoma City metro.

2017

Don’t Take Our Word For It

Twice the Learning

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Campers learned a lot during their summer as they enter adulthood. The Oklahoma Self-Advocacy Network (OKSAN) provided Self-Advocate Leadership Training (SALT) to Camp Tumbleweed once a week. Participants learned about leadership, communication, public speaking and other areas. Oklahoma City Firefighters from Station 24 visited DRTC to teach campers about fire safety.

What do you call a fake

noodle?

An impasta.

We shared many laughs during this year’s edition of Camp Tumbleweed. Check out these jokes from some of our campers.

Why bring a ladder to

school?

To get INTO the school.

Hey what flower

talks the most?

That one that has lips.

Hmmm… tulips.

What’s a pirate’s favorite letter?

Arrrrrrrrrrr!

Jaron

JoshA

Long-LeggedSpider!

What animal has legs and legs and, hey, more legs?

SarahPayden Camden

TROPHY DEPARTMENT

WYMAN

FRAME

Rickey Waneta Mike

Virginia

Budding Self-Advocates

Camp Comedy

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If you’ve visited DRTC recently, you may have noticed a new addition just off our campus: a new, covered bus stop!

Not only that, but also new ads for Prism Place and Wyman Frame, both divisions of DRTC, greet drivers and pedestrians along Northwest 23rd Street, encouraging them to stop in and visit.

The covered stop provides a break from the elements for individuals at DRTC’s on-campus programs who rely on public transportation to get to and from Utah Avenue.

The next time you’re in the area, be sure and stop by DRTC!

The awards keep coming for DRTC’s Employment Services Program.

Employment Training Specialists Lorri Elston and Vivian Naegeli each received awards from the Oklahoma Association of People Supporting Employment (OK-APSE).

OK-APSE honored Elston and Naegeli for their strong ethic in providing quality services, and work-ing to help people with disabilities reach their employment goals.

St. Anne’s Retirement Center, who DRTC nominated, won a business award for hiring and respecting employees who have disabilities.

Congratulations to all!

ICYMIIn case you missed it, DRTC’s blog also covers agency-related happenings!

Read all about our various programs and see more pictures of those we serve.

Here’s what you’ve been missing:

Reaching employment goals — how Employment Services Program participants are gearing up to enter the workforce

Carla’s Corner — learn from our Certified Picture Framer about how she makes masterpieces at Wyman Frame

Educational opportunity — find out about the new curric-ulum developed by three UCO students to teach skills to excited job seekers

AWARDS DEPARTMENT

Vivian Naegeli and Lorri Elston accept award

Eastbound and westbound NW 23rd Street

AfshinJustin

ETS Spotlight

Stop and DRT“C”

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ART GALLERY

Wyman Frame’s Certified Picture Framer (CPF), Carla Folks,was recently honored in a contest sponsored by the Oklahoma Visual Arts Coalition.

Folks, who joined the DRTC/Wyman Frame team in 2013, submitted three encaustic modern art photographs (pictures with wax melted on them) relating to Lake Murray. All three were selected to be included in the four-month-long exhibit titled “Nature Nouveau.” Only 10 photographs were chosen with the theme inspired by nature and natural surroundings.

“This was the first time I had entered photos into a show,” said Folks, who has been a CPF since 1989. “To have all of them selected to be in the group show at Lake Murray was a great honor.”

Nature Nouveau is on display at Lake Murray State Park through September 2017.

DRTC is hitting the road this fall leading up to National Disability Employment Awareness Month in October. We’re planning to attend several events, raising awareness of DRTC, Prism Place and Wyman Frame, and how teaming up with us helps provide jobs for people with disabilities.

DRTC’s booth at the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association Trade Show displaying promotional items

Carla Folks, Certified Picture Framer

Julie

Brett

CPF Highlighted

Upcoming Acts

September 13 & 14 – OSU-OKC Volunteer FairSeptember 19 – Disability ExpoSeptember 23 – Down Syndrome Association of OK FestivalSeptember 27 – OCCC Volunteer FairYou can help, too! Advocate for us at your workplace, or with your friends and other social groups, and help provide steady jobs in Oklahoma City. Like us on Facebook!

Who do you know who could benefit from our services?DRTC.org/whodoyouknow

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Find Us! Like Us! Follow Us!

Oklahoma nonprofit since 1953

Slow down and enjoy the Holidays!

Dale Rogers Training Center2501 N. Utah AvenueOklahoma City, OK 73107405-946-4489 Video 405-445-7314DRTC.org

Blazing TrailsPromoting Abilities

Holiday Cards 2017

Presents

Turtle

HappyHolidays

Drawings by Bruce P. at Dale Rogers Training Center.

Design by Gayle L. Curry

Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) is the oldest and largest

community vocational training center in the Southwest. DRTC

has served Oklahoma since 1953. It trains and employs over

eleven hundred persons with disabilities a year.

Brighter

• 5”x 7” size

• Gloss cover

• Matte inside for easy writing

• Sold in packs of 10

• Envelopes included

New design

for 2017!

Create Light

Original art created by DRTC clients!

Other Designs Available!

To provide training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

Set of 10$10

Our Mission

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