The Members’ Perspective

February 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

Getting Things Done:

 

 

Two members this month are being recognized for their contributions to Team Tennessee.  These are unsolicited submissions from their coworkers or supervisors and they deserve a shout out for their hard work.  Way to go Ben and Reuben!

 

SPOTLIGHT ON BEN SCHLECHTER

 

Benjamin Schlechter is a native East Tennessean, who graduated from Jefferson County High School in 1998.  He then attended Walters State Community College studying Psychology and transferred to Carson-Newman College, where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in applied psychology w/a concentration in Gerontology.  While doing a job hunt for beyond graduation, he came upon a flyer for AmeriCorps at the Post office at CNC.  He recognized that it was fellow alumnus, Evonne Bennett, who placed the flyers around campus.  He realized doing national service this would help him gain more experience in the field of working with the elderly and disabled population.  After completing his first term at Newport Housing Authority, he earned the educational award, which was used partly to pay a student loan from college with the rest being used for tuition in graduate school.  Currently, Ben is enrolled on a part-time basis in the distance learning program at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, NC, but doing the coursework online.  Ben is studying Gerontology and hopes to earn a M.H.S. (Masters of Health Science) degree.  He is serving a second term at Newport Housing Authority as an alumni member.  Once his Community Cares term is over, he is looking at becoming a VISTA or serving in another Corps.  Ben’s goal is eventually to gain a position within a social services agency or health care facility as a counselor or case manager working with seniors and disabled.  Hats off to Ben Schlechter – one super member!!! 

-Mary Young

 

The Erwin Housing Authority is a new AmeriCorps member in the Community Cares Program.  Reuben Farrey was welcomed in January and is serving the elderly and disabled for the Erwin Community.  The residents are very glad to have his help.

 

Reuben has been calling on elderly and disabled residents, running errands, taking out garbage, cleaning out refrigerators, and other similar tasks. He has set up a schedule and residents look forward to his visits with them.

 

The staff at Erwin Housing Authority has also appreciated his help.  Reuben has an excellent knowledge of computers and is great with people.  Reuben has been taking college courses in criminology and is an experienced Youth Minister at his church.  He has also received Community Cares assistance  from his wife, Elly Farrey who serves the Johnson City housing authority, and we are very lucky to have her experience as well. They are expecting their second child in April and everyone is excited for them!

 

Thanks again,

 

 

Lori H. Rice

Executive Director

Erwin Housing Authority

 

Please turn in any submissions for this column to Ellnrf@hotmail.com

 

 

 

 

Hello from Tullahoma, TN

 

We have been in service for one month and we are excited about the road ahead of us.  The residents have nicknamed us the “new girls.”  We have been meeting our clients and getting to know them on a personal basis.  Roberta and I are both residents of housing and never realized how great the elderly and handicapped population is.  Some residents have many needs and some have few but they have welcomed us into their homes.  We have met residents that just like having a new friend to spend time with.

We have the best site supervisor.  Mary Phillips, who stands behind us and gives us her 100% support as we get our feet wet and she sometimes jumps right in with us to work as we do.

We are receiving input from our clients that hopefully will become new programs for our residents to enjoy together.  The children from one of our site made Valentines that we hand-delivered to our elderly complex.

We have a lot going at Tullahoma housing, too much to mention this first article, but we wanted to let other Community Cares members know how much we enjoy what we are doing here.  We look forward to meeting other Community Cares members at the Regional Team Meeting in March.

 

“Success is not built on what we accomplish for ourselves.  Its foundation lies in what we do for others.” –Danny Thomas

-Lydia Dodson and Roberta Ross

Tullahoma, TN Community Cares

 

 

 

Happy Birthday!

 

February: Emily Davis, 2/11

Holly Tallman, 2/28

March: Betty Long, 3/3; or as Evonne calls her, “B-Boppin Betty the BOMB” serving at

Maryville Housing Authority.  She is a TCAC alumnus in her second year of

Service.

Betty and Evonne 2006

 

 

 

I'm Fine - How are you?


 

There's nothing the matter with me,
I'm just as healthy as can be,
I have arthritis in both knees,
And when I talk, I talk with a wheeze.
My pulse is weak, my blood is thin,
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

All my teeth have had to come out,
  And my diet I hate to think about.
I'm overweight and I can't get thin,
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.
 
And arch supports I need for my feet.
Or I wouldn't be able to go out in the street.
Sleep is denied me night after night,
But every morning I find I'm all right.
My memory's failing, my head's in a spin.
But I'm awfully well for the shape I'm in.

Old age is golden I've heard it said,
But sometimes I wonder, as I go to bed.
With my ears in a drawer, my teeth in a cup,
And my glasses on a shelf, until I get up.
And when sleep dims my eyes, I say to myself,
Is there anything else I should lay on the shelf?

The reason I know my Youth has been spent,
Is my get-up-and-go has got-up-and-went!
But really I don't mind, when I think with a grin,
Of all the places my get-up has been.

I get up each morning and dust off my wits,
Pick up the paper and read the obits.
If my name is missing, I'm therefore not dead,
So I eat a good breakfast and jump back into bed.
 
The moral of this as the tale unfolds,
Is that for you and me, who are growing old.
It is better to say "I'm fine" with a grin,
Than to let people know the shape we are in.

I AM FINE HOW ARE YOU?