Thank You Zonta!

Posted on , updated on by Tanya Siesky
In April of 2018, Zonta Club of Midland Awarded $1,000 to Independent Community Living to help underwrite the cost of our childcare program.

Independent Community Living is committed to hiring working parents who may struggle to find employment due to childcare concerns. In 2017, we started partnering with the Greater Midland Community Center childcare program to provide reduced rates for our employees who need drop-in daycare. This donation from Zonta will help support the cost of this program and enable us to hire and retain excellent employees, including working mothers.

Thank you Zonta Club of Midland!

Why Gentle Teaching?

Posted on , updated on by Tanya Siesky

By Kari Conner

Recently, I was asked this question by a Gentle Teaching mentor, and as numerous
thoughts ran through my mind, I knew I would have to narrow my response down to three
answers:

● Gentle Teaching is about creating a culture within our homes, workplaces, churches,
schools, and healthcare facilities. Gentle Teaching provides a framework that creates an
environment where everyone feels safe, valued, loving, and engaged. Working with our coworkers,
students, patients, and other people in our communities provide many “learning
opportunities” to use the tools that we are given to de-escalate the toughest situation.
Gentle Teaching 2
● Even the most educated, confident person can feel discouraged and working with people
with dementia, challenged students, and disgruntled employers can make even the
strongest person feel weak. During my first training in Gentle Teaching, I gained
encouragement, support, and affirmation as a direct support staff working with people with
disabilities. Many industries were represented within the classroom, however, we all had
similar questions and concerns about how we can interact effectively with the people
around us.

Aliesha Gentle Teaching 3

● Coming alongside someone in an unconditional accepting manner who is vulnerable is
the greatest gift we can give another human being. When we use our eyes, words,
presence, and hands we have the ability to bring comfort and peace into this world and to
the people who need it the most.

At the Loons

I am thrilled about sharing this positive philosophy with anyone interested in developing a
culture in which positive attitudes are multiplied. You choose the destination. Our place or
yours!

To schedule a training call (989) 486-9223 or visit our Gentle Teaching Page.

Kari Kari Conner has been a Gentle Teaching trainer for
four years. She also teaches Safe-Sitter® classes to
middle school aged children and CPR/First Aid/
Heartsaver courses. She is passionate about working
with people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. She
is a volleyball and basketball coach, a Sunday
School teacher and she provides support to individuals
with disabilities through her job at Independent
Community Living. She enjoys spending time with her
family and kayaking.

Midland Kiwanis Donation Helps with First Aid Kits

Posted on , updated on by Tanya Siesky
Independent Community Living would like to extend gratitude to the Midland Kiwanis Foundation for their generous monetary donation. Our agency provides supports to individuals with disabilities using self-determination to tailor their life according to their personal vision.

The donation was used to purchase 35 First Aid Kits that will be placed in homes of the individuals we support. The kits are replaced annually and the Kiwanis’ generosity helps alleviate the financial burden our participants would have to purchase first aid supplies.

This donation impacts the safety of our participants and staff and we truly appreciate the Midland Kiwanis Foundation and thank them for their support!

 

First Aid Kits Safety Committee

The Independent Community Living Safety Committee