Board ofDirectors

Officers

PresidentPeregrin SorterVice PresidentJohn SchackSecretaryJennifer FontaineTreasurerTodd C. Kelly Directors

Chad McBrideJonathan MinearKevin HastingsSarah KorbonitsTina Nole

Banchero Disability Partners empowers adults with developmental disabilities so that they may realize their potential, achieve their goals, and be active and contributing members in their com-

munities. Together we promote equitable civil rights.

Banchero Disablity Partners thanks our many business donors.Please support the businesses that support us!à Maurice Cellars, ACT A Contemporary Theatre, All the Best Pet Care, American Dance Institute, Anthony’s Restaurant – Chinook’s, Banic Chiropractic Clinic, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation Employee Matching Gift Program, Boeing Company Gift Match Program, Brown Bear Car Wash, Canlis, Capital Industries, Cedar Grove Composting, Chuck Olson Chevrolet & Kia, Classic Catering, CorePower Yoga, Costco Wholesale, DeLille Cellars, Diane’s Tank Removal Service, Dimitriou’s Jazz Alley, El Gaucho, Elements Therapeutic Massage, Emerald Downs, Emerald Services Inc., EMP Museum, Employees’ Community Fund of Boeing, EPJ Consulting, Equal Exchange Espresso, Essential Baking, Ethan Stowell Restaurants, Fairmont Olympic Hotel, Flayva’s Fresh Roast Coffee, Flying Furs, Gertrude and Eldon Sallee Foundation, Grand Central Baking Company, Gymboree Play & Music of Ballard and Bellevue, Hasegawa Family & Esthetic Dentistry, Hilliard’s Beer, Holliday Masonry, Huxley Wallace Collective, Invest In Others Charitable Foundation, James Alan Salon and Spa, Juliet Fine Crafted Jewelry, KBB Wealth Management at Morgan Stanley, Kendall Floral Supply, Laura Bee Designs, Lloyd Martin Restaurant, Marination Food Truck, Mercury Pharmacy, Microsoft Matching Gifts, Milbrandt Vineyards, Morelli Family LLC, Myo Rehab Therapy, Narboo, Natural Moments Studio, Nile Golf Course, Northwest Crossfit, Opus Community Fund, Paint The Town, Peddler Brewing Company, Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala, Plum Job Searching Strategies, Redmond General Insurance Agency, Ride the Ducks Seattle, Rodman Gilder Miller Studio, Schultz Family Foundation, Schwartz Brothers, SeaBear Wild Salmon, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle Opera, Seattle Property Management, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle Symphony, Seattle Theatre Group, Sepic Family Foundation, Siderius Lonergan & Martin, Skillet Street Foods, Slate Salon and Spa, Space Needle and Chihuly Garden and Glass, Sparkman Cellars, Spin Alley Bowling Center, StoryBook Theater, Stuhlbergs Inc., Suncadia Lodge, Symetra Financial, The Garage, The Museum of Flight, The Norcliffe Foundation, The Red Balloon Co., The Red Balloon Photography, The Seattle Foundation, Tom Douglas Restaurants, Town Hall Seattle, Umpqua Bank, UW Athletics, UW World Series, Via Tribunali, Westlake and Associates, Whole Life Yoga, Woodland Park Zoo, Yuen Lui Studio

Please consider visiting us or making an online donation at www.banchero.org!

p. (206) 367-7795f. (206) 361-2271

Leif came from his dad’s home to be supported by Banchero Disability Partners in 1996, when he was just 20 years old. Leif joined a roommate at the Shoreline Ballinger Commons apartments, and took 2 Metro buses each way to Ballard High School until he graduated in 1997. After participating in a job training program led by BDP, Leif began his career as a dishwasher at the Sheraton Hotel. Leif worked with a group of people who have developmental disabilities, in a scheme called group supported employment. He was supported by Northwest Center Industries, who guaranteed that bussing and dishwashing would be high quality by deploying several clients and a crew leader to the task.

Leif built up a cherished routine of work M – F, and a visit to his dad or his mom in Bellingham every other weekend. Leif would take the Greyhound, meeting his mom at the Bellingham station. Another part of Leif ’s routine was garden burgers, and he learned to put together a mean burger with a side of milk to enjoy while watching his favorite Spiderman cartoons.

As Leif matured roommate-living lost its charms and he expressed a desire for more privacy. When we bought The Ramsey in 2010, Leif moved into a spacious sunset-view 1 bedroom apartment on the 4th floor and became king of his castle. With 4 BDP clients on the 4th floor, staff was now shared as if it was one big house with private wings. This

Meet Leif and Ebrima!

Spring 2017

13732 Midvale Ave. N #103Seattle, WA 98133

p: 206 367 7795f: 206 361 2271

www.banchero.org

Calendar

Caribbean CarnivalHeart and Soul Auction

Saturday, April 29

5:30 – 10:30 p.m.

Banchero Hall at St. Anne School

101 West Lee Street

Seattle WA 98119

Board MeetingsTuesday, May 23, 6:30 p.m.

Client reception, 5:30 p.m.

BDP Office

13732 Midvale Ave. N. #103

Seattle WA 98133

Tuesday, July 25, 6:30 p.m.

Via phone conference

CONTINUES ON THE NEXT PAGE >>Written by CaraLee Cook.Layout and design by Vivian Hua.

Board &Organizational NewsPaid work is key to our client’s success, can you help?In most cases, Social Security Disability Income provides only a fraction of the money our clients need to pay their bills. DSHS provides some assistance, but they limit personal funds to just $40 per month for toiletries and recreation. Employment gives the person the dignity of contributing to society, as well as earning spending money for life’s little pleasures such as movies, clothing, coffee out, concerts and so much more.

At 70% unemployed, people with developmental disabilities suffer some of the lowest employment rates. Our client Mali lost her job over a year ago, and despite having many skills, she has yet to land new employment. Taking matters into her own hands, Mali is embarking on one of the great American dreams - she is starting her own business: walking dogs.

Mali has registered on Rover.com, and can be found at the URL https://www.rover.com/members/mali-p-dog-lover-who-loves-to-walk. Rover.com provides insurance and a payment platform. Mali has great experience and great references for walking dogs, having been an entrepreneur for the past couple of years. She absolutely loves dogs and loves to walk them, rain or shine. Mali charges only $20 for a 30-minute walk, and is able to accommodate clients as far north as Lynnwood, and anywhere in the Seattle area. Give Mali’s dog-walking biz a try - you will not be sorry!

Other clients are seeking work in areas such as janitorial, shelf stocking, bussing, dishwashing, assembly and animal care etc…. Does your business have a job that can be done by a person who has a disability? Can certain tasks be “carved out” freeing your employees to pursue new goals? Clients come with job coaches who make sure the tasks are successfully completed. Part-time work is welcome! Contact CaraLee@Banchero.org if you want to explore the possibilities and have a positive impact on someone’s life.

Thank you to Marci Swindell!Marci has been our Program Director for the past year and a half, and she has made a deep and lasting impression on all of us at BDP. Marci has championed client-centered programming and always puts the individual in the driver’s seat

of their support plan. Everything Marci does is reflective of her dedication to putting our clients in charge of their own destinies, and leading us by her example. Marci has been the best possible leader to our staff, she is right there when she is needed, has a “can do” attitude, and inspires people to do their best. We will miss Marci’s hearty laugh and unique perspectives, but we wish her well as she takes on the next chapter of her life with her signature heart and enthusiasm.

Welcome to Marjean Knight!Taking over for Marci as Program Director is Marjean Knight. Marjean has worked for decades in long-term care supporting vulnerable populations and families, starting as a direct-support professional at the agency that is now Provail. Marjean has a reputation of providing excellent client-centered service and fierce advocacy. Marjean also has nonprofit leadership experience, and is very much looking forward to meeting the challenges we face together with creative solutions. Join us in welcoming Marjean to the BDP family!

Speaking of Immigration…Over the past 15 years, the face of our workforce has changed dramatically, with over 50% now immigrants. The vast majority of our immigrant workforce is practicing Muslims. We would quickly be out of business without this critical source of employees! Most importantly, our wonderful Muslim employees cite service to “One’s brother” as one of the highest callings, and one of the reasons they have sought out work with vulnerable populations. With our rapidly aging population and not enough native-born workers, we consider ourselves truly blessed that immigrants have come to our community, and have lent their talents and hearts to our clients!

Laethan’s Wonderful LifeRead about our own Laethan Wene’s 20 years of success at Arby’s and Northwest Center! This past summer, Laethan celebrated with colleagues, and was featured in a book of success stories. Not only is Laethan a NWC success story, he is on their governing board of directors!

Visit http://bit.ly/laethanslife to read the article!

Becky is working on her diploma at North Seattle Community College

Scott, CaraLee, Keith, and Gail celebrate at the “Burn the Mortgage Party” for The Ramsey.

United Way Day of Caring participants from Microsoft give Loya House a makeover.

arrangement has allowed Leif both privacy and autonomy while making sure he has the support that he needs. Leif has blossomed, and his success is just one of the rewards of having bought our own building.

Leif has had wonderful help from many dedicated staff people over the years, and has teamed up with Ebrima for the past several. Ebrima and Leif have worked together on Leif ’s health plan. As a person diagnosed with Down’s syndrome, Leif is prone to certain related health risks. To minimize his risk profile, Leif gets regular checkups, follows a healthy menu plan developed for him by a nutrition intern, and gets plenty of exercise. Ebrima makes sure that Leif goes to the local gym or The Ramsey fitness center 5-6 times a week, and follows a routine that was developed for him by a fitness intern. Leif loves his relaxing and invigorating weekly yoga class put on by Outdoors for All, and he is always ready with his mat under his arm when it is time to go.

In his castle, Leif is in charge of his home life. Leif is proud to carry a key to The Ramsey and to his apartment. Reflective of Leif ’s ascetic choices, his apartment is adorned with personal touches such as superhero figurines and posters. With staff help, Leif has mastered home tasks such as taking out the garbage and recycling, washing his dishes and clothes, paying his bills with his checking account, and preparing some of his favorite meals. With the completion of any chore comes a hearty “thumbs up” and “high five” from Leif to Ebrima or other assisting staff. Leif enjoys quiet time alone, with solitary activities such as Lego construction, but recently he has come more out of his shell, and is game for activities such as parks and recreation programs and gatherings with friends.

Ebrima, who comes from The Gambia, has this to say about his time with Leif: “It’s great fun working with Leif, especially attending community holiday parties and dances. These are personal experiences for me, as I get to know more of American traditions and festivities and above all the foods!”Leif has a wonderful and supportive family whom he visits regularly. He shares a birthday with his sister Anna, and loves being an uncle to her son. In addition to visiting his mom in Bellingham often, Leif sees his dads; David and Jackson, whenever they are in town. For many years, Leif has enjoyed a Sunday lunch at local restaurant Suni’s with his previous roommate Don, and he has forged loving relationships with fellow BDP clients.

Leif was most recently employed doing packaging work from home, which suited his solitary nature and attention to detail. He is currently looking for the right part-time fit with a great company. Leif has a solid work ethic, and comes with a job coach who will help him have success. Email Mohammed@banchero.org if you have any job leads for Leif.

Part of what makes our work so satisfying is to help our clients over the arc of their lives, in all of the different stages. We appreciate the faith that Leif ’s family has placed in us and Leif ’s enthusiastic participation in our program for the past 20 years, and we look forward gratefully to the next 20 years!

Events & FundraisingCalypso on down to the Heart and Soul Caribbean Carnival and Dinner Auction! April 29, at Banchero Hall at St. Anne School, 101 West Lee Street. Join us as we celebrate with a West Indies style feast by Classic Catering, and dance the night away to music by lively Soca ensemble Andy O www.andyo.net. Test your limbo technique and have a fun time for a great cause at our annual fundraising event.

Games! Prizes! Live Auction and More! RSVP by April 17 to get the early-bird price of $40 per ticket (kids 10 and under free). April 17- 24 ticket prices go up to $60 per adult.

Put the BDP Golf Tournament on your calendar!Mark your calendar for September 11, 2017. Thanks to Cedar Grove Compost for hosting and arranging a Golf Tournament to benefit Banchero Disability Partners. The event will be held at the prestigious Washington National Golf Course in Auburn. Along with a fun day on the course, prizes and dinner will be included. If you would like to be a sponsor of this event, or to be put on the invitation list, please email caralee@banchero.org.

MEET LEIF AND EBRIMA,CONTINUED FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Jeff and Dan enjoy the holiday party

Kevin keeps warm at soccer practice

Mali and Luigi share some love

Amazon Smile!When you shop on Amazon, you can now designate Banchero Disability Partners and a portion of your purchase will be deposited directly into our account. Pick Amazon Smile from the dropdown menu. That will certainly make us smile .