Knights Of Columbus

Consistent supporters of Peak Community Services, the Winamac Knights
of Columbus, represented by Bill Wojtyska and Jerry Zielinski, present a donation to Timer Funk, Debbie Girton and Kim Latta.

Their donation supports both the Winamac Work Services Program and the Winamac Activities Fund.

Dust Extractor Donation

In early 2006, a gift was made from the E. Merle Crowe Estate. The stipulation for the donation was that it benefit directly the consumers receiving support services.

At that time, a decision was made to purchase a dust extractor to keep the air clean while the shredding machine (still just a plan at that time) was running.

The extractor has been purchased and is in use at the new Document Destruction location.

A Step Ahead In Safety

For quite some time Peak Community Services has discussed the possibility of getting defibrillators for both Work Services divisions.

A defibrillator (AED) is a medical device designed to deliver an electric shock to the patient. The intent is to stop the heart in the hope that the heart will restart with rhythmic contractions.

The purpose of having a defibrillator on-site is to protect the men and women who work in the workshop.

Individuals with developmental disabilities tend to remain employed for decades, and many of these individuals are in their 50s, 60s and 70s. They may have fragile physical conditions as well as developmental disabilities, and to add age as a factor makes it more important that we have this devise near at hand.

One of the agency’s most ardent supporters decided to do something about this need.

Betty Lewis, who has for several years commissioned an Amish Quilt for auction, decided to use the funds developed this year for the defibrillator for Work Services at the Logansport location.

Betty not only commissioned the quilt for auction, but she and husband Ed purchased the quilt at the auction.

Thinking this was not enough, she approached family and friends and asked that they donate to the cause as well.

They came through, and through this very generous gesture and a match from the agency, we now have defibrillators at both locations.

The units were mounted in July, and staff members are currently being trained in the appropriate use.

Thank you, Betty, Ed, family and friends!

Document Destruction Program

Peak Community Services was the recipient of an Indiana Department of Environmental Management (IDEM) grant in 2006. This grant was provided to purchase paper shredding and baling equipment.

Identity theft and privacy are growing concerns with customers and employees. Document destruction is a simple and cost effective means to ensure the protection of trade information and personal documentation.

Businesses and individuals who use our services will see the following benefits.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT: This service will provide valuable work for adults with developmental disabilities.

COST EFFECTIVENESS: Our pricing system is competitive with other shredding services.

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY: Using in-plant shredding services will eliminate noise and air pollution created by mobile shredding units.

COST SAVINGS: The costs businesses would incur from buying equipment, along with paying employees to complete the destruction process, would be extensive.

SECURITY: All destruction methods comply with FACTA regulations. Our methods of collecting, transporting and destroying materials meets the highest of industry standards.

TIME: In 30 minutes, we can destroy documents that would take other employees a full workday to destroy.

The service can handle mixed office paper with one destruction device, and cardboard containers with another.

Contact Tina Foust for quotations and information.

(574) 753-4104 ext 200

shredding@peakcommunity.com

Bequest Benefits Peak Community Services Foundation

The funds were delivered by Mike Rose of National City this spring.

While the Foundation got off to a good start with the first fundraiser in November 2006, most of the funds raised are in the form of pledges. This was the first significant amount of cash to go into the coffers to prepare the Foundation to provide services.

Jim Baker Continues As Civic Player

Once again, thespian Jim Baker makes a star turn in a local theatrical production. Jim played two roles in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

He played an Ishmaelite leading a camel, and he also had a dance spot in a disco number. For that number and costume (not shown here), the cast named him Go Go Jim.

National City has been a consistent supporter of human service programs in this community.

One charity they enjoy is to support services for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This spring they provided a generous check for use by the Peak Community Services Foundation.

Pictured here are Larry Beach and Don Weikle of the Foundation; Tammy Helvie and Tina Granson of National City; Linda Leasure and Janet Thomson of the Foundation; and Josh Gordon of National City.

Values Statements for Service

Respect

Each consumer is a valued person.

We will support each person as he or she reaches for their dreams.

Consumers are to be treated with dignity.

Interactions are to be appropriate for the chronological age of the person served.

Inherent in respecting the individual is a respect for the diverse backgrounds, cultures, and values with which each person enriches our organization.

Inclusion

Persons served are to be given the opportunity to work, live, and recreate in settings where a majority of the participants are persons without disabilities.

The level of inclusion the person wishes to experience is a decision to be made solely by that person.

Individuals will vary in the level of inclusion with which they are comfortable.

The level of inclusion may change over time, and services and supports are to reflect the current level of inclusion chosen by the person served.

Choice

Persons who choose Peak Community Services have choices open to them in relation to work, living, and recreation programs and settings.

Every person is assumed to have the capability of living and working independently, the degree of independence realized is the choice of the person served.

The choice of the person concerning their level of involvement, location of services and supports, staff, and other factors will be honored to the extent feasible within the rules, regulations, and standards by which the organization must operate.

Equality

Persons who choose Peak Community Services are equal partners with staff as they pursue their dreams.

Staff interactions, choices offered, and the way services and supports are provided are to be conducted on the basis of equal partners working together to achieve the dreams of the person served.

Opportunities

Each individual who chooses Peak Community Services shall be provided with the option of selecting real opportunities for personal growth and self-expression.

Paid work, integrated settings, typical routines and tasks are all a part of offering the person served real experiences that enable the person to realize their dreams.

Values Statements for Staff

We value what we have to share with one another, the lessons we can learn from one another and the interactions we have with one another and with those we serve on a daily basis.

We demonstrate this value by sharing ideas, interacting with one another in a positive and respectful manner, and by using the various tools of communication provided by the agency to achieve and enhance the agency’s mission.

Learning

We believe that everyone who chooses our services has the ability to become residentially and vocationally independent.

We believe that every person who joins this organization is committed to doing the best job possible.

We believe that every staff person will learn new skills, use new technology, and further their knowledge in ways that will enable the achievement of our mission.

In creating a learning environment, we believe that those who provide services learn as much as those to whom they are provided.

We demonstrate our commitment to learning by supporting choice, taking reasonable risks, sharing what we learn, and supporting one another in making new choices and traveling new paths.

Partnership

We are committed to the concept of working with one another as equal partners.

We will respect the dignity, privacy, and rights of those we support as well as those with whom we work.

We will seek to support the achievements of all consumers and the goals and achievements of all who work here.

We will honor the individuality of everyone that is a part of this organization while working together to achieve the personal goals of those served and the organizational goals of Peak Community Services.

We demonstrate this value by working as equals with those who chose our services.

We demonstrate this value by doing things with the consumers as opposed to doing things for or to them.

Friendship

We believe that the work environment should be one that encourages friendships between those who work here and those who choose our services.

We believe that the most positive and productive work environment is created when friends work together.

By creating an atmosphere of friendship, we believe that differences of opinion can be dealt with in a more positive way as we encourage a diversity of approaches to our daily activities.

It’s the Person

We are a human service business. We are here for the purpose of creating opportunities and supporting success for people with disabilities.

The focus of our organization is on the people who choose our services balanced with good business practices that allow the people served to achieve their goals while the agency thrives and grows.

We put the person before any disability in our language, in our expectations, and in the opportunities we offer.