It's #GivingTuesday!
It's #GivingTuesday!

Are you ready for a new tradition?

Each year, we stuff ourselves with green bean casserole, turkey, cranberries, and pumpkin pie, watch football, and read the sale ads to prep for the next few days. We get up Friday (or maybe never go to sleep) and spend it in a flurry of malls. Saturday, we show some love to small business. Monday, we carve time out for some online shopping. And starting last year, many of us culminated the frenzy of Thanksgiving, Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday with Giving Tuesday. 

Read More
Teressa JacksonComment
2014 Imagine Awards Entertainer Announced
2014 Imagine Awards Entertainer Announced

The Rauch Foundation and Title Sponsor Horizon Wealth Management are thrilled to announce that the 2014 Imagine Awards will feature the talents of entertainer Sujeet Desai. An accomplished musician who was born with Down syndrome, Mr. Desai plays seven instruments: soprano and bass clarinet, alto saxophone, violin, trumpet, drums and piano. He graduated from high school with honors and completed a two-year residential post-secondary study in Music and Human Services at Berkshire Hills Music Academy in Massachusetts. Sujeet lives independently in his home in Niagara Falls, NY.

Read More
celebrations, eventsTeressa JacksonHorseshoe Southern IndianaImagine Awards, philanthropy, Sujeet Desai, disabilities, Horseshoe Southern Indiana, musicians, Special Olympics Comment
Celebrating Philanthropy
Celebrating Philanthropy

Today, I had the happy experience of being the guest of theHorseshoe Foundation of Floyd County at the Association of Fundraising Professionals Louisville Chapter's National Philanthropy Day Luncheon. It's an event that reminds you of the potential we all have within us to do good, make change, and give back. They honored a bevy of individuals and organizations who have devoted countless hours to the betterment of the greater Louisville community - a truly uplifting experience that puts your heart and mind in the right place.

Read More
celebrations, VolunteerismTeressa JacksonGalt House Eastphilanthropy, AFP, Association of Fundraising Professionals, National Philanthropy Day, Kevin Salwen, The Power of Half, disabilities, disability servicesComment
The Arc of Indiana & INARF Legislative & Critical Issues Forum
The Arc of Indiana & INARF Legislative & Critical Issues Forum

Today, Bettye (our CEO) and I attended The Arc of Indiana and INARF's Legislative & Critical Issues forum in Indianapolis. This annual gathering of disability service providers from across the state provides a time to look at data, trends, and legislation that is impacting or may impact our consumers. This is also a time to recognize a legislator who is doing good work to impact people with disabilities in Indiana.

We heard from Family & Social Services Administration Secretary Debra Minott and American Network of Community Options & Resources (ANCOR)'s liaison Diane McComb. Some food for thought we gained:  

Read More
nonprofits, celebrations, legislatorsTeressa JacksonCrane BayDisabilities, Disability Services, Indiana, State Representative, Awards, Honor, StatisticsComment
Finding Some Fuel
Finding Some Fuel

I'm so tired. My day started two hours ahead of usual, and ended over two hours later. It involved spending over seven hours in the car on a drizzly day. I came home tired to a messy house and the prospect of another day of long hours in the car ahead of me. So, understandably, I started to feel a little whiny (you might have noticed!).  

I decided I needed to do a little exercise (seeing as I had sat idle in meetings or the car nearly the whole day), and in the process, I took a step back. The part of my day which seemed like the biggest chore, the most mundane, the least interesting, was probably the most exciting and full of promise.

Read More
nonprofitsTeressa Jacksonvans, vehicles, grants, long daysComment
A Journey of Fellowship... and Food

Like all of us, the people Rauch serves have an array of interests, abilities, goals, and dreams. Staff members like Peggy Pinaire spend their days helping these individuals on their journey of expanding those abilities, enjoying these interests, and achieving their goals and dreams. Along this path, however, Peggy often finds that our clients give back just as much as they receive. 

Read More
nonprofits, VolunteerismTeressa JacksonMeals on Wheels, disability services, disabilities, elderly, homeboundComment
Interpreting from the Heart

I grew up in New Albany, and thought I was pretty familiar with Rauch when I came to work here. However, even with my knowledge of the agency and the community, there were some surprises. Probably the biggest one was that Rauch is one of only two American Sign Language interpreting agencies in the Louisville Metro area. Interpreting is our one program which serves both the Kentucky and Indiana side of the Ohio River. We are proud to help the members of the local Deaf community navigate school, medical needs, the legal system, the world of work, and more.  

We recently received this testimonial from one of our Interpreting clients, and it touched my heart. I just had to share, and am grateful to Debbie for letting us: 

Read More
nonprofits, deafTeressa JacksonRauch Interpreting Servicesinterpreting, success storyComment
Picture This...
Picture This...

I was struck by something almost right away when I came to work at Rauch - how much the people in our programs enjoy having their photos taken. Many times, if they spotted me with a camera, they would ask me to take their picture. They would remember for weeks and ask me to print them a copy of it. 

Most of the people we serve at Rauch aren't worried about their smile looking just right, sporting the latest fashions, or if the camera adds five or ten pounds to their frame. They take joy in the simple pleasure of having their image captured to keep for themselves or share with loved ones... something I've found to be incredibly refreshing.

Read More
photography, nonprofitsTeressa JacksonRauch, Inc.disability services, disabilities, photos, volunteersComment
John Finds Fulfillment in Work and Life Through Rauch Employment Services
John Finds Fulfillment in Work and Life Through Rauch Employment Services

(adapted from a story written by Pam Sinsel) 

Pam, a Rauch Supported Employment Consultant, first met John in late 2012. He was a very large fellow with piercing blue eyes and a somewhat disheveled appearance. He was very quiet and seemed guarded when speaking to her. At first glance, he appeared intimidating.

John wanted to work in food service. After several meetings and through setting small goals for him, his grooming improved. He became more trusting of Pam and began to share information about his interests and dreams, including that he enjoys photography and would like to eventually become a chef.

Read More
nonprofits, employmentTeressa JacksonRauch, Inc.disabilities, disability services, Vocational Rehabilitation, Bob Evans, jobs, interviews, success storyComment
A Grand Finale to Deaf Awareness Month

Rauch Interpreting Services is pleased to present renowned CODA (Child of Deaf Adults) Comedian Keith Wann of Clearwater, Florida, in recognition of Deaf Awareness Month.

 

 

 

Born with abundant energy and a penchant for mischief, Wann first learned about facial grammar when asked to interpret for his mother in the fourth grade. Upset at the constant interruptions and laughter, Wann’s teacher told his mother that her son was the class clown. Keith turned to his mother and signed, "Teacher says me good boy always!" Looking at the frowning teacher and back at the grinning child, Wann’s mother chose to finish the meeting with pen and paper. Keith had been fired from his first interpreting job.

Read More
comedians, celebrationsTeressa Jacksondeaf, comedian, comedy, ASL, American Sign Language, Deaf Awareness MonthComment
David's Birthday Celebration

David has a way with words. You never quite know what he's going to say, but you should be prepared that it might just melt your heart. Like the time he told me I looked tired (gee thanks) and that I "shouldn't work so much." Point taken. Or when he asked when their pool was going to be built. At the time, we weren't completely sure we were going to have enough funds to do so, and I told him that. His answer: "you should get somedonations." Point taken again (after all, that's my job!). One of my favorites, though, was when he spontaneously said to me when I was giving someone a tour of Rauch Industries,

Read More
nonprofits, partyTeressa Jacksondisability services, housing, birthdayComment