One Year Anniversary as Inspire's First Program Coordinator

With more than a decade of experience in home and community based services LaKeisha joined Inspire’s team of Direct Support Professionals in 2008. In 2012 she was promoted to Program Coordinator – District 1. Today on April 1, 2013 we celebrate her One Year Anniversary as Inspire’s First Program Coordinator.

As our First Program Coordinator we’d like to take this opportunity to recognize and thank you, LaKeisha, for all that you do for our Members and employees.

LaKeisha is:

The first to help a stranger, family or friend

The first to speak up for others.

The first to say, “I’m On It” when something needs to get done

The first to say “Thank you”

The first to tell someone that they are “great”

The first to be someone’s cheerleader when the going gets tough

The first to challenge someone when she knows they can do better

LaKeisha, we could not imagine a better “First” Program Coordinator to celebrate.

Thank you for your service, your professionalism, and your commitment to growing with Inspire.

Sincerely,

Your Inspire Family

A variety of raffle prizes were donated to Inspire by the local community. Which included, Walmart, Harkins Theatres, Cracker Barrel, and Safeway. Special thanks to Holiday Inn Visilia California, for the weekend get-away grand prize.

We hope that all of our Winter Social attendants had a wonderful time and we thank our Inspire community for the support and dedication. Inspire looks forward to next years annual Flagstaff Winter Social.

As we make our way through the season, everyone is seeing grand lavish meals, turkeys the size of a smart car, gifts galore, and so much more. But all I am seeing are dollar bill signs! Am I the only one? I can’t be!

Being the thrifty gal that I am, I want to share some ideas and tips for surviving the season without empty pockets by the time the New Year rolls around.

Let’s take a look at Holidays without the high price tag.

This season is all about Do It Yourself (DIY). From DIY decorations to DIY gifts. DIY can also provide a great way to integrate habilitation into holiday craft time. DIY is for everyone. Be it the young at heart or the mature professionals. Read on for some great money saving holiday ideas using common household items.

For the young at heart:

Here we can use milk jugs to make light up snowman! Great for the entrance hall or just around the Christmas tree!

Milk Jug Snowman

How about a little memory to last through out the seasons to come? Here we can start with a felt hand tracing and each year you add a hand.

Look at how time flies!

For the mature professional:

Hungry for a seasonal snack? Here is something you can whip up in a jiffy!

Bacon wrapped potatoes

Gifts can get pricy! But making a heart felt DIY gift can save money and add to the value of the gift! These sites have great ideas for DIY, low cost gifts!

DIY gifts for all ages

Aside from sharing these DIY Money Saving ideas I want to remind everyone to be safe this Holidays.

During the holidays it is easy to get caught up in all the festivities and throw caution into the wind. Here are some valuable tips for how to be safe while still having fun.

• When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label “Fire Resistant”.
• Turn off all lights when you go to bed or leave the house. The lights could short out and start a fire.
• Use only non-combustible or flame-resistant materials to trim a tree. Choose tinsel or artificial icicles of plastic or nonleaded metals.
• Parents should store toys in a designated location, such as on a shelf or in a toy chest, and keep older kids’ toys away from young children.

For more safety tips, please visit the link below.

Holiday Safety Tips

Thank you for being a part of Inspire! Enjoy the holiday season, wonderful time spent with family, and fantastic weather!

Thanks for taking time to read my blog, Nicole Foster HR/Administrative Assistant

From all of us at Inspire, Happy Holidays!

We had 6 different kinds of  yummy ice cream! So many toppings and lots of fun!

The sun was shining and the weather was beautiful!

What a fantastic way to celebrate the end of summer! See everyone at our next Inspire Event!

It was great to catch up with old friends who we hadn’t seen in a while and meet new friends. It is really exciting to be part of a growing organization that lives up to its mission and makes people feel like they are not just part of a community but part of a family. We can’t wait for Inspire’s next Zoo event and encourage all Inspire employees and members to come. If you aren’t already part of Inspire, we recommend you do so soon so that you join us in the fun.

We had so much fun last time we’re doing it again! In appreciation of our Members and Staff Inspire is hosting an afternoon of fun. Admissions, refreshments, and a private venue for relaxing and hanging out will be provided.

Space is limited so we ask for your RSVP as soon as possible, no later than April 2nd.

For more information or to reserve your tickets call us at 602-258-0900.

The most basic, fundamental human right is the right to choose how we live our life and personally define our own quality lifestyle. Inspire is about making it possible for everyone to live this right through self-directed human services.

Self-directed human services are supports provided by Direct Support Professionals to people living with disabilities pursuing an inclusive and self-directed lifestyle.