Dear Family and Friends:
I hope you enjoy this double issue of the Family Newsletter! The last two months have been very busy at Brookwood!
We are happy to introduce a new segment called "Words of Wisdom by Jon B." Jon is a long-time Brookwood Citizen who is a prolific writer and has inspired and impressed so many of us over the years. We thought it would be a shame not to share some of his words of wisdom so we created a space for him here.
More importantly, we would like to direct your attention to the letter below concerning COVID-19 and a link to a printable social story you can use at home.
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Dear Brookwood Parents and Families,
As many of you are aware, there is increasing concern surrounding the coronavirus (COVID-19). I want to assure you we are proactively monitoring the ongoing and evolving situation. The health and safety of our Citizens and Community Members is our top priority.
Based on current information from public health officials, the Work, Residential and Community program operations are continuing as usual on campus.
Following the recommendations of Public Health Officials, we are implementing precautionary measures for those Citizens, Community Members and Family Volunteers who have been traveling abroad:
- Anyone returning from CDC Level 2 and 3 travel advisory locations for
coronavirus
will be required to self-isolate for 14 days before
returning to campus.
As spring break approaches, we are encouraging everyone to consider how travel plans could be affected by the spread of the virus.
Our best defense against the spread of respiratory viruses such as influenza and coronavirus is
prevention
.
We are encouraging everyone at Brookwood to:
- Practice cough and sneeze etiquette (Cover mouth/nose when coughing/sneezing. Ideally use a tissue and throw it away. If a tissue is not available, use the elbow of a sleeve).
- Frequently wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and water every time you sneeze, cough, blow your nose, etc.).
- Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Stay at home when sick (fever >100.0°F) until fever-free for 24 hours without medication.
- Do not share food, drinks or eating utensils with others.
- Stay away from people who are sick.
- Know the signs and symptoms of respiratory viruses.
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Further, should your Citizen awaken
feeling unwell in any way, we ask that you keep him/her home for observation
to determine if further symptoms will develop. Contact your healthcare provider within 48 hours if illness develops.
To help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses and provide a clean and safe environment for our Citizens and Community Members, we are routinely sanitizing tables, desks, chairs and common surfaces with a disinfectant cleaner and have hand sanitizer stations located throughout the campus.
Our qualified nurses and leadership team will continue to monitor the situation and update you on any changes.
In the meantime, I ask you to join us in prayer for those already affected by the coronavirus and their families, wisdom for medical professionals who are working to find a cure and protection for our Citizens, Community Members and extended community.
Sincerely,
Johnna Hamilton
Chief Programs Officer
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New Year's Eve seems like is was so long ago, yet we all know it has been only two months! The Citizens had a rockin' good time. Everyone bopped to the beats and had good eats!
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The first CFL conference of 2020 was February 3rd - 6th. We welcomed attendees from all over the country and from as far as Italy! The Citizens did an amazing job talking about their studios and during the Citizen Panel with Greg Glauser. They were a true inspiration to everyone who interacted with them.
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February is a very exciting month around these parts because it's the kick-off to rodeo season! The Rodeo Fashion Show on February 21st was an enormous success - the event sold out a week in advance. Waste Management hosted some of our Citizens on February 28th at their booth at The Houston Rodeo Cook-off where they danced and had an incredible BBQ lunch cooked by Fire Craft BBQ.
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We are so excited that The Woodlands United Methodist Church officially announced our partnership with them to open a day program within their church space. Brookwood - Woodlands will open in early 2021.
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A Generous Heart - This video was used to announce the program to parishioners. Click on the photo to view.
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Brookwood Featured on ABC Channel 13
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ABC Channel 13 made a visit to Brookwood to spotlight our Cafe' and Work Program. It was such an honor to be featured. Check out what they said about us! Click on the photo to view.
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"Just as the body is dead without the spirit, our inner fires flicker and die without the right types of food to keep them going."
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Getting to Know Our Citizens
(bios submitted by Citizen day program and resident family members)
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Pink! Bailey loves all things pink! Her room is pink where she enjoys Wii Sing and Wii Dance. Her clothes are pink and a beautiful pink dress is her favorite, you know, like a Disney princess! Games, cooking, gardening, music and movies are her favorite way to pass the time.
At Brookwood, Bailey attends the day program working in Horticulture, the Soap Shop, the Cafe' and the Retail Store. When she gets home, she has 2 dogs and 2 donkeys waiting for her to give them treats. So, if you see a girl around campus, and she's wearing pink, you can be pretty sure it's Bailey....so say HI!
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Being part of the Brookwood family is a dream come true for Stuart. When he told his parents he wished for a friend, they knew it was time to act. After 15 years at Brookwood, he now proudly states, ”I have over a HUNDRED friends!” Through his retail and cafe' skills, Stuart is thrilled to educate and assist visitors to “get whatever makes them happy”. His work confirms his desire to contribute to his community.
Stuart loves airplanes, Mexican food, and golf. A hole-in-one is the next target on his bucket list!
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A Day in the Life: Jewelry
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Brookwood is so excited to offer another Citizen-made product to sell in our retail store. Our new designs were debuted during the Rodeo Fashion Show and were a huge hit!
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JJ (left) and Steven (second from left) are observing Jeremy and Andrew to see if they want to try making jewelry.
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Here are some prototypes of the jewelry the Citizens are creating!
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Tanya grew up in Michigan City, Indiana and moved to Conroe, TX when she was fifteen.
She met her husband, Richard, at Sam Houston State University and has been married for 33 years. Her 3 children are Samantha, a stay at home mom, Garrett, who works for his father’s company, and Ashley, who is a BCBA in Illinois. They also have 3 beautiful grandchildren: Josiah, Kinsley and Diana. Rounding out the family are two mini Dashchunds: Big Mo and Baby Ruth.
Tanya grew up with a sister with special needs, which inspired her to work with children with special needs. She taught Special Education for 25 years and was an interventionist for 6 years mentoring other teachers with special needs students.
After retiring from public education, she still wanted to work with the special needs population, but at a different level. A very good friend of hers invited her to attend an introduction to Brookwood and the rest is history! Tanya will be heading up the Brookwood - Woodlands day program at The Woodlands United Methodist Church.
In her spare time, she can be found surrounded by grandchildren or yarn and crochet needles as well as whipping up something sweet in the kitchen (for the grand kids). She also enjoys helping others meet their healthy goals through personal training.
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Center for Learning Upcoming Events
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2
nd
Annual Family Resource Fair
Saturday, April 25th from 10 am - 2pm at the Brookwood Café
Hosted with the Tuttle School at Briarwood
Lunch & Learn: Professional Development Opportunity Presentation
Thursday, June 18 from 9:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Brookwood Café
Presentation from Dr. Carly Gilson with Aggie ACHIEVE (for teachers, therapists, job coaches and parents)
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From The Advancement Department
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Celebrate 35 Years of Brookwood at the 2020 Benefit Lunch!
Reserve your table or tickets now for the Benefit Lunch
on Friday, April 3, 2020 at the Marriott Marquis! The event will celebrate the important role of families in the success of Brookwood and the lives of the Citizens. In addition to a keynote speech by Reid Ryan, Executive Advisor for the Houston Astros, attendees will enjoy a pop-up shop with our latest products, a history display, and special recognition of the Citizens who have been at Brookwood for 35 years.
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We have several important dates on the Volunteer calendar. Please consider helping with these events. If you have any questions you can contact Karen Pollard at
karenp@brookwoodcommunity.org
or 281-375-2220.
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Booth
March 3-22
If you would like to sign up for this three week event we have created a Sign up Genius form. Click
HERE
to find the available shifts. We will provide a free day pass to all volunteers.
Benefit Lunch
April 3
Marriott Marquis Houston
We need volunteers for set-up, check-in, giving tree and the pop-up shop. Plesae call or
e-mail
Karen Pollard for more details.
Horticulture Spring & Easter Season
April 6-9
The Horticulture staff needs 4 drivers for each day, Monday, April 6
th
through April 9
th
. Monday, April 6
th
. Our staff would really appreciate any help that you can give us in the way of pulling orders and loading trucks, or delivering the orders to our church customers that have supported Brookwood for so many years now.
Plesae call or
e-mail
Karen Pollard for more details.
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Johnna Hamilton
, Chief Programs Officer
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The Brookwood Community
281-375-2100
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See what's happening on our social sites:
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