The Via Voice – the voice of our community
October 2009
In This Issue
 A Whole New Experience for Teens with Disabilities
What I Did on My Summer Break by Bryan Wigg:
“I went flying in a four-seat airplane. I went horseback riding and helped build a dog house for the Humane Society. I helped plan the menu and cook for a party of 15 and helped plan a trip for 20 people to Philadelphia. I took an inside tour of a news station and got to watch the news live from inside the studio. I spent the afternoon with professional wrestler Mike Miller, who starred in the critically acclaimed motion picture ‘The Wrestler.’ What did you do?”
“Bryan, just like any teenager, wants to be connected to friends and family, and learn, work, and be respected for his choices,” said Jolene Fetherman, Via Teen Summer coordinator.
 Via’s Teen Summer Experience helps teens with a wide range of disabilities develop social skills and peer networks that lead to success in life, career development and independence. By facilitating relationships between young adults and the communities in which they live, teens learn to connect to their community through recreational, social, volunteer and educational activities. This intensive 11-week program provides opportunities to participate in a wide range of activities that includes job shadowing and career counseling, volunteer activities, and a series of recreational and team-building activities.
“This is a great program for teenagers,” said Patti Saenz Deviteri, Bryan’s mother.
“Bryan knows he’s not going to be in high school forever and the things he learned were very age appropriate. Being exposed to all these different things in the community really opened him up to different opportunities.”
Teens have the opportunity to develop social skills, explore job opportunities through volunteering and expand their network of support. All of these skills help prepare young adults to become successful members of the community and workforce upon graduation.
 “We work individually with each teen and their family to develop educational, recreational and vocational goals for their summer program,” said Fetherman.
The goals focus on the individual interests of each teen and center on developing skills and experiences that further develop their social and vocational skill sets, as they prepare to transition from school to adult life.
“It was my first summer in the program and I really liked it,” said Bryan.
“We did fun things but also worked in the community talking with people, practicing interviews and working on social skills. I wanted to see what I can do once I graduate from high school because I'm not going to go there forever, you know! I am planning on going back next summer too.”
For more information or to register, visit us online or contact Lisa Musselman, Via Community Connections Director (L.Musselman@ViaNet.org | 610-317-8000 x431).
 Letter from Via’s Board Chair
It is an exciting and challenging time to be part of the board of Via of the Lehigh Valley. We are in the midst of streamlining our organization to serve children and adults with disabilities more efficiently. Doing more with less is a necessity for everyone during these economic times. Fortunately, Via is focused on creating success every day for people with disabilities and economic concerns are no obstacle to that dedication.
As a board, we are currently working with the Non-Profit Center at LaSalle University to provide interim leadership, board and staff training, and a professional search for an Executive Director. This relationship and a group of new Via board members has brought fresh ideas, and renewed enthusiasm and confidence that places us in a position to better serve our community.
There are many ways to help Via fulfill our mission. Besides supporting our successful events, we accept contributions of time and/or money directed at any one of the services Via offers. In addition, our Thrift Stores accept donations of clothing and household goods.
There is much to be done and we, Via board and staff, are up to the challenge. Why not join us? To learn more, call or email our interim Executive Director, Karen Forbes, at 484-893-5372 or K.Forbes@ViaNet.org.
Respectfully Yours,
Gene Lennon, Via Board Chair
Sibshops - Workshops for Siblings of Children with Special Needs
Brothers and sisters of children with disabilities now have a chance to meet and talk with other children whose brothers and sisters have special needs. At Via Sibshops, children have the opportunity to talk about the good and not-so-good parts of having a sibling with a disability.
 “Via Sibshops makes Leah feel like she is not alone,” said Jean Fastenau, mother of Leah and Kamrin.
“Leah really enjoys going and meeting other kids in a similar situation. Even though she is great with Kamrin, I know there are times when she feels left out or more attention and time is focused on Kamrin. Sibshops makes it all about her.”
Via Sibshops, for siblings age 8 to 12, is a lively celebration of the many contributions siblings make to their brothers and sisters with special needs. It also offers support to the family member most likely to have the longest-lasting relationship with the person with special needs.
“Siblings of children with special needs wear many hats and often experience unusual concerns growing up like embarrassment, guilt, isolation, resentment, increased responsibility and the pressure to succeed,” said Marisa Nimtien, Via Children’s Services director.
 “On the flip side, siblings often experience unusual opportunities such as maturity, insight, tolerance, pride, advocacy and loyalty.”
Through more than fifty years of experience, Via knows individuals with a disability are part of a family and families share in both the joys and sorrows of their loved one. A sibling relationship is often the longest relationship that many individuals have in their lives, often outlasting parent-child relationships and marital relationships. Besides peer support, Sibshops also provide participants with an opportunity to learn more about their sibling’s disability.
For more information or to register, visit us online or contact Marissa Nimtien, Via Children’s Services Director (M.Nimiten@ViaNet.org | 610-317-8000 x483).
 Via’s Employment Program Receives $10,000 Grant
Via’s Employment program received $10,000 from the PA Medicaid Infrastructure Grant Promoting Social Security’s Work Incentives to help people with disabilities find jobs. Via’s
Employment program provides job development, job coaching and follow-along support to adults with disabilities so they can work in the community.
The goal of the Work Incentives grant is to reach out to interested job seekers with disabilities to help them access federal and state work incentives. Social Security Work Incentives make it possible for people with disabilities receiving Social Security to work and still receive benefits.
Individuals often want to work but are not knowledgeable about how work income will affect their benefits. Through this grant, Via will provide education and assistance to adults with disabilities and their families to help them understand how they can gain successful employment and maintain their
Medicaid and Medicare benefits.
Work Incentives are a valuable piece of an individual’s plan to enter the work force and provide a safety net to assist beneficiaries in finding the right job and succeeding in the workplace. With Via’s assistance and using tools like Social Security’s Work Incentives, more and more adults with disabilities are finding and maintaining successful employment in the community.
For more information, visit us online or contact Corey Smith, Via Employment Director (C.Smith@ViaNet.org | 610-317-8000 x496).
Via of the Lehigh Valley Donor Spotlight
For a community, compassion is measured by the people and the manner in which they support all its members. Everyone deserves the chance to succeed and, through the support of our community, Via is able to provide opportunities for the people we serve. We rely on our community to provide financial support so we can continue to provide quality programs for children and adults with disabilities. Thank you to our donors who help us achieve our mission.
Gifts made from July to September 2009 (View Via’s annual giving list)
- Aardvark Sports Shop
- Mabel Adams Trust
- Amsted Industris Matching Gift Program
- Banko Real Estate
- Concannon Wealth Management
- Coordianated Health
- Fitzpatrick Lentz & Bubba
- Franklin Markley Trust
- Robert A. Hanawalt
- Daniel Hughes
- Ironton Telephone Company
- Jefferson Democratic Club
- Mary Ellen Keller Trust
- Nelson & Rachel Koon
- Lehigh Valley Health Network
- Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
- The Estate of Shirley McGinley
- Osram Sylvania
- PA Dept. of Community & Economic Development
- The Presbyterian Church, Catasauqua
- Paul Rumley
- Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem
- Bonita & Todd Stickel for Community Employment
- Bill Sugra Memorial Fund
Gifts made in memory of the following friends of Via:
- Lea Arnold for Jimmy Arnold
- Madelyn Gerhart
- Lawrence Herceg
- Lori Markulics, Via Consumer
Via’s programs continue to grow and strengthen our ability to fulfill our mission. Your gift and support can make real changes in the lives of the people we serve. Please consider making a gift today. You can donate online, call 610-317-8000 x450 or mail a donation to Via of the Lehigh Valley, 336 W. Spruce Street, Bethlehem, PA 18018.
There are many other ways you can help Via of the Lehigh Valley fulfill its mission of providing leadership, support, opportunities and resources for people with disabilities so that they may be independent, productive and enjoy full lives within the community. Learn more about how you can help.
Via Events
 Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via
More than 2,500 runners and walkers participated in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Together 212 relay teams, 400 marathoners, 625 half marathoners and 500 5K walkers raised money for Via of the Lehigh Valley’s programs for children and adults with disabilities. Save the date: September 12, 2010.
 Via All-Star Basketball Classic
The 35th Via All-Star Basketball Classic returns on March 27, 2010 showcasing the finest high school basketball talent in the greater Lehigh Valley. The Via All-Star Banquet kicks off the Classic on March 24 and recognizes members of the Via All-Star teams, players of the year, teams of the year, scholar athletes and Lehigh Valley High School Basketball Hall of Fame inductees.
New this year: Join us for a basketball clinic with the Via All-Stars for teens with disabilities. More information coming soon! |
