Five OPTIONS Transitions to Independence students are

celebrating milestones in their post-secondary education.

Rachel Warne (l-r) received a Certificate of Completion in Retail

Sales; Rachel is transitioning to work and has interviews lined up

for several department stores in her hometown. Carlo Dimonte,

evan harr, Patrick Kueppers, and Nate kearney

graduated from John A. Logan College. Carlo, evan, and

pat are transitioning to a college or university, and nate has

already secured a job in the local community as his first

step in the transition to work.

The 2016 Brehm School Commencement Ceremony tookplace on Friday, June 3rd. Congratulations to the 10 seniors (one of the smallest senior classes in recent years) who participated in theceremony with an excited crowd full of families, teachers, andfriends. During the ceremony, the brehm Parents Associationpresented two prestigious awards: the Inspiration Award and theCitizenship Award. (read below)A. Jordan Tate-Higgins, granddaughter of Brehm founder CarolBrehm, presented certificates to 8th graders and diplomas to seniors.

B. Commencement speaker Elizabeth Cooney, proud 2008 Brehmalum, shared her inspirational perspectives. In 2012, she graduatedfrom Hofstra University, receiving a Bachelor of Fine Arts in photography. Currently, Elizabeth is working at Lurie Children’sHospital in Chicago as an administrative assistant for an Oncology doctor. Her duties involve the oversight of the clinicstaff, ensuring that the operation runs smoothly, and she is the direct assistant to the doctor, while she continues her photography on the side.

won the Inspiration Award,which is given to a graduate who displays persistence and courage in facing and pursuingpersonal, academic, and social challenges.

won thePresidential Awardfor Academic Excellence. This award,presented to the studentwith the highest gradepoint average, includes acertificate, a pin, and asigned letter from thePresident of the U.S.

won the CitizenshipAward, which is given to a graduatewho displays the qualities of a good citizen – cooperative,courteous, dependable, helpful,and thoughtful.

Congrats OPTIONS students!

Graduation Issue - Summer 2016

IMPA

TM

akin

g an

on yo

ung

lives

C l a s s o f 2 0 1 6 !

A. B.

By Cynde Bunch of Walker's Bluff Winery

During 2009, I met Dr. Collins and his wife, Donna Collins, while they visited our event destination, Walker's Bluff Winery. They shared

with me how Brehm makes such a dramatic impact on so many young lives.Soon after, I found out a very dear friend’s grandson, who has a learning

disability, went to Brehm for his senior year, and they also saw a great positivechange in him. He received a job that makes him very happy. He's done

fabulously for himself, and I've been so impressed with Brehm that I soon “partneredup” with our giving arm called Myranda’s Child and Family Foundation to help morestudents and families! Since 2012, The Myranda’s Child and Family FoundationScholarship has supported a student’s tuition expenses at Brehm School.

Myranda's Child and Family FoundationOne of our employees’ daughters had a stillborn baby, and her name wasMyranda. Myranda's mother did not have enough money to bury her baby. The baby had been born in Alabama, so the mother wrapped Myranda up, placed her in the backseat, and drove back to Southern Illinois. A "collection" was taken up by family members for the burial costs, and I wanted to create a giving arm of Walker’s Bluff to help other children. So, we called it Myranda'sChild and Family Foundation, so baby Myranda will always live on through allthese other children and families we can help. I understand there are so many kids who are not getting the help they need.

Brehm and Walker's Bluff Wine Harvesting

Last year, students from Brehm came to the Walker's Bluff vineyard for two days tolearn and help us harvest. I've heard that since this experience, a couple of them areprobably going to proceed with some kind of horticultural endeavors. The wine thatwe harvest is among the best. We were the first togrow a non-hybrid wine here in Southern Illinois,which we called Vinifera. We worked with the University of California Davis, which usedour soil samples to re-graft certain root stocks that would growhere. We then planted Sangiovese Barbera, Tempranillo,Pinot Grigio, and Albarino grapes.Our wine is sold in the Walker's BluffGeneral Store, as well as 20+ retail loca-tions, and our "Wine for a Cause" helps sup-port Brehm and a few other non-profits thathelp children.

2

WH

Y W

E G

IV

E

"Beforecoming to

Brehm, I wasseriously

negative and anti social. By my

second year at Brehm, I decided to cooperate

because the staff kept giving so much every single

day. I was further inspired bywinning last year’s Carey Marie

Walsh Scholarship. I learned all about Carey — she was a very

hard worker, and I am now workingharder because of her. I feel like a

changed person. I actually feel free for the first time."

— Jack B.

To learn how you can make

a scholarshipor join

othersin

funding a

scholarship,please contact

The Brehm SchoolFoundation today at

618.457.0371

“ C o a c h ” G r e g D o u g l a s :

"Coach" Gregory Douglas began his career at Brehm beforeconstruction started on the first building, when meetingsand plans were held at Denny’s Restaurant in Carbondale."Coach" recently announced his retirement after34 years as Director of Athletics and as a PE Teacher. Hemet his wife, Terri Douglas, Brehm Director of EducationalServices, at Brehm, and they were married in 2006.

Coach has endured multiple major surgeries in recent years,but he continues to recognize how physical fitness helpsoverall happiness, health, and recovery. He has taughtdecades of Brehm students about the important positivebenefits of being fit. A former runner, Coach says he walks,bikes, and stretches almost daily, and he also practices

yoga. "Mostly modified yoga that I taughtmyself,” he says. “I've used yoga in our PEclasses. I don't tell the kids it's yoga veryoften, but most of the time, I’ll show themthese stretches and tell them all the greatthings it's going to do for them.” His re-tirement plans include exercising "everyday of my life as long as I'm able,” volunteering, and spending more timewith his grandchildren and family.

3 s u m m e r 2 0 1 6

In honor of Coach’s longstanding career with Brehm and the impact he has made on 34 years of Brehm students and families, the Brehm School Foundation has established theGreg Douglas Honorary Scholarship Fund to help offset tuition costs for studentsat Brehm. Tax-deductible donations to the fund can be mailed to: Brehm School Foundation, 950 S. Brehm Lane, Carbondale, IL 62901, online at www.Brehm.org/Foundation, or call 618.457.0371.

Also in honor of Coach Douglas, the school gymnasium was dedicated and named “TheGreg ‘Coach’ Douglas” gym at a retirement celebration at Brehm on June 7th.

(above) A still active Coach today. (right) Coachworking with Brehm staff and students in 1982.

Sharing a Life

of Physicality

2016 B

Spring W

Celebra

"I was happy an

the Walsh Scho

real world skil

teaching me t

instead to us

my journalin

friends and

—

Brehm School’s Spring Parent & Fam

ily Weekend Dinner was held on

Saturday, April 9, 2016. Par

ents, students, staff, board m

embers, and guests

enjoyed an evening of festiv

ities, including a silent auctio

n, student awards,

recognition of donors and su

pporters, awarding of The Carey Marie Walsh

Scholarship, and a student t

alent show. Over two hundred atte

nded the

event held at the Student Ac

tivities Center.

2016 - 2017

Carey Marie Walsh

Memorial Scholarship

A L E G A C Y G I F T

To learn how you can make a memorial scholarship

for a loved one or join others in fun

ding an existing

scholarship, please contact The Brehm School

Foundation today at 618.457.03

71

(l-r) Rev. Stacy Tate, Charleen Walsh,

Colleen Walsh-Lang, and Dr. Brian Brown

Brehm

Weekend

ation!

nd shocked to win

olarship. I am learning

lls at Brehm that are

to not lash out, but

e strategies such as

ng and talking with

teachers.”

— Mags P. (holding open

book at right)

"I am so proud

that I wonthe Walsh

Scholarship.Brehm taught me

to see other peoples’perspective without

getting upset and to express my feelings the

right way. I am more patient, I now observe and can be calm.

I’ve discovered that I am now aleader and a role model for younger

students. Brehm helped me learn to love and care for myself and

others, which helps me be me!"— Annabel M.

6 s u m m e r 2 0 1 6

I come to work every morning thinking about how I can add value to our students and

families (as well as our expert staff). This is my focus because I’m passionate about en-

couraging growth in people. Plus, I have two sons who have experienced

speech delays.

Since this goal is bigger than me, I look for

partners who will invest in the lives of our

students and join me in adding value. No one

goes it alone. We all depend on others who share

our passion and focus.

Together, the Brehm School Foundation makes

an impact on Brehm and OPTIONS through

increasing the quality of our programs, building

the diversity of our student body, and making our

vision a reality. We make this happen by looking at how we can support our strategic

plans and add value beyond what the operations (tuition) of the school can fund. It’s

value that gives families funding so that their children can receive services that they

may not be able to afford otherwise. It’s value that gives staff the resources to improve

their skills. It’s value that provides students with the tools they need to succeed.

The value of investing in our students is

evident in the testimonies shared in this

newsletter. It is evident in our graduates who

walk across the gymnasium’s stage to receive a

high school diploma. It is evident in our

transitioning young adults who pursue

college degrees and vocations. I find no other

endeavor more rewarding than adding value

to students and the staff who work together to overcome learning challenges. Its an

investment that is well worth it’s return.

Give me a call, or send me an email if you are ready to invest or you would like to hear

more about the value of your investment in Brehm School and OPTIONS. Thank you!

With Gratitude,

Russ

Contact Russell Williams, Director of Brehm Foundation, at618.457.0371 or Russell.Williams@brehm.org, to discuss howyou can make an impact through charitable giving.

“I struggledwith my ADHD

before Brehm and OPTIONS.

They helped me discoverstrategies that make me

happier and proud to have accomplished what I have. I am

now working at Lowe's and I love helping the customers!”

— Anna H.

Brehm School Foundation Model

The Value of Your Investment

7

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Make a safe and secure online donation 24/7 (one-time or recurring) atBrehm.org/foundation or ExperienceOPTIONS.org/foundation.

Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express accepted.Please visit us today!

The Gift of Education and IndependenceBrehm School Foundation | 950 S. Brehm Lane

Carbondale, IL 62901 | 618.457.0371

It’s a longstanding tradition for the

senior class to make a purchase that

will benefit future Brehm students.

This swingset is the 2016 Senior Gift.

www.Brehm.org www.ExperienceOptions.org

The 5 activities we practice to add significant value to our students, staff, families, alumni, and community. Thank you for your generosity and support.

Find out how you can make a difference in young lives today by contacting the Foundation at 618.457.0371 or

foundationinfo@brehm.org

Be Genuine

Receive gratefully

Encourage giving

Help generously

Motivate growth

OPTIONS FALL FAMILY DINNER EVENTFri., October 14th

Inviting OPTIONS families, students, staff, alumni, and alumni families.

Brehm School Student Activities CenterHosted by the Brehm School Foundation

For more information, contact Melissa Gerros, Foundation Associate, at melissa.gerros@brehm.org.

BREHM SCHOOL FALL PARENTS & FAMILY WEEKENDFri. and Sat., October 28th and 29th

Parents-Teacher Conferences on Friday and Saturday.

Saturday Evening Dinner Event at 6:00 pm. Alumni are invited.

For more information, contact Charity Finley, Director of Communications, at charity.finley@brehm.org.

BREHM SUMMER SCENARIOSAcademics • Adventures • Social Awareness

June 26 - July 23

An immersive summer learning experience for students with learning disabilities, ages 12 - 18. Register Now!

To learn more, call 618.457.0371, visit Summer.Brehm.org or email admissionsinfo@brehm.org

S a v e t h e D a t e s