by Jim Varey
My wife, Lenore, and I along with Mary Jo Gallaher and Bob & Bonnie Romniak are team leaders for the Creations from the Heart booth at Family Fest. In the past, you knew the booth as The Gentle Touch. Our booth sells beautiful handmade or handcrafted articles; it’s a very popular stop at Family Fest.
Traditionally, Creations from the Heart booth sold items such as afghans, blankets, quilted hats and more. For the past two years, we’ve added items such as bird houses, hot plates/cutting boards, ornaments, and other wooden holiday decorations. It’s a wonderful potpourri of creativity.
by Linda Buchalo
If you have a family member at Misericordia, or if you’ve spent some time on campus, you most likely have heard of Bob and Madge. Maybe you don’t know their last name or exactly what they do, but you probably know them by sight, and you know they have something to do with music.
Bob and Madge Erlenbaugh are long-time volunteers at Misericordia, and wherever you see them, voices will be raised in song. This amazing duo started volunteering for Misericordia in 1983, collecting donations for Candy Days. They continued to help at Candy Days, but a few years later increased their volunteer efforts when one of their daughters worked at a special recreation summer camp that served 20 Misericordia residents. During that time, Bob was teaching guitar and leading a choir group. He brought his group to perform at Misericordia, eventually singing on the Children’s Stage at Family Fest. It was this activity that first brought Lou Manfredini to Misericordia; Lou’s children and Bob and Madge’s grandchildren were friends. Thank you, Bob and Madge, and thank you, Lou! Bob and Madge continued to help at the Fest in other ways, and Bob brought members of the volleyball team that he coached to help as well.
by Lisa Paradis
The Misericordia Siblings Organization has done it again! The Artist in All was an amazing success and continues to be a Top Five Fundraiser for Misericordia, raising $950k this year. It takes an army of volunteers, our talented Art Instructors led by Julie O’Sullivan, generous Sponsors and the stunning Artwork our brothers and sisters have on display for an evening at a world-class venue, the Art Institute of Chicago..
Caitlin Deptula led the event as the Chairwoman with the support of Megan Biggam, SIBS Board President, in addition to Lois Gates, Anne Mills, Julie O’Sullivan, and the entire SIBS Board. Over 1,000 attended a mid-summer night at the Art Institute of Chicago. With 246 pieces of artwork and 235 residents participating, our brothers and sisters continue to outdo themselves, with the guidance of their talented art teachers. The artwork alone raised more than $125K this year.
by Kathryn and John Moery
On a beautiful August afternoon, 25 CILA families made their journey to visit CILA homes operated by Misericordia. These families had chosen to tour up to four houses of the nine houses participating in the inaugural CILA Open House event on August 13. The houses on the tour were open for three hours, and the families were scheduled in advance to tour in one of the four time blocks offered. Invitations for the event were sent out electronically in late June, and families RSVP’d with their house selections and the timeframes in which they preferred to visit. As the MFA CILA Site Representatives, we coordinated this event, with the support of Joe Ferrara, the CILA Administrator, and Diane Carpenter, MFA IT Support. Lead families, QIDPs and DSPs were instrumental in preparing and facilitating this event in each of the houses.
The Open House concept was inspired by our quarterly virtual meetings with the CILA families over the past two years, and borne from the frustration of finding a way to stage an in-person family gathering during the pandemic. CILAs, Community Integrated Living Arrangements, are homes in surrounding neighborhoods, licensed by the state Department of Human Services. It was a challenge to conceive of a way to get 82 residents and their families living in 14 homes within five miles of campus together after the pandemic restrictions had been lifted last spring.
by Linda Buchalo
Our last stop on the tour of Misericordia residences is the Heart of Mercy Village. You might mistake the nine homes that make up the Village as a suburban development, but look again—these lovely homes are nestled together within the Misericordia campus. The homes were built in 1983–1984 on the northeast corner of the campus. Each home is unique, primarily brick, but differs slightly, making this part of campus look very much like a typical neighborhood. Each home has its own patio for outdoor dining or taking advantage of nice weather.
Within the last ten years, the homes were remodeled. The wallpaper came down to make way for a more modern look. The patios were updated—each now has two large tables, a rocking swing, and a grill. Amina Grace Gardens was constructed within the Village and provides a beautiful landscape with various plantings, including pear trees and vegetable gardens.
by Barb Quaintance
If you’re ever in the Misericordia’s administrative offices between 6-7am, you may well see Father Jack working at his desk. Since becoming Executive Director about two years ago, Father Jack has valued this quiet time before the rush of the day begins. He says that the biggest change he’s faced as Executive Director is that now he’s asked about everything by just about everyone.
Of course, Father Jack was at Misericordia for 22 years before becoming Executive Director and was responsible for many of Mis’ operations. In his new role, his mission is not only to ensure that Mis runs smoothly and efficiently, but to help staff see the big picture; i.e. to see how interdependent the various departments and functions are. One of Father Jack’s priorities has been to build a strong leadership team. He has expanded the team with several new Vice Presidents and Assistant Vice Presidents (AVPs), with several more AVPs and Directors to be hired. Father Jack believes that the “perfect” leadership team is one that combines long-term employees—who have been dedicated to Mis and have deep knowledge of how things work—with new people who can bring fresh perspectives and new ideas. Father Jack also believes it’s his role to ask questions: Is this the best way to do something? Could we do it in a new or different way?
by Lisa Masucci
Continuing the series of profiles on Misericordia’s new leadership team, today we feature Geana Connelly, recently appointed to the position of Vice President of Strategy, People & Culture. After 30 years at Misericordia, Geana has the experience and relationships needed for this important new role.
Many of you may not know that Geana grew up on a farm in a small town in north central Wisconsin, the youngest of five children. Her interest in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities started in high school when she volunteered in a special education classroom. She went to St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI and studied psychology. While she was in college, Geana’s niece was born with Down syndrome, which further deepened her desire to work with the population that she has come to love and admire her entire professional career.
by Barb Quaintance
We all know that Misericordia takes excellent care of the residents’ physical and health needs, but Mis is equally focused on their mental and spiritual well-being. One of the counseling techniques used to address that well-being is art therapy. Misericordia’s Art Therapists, Miriam Hudson and Sarah Peters, work within the counseling department led by Geana Connelly. Miriam and Sarah work with residents across campus and in the CILAs. To become a practicing art therapist, one must pursue a Masters in Art Therapy which includes 1500 hours of direct client contact through internships, as well as a rigorous course load, and a focus on self-reflection. After receiving a Masters, they work toward licensure as an art therapist and/or counselor by passing an exam and completing 2000 hours under supervision. These talented therapists bring a special creativity and empathy to their interactions with the residents.
by Linda Buchalo
The Rosemary and Connelly Homes were built in 2001, funded by several benefactors. This living area consists of two adjoining buildings situated on the Misericordia campus. The homes were originally built to meet the needs of 32 children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and significant physical challenges. The homes are now licensed for adults only and have a combined population of 32 adults. The homes are co-ed, and its residents are non-ambulatory. Each house has a dedicated group of trained staff who work to provide specialized care and support for each resident, and to create a comfortable, safe home environment.
by Linda Buchalo
Following a long holiday hiatus, we’ll continue our tour of the residential living areas on the Misericordia campus. Today, we’ll visit McGowan Home, built in the summer of 1998. The home is brick construction with large windows so that the residents can easily view the outdoors. McGowan has 16 adult residents, both men and women, all of whom have physical disabilities with similar needs. The residence has a common living room, dining room, and bedrooms with accessible bathrooms. The house was built with spacious areas to accommodate positioning equipment and therapy needs. There is also an office for the QIDP. McGowan has a garden area where residents can gather to enjoy nature and spend time outdoors.
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