Category: GROW

Small Town Girl Grows at New Danville’s Small(er) Town

The axiom of “grow where you’re planted” would need to be changed for New Danville team member Jennifer Mauboules. She has not just grown, but flourished, and helped others to grow along the way.

She joined New Danville in September 2018 as a Direct Support Professional (DSP), coming from teaching in a private school, including pre-kindergarten and kindergarten. With 15 years teaching, she brought a spirit of live, learn, work and grow to her new role; she has brought it to all subsequent roles, too. There have been many.

Jennifer served as a DSP for a year, before moving into an administrative support role in which she began learning more about New Danville’s accounting systems thanks to the mentorship of Lisa Prochaska, Finance Manager. Less than six months later, the COVID lockdown began. She took up the offer of President and CEO, Eva Aguirre, to take a role at Jazzy Junque, the upscale home décor resale store that benefits New Danville, as creative solutions were used to bring employees back to work. “I was known as the ‘Doll Queen’ at the store,” Jennifer said, “because of my knowledge about dolls. I have a doll collection and know the best prices to sell them at.  I did all sorts of things at the store for several months.”  More growth was setting the stage for future roles.

She has managed the Social Club, Client Council and various other roles. About the only thing she hasn’t done is mow the grounds, though she admits to having offered to help there, too, just like she helps at church, the school she used to work at and other organizations. She is currently learning new skills for an expanded role that will help more with accounting, data and more.

“Jennifer has a gentle spirit of giving that makes her a wonderful asset to New Danville,” said Eva Aguirre, President and CEO. “Not only has she grown personally and professionally here, but she has also helped staff, clients and volunteers grow here, too. That’s a special gift.”

Help With Growing Pains            

Jordan has grown a lot since he began attending New Danville.  He is not taller, nor is he wider, but he is prouder and more accomplished. His big smiles and “thumbs up” gestures remind others of his positive nature which serves him well as a foundation for the growth he has had as a member of New Danville’s Wrangler 2s, i.e., those who need a bit more assistance and attention due to the challenges they face.

“Growth for Wranglers is a function of what we do here, and the people who make it happen are our direct support professionals,” said Eva Aguirre, president and CEO. Jordan’s perspectives reflect that reality.

With an occasional “thumbs up” to accentuate his points, Jordan reveals his pride in how much he has improved in bowling, reading and writing. His interests are broad, as are the opportunities for him to grow. He loves working on puzzles, too. Success and positivity lend themselves to more of the same.

Asked about his favorite things about class, Jordan said, “The teacher,” while reaching out to “knuckle up” with her.  Growth is clearly one part “what is done” and another part “with whom it is done.”

His mother said they found New Danville by accident. “As we drove down the winding and hilly street and pulled into your gravel road and saw the miniature horses, I looked at my husband with tears in my eyes and said this is what I always envisioned for Jordan.  We sold our home in Pearland and moved to Willis just for Jordan to attend New Danville.  Everything fell into place as if it was meant to be. New Danville has done such a great job welcoming Jordan and helping him through such a big transition.  I was surprised to see how well he adjusted to such a big move to a new school.  I believe that says a lot about the team at New Danville,” she said.

Growth is an ongoing process and Jordan already has his eyes on things he is looking forward to getting better at. “Basketball,” he said with a smile and affirming nod.  We’re looking forward to giving him his much-loved “knuckle up” for his hoops successes.

Help With Growing Pains            

For the second time, Steve and Lynne Charbonneau, and Charbonneau Industries, have come to the rescue when space became an issue for New Danville. Growth born through success is a good thing, but it presents challenges to square footage.

A modular building will soon arrive at New Danville, thanks to Charbonneau’s generosity. For the first time in its history, New Danville has a waiting list for Wrangler 2s, those clients who need extra attention and assistance because of their challenges. Wrangler 2s stay together as a group during the day; the donated building will serve as the second classroom for them.  Bryan Gill, program manager, has a daughter in that program. “It makes such a tremendous difference for them (Wrangler 2s) to have a place they call their own and that they can come to every day. That consistency brings familiarity and a comfort factor that are very important to them. We have five on the waiting list who will be very happy when the building is on site and ready to be used,” he said.

In November 2021, the Charbonneau Family Building was dedicated. The new building was constructed thanks to the generosity of Steve and Lynne. It serves the pallet-making team that is part of Charbonneau Industries’ “Pallets to Partners” program. More than 5,000 pallets have been assembled by Wranglers through this program. The company uses and sells the pallets. (For more information about purchasing pallets, contact the company.)

“I Belong Here and I Grow Here…”

Trisha Woods started as a Direct Support Professional at New Danville in 2018. Trisha’s cousin has special needs, so she felt sure she would enjoy working in the field of special needs, though she had not considered it until she saw the job posting.  She was hired to teach sewing class although she didn’t know how to sew. That told her everything about the culture at New Danville and she knew she wanted to be part of it. “I belong here,” she said.

She taught herself to sew by watching online videos and listening to the lessons and tips offered by Wranglers. “The atmosphere here is welcoming,” she said as she revealed the many ways that people at New Danville empower others. Staff members, volunteers, Wranglers…everyone is happy to help others grow in their knowledge and skills, which is a good thing since there were many other things to learn as she continued to grow in her job.

The COVID situation led to layoffs. She was anxious to get back. When the call came for her to return, it came with an additional role, too:  production lead. Another challenge, another opportunity to grow. In that role she oversees the various products that Wranglers make for sale, such as the products sold at New Danville’s online store. “I am still learning about the business side of our production work, but I have great teachers.” Her successes as production lead positioned her for an additional role: woodshop lead.

“I have big shoes to fill (Sherry Franklin retired in 2021), but, again, everyone is helpful and positive. I heard the story about the ‘ooops box’ and that describes the culture here. There would sometimes be mistakes made when Wranglers made pens that we sold. Sherry would tell them to put the pen in the ‘ooops box’ and forget about it. Mistakes happen. Move on. I love that and that attitude runs through the New Danville culture. Everyone grows!”

Day program: sprouting enrollment in spring

For the first time in New Danville’s history, there is now a waiting list for enrollment in the Wrangler 2 program that is for clients with more challenging needs. At the current pace of growth for the day program, a waiting list may be necessary well before the end of 2022 as growth in headcount and client-days continues. There has been a waiting list for Meadowbrook, New Danville’s residential community, for years. To Bryan Gill, program manager, all that is good news.

“There is so much positivity,” Bryan said, “on the team, with our guests and visitors. It is great to see, and we see it in our numbers. Enrollment is up 20% in the first four months of the year.”

Bryan shared the story of a family who moved from Pearland (70 miles away) to get their loved one closer to New Danville so he could easily attend the day program often. Another new client decided on her first day that she wanted to change from three to four days per week of day program attendance. Another client from Huntsville (25 miles north of New Danville) now wants to attend five days a week and was disappointed that the day program is not held on Saturday and Sunday, too.

Growth shows in many areas. For example, New Danville has added Huntsville to its transportation route. New clients are joining, former clients are coming back, current clients are adding more days: “It is a fun time,” Bryan said.

“We used to have two tours (for prospective clients) per month,” Bryan said, “and now we are doing from six to ten per month. The good word is spreading.”

For more information about New Danville programs and services or to request a tour, contact Bryan Gill, program manager, at 936-534-9111 or Bryan.Gill@NewDanville.org.

Expanding expression in song

“Then, out of nowhere, he began to sing to the music. He is usually just quiet in class, but he came out of a shell and sang. He did it on the bus, too,” Debbie Rigsby, Direct Support Professional (DSP), said.  Debbie works with New Danville’s Wrangler 2s who need a bit more attention and assistance than the day program Wranglers.  “Patrick and Sebastian both found singing.”

Randy McCaffety, also a DSP who recently began working with the Wrangler 2s, agreed. “It is not every time, but fairly often when we play some rockin’ songs during class, they will dance and sing. This is new for them.”

Finding new forms of expression and joy is a sign of growth.

“We look at all growth steps, large or small, as something to celebrate. Progress can be inconsistent, but progress is progress, and singing for someone who usually doesn’t communicate much verbally is a big deal. Everyone in the class celebrated the new singing voices,” Debbie said.

Randy concurred. “Sometimes you just have to catch it on a good day.  That’s okay. Every positive step is to be applauded.  Everyone in class applauds for those who sing, dance and show they are happy. Mutual support is everywhere.”

Eva Aguirre, president and CEO of New Danville, said, “Early in my career, a speaker at a conference said something I will never forget when it comes to the population we serve. He said, ‘All joy is equal.’ That is what I get out of growth like that of Patrick and Sebastian…joy. The joy they feel for that accomplishment is like the joy others may have for landing a big contract, catching a big fish or finishing a marathon. All joy is equal, and all of us share in the joy of Wrangler accomplishments.”

Bringing seasoning to life

“We never make guarantees when it comes to gardening,” volunteer Mike Bodman said with a laugh. “It is an iffy business.”  

Mike has been behind New Danville’s aquaponics program since its inception. Direct Support Professional James Scott oversees the gardening classes.  Their shared goal is to have herbs available for sale at the upcoming Spring Thing event’s Marketplace. Jazzy Junque also sells New Danville herbs when they are available.

Wranglers work with a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs, propagating plants in different ways. The greenhouse and outside gardens become home to lettuce, collards, tomatoes, bell peppers, cabbage, strawberries and much more, including herbs such as basil, cilantro, oregano, garlic and others. The produce is also shared through the on-site General Store for residents.

“There are other ways that plants are becoming part of Spring Thing,” Mike said. His wife, Ginnie, is painting butterflies from the seed pods of butterfly vines. “You’ll see the ‘butterflies’ in the Marketplace. We hope to see you there!”

A job growing to the size of her heart

Wranglers are not the only people who grow at New Danville; so do team members. For program coordinator, Nicole Martinez, her professional growth here enabled her to find a role equal to the size of her heart.

“I have always had the heart,” she said, “and this role enabled me to grow into it. This is what I should have done all my life. I know that I would have appreciated life more if I could have found a way to work in this field sooner.”

She started at New Danville several years ago as a part-time assistant who worked the phones at the front desk in the Classroom Building. Her heart drove her interest which inspired her curiosity; the rest is, as they say, history.

“I watched the Wranglers and our Direct Support Professionals. I wanted to be more involved so I offered to help with classes. My boss gave me a chance to help as a substitute art teacher.  I’m no artist, but the class and I had a great time.”

Nicole became curious about the various guidelines and processes required to operate an agency for special needs.  She researched files, notes and anything else she could find.  Her knowledge grew as did her commitment to the clients. “I wanted to know more about the Wranglers and their stories.”

Then-new president and CEO, Eva Aguirre, offered her a new position as program coordinator. “I realized I had the skills and the knowledge to help,” Nicole said, “but I was afraid.  I did not want to screw up and let the clients down. The world is mean enough. They didn’t deserve someone dropping the ball.”

Instead, Nicole ran with the ball and has been instrumental in developing a variety of new classes and programs. Not only has Nicole grown, but so has New Danville’s ability to empower Wranglers to live, learn, work and grow.

Looking forward to growing in 2022

George Eliot said, “It is never too late to be who you might have been.” Central to the poet’s message is growth.

Wranglers LeeLo, Jayden, and John shared some thoughts about growth; they all spoke about what they might be in the future, thanks to growth in 2022.

“I want to be more independent,” LeeLo said. He explained that to be more independent would require him to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Physical development is his top priority because mobility challenges most impede his sense of independence, he said. “I would love to be able to run someday,” he said.

John plans to grow in his maturity because he wants to be seen as a role model someday. He also hopes to continue to grow and develop as a person who someday lives at New Danville. “I would like to be able to say in the future that ‘I grew at New Danville and now I live there.’”

Jayden wants to grow and develop his skills and knowledge to better take care of the miniature horses and miniature donkeys that are part of the animal program at New Danville.  “I learned to love horses because of the ones my grandfather had,” he said, “and I want to learn a lot so I can help with the horses when John (Massey) can’t.” (John Massey is the Direct Support Professional who oversees the animal program. Read his story here.)

Every growth phase faces challenges of some type along the way. It takes wisdom to think ahead about the challenges to identify them and to resolve to take action against them.

“I don’t want to stumble,” LeeLo said, ”but if I do, I will get up, dust off, and keep going. I need to be patient with it all.”

John suggested perspective as a challenge and solution. “You can’t lose perspective,” he said. “Look back at times when you were younger and don’t necessarily do again what you did then.”

Jayden echoed LeeLo’s message regarding patience. “Be patient. Be patient. With all that is going on.”

It sounds like Wranglers will be doing some special growing in 2022.

What was started by a couple of concerned parents who wanted to help the residents of Meadowbrook, New Danville’s residential community, have access to household goods has grown, and grown some more. The assistance began in 2011 and the past ten years have shown ongoing development of an important service—a pantry known as the General Store.

After several years of being supported by parents, the TLC Food Pantry in Willis stepped up to help stock the pantry with food products to complement the household items the pantry maintained, according to Jennifer Mauboules who oversees the pantry among her various roles at New Danville.  Twelve Sunday School classes from Crossroads Baptist Church in The Woodlands provide non-food items, each class covering one month of the year. A Sunday School class at First Baptist Church in The Woodlands provides items in November and December, or whenever it is needed.

Early in 2021, the pantry moved to The Cabin, one of our original buildings. It currently serves as a classroom on one side and the pantry on the other. About that time, Keep US Fed of Montgomery County became a partner and introduced Jennifer to Kroger. “Because of that relationship,” she said, “we’ll soon partner with the Montgomery County Food Bank, too. With the help of Keep US Fed we’ve been able to add food products to our inventory, too. Occasionally we get fresh vegetables donated or from our gardening class.”

Colt and Marlon, residents of Meadowbrook, like to help on the trips to get donations, as well as load and stock items into the pantry. While Colt likes ordering his groceries from Kroger and having them delivered to his home, he understands how important it is for the pantry to serve other residents. “It is good that we have the pantry. There are always long lines when we open,” he said. Tuesdays are pantry days. Marlon concurred, “A lot of people come.”

Of the 34 residents, 25 utilize the pantry, according to Jennifer. “The others have other means of assistance, but anyone who lives here can utilize the pantry,” she said.

The pantry is also on the radar of the New Danville’s Job Readiness and Support Program. President and CEO Eva Aguirre said, “Our goal is to employ a couple of our clients to manage the pantry. We are close to being at that stage of development.”