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.”

Remembering Donna

“Sometimes people come into your life for a moment, a day, or a lifetime.  It matters not the time they spent with you but how they impacted your life.” 

Nothing better describes Donna Senecal. 

It is with great sadness to report that after a long illness, Donna Senecal passed away on May 12th, 2021.

Donna will always be remembered in our hearts at New Danville, and her contributions were many, but the 2019 Memory Book that she created was a beautiful labor of love.  She perfectly captured life at New Danville in a way that came from her heart and she will forever be with us.  

In the News – June 2021

 

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

 

 

We are proud to be one of the designated charities for The Woodlands Charities’ October Into the Woods Halloween Party and Fundraiser. You can buy tickets here; please remember to designate New Danville as your charity of choice.

 

New Danville Shares Gift of Appreciation with Community

 

 


Wranglers Rack Up Awards at Montgomery County Fair and Rodeo