From the CEO – September 2022

“The heart of a volunteer is never measured by the size but by the depth of the commitment to make a difference in the lives of others.”    DeAnn Hollis

When I came across this quote some time back, and as I prepared to write this article, I was reminded of how fitting it is for all of the volunteers that have taken Jazzy Junque from a once-a-year seasonal sale, to the beautiful upscale, home decor resale store that it is today.  If not for the depth of their commitment, we could not have made it this far. And boy, have we come a long way.

And so, here we are ten years later.  Bigger and more beautiful than ever.  In the past nine months or so, we have made some wonderful additions to our store.  In February of this year, Michelle Willie was hired as our Retail Manager.  Michelle had worked as one of our part-time cashiers for several months; however, due to her extensive retail experience as a store manager with Dress Barn, our continued growth, and plans for the future, we knew she would be perfect in assuming more responsibilities for the store.  Michelle has been a wonderful addition.  As noted by Odette D’Agostino, Board liaison to the store, “Michelle gives her full attention to our volunteers, customers and the needs of the store.” Michelle has exciting plans to continue to improve processes and the shopping experience at Jazzy Junque. She also intends to get out in the community to help share the good news about the store and all that it offers. “We always welcome shoppers and volunteers,” she said.

We have also made improvements in other areas.  Right before COVID hit, we were planning to install a new point-of-sale system for the store.  The original system was outdated and could not meet, nor keep up with, the demands of the store.  As luck would have it, both the COVID crisis and the supply chain problems interrupted our plans until August of this year.  We now have a state-of-the-art system that is both user friendly for our staff and volunteers, and easily adaptable for future needs.  The feedback from everyone has been very positive. As Michelle put it, “It’s a game changer for all of us.  We just love the new system.”

Another exciting bit of news is the addition of gift cards to the shopping experience.  Many of our customers had been asking for this option; however, it wasn’t until the addition of the new system that we were able to add this feature.  Customers can now buy gift cards in any denomination. 

There are not enough words to show our appreciation to all of the volunteers and staff who have brought Jazzy Junque to where it is today.  All net proceeds from the store go directly to support the programs at New Danville.  To say that we could not do it without them would be an understatement.  For this reason, we are committed to supporting the needs of Jazzy Junque and continuing to enhance the shopping experience for all of our valued customers.

Upcoming Events – September 2022

2nd Annual Play a Round for the Wranglers golf tournament is coming on November 7, 2022, at Woodlands Country Club.  Mark your calendar!  Registration is now open, click on over and signup for a great day of golf!

Wine Walk VIP (part of Wine and Food Week) is coming to The Woodlands on October 6!  New Danville is a beneficiary. More information and tickets are available here.

Into the Woods Halloween Event presented by The Woodlands Charities on October 22nd; New Danville is a beneficiary.  Get your tickets today!

Fundraising Factoid

We strive to provide affordable options for dayhab and residential programs.  Even at our rates, there are times that clients need a bit of financial help with their fees or other financial speed bumps. We will expand our CEO’s Assistance Fund that will provide our CEO with monies to help clients on a case-by-case basis in their times of need during these economically challenging times.  To support this effort, please click here.

Please remember our Amazon Wishlist next time you are shopping online. We have a variety of items that represent all aspects of New Danville’s programs and services. 

In the News – September 2022

Berekeley

Thanks to board member Eric Rable, we were introduced to Berkeley Services who donated much-needed lawn service equipment.  Thank you, Brian Lee and Berkeley Services!

Charity Run

Thank you to Woodforest National Bank for sponsoring some Wranglers and team members to participate in the Woodforest Charity Run that benefits Woodforest Charitable Foundation. The bank and the foundation are long-time friends and supporters of New Danville.

New Danville is upping its social media game in a big way!  Check out the latest at these New Danville pages: Linked In, Instagram, and  Facebook. PLEASE like and share as we continue to spread the word of New Danville’s Wranglers as they live, learn, work and grow. Engage in conversation; we love the interaction! We will soon be offering some fun prizes to help increase the size of our online family.

Adam

Live – September 2022

Perfection is Not Just a Horse’s Name

Adam fulfilled a dream recently when he had the chance to move into Meadowbrook, New Danville’s residential community. “I’m in heaven, but I haven’t died,” he said with a smile during a recent conversation.

A participant in the dayhab program, he immediately felt like New Danville was home from the outset of his connection to the people here. “I felt loved and I still do.  And now I get to live here.”

He has six years of experience living independently, but nothing has compared to the experience of being in a community of peers.  His mother re-located closer to New Danville to help support his life journey.

“I am living life to the fullest,” Adam said, which includes a wonderful mix of activities and friends. “I live, learn and grow…it is awesome,” he added, closely tracking New Danville’s motto of “Live, learn, work, grow.” Time with peers, an abundance of activities, coffee with his roommates and being able to hang out with friends fills his days. “It is all about living independently,” he said.

“I enjoy walking out to the horses, to see Perfection (horse’s name). I like being part of this community.” For Adam, perfection is about life and living, not just the name of the horse, and he is happy to share stories any time.

international baking

Learn – September 2022

Taste Buds Teach Wranglers About the World

“I sometimes wonder how much more I would have learned about the world’s cultures if I had the chance to learn in the kitchen,” said Direct Support Professional Trish Woods with a chuckle. Trish leads a new addition to the curriculum this semester, Baking Around the World, which has caught the attention, and taste buds, of the Wranglers.

The class involves the Wranglers in all phases, i.e., picking the country they want to learn about, reviewing recipes from the selected country, shopping for the ingredients and baking.  “Don’t forget the taste tasting,” Trish added upon review of the ways the Wranglers participate. They agreed.

When asked what they enjoy most about the class, the Wranglers’ votes were unanimous:  “Eating!”

They have a good reason for such unanimity. Some of the most popular desserts include South African Malva Pudding Cake, Crème Brule Sugar Cookies, and Swedish Visiting Cake.

Cooking is not the only component of the class, however. While learning about baking goodies, the Wranglers learn about the countries from which the recipes are derived.  “We put the mmmm in live, learn, work and grow,” Trish said. The Wranglers agree!

Brandy

Work – September 2022

Good Thing We Have Brandy in the Pantry

“I’m not sure how I got the job, actually.  I got a call that asked if I could help with the pantry and here I am, thankfully so,” said Brandy Russell. Brandy and her husband, Michael, have lived at New Danville for almost five years.

The pantry, sometimes known as The General Store, provides food (perishable and non-perishable) and household items for free to New Danville residents.  Wednesday is “shopping day,” and Brandy is involved with loading inventory into the pantry on Tuesdays, as well as overseeing the distribution of items.

“I really like the chance to meet so many people,” Brandy said. “The Wranglers’ food stamps don’t cover as much as they did before with the current inflation and they cannot be used for household items,” she said.

“We’re adding items, which is good,” she said while gesturing to a store room in the pantry that has been converted to hold toilet paper, paper towels and other household essentials.

Joining the New Danville team about two months ago, she said the work is not the same as managing one’s own pantry. “I don’t think about putting on gloves before handling the items at home, but we are very cautious with everything we handle in the pantry.”

Eva Aguirre, president and CEO, said, “We are happy that Brandy has been able to help us out. She does a great job and the clients enjoy their shopping days with her.”

Everyone at New Danville agrees…it is good to have Brandy in the pantry.

Jennifer

Grow – September 2022

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.”

A Wrangler’s Tale – September 2022

A Lot of Changes for Justin

Justin is a walking history book about New Danville. He has seen many changes in the campus and programs; he has changed along the way, too.

He shares details of classes when there were only a few Wranglers who gathered for day program offerings, which was several years before New Danville’s independent living community, Meadowbrook, was opened. Justin was one of the early residents. “When I first started in the day program,” Justin said, “I was shy. I have become more social.”

A graduate of Huntsville High School, Justin lived with his grandparents and learned about New Danville in 2005 when it was only a concept. He recognizes his grandparents’ role in his life and in the lives of others. “Papa was an influencer. Not in the social media way. He did it face-to-face with people. You could tell by how many people were at his funeral (he passed away in 2022). My grandparents took care of me. I always felt that I need to take care of them, too.  I help my grandmother now with things and make tea for her.”

As he has developed to be an influencer in his own regard, he has done it through friendships and being busy. He is part of the pallet team that assembles pallets for Charbonneau Industries, and has helped with the landscaping crew. He worked in the community but the COVID situation ended that role. “Getting to work is easy now,” he said, referring to the benefits of working on site.

When not in class or working, he can be found walking or riding his bicycle. “I like to chill and listen to classic rock music, too,” he added. Over the years, he has taken a multitude of classes through the dayhab program. His all-time favorite class is one of the new ones that began in August:  Blue Printing 101. “I would like to see a recreational building for us,” Justin said, “but that will take time and a lot of money. I understand.” Among the changes for Justin is wisdom.

Constance

Guest Voices – September 2022

Constance McDerby:  “Lifelong” Friend of New Danville

I came to Houston from New Orleans in 2000 in the radio marketing business.  It turned out to be a great career background for what I am doing now, and coming to Houston turned out to be a great move for a new career that is basically a hobby out of control.

New Orleans had great events that brought together wine and culinary experiences. I was surprised at the lack of those options in the Houston area, so when an opportunity to make a career change appeared, I knew what I wanted to try. Actually, I had wanted to get into the wine and culinary experience realm for a while. I prayed about it. A lot.  I kept hearing “not yet” when I prayed. So, I waited.

The wait came to an end when the radio broadcasting company that I worked for went through yet another re-organization. My position was eliminated and I was given a wonderful separation package that enabled me to act on what I had been thinking and praying about: create wine and culinary events that provide great experiences for attendees and support to nonprofits.  I was particularly interested in “stealth charities” when I started, that is those who most people didn’t know about and that would benefit greatly from marketing visibility and financial support. I started Food & Vine Time Productions in 2002 and created Wine & Food Week in 2005, the year New Danville was established. It was for the first Wine & Food Week that New Danville and I joined forces. You could say New Danville and business are lifelong friends – their lifetimes, that is.

My husband’s brother was special needs. I have seen the challenges that individuals and families experience when facing the variety of conditions that comprise “special needs.” I am very happy to help others with those challenges.

Our events have benefitted hundreds of nonprofits over the years. We have never turned down a request from a nonprofit. Our support has totaled more than $2 million and includes several ways we support charities with opportunities to garner funds, like Wine & Food Week, or direct contributions or in-kind contributions or…well, we always find one way or another to help out. 25-30% of our revenue goes to nonprofits.

New Danville has been with us from the beginning and I look forward to years to come.

Development Corner – September 2022

Receipt Under the Windshield Wiper

I was in a parking lot in downtown Houston, locked out of my car and an appointment looming in the building in whose lot I sat. While waiting for the wrecker to unlock my car, I struck up a conversation with a homeless man who approached me. I have shared the full story in presentations and writings, but the moral of the story is particularly relevant in today’s climate. After I gave the man money for a meal, he asked if I wanted him to put the receipt under my windshield wiper so I knew that he used the money for food, not booze or drugs. Integrity. Trust. Accountability.

Nonprofits need to take great efforts to “put the receipt under the windshield wiper” so donors know how their funds are being used, what outcomes have been achieved, and who benefitted from the donors’ gifts of any and all sizes.

These are challenging times for nonprofits. We, in the nonprofit realm, must also recognize that times are difficult for those we serve and those who support us, too. It is always important to develop trust and maintain transparency in various ways, some of which are informal, conversational and interpersonal. At New Danville, we are more than happy to “put the receipt under the windshield wiper.” Hopefully, this newsletter reveals some of the ways that donors’ generosity is utilized in service to our Wranglers and residents.

Thank you for the many ways you make it possible for Wranglers to live, learn, work and grow.

Please feel free to contact me at 936-253-5757 or Dion.McInnis@NewDanville.org to learn more about the many ways that gifts affect lives at New Danville.

We are pleased to introduce Live, Learn, Work and Grow:  Wisdom from Under the Windmill, an inspiring, motivational, immediately usable 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.

New Danville is a 501( c ) (3) nonprofit rural community in Willis, TX for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. New Danville provides our clients an opportunity to live enriched and purposeful lives; we proudly call them Wranglers.