MAB Community Services Newsletter Winter 2019

Welcome to Buzz, MAB Community Services' email newsletter. We will share with you the highlights, activities, achievements, and stories of the differences being made in the lives of the people we serve at the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, MAB Adult Disability Services, and the Ivy Street school

Sassy Honored By Celtics Sassy Outwater-Wright, the Executive Director of MABVI, stood at Center Court of the Garden O n November 17, and was honored as a Hero Among Us during the second quarter of the Celtics game. Sassy was flanked by her husband Alphonse and guide dog Ferdinand. Heroes Among Us honors individuals who have made an overwhelming impact on the lives of others. It is presented to an individual or individuals who, through their unique commitment and humanitarian spirit, have made exceptional and lasting contributions to our community.  Sassy was recognized for her life-long dedication to creating a world that is accessible to all. She was singled out for her successful launch of MABVI's statewide Assistive Technology Centers and her passion and advocacy on behalf of all Massachusetts residents living with a visual impairment or blindness. .Congratulations Sassy!

Exciting Partnership leads to Jobs for Students

Three Ivy Street School students have been accepted into Jewish Vocational Services - Transitions to Work program at NewBridge on the Charles in Dedham. NewBridge is a senior living community, that partners with Jewish Vocational Services to provide career readiness training and internships. This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to gain skills and experience in the community, as well as explore potential career paths. Our students worked hard through a rigorous application, interview and hiring process. Kudos to our students and GREAT work by Ivy's creative Vocation team.

ADS Staff Profile: Adenike Ogundeide For 17 years Adenike Ogundeide (or Nike for short) has created opportunities for individuals living with disabilities to work, volunteer, and develop new skills. As a program specialist at ADS' MABWorks program, Nike teaches new skills and helps participants take these skills to the work place. . For her, the most rewarding part about her job is seeing her participants connect to a job they love. Over the past seventeen years, she has seen participants she knew back in 2002 grow and develop into independent, self-sufficient people. The biggest change she’s witnessed working at MAB ADS is the growth in technology and the need for computer literacy.

High Tech Grand Opening in Natick The Ellenbogen Family Assistive Technology and Training Center is open for business. On September 28 th 2018 Elaine Ellenbogen cut the ribbon officially opening the center at the Natick Community -Senior Center. This was a well-attended event drawing community member, officials from Natick and the Commonwealth, MABVI consumers and volunteers and Ellenbogen family and fans.  Joining Elaine was her son and Board of Director Michael Ellenbogen and wife Julie, and their children. The AT Center in Natick joins recently opened centers in Brookline, Worcester, Harwich, Watertown, and Fitchburg. For more information on the centers and 5 things you will learn as an AT student go to Assistive Technology and Training Centers or call 617-879-0771

On The Road with Share Your Sight Being a Volunteer for MABVI is more than reading, writing, or running, it is a way to create impact one person at a time. The Share Your Sight 1:1 volunteer program took to the road for a well attended volunteer training at the Peabody Library. We know how busy you are and are looking at creative ways to offer important training sessions closer to where you live. Our One the Road Training sessions will be in addition to the regularly sessions held in Brookline. Our volunteer training sessions prepare you to be volunteer for an individual who is blind or visually impaired. This includes sighted guide training and blindness awareness tips, as well as an informative question and answer session. To learn more about becoming a volunteer email Jen Buchanan at jbuchanan@mabcommunity.org.

A Meeting that Matters The title says it all: Brain Injury Services in Massachusetts: A Life Worth Living, The annual meeting of MAB Community Services was more than the required non-profit formal meeting, it was an opportunity to review the state of services for residents living with aquired brain injuries, ten years after the landmark class-action settlement (Hutchinson v. Patrick) was reached. This groundbreaking lawsuit qualified thousands of individuals with brain injuries to move out of nursing facilities and into the community. A panel discussion moderated by MAB Board of Director, and former Assistant Secretary of the Executive Office of Health and Human Services, Jean McGuire. Panelists included Kathryn Rucker, Center for Public Representation, the lead lawyer in the Hutchinson case; Amy Bernstein, MassHealth, Director of Community Based Waivers; and Dr. Leigh Hochberg, Massachusetts General Hospital, Director, Center for Neurotechnology and Neurorecovery. The meeting was held on October 24th in the Metcalf Hall at the George Sherman Union on the campus of Boston University.

Welcome to MAB Community Services

MAB Community Services welcomes new members of the Board of Directors. . We are honored to have Teresa Belmonte, Beverly Brown, Jon Kosheff, Alexi Malkin, Barry Schrage, and Mike Wilmer join the current members on MAB's all volunteer board. Board of Directors are responsible for the Governance of MAB Community Services and are critical in the success of fundraising efforts. Thank you for your wisdom and service.

Teresa Belmonte Partner at Hemenway & Barnes LLP

Beverly A. Brown, PhD Boston University Office of the President, Industry School of Public Health

Jon Kosheff President of Helen of Troy Limited

Dr. Alexis Malkin New England College of Optometry Director Low Vision Service, Boston Medical Center/BU Eye Associates Attending Optometrist, NECO Center for Eye Care

Barry Shrage, Professor of the Practice in the  Hornstein Jewish Professional Leadership Program retired president of Combined Jewish Philanthropies

Mike Widmer Retired President of Massachusetts Taxpayers Foundation

Save the Dates - Upcoming Events

Boston Marathon Monday, April 15, 2019 Come out to support MABVI's Team With A Vision running the 123rd Boston Marathon. Our international team of runners who are visually impaired, sighted guides, and fundraisers race to support MABVI's programs and services.

Extravaganza! Thursday, June 6, 2019 Wheelock Family Theater, Boston Dont miss Ivy Street School's annual night of singing, dancing, acting and more! For information about sponsorship opportunities, contact Stacia Silvia, ssilvia@mabcommunity.org

Ivy Street School Graduation Thursday, June 12, 2019

Volunteer Appreciation Celebration Friday, June 14, 2019 Community Rowing Inc RSVP HERE

John Pratt Memorial Lecture March 19, 2020 Keynote speaker Temple Grandin

Donate Today! Did you know that you can support the work of MAB Community Services, the Massachusetts Association for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Ivy Street School, and MAB Disability Services, by shopping at Amazon with the Amazon Smile program. Make sure you designate MAB COMMUNITY SERVICES as the charity. Shop here 617-738-5110 | 200 Ivy Street, Brookline, MA 02446 | www.mabcommunity.org ‌ ‌ ‌