life works newsletter #5

7/31/2019 Life Works Newsletter #5

1/11

Volume #5 June 2012

Mission StatementLife Works provides

comprehensive supports for

persons with developmental

disabilities to live real lives in

homes of their own. The

primary focus of Life Works is

to support all people to create

full rich lives that reflect

personal choice across home

and community environments.

Calendar of Events

www.lifeworks-sls.com

June 25th

Norman Kunc

@ CSA 3590 Camino Del Rio North #221

San Diego, CA 92108

June 26th @ 6pm

URBN Coal Fire Pizza

3085 University Avenue

San Diego, CA 92104

Book Signing

Intentional Teaming: Shifting

Organizational Culture

Beth Gallagher & Kirk Hinkleman


2/11

Intentional Teaming:

Shifting Organizational Culture

by Beth Gallagher and Kirk Hinkleman

We are proud to announce the release of our first book, Intentional

Teaming: Shifting Organizational Culture. At its core, Intentional Teaming

is the mindful practice of building sustainable support systems through

fostering values-based partnerships. We are mindful about every aspect of a

team, from the inception to the daily functioning. We examine what works

as well as, and perhaps even more deliberately, what doesnt work and we

dont identify a conclusion of a team, because in this work, a team is neverdone.

The supports we provide are varied, diverse and different for each and

every person with whom we partner. People do not come in neat packages;

rather, they are all fluid and changing individuals. Thus, the teams built

around individuals are in a constant state of challenge and pursuit of what

comes next. We navigate life together with people using a strong

interdependence of the team as a whole.

We feel passionately about these issues, about people. We believe that

all people deserve and have the right to live fully inclusive, self-determined

lives in the community. With over 40 years of experience combined in the

human services field, we consider this book a narrative of our history.

While this is a synopsis of what we live, breathe and believe, we understand

that there are as many theories related to support systems as there aretheorists. We want to share our philosophy because it seems to be successful

for all of the stakeholders involved.

This project would not have been possible without the love and

support of our families, friends and our extended Life Works family.


3/11

You all have been tremendous supports to our adventure in literaryexpression over the past two years and words cannot express how grateful

we are for this. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!

Are you with us? Are you willing to explore a different way, a more

interdependent way to support people discover, nurture and realize a vibrant

and fully participatory life in the community? We want to help people

engage in exciting and enriching ways that benefit not only that individual,

but every member of the intentional team, and the community itself. The

journey is different for every person we support so what we do is always

dynamic, creative and challenging.

If this sounds good to you, then come with us!

With much love,

Beth and Kirk


4/11


5/11

Team Highlight

Team Tim & Jamie

In#April#27th,#Jamie#fell#while#in#a#parking#lot#while#getting#

out#of#the#car.##She#ended#up#breaking#her#left#arm#in#two#different#

places.##They#were#total#breaks,#compound#fractures,#and#very#

painful.##We#bring#this#incident#up#to#applaud#the#team#for#their#

support#from#the#moment#the#incident#took#place#and#throughout#

the#subsequent#hospital#stay,#surgery#and#current#recovery.##

Everyone#communicated#efficiently#and#thoroughly#with#each#

other.##Everyone#was#professional,#respectful#and#diligent#in#their#

dealings#with#others#involved#throughout#the#ordeal.##Each#

member#of#the#team#supported#both#Jamie#and#Tim,#who#was#a#

wonderful#support#to#his#wife,#with#grace,#compassion#and#dignity.##

You#all#supported#each#other#with#integrity,#collaboration#and#

heart.##True#teamwork!!##We#commend#Team#Tim#Jamie#for#their#

commitment#to#providing#quality#supports.##Well#done!!#In#the#

words#of#Tim#and#Jamie#

You$all$rock!$


6/11

Joaquin and Paul at the

Memorial Day

Gathering in Jamul

Tami preparing to do

some serious Karaoke

on the wedding cruise

Nick, Tim and

Kristina hanging out

at Lake Poway!

Teddy and Jeremy

hanging out in

New York City


7/11

Beth and Deb advocating

for SLS at Lanterman

Developmental Center

James and Kristen

having lunch

Tami, Rosanne and Violet

The collaborations own Kirk

and Sandy after they rode 106

miles. We are so proud of them!

Nick and Jessica are Engaged!!


8/11

Pam and Jamie

Nick, Kristina and Heather

Ieasha, Henry and Lamika

San Diego Padre Game


9/11

I visited Angkor Wat at Cambodia with my father in February. It was a

wonderful trip. However, a visit to an orphanage shocked me hard.

In that orphanage, I met many children of landmine victims. I found in

Internet that over 63,500 landmine and ERW (Explosive Remnants of

War) casualties have been recorded in Cambodia since 1979.

Those kids had to live in the orphanage because their parents got killed

by landmine.

They sleep in their classroom. Angelina Jolie andPrincess Diana visit the orphanage for helping those kids.

I was really sad seeing them. I made donation by buying some artworks

made by them. Many amputees are playing musical instrument along

streets. I also gave them one dollar every time I saw them.

I felt lucky for not living in a dangerous place like that. I wish Icould helpthose kids more.

By: Henry Liang


10/11

A Joyful Procession: How to Stay Upbeat in Social Services

By Joy Boe

In 2008 I went to New Orleans to volunteer with a non-profit called V-day founded by the

feminist writer and performer Eve Ensler. The event was titled V10, which celebrated ten

years of international activism to end violence against women and girls. The organization

chose to spotlight New Orleans for the celebration, honoring its strength and resilience

following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

That weekend, with the help of about 800 volunteers like myself, the once destroyed

superdome transformed into a superlove occasion! Over 30,000 people attended, including

over a thousand displaced women from different states. The arena was reborn into a placeto heal, gather, celebrate and activate.

My experience that weekend will stay with me forever. I heard stories from people who

lost their family members, lovers or friends. Some people who lost their homes were still

living in tents under bridges. Seeing the faces of those who took shelter in the superdome

during the flood, who were then reunited with those memories was traumatizing and

uplifting all at once.

On my second day there, during my commute from the hotel to the dome (about a 15minute walk) something magical happened. The noise of what sounded like a hundred

trumpets came up from behind me. I found myself right in the middle of a parade! Not a

typical line of floats and banners, but what looked like an impromptu stomp of people

from the neighborhood, all bouncing around together and clapping. Some people were

playing instruments or had parasols, other people were just walking and smiling. People

started coming out of their homes and joining in before even asking, what are we

celebrating?


11/11

I come to understand this joyful procession is a tradition in Nola, and is sometimes

called a jazz funeral without a body. The beginning section of the parade is

reserved for the brass band, followed by the "second line which is pretty much an

invitation for crowd participation for anyone who can keep up! Its a spontaneous

community party that shakes you up, makes you live in the moment and lookaround.

I love that in the midst of bandaged, moldy windows, in a city that has been through

the absolute worst, those who have survived are still greeting their neighbors and

joining in, just happy to be included. Loyal and unwavering, their spirits are a

buoyant tether and I realize (with absurdity) that I may be furthest from a song in my

heart on days that dont even come close to comparison.

In the field of disability awareness, I think we can all agree asteachers/citizens/parents and family members, things are not always easy. In fact,

they rarely are! We are operating off an already tight budget, in a state submerged in

a financial deficit. We think on our feet, we work long hours, we are always trying to

ask the next best question. Every day we care deeply about the quality of life available

to others, and strive to facilitate sustainable connections. This can be daunting, and at

times we get lost in the process and forget how to slow down and celebrate the

smaller joys in life.

The New Orleans processions remind me that I dont have to be the bandleader andthe audience, or have everything planned out in advance. I just have to walk

alongside my co-workers and community and do my best, as part of a moving

awareness that is building up and getting better. Our alliance to stay positive will

attract others to come out of their comfort zones and not just wonder what type of

work we are doing, but better yet jump in and then ask:

What are we celebrating?

life works newsletter #5

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