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In This Issue:
From the CEO
Upcoming Events Golf, Wine Week, Into the Woods
News and Announcements New Danville at the Astros Game
Fundraising Factoid Help with the Sensory Zone, Halloween Party
Live Social Activities provided by LARA
Learn New Balance and Flex class
Work New staff Kaden, Darren
Grow Meet Kathy, our new Development Director
Wrangler’s Tale The Excitement of Familiarity and Comfort
Guest Voices Constance McDerby
Live, Learn, Work, Grow The 5 O’Clock Phlock Pink Flamingo Party
Important Links For more info and details
From the CEO:
Community:
A feeling of fellowship with others, as a result of sharing common attitudes, interests and goals.
As I meet new people and see old friends, I’m frequently asked why I chose to work at New Danville. My answer is routinely “because of the community.” After spending only a small amount of time on a tour, it was the community that impressed me, welcomed me and ultimately showed me that New Danville was where I should be working.
New Danville is not a place or a program. It’s a community that challenges everyone, me included, to live, learn, work and grow. It’s a community that welcomes a new guy with open arms, despite his differences. It’s a community of staff that uplifts, embraces challenges, celebrates success and works tirelessly to improve. But, most importantly, it’s a community engulfed in positive energy, kindness and joy where we share common attitudes, interests and goals.
New Danville would not be possible without the support of the community outside its property lines. So many in our community give of themselves to support New Danville’s mission. Rarely do I get through a week without someone telling me that they are praying for me, New Danville, our Wranglers and our staff. At Jazzy Junque, the retail store which supports New Danville, there is a community of more than fifty volunteers who generously give their time in support of the mission. On a recent visit, a volunteer told me that her shift at Jazzy Junque was the best part of her week because of the community of volunteers that she works with.
Community leaders serve on our Board of Directors and generously give their experience and expertise. New Danville is blessed with an incredible community of parents who give their time and energy, not just for their loved ones, but so that all may have a better experience. Most important is our community of Wranglers who welcome, encourage and support each other every day. Every adult I know could learn from their positivity, resiliency and desire to improve.
This community is special! New Danville embodies the definition of community. I am blessed to have found my spot in it.
Upcoming Events:
Come visit the New Danville booth at the
H-E-B 19th annual Wine Walk at Market Street
Date: Oct 05, 2023
Time: 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM
It will be here before you know it, but there’s still plenty of time to sign up your team or help sponsor this fun event!
The 2023 Play a Round for the Wranglers golf event will be held November 6 at The Woodlands Country Club – Palmer Course.
Check out the fun photos from last year
Thank you, to all great sponsors:
For more information about registration and sponsorships, check here.
New Danville is ecstatic and grateful to once again be chosen as a beneficiary by The Woodlands Charities for their upcoming Into the Woods 2023 event, “Murder at the Disco,” on Saturday, October 14th.
Get ready for a hauntingly fabulous night featuring Dancing, Live music by The Fab 5, Axe throwing, a Costume contest, Fortune tellers, Boo’s and spirits pull, Mystery Boxes, Heavy appetizers, Full cash bar, Silent auction, And so much more!
Grab your tickets here: https://www.betterunite.com/thewoodlandscharities…/donate?
News and Announcements
A tremendous thank you to LGI Homes and the Houston Astros for their incredible generosity! 
Their amazing donation of over $22,000 at last week’s game makes such a significant impact at New Danville.
More than 20 of our Wranglers were there, having a blast alongside our CEO, Mike Painter. It was an unforgettable experience! 
Fundraising Factoid
BIG Thanks to all who have purchased items for our Sensory Room and other Amazon Wishlist items! We appreciate you!
Sensory Zone Amazon Wish list
General Amazon Wish List
You can also make a cash contribution here.
Our Halloween Party is coming up soon!
Help us make this event memorable for the Wranglers by helping to fund this party
LIVE – Social Activities provided by LARA
Swim parties, trips to Houston, and Birthday Bashes are just part of the fun served up to residents of Meadowbrook by Legally Authorized Representative Alliance (LARA). Formed as a non-profit organization in 2012, LARA exists to help provide social opportunities and other support for the thirty-plus Wranglers who call New Danville home.
Each month, LARA sponsors the “Birthday Bingo Bash”, complete with dinner, Bingo games, and door prizes. Quarterly, LARA takes residents on the road for exciting adventures. Past destinations have included the Houston Zoo, Disney on Ice, the King Tut Exhibit, and trips to Buc-cees…a Wrangler favorite! Luaus, Halloween cookouts, and Christmas plays in Conroe have become yearly LARA traditions.
LARA efforts reach beyond residents to all who attend New Danville. For their annual “Christmas Market”, LARA volunteers stock shelves with donations of new and gently used Christmas gift items. All Wranglers are able to “shop” the market for gifts for friends and family and have them beautifully wrapped and tagged. As with all LARA events, there is no charge to the Wranglers. LARA has also used funds to beautify the New Danville campus, purchasing new benches for the Schoolhouse porch, replacing dining room tabletops, and funding new mailboxes for resident houses.
LARA draws volunteers from Meadowbrook resident parents and receives donations from families and friends of New Danville. For information on how to become involved with LARA activities, feel free to reach out to Diana Egley, LARA President, through the New Danville office.
LEARN – New Balance and Flex class
We are always striving to make exercise enjoyable, effective, and accessible for our clients. That’s why we’re thrilled to introduce our brand-new Balance and Flex class! Led by our dedicated DSP Lili, this class is all about helping clients achieve their fitness goals in a fun and engaging way. Instead of the traditional gym setting, DSP Lili takes our clients to the local parks, where they can explore outdoor workout trails and utilize the exercise equipment available. It’s a refreshing departure from the usual indoor routines and brings the joy of outdoor fitness to our clients’ wellness journeys.
One delighted client, Pam Bagley, shared her experience: “It’s really fun! We get to try new things, and I didn’t even know that parks had these exercise trails and equipment made for working out. I enjoy being outside, and the way DSP Lili leads the class, she makes it so much fun. It’s a great way to stay active, connect with nature, and meet fitness goals all at once. I can’t recommend it enough!” Balance and Flex class lets us discover a new level of excitement in our fitness routine while achieving their health and wellness aspirations.
WORK – New Staff Making a Difference
Meet Kayden, one of our newest and youngest members of the New Danville family.
Kayden has been a part of the New Danville family since her freshman year in high school, completing over 500 volunteer hours as an intern Direct Support Professional. Her service to the community has helped her build connections with the wranglers, help develop the New Danville culture, and witness the expansion of the day-hab opportunities and personnel. Her position and purpose here have provided the wranglers with a safe space to communicate, create, and connect on a personal level. Her bright personality brings joy to the staff and wranglers.
Kayden, who is the daughter of our wonderful Program Specialist, Melissa Varney, has been well-versed in the nature and reality of working for the development and inclusion of our clients. Her experience has led her to improve the daily experiences of the wranglers. She enjoys witnessing the maturation of staff relations, diverse representation, and communal reinforcement. From the start of her experience at New Danville, she has witnessed incremental changes in class options, wrangler intake, and property development. Her interests in ocean discovery, art, and music help create diverse opportunities for the clients to choose from. She is looking forward to the expansion of New Danville and how it can improve the daily interactions and expand help to those with more specific needs. Kayden’s presence at New Danville emphasizes the compassion, engagement, and vocation that sustains this family and community.
Meet Darren, one of the newest members of the New Danville family, who is already leaving a lasting impression. Darren’s journey began when he was seeking a part-time driving position in his retirement and stumbled upon New Danville through an Indeed listing. What piqued his interest was not just the job, but the unique opportunity to work with clients who have special needs, a cause that holds a special place in his heart. With 30 years of experience in supporting adults with special needs, thanks to his wife who has been a foster care provider for her sister with special needs, Darren came to New Danville with a wealth of compassion and understanding.
Darren started his New Danville career as a bus driver, however, his passion for the outdoors and building relationships with clients soon led him to take on an additional role as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) in the garden. His commitment to making a difference in the lives of clients shines through as he describes the joy of driving the Huntsville route, which he affectionately calls the “party bus.” With music filling the air and smiles all around, Darren has transformed his route into an unforgettable experience. Beyond his daily duties, he has become an advocate for New Danville in the community, spreading the word about the incredible work being done here. Darren’s journey at New Danville exemplifies the power of passion, compassion, and dedication in making a meaningful impact on the lives of clients and the community.
GROW – New Development Director
New Danville is excited to welcome Kathy Rifaat as its new Director of Development. With almost 30 years of nonprofit experience, she most recently served as Director of Development for the Montgomery County Food Bank. Prior to her role at the Food Bank, Kathy served as Development Director of the Community Assistance Center in Conroe. Kathy’s nonprofit experience includes work at the Lighthouse of Houston, Interfaith of The Woodlands, and Interfaith Community Clinic.
Kathy holds a bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University and has been a resident of The Woodlands for over 20 years. Since 2005, Rifaat has volunteered with The Woodlands Area Chamber of Commerce. With the Chamber, Rifaat served as a member of the Board of Directors and Team Leader for both the Community Relations Team and Chairman’s Ball.
Please join New Danville in welcoming Kathy to the Leadership Team!
Wrangler’s Tale: The Excitement of Familiarity and Comfort
Stephen’s return to New Danville is nothing short of a heartwarming homecoming. After a few years away, Stephen couldn’t contain his excitement about rejoining the community he holds dear. He notes the palpable change in atmosphere, emphasizing that “everyone is friendlier and seemed happy to see me again.” The joy of reunions extends beyond the people; Stephen’s keen eye caught sight of the new buildings and the influx of fresh faces. Yet, amidst these changes, the familiarity of some of the long-standing staff members provided a comforting sense of continuity. Delighting in the diverse array of new class options, Stephen’s journey back to New Danville is not just a return; it’s a renewal of cherished connections and newfound opportunities, a sentiment he holds close to his heart.
While Stephen enjoyed his time taking care of his parent’s house during his break from New Danville, his return is a testament to the unique sense of community and enrichment that this remarkable place offers. His happiness at being back resonates through his words, painting a picture of the warm embrace that awaits everyone who enters the doors of New Danville.
Guest Voices – Constance McDerby
Wine Walk at Market Street is coming up next week, and it's a perfect time to give very special thanks to Constance McDerby. New Danville has been blessed to be a part of this event since the beginning, and it's something we look forward to every year! Come out and experience it for yourself, and stop by our booth and say hello! This is what Constance had to say in an article in last year’s Wrangler Gazette:
Live, Learn, Work, and Grow - Life and Times at New Danville Thanks to The 5 O'Clock Phlock Parrot Head Club for hosting the Super-Fun Pink Flamingo Party!
Important Links
Wranglers’ Ballad: The original music video that shares what happens at New Danville and the heart with which all is done.
Make a donation: You are what makes all these stories possible.
Volunteer: Bring your talents to the service of Wranglers.
Request a tour: Learn about New Danville by seeing.
Jazzy Junque resale store: A great place to shop that benefits New Danville Inventory changes almost every day.
Vision 2025 and the campaign to fund it is called Growing…for Living: A Collaborative Campaign to Grow Life Experiences for Adults with IDD are our future. Find a virtual flyover and the campaign storybook by clicking the link. The year 2025 is our 20th anniversary.
Follow New Danville on: • Facebook • Instagram • LinkedIn
Follow Jazzy Junque on: • Facebook • Instagram
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.
New Danville is a 501(C)(3) nonprofit rural community in Willis, TX for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. We provide our clients an opportunity to live enriched & purposeful lives; we proudly call them Wranglers.