New Danville - New Danville

The Social Club is back in business

It’s baaaaaccccck…and no one could be happier than the Wranglers. The Social Club is back in business, taking two social excursions per month so Wranglers can take in pizza, movies, mall trips or dining out. But, the Club is not just about having fun, enjoying each other’s company, eating yummy food, laughing, and all that good stuff. “The Wranglers get to showcase their independence as individuals,” said Jennifer Mauboules, who now runs the program.

2020 threw a wrench in the works of the Social Club’s plans, but the long-standing tradition has been re-engaged under new leadership after the retirement of Sherry Franklin who ran the program for years. Jennifer put a notice on the lunchroom wall at noon and by close of business the same day, all the seats for the upcoming trip were filled, she said. Of course, if a Wrangler cannot get a seat on New Danville transportation, they can have their parent/guardian provide transportation to and from the meeting place.

The group meets twice a month. As with everything at New Danville, the empowerment of the Wranglers is paramount. “They get to apply everything they’ve learned in day habilitation programs, under the guidance of staff. It helps us see other areas that we can help them learn and develop.”

Wranglers don’t attend all the activities, thus a range of offerings. Many will find the trips they like and learn how to save money for the excursion. “They learn how to save and budget, how to pay for their purchases, how to tip and so much more,” Jennifer added.

If you would like more information about the Social Club, contact Jennifer at Jennifer.Mauboules@NewDanville.org.

In the News – July 2021

News from local media and external sources, please follow the links to read the entire articles:

“Play a Round for the Wranglers” Golf Event Scores an Ace: New Danville’s first annual golf tournament was a resounding success and a good time was had by all.

Madalyn Cooke Legacy in Education Continues: Walter Cooke visited New Danville to see the benefits of the technology purchased with a gift from the Madalyn Cooke Foundation.

“The Pallet Lady” Retires from New Danville: After 14 years of service, Sherry Franklin has retired.

Sherry Franklin with the Charbonneau Family

Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better

Eva Aguirre, president and CEO of New Danville nonprofit

“Smiling faces make you happy, and good news makes you feel better.” Proverbs 15:30

Dear Friends, Families, and Supporters:

As I was searching for an appropriate quote to introduce my message of “good news,” I came upon the above from Proverbs as the perfect introduction.

New Danville is full of smiling faces. The daily joy, laughter, and raucous energy is intoxicating and uplifting. It is truly joyous to see more and more of our Wranglers returning to the program, as well as several new faces that have come on board.

And now for the good news: With the worst of COVID in the rearview mirror, life at New Danville is returning to normal. Gone are the days of extreme social distancing and canceled community outings. Not to say that we have thrown caution to the wind, we continue to implement smart safety and personal hygiene practices, but at least we have begun to introduce more community-based activities and events. One exciting new activity during the month of June and July is the introduction of our weekly fishing class. Thanks to a new relationship with Ranger Oilfield Products, which is located about a mile away, we are able to enjoy their beautiful, fully stocked fish pond for a day of fun. We are so appreciative of their generosity and support of our Wranglers and our program. Likewise, we will soon be having a ribbon-cutting ceremony for our new building donated by Charbonneau Industries. The building will be our new pallet production center. Thanks to this partnership with Charbonneau Industries, we have been able to employ six of our clients for almost two years. The value of work can never be underestimated and our new partners are making a world of difference for our agency and our pallet workers. We’d love to see you at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new production center. (The event announcement is in the “Upcoming Events” section of this newsletter.)

On other program news, the large brown cabin has been turned into a computer lab! Thanks to the generosity of the Madalyn Cooke Foundation we were able to purchase the needed laptops and tablets to kick off this expanded program. Likewise, the pantry in the cabin that supports our residents has been expanded with more variety, thanks to a new partnership with the Willis TLC Food Pantry. Our residents in need not only have access to hygiene and cleaning products, but we have been able to add non-perishable foods to help them stretch their food budget.

Lastly, our first-ever golf tournament, Play a Round for the Wranglers, was a huge success. We are so thankful for all of the hard work of the event committee, and the support of the sponsors, participants, and volunteers. They truly hit a hole-in-one, netting about $115,000!

Thank you for your continued support. Stay tuned for more smiling faces and good news.

How did a birdhouse become a bowling ball?

How did a birdhouse become a bowling ball? The answer is in this Wrangler’s Tale.

Eric has been a resident at Meadowbrook, the residential part of New Danville, for many years. He’s quite busy, watching over the chickens and goats, assembling pallets, working in the woodshop, and participating in outings, like bowling. And that is how a birdhouse becomes a bowling ball.

In the woodshop, Eric created a birdhouse that he entered into the art and craft competition at the Montgomery County Rodeo and Fair. He won an award for his entry, and with the award came a cash prize. On one of the regular bowling excursions that our Wranglers participate in, he set his eye on a new bowling ball. He proudly proclaims, “The award money is how I bought the ball.”
As he continues to get accustomed to his new, flashy bowling ball, his scores are creeping higher and higher, which he enjoys sharing the latest of in between his many chores and activities.

Pallets, Pallets, Pallets!

Charbonneau Industries approached New Danville in 2019 with an idea: hire Wranglers to assemble pallets for them. The company needs pallets for the shipping of its products in the oil and gas industry. More than 4,500 pallets later, the program has been so successful that we are looking at other opportunities to do the same. Thank you, Charbonneau Industries!

Luke Charbonneau said, “The US Oil & Gas Industry is very generous and innovative. At Ci, we found an innovative way to spread generosity and give back to our community. We designed pallet patterns and a work plan for the New Danville team that complemented their fabulously unique capabilities. The New Danville team is part of our supply chain for those pallets. It is our responsibility to find ways to reach out and be supportive and create mutually beneficial partnerships in our communities.”

Sherry Franklin, the Direct Support Professional who oversees the pallet-making project, uses the word “exciting” many times when describing what she has seen develop since the inception of the program. The Wranglers were excited, and remain so, about being able to produce something that generates wages for them and revenue for New Danville; they are excited when a new team member is added to be trained on the processes of producing pallets – there are seven members on the crew now; and, they are excited about moving into the new building that Charbonneau Industries built on-site to increase our project capacity.

“One of the greatest things is to see the Wranglers’ feelings of independence and the confidence they gain by being part of something like this,” Franklin said.

Upcoming Events – June 2021

JUNE 01
A new semester began on June 1st, offering a wide range of classes to choose from, including some new ones: aquaponics, Who Done It?, Let’s Craft, Catch and Release, Mall Walking, Life Hacks, and Small Animal Care.

JUNE 21 & JUNE 22
Family meetings will re-start in June! June 21 and 22. Watch your inbox for details on how to register. We look forward to getting together again, share news and listen to what you have on your mind.

Reminder: Our Holiday Schedule can be found here: newdanville.org/holidays

I got married twice. On the same day.

Nicole Martinez, Program Coordinator
I got married twice. On the same day. I did it because I wanted all my friends to be part of my special day, and my friends are the Wranglers of New Danville. My then-fiancé suggested we have two weddings because he could tell something about our wedding plans that was bothering me. Who would have thought that a receptionist job in a field that I had never been in before would affect me so? Not me, that’s for sure. But, it has.

Because of a forced career change, I sought the help of a temp agency to find a job. I received a call after my interview with the agency rep; she called me while I was still in the parking lot after the interview. She said that she felt I should check out a receptionist position at New Danville. “Look them up before you go,” she said. I did. I saw a photo of Seth, one of the Wranglers, and I was moved. I had never heard of New Danville and when I arrived for my interview, I thought “Is that a barn?” The environment here is wonderful.
I was turned down for the job, actually. The then-CEO thought the job would not challenge me enough. But before I made it back to my car…I decided. I returned and told her that I wanted the job and that I would do the best I could. My heart told me I wanted this job, and one of the pleasures of the job is having a team of people who have that heart, too. Together we provide a safe place where the Wranglers can be themselves.

I don’t just enjoy my work. I am “in joy” working here. It seems like everyone is. And that is why I had two weddings.
My friends, the Wranglers, knew about my wedding. They asked for invitations. I couldn’t not invite them, but the regular wedding would not provide them the specialness that they give me all the time. So, with my fiancé’s support, we held a wedding at New Danville. My makeup stylist agreed to do the bridesmaid’s makeup, everyone got invitations and learned how to RSVP, they got dressed up for the day, one Wrangler gave me away, Wranglers served as ushers and groomsmen and maids of honor…we even had our own version of “Say Yes to the Dress” when I took some of the girls with me to pick out the dress. I had so much support from vendors and services. My friends here do so much for me every day that I had to do something special for, and with them.
My wedding is a love story unlike most. Not only the love story of my husband and me, but also the love story of me and my New Danville friends.

Nicole Martinez joined New Danville in October 2016. She quickly gained new responsibilities and now leads our day programs, known as day habilitation.

Kristen’s spirit

Her favorite miniature horse at New Danville is named Perfection. The name closely matches Kristen’s spirit. A resident at Meadowbrook since its opening in 2010, she first became familiar with our little community in Willis when she began attending the day programs in 2009. A few minutes with Kristen, her toy horse Brownie, and her mom Connie shed light on life in Meadowbrook.

Kristen learned about horseback riding thanks to some of the people her dad knew early in his career. Her love of horses was just one of the attractions for her to New Danville. “As soon as I saw Perfection, I felt connected to him. And him to me, too,” she added with a smile. She and another New Danville resident ride horses at a stable in Magnolia once a week.

While holding her toy horse, Brownie, Kristen said the top reasons she likes living here are the ability to walk to the day programs and the ability to see Perfection whenever she wants. Connie added, “I believe what she is getting at is that living here gives her a sense of independence while feeling safe, secure, and happy.”

Kristen laughs by adding, “A swimming pool would be a nice addition, too.”

Connie, who volunteers with Legally Authorized Representative Alliance (LARA), a group of people who support New Danville and the Wranglers, smiled her affirmation. “I’m glad that the plans including adding more for the Wranglers to do on evenings and weekends. That will be nice.”

Hopefully, Kristen will have some new neighbors in the not-too-distant future.

New Danville’s leadership has undertaken a three-year capital initiative that will bring new residences, a recreational facility, assisted living options, and a variety of other enhancements to the campus and for the programs. For more information on how to support the Wranglers, contact Dion McInnis, Development Director at either Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org or 936-253-5757 x 1008.

No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks

“No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks.”
James Allen

A little over a year ago the world changed. It changed for all of us, and it changed for New Danville. The fear of the uncertainty and how it would affect those we serve and our agency at times became overwhelming.

Knowing what an important role our agency plays in the lives of so many, yet not knowing if it would continue to exist. And yet, here we are today: standing strong for our clients, our families, and our community.

And so, it is time to return thanks and say “Thank You” to all of you. Thank you to all of you for your emotional support and prayers that gave us the drive to not give up; to all of you that assisted with financial donations that helped us “keep the lights on.”; to all of you that brought care packages to our residents keeping their spirits high; and, to our volunteers at Jazzy Junque that rolled up their sleeves to keep our store open. Thanks to the generosity of our New Danville family and our community, we are beginning to make plans for an even brighter future.

I look forward to all of you joining us in our journey.

We look forward to keeping all of you informed through our new monthly newsletter.

Introducing Dion McInnis

New Danville has 2020 vision, that is, a clear view of the future thanks to the challenges and successes of 2020. One of the clear needs to be met was that of hiring New Danville’s first-ever development director. Dion McInnis joined the team on March 17.

“We did well in 2020, despite the challenges the year brought us,” New Danville’s President and CEO Eva Aguirre said. “From it, we saw the need to become even stronger in the areas of branding, marketing and fundraising. I am very pleased that our board approved the hiring of our first-ever development director. We are fortunate to have found someone with extensive experience, an empathetic heart and storytelling prowess to create a robust fundraising and marketing office for us.”

Dion McInnis brought with him decades of experience in the areas of fundraising, community and alumni relations, publications and public relations, communications and more for universities, a museum and a national health organization. Also a lifelong writer and photographer, he said, “I have always strived to celebrate and empower others in my vocational and avocational pursuits. New Danville’s motto of ‘Live, Learn, Work, Grow’ captured my attention immediately. I look forward to celebrating everyone involved with New Danville’s programs in myriad ways and to garner increased support to help provide programs and services to our Wranglers.”

Eva highlighted the many successful fundraising events New Danville has had over the years and the focused work of the dedicated board. “We have had much success and look forward to the future with the seeds that our team, volunteers and board leaders have planted for us over the 16 years New Danville has been in service.

We are pleased to introduce Live, Learn, Work and Grow: Wisdom from Under the Windmill, an inspiring, motivational, immediately useable presentation by Dion McInnis, development director.

Bring this to your organization, association, business or group; everyone’s life can be better with the 15 nuggets of wisdom for living discovered at New Danville.

Contact Dion at Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to book the presentation for your event.

From farm to table…well, almost

From farm to table…well, almost. New Danville Wranglers have been busy growing various vegetables in the recently re-started aquaponics program. The “Freeze of 2021” took a toll on the fish used in the program (luckily the plants were fine!), even though they were in our heated greenhouse. Our operation is back in business, and one of the first products to make it to market is basil that is grown here. We sell the basil at our re-sale store, Jazzy Junque that is located in the south end of Outlets at Conroe. Store staff members tell us that the basil sells fast! We look forward to making more of our herbs and vegetables available as the program expands.

“Farm to table” usually refers to fruit and vegetables that are sold directly by the producer to the purchaser. With the rise of farmer’s markets and co-ops, the opportunities for consumers to buy fresh produce directly from the farmers are increasing.

Thanks to the volunteer efforts of many, spearheaded by Mike Bodmand, and the Montgomery County Master Gardeners (MCMG), New Danville was able to begin growing vegetables in an aquaponics set up in our greenhouse. MCMG’s aquaponics group was interested in expanding their skills, and setting up a near-commercial scale system in New Danville’s greenhouse provided a perfect opportunity.

We hope to be able to scale up enough with aquaponics and outdoor gardens sufficiently enough to attend nearby farmers’ markets in the future.

A special thanks to the MCMG Aquaponics Group construction crew for their time and talents: Mike Cooley, Fred Nash, Jason Hayes, Theresa Gunlock, Steven Lumbley, Ginny Bodman and Mike Bodman.

Computer classes are very popular at New Danville

Computer classes are very popular at New Danville, providing our Wranglers with basic computer skills, new ways to communicate and share guidance on social interactions, and much more. We love it when we hear, “Now my family will let me use the computer at home,” or, from someone who disliked math class, “Can we have more worksheets today?”

We’re going to have some more great news regarding the use of computers and iPads thanks to a recent contribution in an upcoming newsletter.

One of our Wranglers, Colt, said he likes best about the class is that he is learning how to type faster and now he has his own computer at home.
According to Direct Service Professional (DSP), Melissa Varney, she uses computers to pull up visual aids and lessons for almost all the classes she teaches, not just the basic computer skills class. “I have Wranglers who were unable to write their numbers but have now learned addition and subtraction…because I had a computer to help guide them. Before math class I was told ‘it is too hard I can’t do that… I don’t want to be in this class.’ Now when they come in they ask me ‘how many worksheets am I going to let them do.’ It is amazing.”