Herrick Trainings
Not only does St. Louis Center pride itself on offering learning opportunities for our residents, but we firmly believe in the enrichment of our staff. Thanks to an amazing opportunity offered by the Herrick Foundation, we were able to do just that! Over the course of several weeks, the Foundation put on a series of full-day seminars that covered a range of topics for various local non-profits. St. Louis Center was able to send multiple employees to attend each seminar, with sessions focused on the specific roles of each staff member. It is through trainings like these that we hope to continue offering the highest level of care.
Dawn Foods Visit
Cherie Good from Dawn Food chatting with Jacqui.
On March 20th, St. Louis Center was happy to welcome Cherie Good, Dawn Food’s Head of Corporate Giving for a visit and tour. Cherie does incredible work, and we were so fortunate to have the opportunity to show her the impactful work we do here. St. Louis Center resident Jackie P., who also works in the kitchen, was happy to show her around. Dawn Foods is a pillar of the community, and we look forward to working with them more in the future.
NBS Furniture
Fr. Satheesh met with Annette Popiel-Hammerle and Connie Ahee from NBS Furniture
The space we inhabit is important and so is how we fill it. St. Louis Center has been lucky enough to connect with NBS Furniture’s Annette Popiel-Hammerle and Connie Ahee. Over two different visits, they arrived at St. Louis Center with donations of furniture. These pieces have helped furnish admin offices and improve the workspaces of many SLC staff members.
Chelsea Hospital Visit
Health professionals are always welcome to come visit St. Louis Center! In April, SLC was lucky to have five inspirational healthcare professionals tour and engage with the meaningful work that we do at the Center. Among them were Reiley Curran, MPH, who coordinates Chelsea Hospital‘s Community Health Improvement Council, Alfreda Rooks, Director of Community Health Services for UM; Abby Norris, a social worker at Chelsea Hospital who specializes in behavioral health, and Cheryl Taylor, Chief Nursing Officer for Trinity Health. Chelsea Hospital has been a longtime partner and supporter of St. Louis Center, most recently funding the “Fitness for All” programming. It is with their generous grant that residents are able to exercise and maintain physical independence for as long as possible.
Chelsea Hospital toured after supporting St. Louis Center with grants
After a beautiful tour and a few introductions to residents, the group sat down for lunch and were able to discuss SLC’s future. We were happy and lucky to share a meal with such talented and insightful women.
Secretary of State Visit
As much as we support our residents’ physical and mental freedom, we are also equally committed to empowering them legally. On May 14th, St. Louis Center had the honor of welcoming Joshua Elliot, Deputy Chief of External Affairs for the Secretary of State. Joshua visited during lunchtime and met several residents in the lunchroom. SLC’s residents gravitated towards his kind and gentle nature, telling him all about their upcoming events and activities. Afterwards, SLC staff gave him a complete tour of the main building. Joshua not only got to see an insider’s look at the many impactful programs SLC hosts, but also the sections of the Main Building that are slated for renovations.
Michigan Secretary of State’s Joshua Elliot shared how their department might support our work.
Over lunch, the priests and SLC staff got to learn a little more about what Joshua does for the Secretary of State office. His work largely deals with making sure communities are aware of how their local Secretary of State office can help them. Some of the residents at SLC have a difficult time going out and waiting in offices for things like new and updated state IDs. Joshua has offered to help us plan a visit from their new Mobile Office to help with this disparity. SOS’s Mobile Office is planning to visit St. Louis Center and set up a station to allow residents to update their IDs right here where they live. While the date for this visit is still TBD, the larger community, especially those with I/DD will be invited to come participate in this special event.
Read the entire issue of St. Louis Spirit here!
