Newsletter - Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired

Newsletter

Clovernook's green clover leaf Logo

Fall 2011

Consumer Spotlight on Dan Depetro
At first, Dan Depetro's visual impairment was limiting the ability to perform his job working the fitting rooms at Target. Three years later, he is still employed and thriving.

"Things at Target were going relatively well," said Depetro, "but the position was not designed for someone with a visual impairment."

In 2008, shortly after he started the position, Depetro identified the need for job coaching services in order to help him perform the functions of sorting and hanging clothes from the fitting room, sorting returned items and performing phone duties. He was referred to Clovernook by the Bureau of Services for the Blind and Visually Impaired and began working with Kevin Lane, job coach.

Kevin assisted Dan in learning technology to operate the store's price scanner as well as other adaptations, including braille labels, braille hanger dividers and a system for identifying the various clothing brands sold in the store. "I taught him how to identify each clothing brand by the size, shape and feel of the price tags," said Lane.

"The services at Clovernook help me to maintain my independence," said Dan. He continues to work with Kevin and receives job retention services in order to continue his success at his current position. "Target has been extremely helpful. They are truly an equal opportunity employer," he said.

Clovernook Tribute Gifts
Below is a list of people who received honor or memorial gifts in their name from 2/1/2011 - 7/31/2011. Making a tribute gift in honor or memory of a loved one is a very important decision and we can't thank our donors enough for choosing Clovernook.

Honorarium Donations

In honor of Connie Booher
Creta Booher
In honor of George & Marion Dorin
Jane Shulman
In honor of Dick & Mona Kerstine
Anne Maxfield
Allen & Harriet Lazarus
Mr. & Mrs. Robert Rosenberg
In honor of Allen Freeman
Lois Gray
In honor of Jackie Lett & Jim Brown
John and Joan Scahill
Rebecca & Garfield Suder
In honor of Helen G. Levine
Dr. Paul & Carol Perlstein
In honor of Anne Maxfield
Mike & Kit Hammons
In honor of Arthur Pfirrman
Ralph C. Pfirrman
In honor of Matt Simpson
Hope Christian Community Foundation
In honor of the Salerno children & grandchildren
Vincent Salerno PE, PMP, CMC

Memorial Donations

In memory of Annie Wallingford Anderson
Billie Agnone
Anne Maxfield
In memory of Richard Berghamer
Ellen A. Berghamer
In memory of Pam Boss
Patrick Murphy
In memory of Mom Cummings
Charles & Janet Cummings
In memory of James A. Delaney
Margaret Barry
Carol A. Bibelhausen
Pat T. Bieg
John & Martha Butz
Patricia Jane Davoran
Marianne Delaney
James & Patricia Doerger
Wayne & Jane Dydo
F + W Media, Inc.
Randy & Kristal Hambrick
Stanley & Katherine Hedeen
Claudia Hesselbrock
David & Molly Hodapp
Peter T. Kaufman
Jerome & Nancy Kleinhaus
Thomas & Stephanie Luebbers
Ronald & Helen Martin
Eileen M. McGuiggan
Harry & Patricia Meyer
Dena Sara Morton
Niagara University
Ohio National Foundation
John Peter
Richard & Jane Sander
John & Peggey Wintz
In memory of Esther G. DeVore
Episcopal Society of Christ Church
In memory of Agnes D. Dorton
William K. Dorto
Scott & Carol Elfers
Kings Mills Elementary Social Fund
Jack & Joan Knecht
Philip & Pamela McDonald
Michael & Jennifer McLaughlin
Nancy Murray
Jeffery & Sherry Romani
Sam Romani
Kenneth & Donna Rusche
Ella Mae Schnelle
Michael Schnelle
In memory of David Holford
Cliff Jacobs & Family
In memory of Robert Huller
Ruth E. Rubendunst
In memory of Robert T. Kay
Ellen Bottom/Union Central
In memory of Jewel Kidd
Krista Kidd Lorenz
In memory of Hollis Ligget
Marina Pakis
Susan Adams
Ruth Poston
In memory of Bob Lucidi
George & Marion Dorin
In memory of Dave Massie
Douglas Massie
In memory of Howard & Nancy Maxfield
Mike & Kit Hammons
In memory of Philip McGing
Delia McGing & Family
In memory of Robert Muenchen
Dale & Carol Weisker
In memory of Martha J. Perin
Stephen & Marcia Cohen
In memory of Dana L. Pfirrman
Ralph Pfirrman
In memory of Robert Pommering
Ralph & Sherry Pommering
In memory of Pramod P. Ravade
Lions Club of Memphis Foundation
In memory of Chery H. Reynolds
Eileen Bender
In memory of Betty Riggs
Sandra Schille
In memory of Ken Sanders
Stephen & Marcia Cohen
In memory of Daniel Westerbeck
David & Sandy Westerbeck
In memory of Brian Grippa
John & Nancy Callahan
Gerald & Patricia Elfers
Jack P. Elfers
Jeff & Julia Kloos
Henry & Margie Koetter
Stephen & Donna Kyler
Ron Lehrter
Henry & Chris Lynch
Don Rack
The Staff of Gregory S. Young Co., L.P.A.
Dr. John & Julie Cohen
Thomas & Lee Anne Conroy
Diane Dew
Bill & Jean Elfers
John P. Elfer
Scott & Carol Elfers
Kings Mills Elementary Social Fund
Jack & Joan Knecht
Philip & Pamela McDonald
Michael & Jennifer McLaughlin
Nancy Murray
Jeffery & Sherry Romani
Sam Romani
Kenneth & Donna Rusche
Ella Mae Schnelle
Michael Schnelle
In memory of David Holford
Cliff Jacobs & Family
In memory of Robert Huller
Ruth E. Rubendunst
In memory of Robert T. Kay
Ellen Bottom/Union Central
In memory of Jewel Kidd
Krista Kidd Lorenz
In memory of Hollis Ligget
Marina Pakis
Susan Adams
Ruth Poston
In memory of Bob Lucidi
George & Marion Dorin
In memory of Dave Massie
Douglas Massie
In memory of Howard & Nancy Maxfield
Mike & Kit Hammons
In memory of Philip McGing
Delia McGing & Family
In memory of Robert Muenchen
Dale & Carol Weisker
In memory of Martha J. Perin
Stephen & Marcia Cohen
In memory of Dana L. Pfirrman
Ralph Pfirrman
In memory of Robert Pommering
Ralph & Sherry Pommering
In memory of Pramod P. Ravade
Lions Club of Memphis Foundation
In memory of Chery H. Reynolds
Eileen Bender
In memory of Betty Riggs
Sandra Schille
In memory of Ken Sanders
Stephen & Marcia Cohen
In memory of Daniel Westerbeck
David & Sandy Westerbeck

Q & A with Lynn Jansen, tribute painting artist
Jessica Salyers, manager of development & media relations and Alison DeFisher, communications & fundraising coordinator sat down with Lynn to talk about her involvement with the tribute painting program.

Describe your very first experience with art.

I recall working with art as early as pre-school. I vividly remember fifth grade art class. One of the nuns said I was an "exceptional artist." I then took four years of art in high school.I went to Mt. St. Joseph and majored in accounting, but I did take art classes at U.C. for fun. I became connected with Clovernook's art program after attending a gallery opening and asked if I could be a part of the program.

How did you get involved in the Tribute Painting Program?

After working with Scott Wallace, recreation specialist, and the other artists for quite a while, Scott approached me to work on Clovernook's first tribute painting which was purchased in memory of Nancy and Howard Maxfield. I truly felt honored and delighted to be a part of the program.

What does the program mean to you?

The program is fun to be a part of. It is very enjoyable but nerve racking at the same time! I had to really think about the fact that the donor had already paid for this piece of artwork and I had to make sure he or she would be happy with the outcome. Did I mention that it's nice to receive payment for my hard work? All kidding aside, it's wonderful to use the money I make from the program to help cover the cost of art classes. The program gives me a sense of pride and I feel grateful each time I'm asked to create a painting.

How has art impacted your life?

Art is my outlet for creativity and artistic expression. Participating in the art program at Clovernook is a social outlet and very similar to a support group. It gives me a chance to relax and mingle with my friends who have similar challenges with their vision and to talk about life in general. It's a great recreational activity to get me out of the house.

Where do you get your inspiration for the artworks you create?

This may sound odd, but many of my ideas come to me when I'm asleep or when I'm in the shower! I also enjoying going to other artists' shows�not to steal their ideas of course, but to find inspiration and to remind myself that there are many forms of expression. I have also discovered that many great pieces of artwork happen by accident! I tend to start something and second guess whether or not I like it. Eventually I keep working with it and it turns out just fine.

Describe the process of creating a tribute painting.

When Scott asks me to be the artist for a painting, he gives me the details such as size, if it's an honorarium or a memorial piece and any "words of wisdom" that the donor passes along. I then begin to think about what I can do with that information. I have to get very creative and Scott is such a big help. If I'm having a hard time, he is always there to throw out suggestions and to cheer me on. We meet once or twice a week for the next several weeks to work on the painting. Once it is finished, it is framed and sent to the fund development team, who then schedules an unveiling with the donor, their family and me.

Prestigious trustee circle honored at annual luncheon
The second annual Trustee Circle Luncheon was held on May 11, honoring past and present board members who have also made a monetary donation to Clovernook Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired.

The luncheon took place at Clovernook Country Club and included cocktails, lunch and networking. Attendees included Doug Armstrong, former chairman, Fran and Stan Cohen, Marcie and Rich Hammel, Peggy Markstein, Will Schwartz, Paula Thomas, Bill Thorner and Al Tuchfarber, current chairman. Robin Usalis, president and CEO, addressed attendees with an overview of the board's accomplishments.

In her speech, Usalis pointed out the success of the organization's financial improvement strategies. As year one of the three-year strategic plan has come to a close, Usalis noted, there is much to celebrate. "We have already reached and achieved several goals, and we are making significant progress towards others," she said.

Along with new mission and vision statements, Clovernook celebrates the creation of new jobs, diverse employment for people who are blind and visually impaired and also looks forward to developing new product lines in business operations. Future goals include obtaining new machinery, technology upgrades and training and development for Clovernook's extremely specialized staff.

Thanks to our chairman, Usalis explained, Clovernook continues to benefit from a collaborative partnership with Cincinnati Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired (CABVI). "We have already enjoyed many of the benefits of this partnership," she said. "Thank you to the staff for being cooperative and collaborative, as we have recently experienced massive changes," Tuchfarber added. "We are changing dramatically and for the better."

Other trustee circle members congratulated one another on the continuation of Clovernook's powerful mission as they look forward to another successful year.

Clovernook hosts BANA at spring board meeting
The Braille Authority of North America (BANA) held its spring board meeting at Clovernook on April 1 as part of a four-day visit to Cincinnati.

BANA, whose mission is to assure literacy to tactile readers through standardization of braille and/or tactile graphics, preceded the traditional board meeting with an open forum on Thursday, March 31 at the Hyatt Regency in downtown Cincinnati. The forum provided "an opportunity for participants to learn more about the workings of BANA and to provide feedback to the board about braille," according to a BANA press release. Several representatives from Clovernook, which is a BANA member organization, were in attendance.

Friday's meeting, held at Clovernook's Cincinnati campus, consisted of an open invitation to observe the board's deliberations on topics including tactile graphics, foreign language braille and a review of the formats guidelines. Chair Judy Dixon introduced Kim McEachirn, Clovernook's new representative to the BANA board.

In addition to hosting the meeting, Clovernook engaged BANA representatives with a tour of its facilities. "We had a very productive meeting which was made all the better by Clovernook's generous hospitality," said Judy Dixon, BANA chair.

Events & happenings
Congratulations to Mark Jackson, board member, for being the recipient of a "Clovie Award." Mark was presented with this prestigious award by Al Tuchfarber, chairman, for his steadfast presence on the board of trustees. Jackson is treasurer of the board of trustees and is a certified public accountant/partner at Plante & Moran, PLLC.

Best Buy employees visit Clovernook to see their investment in action. Last September, Best Buy Children's Foundation awarded Clovernook a grant of $10,000 to be used for the Youth Discovery Program. On July 16, they observed technology camp and even made an appearance on WLWT Channel 5 news!

Save the date!

Who: Tracey Johnson, Fox 19 news anchor
What: 3rd Annual Celebrity Bartender!
When: Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Where: Clovernook Country Club
Time: 6 to 8 pm

Join us for cocktails, complimentary appetizers, silent auction and more at this FREE event! Proceeds to benefit Clovernook Center.

Rich Duell, board member, was awarded the "Clovie Award" by Al Tuchfarber, chairman of the board, for his extraordinary service and incredible contributions to the board of trustees and the business operations and facilities committee. Duell is chairman of the business operations committee and is a retired manager at IBM Global Services.

Congratulations to Will Schwartz, board member, for being the recipient of the first ever "Clovie Award." Will was presented with the title by Al Tuchfarber, chairman, for the remarkable impact he has made on Clovernook's manufacturing performance. Will serves as vice chair of the board of trustees and is a managing director at Source Real Estate Capital, Ltd.

Letter from the president and chairman of the board
I hope you've enjoyed reading this issue of Perspective. We're proud to share the accomplishments we've made since last spring. After reading the article on our Trustee Circle luncheon held in May, you'll see that we closed out the 2010-2011 fiscal year with a bang. Our numbers were up across the board, attesting to the hard work performed by all areas of the organization. Last year, our programs and services assisted a 1,130 people in Cincinnati and Memphis, which is 11 percent more than the previous year. You can view the full listing of last year's numbers in our Community Impact Report, which is available on our Web site.

As this issue goes to print, we will have just wrapped up the Youth Discovery Program, which gives area youth who are blind and visually impaired the chance to meet new friends and learn lifelong skills that enhance and supplement their studies throughout the school year.

In addition to watching these young people learn and grow over the years, we've had the privilege of hosting many of our wonderful funders, and other supporters, to observe the camps and see how our program services team coordinates an amazing experience for the youth. We're sure the campers will take away many happy experiences and knowledge from the art, survivor, technology and activities of daily living portions of camp and we can't thank our funders enough for supporting this program.

With all the great things going on this year, we invite you to connect with Clovernook on Facebook and Twitter to stay updated on recent happenings and connect with other donors, volunteers and consumers. We've found that social media is a great way to stay in touch with people just like yourself!

Facebook

Twitter

We're always delighted to read feedback we receive from our followers.We value the relationships that we maintain with individuals, businesses and other non-profit organizations. Social media provides a forum for us all to connect with one another. We've even posted pictures from the youth discovery program, showing campers rock climbing, rafting and exploring the world of music!

We hope this offers you a chance to connect even more with our mission.Thanks for reading this issue of Perspective, and for all that you do for Clovernook Center.