Universal Enhancements at Babcock Center Babcock Center

Board of Directors

John Stackhouse Chair

Gary Dobson, Vice-Chair

Susie Hartsell, Secretary

Andrew Saleeby, Treasurer

Melba Elsey

Jerry Goad

Gwen Hill

Frankey House

Dr. Dennis Lambries

Rahn McCrady

Dr. Ernest McCutcheon

Bryan McGill

Wilfred G. Rogers Erik J. Simenson

Ex Officio Dr. Judy Johnson

President/CEO

Arthur Waters

Self Advocate

Babcock Foundation

Board of Directors

The

BABCOCK

Bugle

Winter 2017

Angela Leon, Chair

Peyton Bryant, Vice-Chair

Melba Elsey, Secretary

Jerry Goad, Treasurer

Charlotte Berry

Donna Billingsley

Lisa Brooks

Tommy Boggs

Gary Dobson

Martha S. McGown

Abigail Rogers

Donna Saleeby

Nancy Smith

Elizabeth C. Tuck

(Honorary Member)

Ex Officio

Dr. Judy Johnson

President/CEO

In December 2013, Babcock Center had the distinct honor and

privilege to host Dr. Tom Pomeranz, President & CEO of Uni-

versal Lifestiles, and a national authority, trainer, clinician, and

consultant in the field of supports for people with lifelong disa-

bilities. Dr. Pomeranz conducted training and consultation

with our staff and the people we support, to help us begin our

journey to implementing Universal Enhancements, a new way

of supporting people that focuses on assisting people to lead a

“life of purpose”.

Since his visit, we have made great progress towards imple-

menting his concepts. One example is the addition of CIRS

(Community Integrated Residential Supports) to our residential

options. This model is a semi-independent living arrangement that allows individuals

more opportunities for personal growth and development by assisting them to experi-

ence more independent living with fewer restrictions, while using technology and spe-

cially trained staff to ensure that they are healthy and safe.

Another example is through changes within our vocational settings. We have started

an Employment First initiative and are working very hard to create meaningful jobs

within the community for people with lifelong disabilities. To this end, we have two

work enclaves, a mobile car wash (Palmetto Car Wash) and a yard service (Lawn &

Order) that provide individuals with a job in which they earn minimum wage, while

learning marketable skills.

In our homes, we continue to emphasize the need for staff to assist individuals to com-

plete household tasks as independently as possible to encourage greater independ-

ence. We are also working to provide greater community engagement and to assist

individuals to build relationships within the community.

Although we have made great strides in implementing Dr. Pomeranz’s concepts, our

journey is not yet complete. Dr. Pomeranz will return to the Babcock Center May 15-

19, to provide additional training and hands-on instruction to our staff and the people

we support. We are excited about his visit and the opportunity that it represents to

continue to focus our efforts to assist people to live a “life of purpose”.

Dr. Tom Pomeranz

Page 2 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

“Getting Involved: It Takes a Village to meet our Mission”

In a few months, I will be celebrating 15 years of employment with the Babcock Center. As I reflect on the past, live in

the present and dream of the future, it is clear to me that our mission is critically important for all of us. Simply stated,

“Our Mission is to empower people with lifelong disabilities to enjoy life by promoting abilities and respecting

choice.” Thanks to a visionary Board of Directors, hundreds of dedicated and truly caring staff and the faith and support

of our families and the people with disabilities we are privileged to serve, we are making a positive difference by work-

ing together.

Over the years we have reached out to volunteers and community leaders to help us with our mission and we have been

blessed to have so many community partners supporting our efforts. In this article, I want to recognize a few of those

people who have, and continue to make such a positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities.

The Babcock Center and Babcock Center Foundation Boards of Directors are two groups of dedicated volunteers that

help ensure that this organization continues to be a leader among service providers in our state. Many thanks to all of

these individuals for their dedication and support: Charlotte Berry (Foundation), Donna Billingsley (Foundation), Tom-

my Boggs (Foundation), Lisa Brooks (Foundation), Peyton Bryant (Foundation), Gary Dobson (Babcock Center &

Foundation), Melba Elsey (Babcock Center & Foundation), Jerry Goad (Babcock Center & Foundation), Susie G.

Hartsell (Babcock Center), Frankey House (Babcock Center), Dennis Lambries (Babcock Center), Angela Leon

(Foundation), McCrady (Babcock Center), Dr. Earnest McCutcheon (Babcock Center), Bryan McGill, (Babcock Center),

Martha McGown (Foundation), Abigail Rogers (Foundation), Wilfred Rogers, (Babcock Center), Donna Saleeby

(Foundation), Andrew Saleeby (Babcock Center), Nancy Smith (Foundation), Johnathan Stackhouse (Babcock Center),

Elizabeth Tuck (Foundation) and Arthur Waters (Babcock Center).

I would also like to thank the members of the Family Advisory Council who volunteer their time to visit our homes to

ensure health and safety, act as advocates on legislative issues that affect people with lifelong disabilities and help us

educate the community about the Babcock Center. The members of the Family Advisory Council are: Elizabeth

Baynard, Jim & Wendy Carlson, Evelyn Gabriel, Linda Green-Jenkins, Henry & Kathie Goodwin, Lou Gordon, Buddy

& Kathy Henson, Nancy Humphreys, Dave Kammerer, Stewart & Bronnie Maurer, Kay Paschal, Jim & Rhoda Rice,

Leo & Kathy Schertz, Richard & Helen Simensen, Bo Stalcup, Joye Steele, Joyce Stutts, Diane Wise and Yang Yang &

Xian Wu.

Another group of volunteers that is an integral part of our ability to provide quality supports is the Human Rights Com-

mittee. The HRC Committee ensures that the rights of the people we support are maintained and that every decision is

made with the best interest of the people we support in mind. The members of the HRC Committee are: Kathy Henson,

Kenneth Kepler, Betty Lucas, Patrick Sallings, J.C. Wannamaker, Cynthia Winston and Matthew Wood. I encourage

you to get involved in the various committees at the Babcock Center and help us make a positive difference in the lives

of people with lifelong disabilities.

In addition to those who serve on our boards and committees, we at Babcock Center owe a debt of gratitude to our legis-

lators who always put the needs of people with disabilities first at the State House, to Lexington County, the United Way

of the Midlands , the SC Developmental Disabilities Council and the Department of Disabilities and Special Needs. The

contributions of these individuals and organizations make it possible for us to continue to provide the highest quality of

supports and enhance lives of people with lifelong disabilities in our community.

As you can see, it truly does take a village to meet our mission. Again, many thanks to all the individuals and organiza-

tions that make a difference and assist us to empower people with lifelong disabilities to reach their full potential.

President’s Column By Judy E. Johnson, Ed.D.

President and CEO

Page 3 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

What’s Happening

The BETA Group meets the

3rd Thursday of each month

at the Mary L. Duffie Admin-

istration Building. Call Dave

Kammerer at 799-1970, ext.

144 for more information.

To volunteer at the Babcock

Center contact Diondra Black

at 799-1970, ext. 124.

The SC Philharmonic will

visit the Babcock Center on

April 7th for their Conduct

the Phil program. Join us at

the MLD Administration

Building at 10am and enjoy

the Philharmonic as Babcock

Center consumers “conduct”

the Phil!

Babcock Center Names Employer of the Quarter

Each quarter, Babcock Center recognizes an exceptional employer who has not

only hired people with lifelong disabilities, but has embraced them.

Babcock Center is proud to announce that the Publix on North Lake Drive in Co-

lumbia has been named the Employer of the Quarter. On Monday, November

28th, the Babcock Center Board of Directors presented the award to Mr. Chad

Paynter, Assistant Customer Service Manager.

The North Lake Drive Publix team has been instrumental in hiring four individu-

als with disabilities and is in the process of hiring a 5th. One success story is that

of Gregory Yenny. Gregory began working at Publix in September and he LOVES his job! The Publix team

has gone above and beyond to help Gregory learn his job duties and have encouraged him every step of the

way.

Keep up with all the

happenings at the Babcock

Center, like us on

Facebook!

From left to right: Chad Paynter

Publix, Atavia Gadson and Dr. Judy

Johnson.

Board of Directors News

The Babcock Center and Foundation Boards of Director’s recognizes that serving on a

board is a huge commitment and would like to welcome our newest members and thank

them for their service.

Gwen Hill is a graduate of Clemson University with a degree in Nursing

and is a Registered Nurse. She is currently the Director of Legal for Pal-

metto Health, where she is responsible for the daily operations of the

Legal Department. Gwen is also a member of River Hills Baptist

Church.

Bryan McGill graduated from Presbyterian College with a B.S. in Busi-

ness Administration. He is currently employed at BlueCross BlueShield

of SC as the Printing Services Manager, where he is responsible for the

day-to-day operations of the company’s in-house print shop. He is a 2016

graduate of Leadership Columbia and helped found the Johnny Bowen,

Jr. Memorial Golf Tournament to benefit the Airport High Education

Foundation.

Wilfred G. Rogers earned a B.A. in Political Science from Benedict Col-

lege and an M.Ed. in Counselor Ed/ Education Psychology from the Uni-

versity of South Carolina. He is currently employed as the Assistant

Principal at Olympia Learning Center. He is a member of the National

Association of Secondary School Principals, the SC Association of Sec-

ondary School Administrators and the Association of School Curriculum

Development. He also serves on the Board of Deacons at St. John Bap-

tist Church.

Tommy Boggs has joined the Babcock Center Foundation Board of Di-

rectors. He is a graduate of Clemson University with a B.S. in Market-

ing and a Masters in Electronic Commerce. He is currently employed at

Hub International as an insurance broker.

Thanks to all of them for their commitment to our organization.

Gwen Hill

Bryan McGill

Wilfred G. Rogers

Tommy Boggs

Page 4 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

Fire & Ice Ball

Town Theatre Supports Babcock Luv for Babcock

The 2017 Luv for

Babcock Charity

Tennis Tournament

was held February

3rd—5th at the

Cayce Tennis and

Fitness Center. It

was a wildly success-

ful year with over

150 players and rais-

ing over $10,000!

Many thanks to all of our sponsors, especially Con-

sultants in Gastroenterology, Dr. & Mrs. Gabe Salee-

by, Southeastern Paper Group, Koon, Cook & Wal-

ters, PA, E.F. Martin Mechanical Contractors, auto-

PROS of Columbia, Pitas and Fusco’s Market.

Thanks also to the Tennis Committee members, Dar-

nell Koon, Paola Maoli, Donna Saleeby and Mary

Anna Stewart for all their hard work to make this

year’s tournament the best ever!

Many thanks to Town

Theatre for their support

of the Babcock Center!

Town Theatre staff re-

cently presented a check

to Babcock Center for

$250!

With a desire to give

back to their community,

the theatre conducted a

fundraiser over the holi-

days, during which they

sold raffle tickets for gift

baskets. They raised $500

and split the proceeds of

the fundraiser between

the Babcock Center and the Family Shelter.

We are thankful for their continued support and gener-

osity.

Players Richard Kemper, Riley Pres-

cott, Donna Saleeby and John May

take a break for a picture during their

mixed doubles match.

Front Row: Shannon Scruggs

(Executive Director , Town Thea-

tre) and Josh Bennett, Family

Shelter.

Back Row: Carrie Deaton ( Direc-

tor BC Foundation and Donna

Saleeby (BC Board of Directors).

Page 5 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

BLWAC Gives Back

The folks at the Batesburg/Leesville Work Activity Center

believe in giving back to the community.

Recently, they made four blankets for the nurses in Lex-

ington School District 3. The blankets will be used in the

health rooms to provide comfort to students when they are

sick.

They also collect newspapers to give to the Bates-

burg/Leesville Animal Hospital to line pet cages and they

collect plastic grocery bags to donate to a local food pan-

try.

We are so proud of the impact that they are making in

their community!

Go Do Life

We are very excited

about the Go Do Life

Program that has been

implemented at the

Babcock Center

thanks to a grant

through the SC Devel-

opmental Disabilities

Council.

The program is a social skills training program for

people with disabilities. The goal of the program is

to assist individuals to become independent in

choosing and participating in recreational activities

within the community.

We currently have ten participants and they are on

the move volunteering at partner organizations with-

in the community while they work on improving

their skills!

Town Theatre Fundraiser

On May 4th, Babcock Center will partner with Town Theater to bring you the

dress rehearsal of “Catch Me if You Can”. Tickets are $15. This is a great

way to get a sneak peak of the show before it opens to the public! There are

also many sponsorship opportunities available to support this fundraiser!

Contact us !

803-799-1970 to

reserve tickets

or sponsor this

event!

The Playwright|$500.00

NAME NOTORIETY IN ALL PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES 1/2 PAGE AD IN PLAYBILL

RECOGNITION AT EVENT 15 TICKETS TO PERFORMANCE

The Producer|$250.00

NAME NOTORIETY IN ALL PROMOTIONAL ACTIVITIES 1/4 PAGE AD IN THE PLAYBILL 10 TICKETS TO PERFORMANCE

The Actor|$150.00

BUSINESS CARD SIZE AD IN PLAYBILL 5 TICKETS TO PERFORMANCE Adopt-A-House|$75.00

Go Do Life participants at the Free

Medical Clinic (from left to right):

Melissa McKerley, Ray Culbreth,

Freddie Strange (Executive Direc-

tor), Arthur Waters and Scarlett

Graham.

Page 6 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

Our Contributors

Babcock Center Foundation appreciates the generosity of those who contribute their time, talent and

treasure to help us continue to enhance the lives of people with lifelong disabilities supported by the

Babcock Center. The following represents donations, memorials, honoraria and in-kind contributions

November, 2016 thru February, 2017.

Donations

Kathryn Allen

Nellie Alston

David & Betty Anderson

autoPROS Columbia

Louie Blaze

Annie S. Bishop

Larry & Lisa Bryant

Jim & Wendy Carlson

J.R. Chapman

Robert C. Charles, Jr.

David L. Claybrook

Meghan S. Cole

Shamala Collier

Consultants in Gastroenterology

Osmund & Barbara Dixon

E.F. Martin Mechanical Contractors

James G. Fickling

Fusco’s Market

Evelyn L. Gabriel

Jerry & Mollie Goad

Etheridge Grubbs

Joyce V. Harris

Nancy H. Humphreys

Valerie Jackson

Mryna P. Jeffcoat

Frank T. Keenan, Jr.

Christine B. King

Koon, Cook & Walters, LLC

Leroy Lewis

Rahn Pitts McCrady

Andrena McNeill

Michelin North America

Tom Morgan

Pitas

David & Tracy Redfern

James & Rhoda Rice

Brooke Russell

John & Sue Slater

Southeastern Paper Group

Steve’s Deli

Claretta J. Sulton

Harold S. Tillman

The Town Theatre

Evelyn Ash Turner

Randy & Nancy Vereen

“ How wonderful it is

that nobody need wait a

single moment before

starting to improve the

world.”

~ Anne Frank

2015 Bar Stool Classic Sponsors

Budweiser of Columbia

Checker Yellow

Life HME

Long’s

Five Points Association

Free Times

Security Federal Bank

Stitch Wizard

Page 7 Babcock Bugle Winter 2017

Our Contributors

In Honor of …

Mary Lee Assemany Saralee Stricker Mary Lou Ball Faith, Hope & Love Sunday School Class Bob & Karen Gray Capt. Malcom G. Lindley Doris J. Medders Susan L. Monteith Sarah A. Reed Harry F. Smithson Hugh J. “Bud” Smyrl, Jr. Michael & Cheryl Smyrl Margaret C. Stubbs Patricia A. Sisney Upstate Pool Management Lisha Caughman Judith E. Johnson Corey Collins Wanda Collins Charles Cornwall Judith E. Johnson Joy Dent Michael & Patricia Shuler Hugh “Buddy” Fenzel Richard & Eileen Gibbs

Gene Forester J.F. Algar Karen Johnson Jo Ann R. Liles Mary Matthews Frances C. Cameron James & Ethel Childress David A. Childs Ann W. Gray James Hallman Larry & Betsy Hutton Rudolph & Ellen Mackie Dorothy Mathias Mary B. Pupene Southern Development Management Co. Peggy K. Teague Robert Moses Elna M. Moses Jean Shelton R.C. & Dorothy Reames Ingrid Smith Henriette Smith Rex White Margaret B. White

In Memory of ...

Linda Alston

by Josephine Alston McRant

Greg Eaddy

by Kathleen L. Baskin

Jerry Goad

by Ruth Camp Campbell Foundation

Ken & Karen Krauskopf

by Judith E. Johnson

Buddy Reames

by R.C. & Dorothy Reames

Erik Simensen

by Calvin & Rebecca Carney

Scotty Snelgrove

by Miriam Rhett

Babcock Center, Inc.

PO Box 3608

West Columbia, SC 29171

803-799-1970

803-799-8829 fax

Promoting Abilities By Respecting Choice

We’re on the Web!

www.babcockcenter.org

or

like us on Facebook!

Non-Profit Org.

US Postage

PAID

Columbia, SC

Permit No. 1190

Babcock Center is currently col-

lecting recipes for a cookbook

fundraiser.

Please send your favorite recipes to

Carrie Deaton for inclusion in the

cookbook by March 31st!

Recipes may be emailed to:

cdeaton@babcockcenter.org

Or you may mail your submission to:

2725 Banny Jones Avenue Columbia, SC 29171.

Be sure to include your name with your recipes.

Please help us put together a great cookbook and raise funds

for people with lifelong disabilities!

Special Adult Network of Dentists or

SANDS is a project of the Medical Uni-

versity of SC, funded by the Duke Endow-

ment, to connect adults with disabilities to

dental care providers.

Contact Joan McLauren, Program Coor-

dinator at 843-876-0059 or by email at

mclauren@musc.edu for assistance in lo-

cating the dental care you need.

Recipes Needed! Connect to Dental Care