CATCHING UP WITH VISIONS:
EARLY FALL NEWS
Summer flew by in the blink of an eye, so now it’s time for election-related events that begin as early as tomorrow, and fall announcements - after a special shoutout goes out to DMarco Loud!
DMarco Loud from Visions Day Program recently assisted Chris, Alicia and Tammy after they went to an Oakland A’s night game.
A kind person gifted Chris with tickets, but without a clear plan for getting to and from the game. Chris was so happy because it was going to be bobble-heads give-away night.
Because Visions’ staff had forged such a great community of trust and support, Chris and his family asked for help from DMarco leading up to the game.
DMarco downloaded the Lyft app on Chris’s stepfather’s phone, and they used that service to arrive at the game. But by the end of the game, the group had a difficult time trying to figure out how to return back home.
So Chris called DMarco, and DMarco sprung into action, putting on his hero/above-and-beyond the call of duty hat. He rushed to pick up the three Oakland A’s fans stranded in Oakland in the late night hours.
Therefore, this newsletter is a special one, with a shoutout to DMarco for his kindness and service!
Please see below for more important news:
TWO Reverse Town Halls will be held beginning TOMORROW October 1st via ZOOM! These Reverse Town Halls will have members of the IDD community: our friends, parents, self-advocates, service providers are others being not just stakeholders, but Subject Matter Experts!
All of the Legislative Offices in the area have been invited to attend one-hour Q & A sessions to learn from US, our lived experiences and OUR expertise!
We could really use the attendance and support of the IDD Community, and even though these Reverse Town Halls will be recorded, this is a totally different way to engage with our Legislative Representatives and their aides. So, please consider joining the ZOOM via the Links below on:
Tuesday, October 1, 2024- from 6:30 to 7:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84651978557?pwd=gZKmRKtXYpaCu9QOKWTPUhH2aalFzM.1
Meeting ID: 846 5197 8557
Passcode: 104949
OR
Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 11:30am- 12:30pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87414146549?pwd=9yEH57Rod7LkaJ1zEAGmbIqs0dojK8.1
Meeting ID: 874 1414 6549
Passcode: 733447
JOIN US!
Also, we are happy to announce we are bringing back the Art of Writing, which Mary will be leading! Through remote instruction, participants will learn to send greeting cards with a stamp affixed to the envelope and Visions’ return address written at the top so cards are returned, if not delivered, to the office. Each recipient of a greeting card will be asked to send a selfie as a “thank you” after receiving a card. The Art of Writing is a program within our Kindness & Community Service Project.
Coming up also:
There are two local State Legislature races that will be on the ballot in November, and EBLC is holding Candidate Forums for those seeking our votes to share their views on Disability matters, and IDD community issues and concerns.
You will have the opportunity to hear from the candidates directly!
First, for Senate District 7, formerly held by Nancy Skinner, BOTH candidates will be appearing on October 11.
This will be held at RCEB in Alameda County at 500 Davis Street, Suite 100; San Leandro. The session will be open from 2-4 pm. The Candidates Forum will be from 2:30-3:30 pm.
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Mayor Jesse Arreguin - https://www.jesse.vote/
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AC Transit Director Jovanka Beckles-https://jovanka4casenate.com/
For Assembly District 15, formerly held by Tim Grayson (who is pursuing a Senate Seat in District 9- https://www.graysonforca.com/about-tim), BOTH candidates intend to appear on October 11.
This will be held at RCEB in Contra Costa County at 1130 Willow Pass Rd. Suite 300 in Concord. The session will be open from 4-6 pm. The Candidates Forum will be from 5:00-6:00 pm.
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Candidate Sonia Ledo -https://www.sonialedo.com/
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Candidate Ana Maria Farias -https://www.anamarie4assembly.com/
We are really hoping that both of these IN-PERSON events will be well attended! This is an opportunity for the IDD Community to develop a relationship with people that can shape our future through public policy- BEFORE they enter office!
To donate to support Visions and the adventures and community-based activities planned, email us today at visionsadp@gmail.com :).
CATCHING UP WITH VISIONS:
RENO TRIP A
SUCCESS !
Visions hit the road for its first big overnight trip to the well-known tourist destination, Reno, Nevada, toward the middle of May.
When asked what she thought was the biggest highlight of the trip that was filled with warm sunny weather, a visit to the Atlantis Hotel Buffet and Pizza Hut for scrumptious meals, Kim said the entire trip!
"The participants were never in a casino before or played a slot machine. We had a small jackpot amongst the crew, but no one revealed what we had planned," she said coyly. "The client's enjoyed such nice hotel accommodations at the Grand Sierra Resort Hotel, and being independent with their peers."
Participants also shared what they enjoyed the most.
"It was nice to see the snow on top of the mountains. I loved our hotel room; the bed was comfy and the room was large. I saw the new Ghostbusters in the theaters," Chris said. "The arcade had a lot of games."
Shannon shared that the trip was absolutely fantastic. "While I was out there, I celebrated my birthday. I got a lot of complements on my dress while walking around, and had gotten some gifts: cat purse, rose gold “S”, a pink shower set, and a phone case that didn’t fit on my phone," she said.
Shannon also echoed that seeing the new Ghostbusters was particularly fun along with all the delicious treats. " I had a filling breakfast at Denny’s. I had a lot of popcorn and snacks at the movies," she added. "What I really enjoyed eating was the cherry cheesecake and whole big basket of cotton candy."
With the first big trip being such a success, CEO Gwen Captain said it was now time to plan some local day trips that will also be a blast.
Please support Visions and all of the love and hard work that went into planning the Reno overnight trip when you next have occasion to stop by the office! To donate to support Visions and the adventures being planned, email us today at visionsadp@gmail.com :).
CATCHING UP WITH VISIONS!
HAPPY HOLIDAYS 2023
Highlights of the fall and winter seasons thus far include Giving Tuesday, the international day of community service, and our fabulous Gospel Extravaganza last month! About 30 participants and community members attended to enjoy an opportunity to be in community and see the extraordinary talent.
Owen did a book reading of The Magical World of Owen and talked about his experience coming out of the pandemic. He explained that he was relieved to be out of the worst of those anxious, worrisome days when he didn’t know if he would be able to go out into the community without wearing a mask.
Visions leader and CEO Gwen Captain said these moments when people shared how they felt at the extravaganza really helped convey how difficult those days were. "What Owen said really gave caregivers insight into what participants were going through,” Ms. Captain said.
The praise dancing was choreographed exceptionally well and was the biggest hit of the event! The four dancers rehearsed to be best prepared. Ms. Captain said it was wonderful to see participants cheering each other on and celebrating, regardless of their ability level.
Theo Madison talked about what it meant to him to see his son, Jeremiah, perform at the extravaganza. “I’m so happy that my son is in a program that allows him to showcase his talents," Madison said.
As 2023 winds down, everyone at Visions is getting ready for Christmas and the New Year with festive decorations and a Ginger Bread House. Gifts/goodie bags for the holiday season will include electric toothbrushes with batteries, socks, and nice soaps.
“We will be focusing on the latest technology in dental hygiene in the New Year,” Ms. Captain said.
During the giving season, remember Visions as we plan our first big out-of-state OVERNIGHT trip to Reno, Nevada, and for all of our year-round activities and community service.
To make your gift, email us at visionsadp@gmail.com :). Happy Holidays, everyone! Please stay safe and enjoy the holidays with family, friends, and all of us at Visions!
Theo Madison talked about what it meant to him to see his son, Jeremiah, perform at the extravaganza. “I’m so happy that my son is in a program that allows him to showcase his talents," Madison said.
As 2023 winds down, everyone at Visions is getting ready for Christmas and the New Year with festive decorations and a Ginger Bread House. Gifts/goodie bags for the holiday season will include electric toothbrushes with batteries, socks, and nice soaps.
“We will be focusing on the latest technology in dental hygiene in the New Year,” Ms. Captain said.
During the giving season, remember Visions as we plan our first big out-of-state OVERNIGHT trip to Reno, Nevada, and for all of our year-round activities and community service.
To make your gift, email us at visionsadp@gmail.com :). Happy Holidays, everyone! Please stay safe and enjoy the holidays with family, friends, and all of us at Visions!
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CATCHING UP WITH VISIONS!
SUMMER RECAP & FALL 2023 PREVIEW
This summer and early fall, Visions celebrated birthdays, welcomed new staff and participants, while making time to tend to the Visions garden, conduct community service, and enjoy BBQ parties! We welcomed Ms. Lisa Rogers and interns, Willetta Fleming and Yesenia Ramirez, to our team!
Birthday Shoutouts go to:
July Birthdays ----
Thirl Ringo
Kim "FooFoo" Ross
DeAndre Steiner
August & September Birthdays----
Chris Sept-Vessel
Raven Harper
Tyrell Biggs
Tariq Williams
Tracy Moore
Daryl Farris
Make sure to keep am eye out for the November 17th Gospel Extravaganza, our first Gospel Performance ever, as well as the following: Visions Halloween Party & Parade, with prizes for the best costume; Visions Game Afternoons & Nights with pizza; and the Visions Pancake Breakfast - all happening before you know it! Some meals from the pancake breakfast can be delivered.
The extravaganza and breakfast will be fun ways to celebrate and fundraise for our first OVERNIGHT trip to Reno, Nevada! Around May 16, 2024, Visions will enjoy two days at the Grand Serra Resort Hotel in Reno. Proceeds from the fundraisers will be used to secure rooms, transportation, and activities for 30 individuals, including volunteer staff.
Also, look out for the pop-up thrift store table, with clothes, books and household items that were donated for our fundraising!
To donate to support Visions and the adventures and activities planned, email us today at visionsadp@gmail.com :).
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CATCHING UP WITH VISIONS!
SPRING 2023 EDITION
This Spring, Visions has formed brand new community partnerships, welcomed a new participant, and held a birthday party that all enjoyed. Participants were thrilled by these developments and were especially happy to welcome a new member of the tribe, Tom Milton. Tom and family have started visiting regularly, with Tom starting to come five days a week.
“Everybody in the program likes Tom,” Kennetta Wright said, when asked how he was being received by the community at Visions.
As Visions’s participants get acclimated to their new Hilltop space, they have also started working at the San Pablo Public Library on Fridays, putting together packets of hundreds of small envelopes for the Contra Costa County youth services summer reading program. With the introduction of this new organizational partner and service opportunity, participants learned to submit volunteer applications to work and contribute on a regular basis. All together a cluster of eight is providing this service.
“Having Visions conduct volunteerism, doing service at the library, is part of our mission because it takes you to another level. Helping young people read is a part of our mission to be of service and support literacy in the community,” Ms. Gwen Captain said. The local YMCA is also interested in working with a Vision participant, using the Germ Blasting service. Ms. Gwen also plans to restart the service partnership with Sojourner Truth Church on Thursdays.
Additionally, it's always a source of joy and a privilege to provide support services that will benefit not only our participants, but their families and care providers as well. This is what Visions believes "Wrap Around Services” truly are. In this spirit, Visions is happy to announce that TyRell Buggs recently became a father to his beautiful daughter, Amiyah.
“Amiyah is now considered a part of the Visions extended family. Visions has been providing support services for TyRell since 2018, and he is one of our beloved stars,” Ms.Renee Moore said. Amiyah’s first birthday was on April 1st; Visions staff and all of TyRell's peers wrapped love and support around TyRell and his daughter by throwing her a party! Everyone enjoyed eating pizza, playing games and watching her unwrap her gifts. All had a wonderful time celebrating with TyRell and his family.
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KEEPING UP WITH VISIONS!
WINTER 2022-2023 EDITION
It’s been a whirlwind of a winter season at Visions. Staff and volunteers recently completed Visions’s big move from the city of San Pablo to an elegant office space in the business district in the city of Richmond at Hilltop. The new space near the YMCA is modern with a professional touch, while offering ample room for learning and social activities.
Gwen Captain, CEO of Visions, worked tirelessly over the holidays to ensure the Hilltop office space would have new and gently used furniture and computers. There is now a sleek-looking conference room for larger meetings and a reception area at the front door with comfortable chairs. Staff members have finished the final touches so that Visions has art and other welcoming content on the walls to welcome participants when they arrive to work, learn and have an enjoyable time with others.
“This move was a labor of love, and the results, I have to say, are extraordinary,” Ms. Captain said, while touring the office space on a Friday night and ensuring it was shut down after another busy week at Visions.
In the tech section, touch screen all-in-one computers, furnished by the nonprofit Renew, will soon be set up with the latest software for consumers to safely surf the web using state-of-the-art technology. Kandea Mosley Gandhi, a newcomer to the team, helped secure the computers over the holidays while taking care of marketing, communications and other projects with Ms. Captain. Ms. Kandea's professional background is in nonprofit management and community engagement, so she was able to jump right in as a natural fit at Visions.
“It’s rewarding to work with Ms.Captain and meet the staff, as I reach out to supporters to secure resources and needed support for the community based organization,” Ms. Kandea said.
Ms. Captain said she would like to give a special shout out to other newcomers as well, including Tariq, Erica and James. Ms. Captain said she was also thankful to longtime Board member, Laura Briggin, for her generous gift that helped cover the cost of the new computers.
Upcoming events for participants and their loved ones include the annual Valentine’s Day Talent show that will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 17th. Preparations are already underway with Thursday and Friday practice sessions for the entire team. Do mark your calendars to participate in the fun. Other activities will include new ready-to-work workforce development and soft skills trainings that the staff is developing to offer fresh, stimulating experiences as the new year gets off to a roaring start!
KEEPING UP WITH VISIONS!
SUMMER-EARLY FALL 2022
Touring Jelly Belly in Fairfield, hitting the theaters for the new Jurassic Park movie at Century Theaters at Hilltop in Richmond, and spending time with friends preparing tasty meals were among the highlights at Visions this summer as the community began to reopen with the waning of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Consumers say they love being back and that it feels like things are getting back to normal,” staff member, Kim Randall, said.
Kim said the best part of being back in-person for summer was just spending time together and getting back to some of the flagship programs Visions participants know and love, like the “Kindness Project.” The project is a chance for the Visions team to serve as ambassadors, giving back to the dozens of seniors who visit the medical facility for care.
“We give bags of mint and water, granola bars, maybe a piece of fruit,” Kim began. “Each consumer gives them a bag when it's their turn to distribute the bags; the seniors can’t believe that we do this for free!”
During Thursday “Cooking for One” class, the team picks up food pantry boxes and practices meal prep that can be performed at home.
“Today we had a stir-fry and sweet potatoes; we cut up vegetables and made infused water with lemon, everyone has a job,” Kim said proudly.
Other highlights included a trip to East Bay Vivarium off Fifth Street in Berkeley that sells reptiles, including pythons and turtles. Aside from trips to new and interesting destinations, Visions introduced a new morning group session in which consumers focused on understanding new vocabulary words. Practicing new vocabulary and public speaking are critical for consumers who want to attain opportunities in the community because these skills are transferable when they are being interviewed by potential employers.
“We have a word chart and they will explain what the words mean to them. Words like equality, adversity, and peace. We wanted to see if they knew what the words meant and what they meant to them,” Kim said.
Visions also wants to recognize its new staff, as well as consumers who’ve demonstrated outstanding service or progress in their contributions to the community. They include Raven for working with Marla. Together, they made a beautiful flower on canvas with different colored rose petals that they then signed and installed on the wall at Marla house. Chris also was highlighted for outstanding participation in “Cooking for One” with the help he’s given to Ms. Tina, who leads the activity. Lastly, Jeremiah was celebrated for doing his best to keep the kitchen and dining areas nice and tidy by sweeping. New staff members welcomed aboard included Mrs. Alberta, who everyone was eager to meet.
Special events coming up in the months of October and November that will be fun and engaging include a painting/coloring contest; “Pizza in the Park” behind the old PG&E building in Richmond where folks will feed the ducks and participate in a scavenger hunt. Visions is also planning to see the movie “Till” about Mamie Till-Mobley’s empowering activism for justice for her son, Emmett Till. The woman who made allegations against Till ultimately confessed to lying, making up the entire story, and participating in a state cover-up decades later in 2017.
“Stay tuned for more from Visions,” Ms. Gwen said, “as the team ramps up with a menu of choices and possible events for the fall season!”
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER
APRIL- JUNE 2019
In the month of April, our consumers sweetly participated in our new Pop-Up Kindness Project. A project created specifically to offer support and show love to our seniors. As you may know - there are a multitude of seniors who live in our surrounding community who could use the gesture of kindness extended to them; through free bottled water, hand sanitizer, snacks & treats. Check out this Youtube video for the Kindness Project.
*Meals on Wheels Luncheon Visions’ consumers and staff were honored at the Meals on Wheels annual volunteer luncheon. Visions’ does several weekly routes, delivering nutritional meals to seniors in our community. Check out this video on the event.
*Transition Fair The WCCUSD Transition Fair was on Saturday, April 27; Visions’ staff and Owen Bragg attended the fair to showcase the work Visions does with consumers when they transition from high school into adulthood. Owen introduced his new Sugar and Pepper books entitled, Shorts By Owen Bragg. The books has three short stories teaching social skills to children and disabled adults. Check out more information on the blog: www.fizzletown.biz and check out this video:
*Meet Visions Adult Day Program Staff:
A. Renee Moore,
PT Program Manager
Manager Kim Randall, Senior Vocational Counselor
Through person-centered planning, Visions consumers have been working on a “Listen To Me Booklet”, gathering self-discovery information about their strengths, challenges, likes, dislikes, hobbies, and personal skills. This information is used to support consumers, so they can become their own best advocates.