East Nash Dash 2013 Benefiting Progress -Coming this Saturday!

Lightning 100's airs Progress Interview Sunday, Oct. 13, 2013

Turn your dials to Lightning 100 Sunday morning, and you'll get to hear Progress Executive Director Donna Goodaker and PR/Events Manager Stephanie Toone shed light on the agency's mission and two upcoming fundraisers A Purpose to Pour and the East Nash Dash.

Donna Goodaker preparing for the interview with Nicole Cowan Buckley on Lightning 100.

There was much to share about  Progress, since this year has been a year of exciting beginnings for the provider agency for seniors and people with disabilities.

In the interview, Donna speaks about Progress' 43 years as a leader in supporting people with intellectual disabilities, and the success of the division of Senior Care that allows Progress to keep even more folks healthy, happy and safe. Our exciting soon-to-open recycled art supplies store SMART! Scrap Made Art, which will enhance Progress' mission and employ the folks we support, was also a major topic of discussion.

 SMART will hold its first fundraising soiree "APurpose to Pour" this Sunday, which will raise funds for the opening of the retail store. To purchase tickets, visit www.purposetopour.eventbrite.com.

On Saturday, Oct. 19, Progress will hold its second annual 4-miler East Nash Dash, which supports Progress daily programs. To participate, visit www.eastnashdash.org/register.

The  interview will air at 7 a.m. on WRLT Lightning 100, and will be available on SoundCloud after the interview airs, so please support Donna and Progress by listening in!

Jenny Hatch: Why Progress Strives to Keep Our Folks Living Their "Best Possible Life"

Jenny Hatch had to forge a legal battle to live independently. The Washington Post tells her story. - Washington Post

Jenny Hatch is a shining example of why the work we do at Progress really matters. The 29-year-old woman was not allowed the right to live on her own, but thanks to a recent court order, Jenny will experience the freedom of choice and independence that many of our folks have the opportunity to experience each day. Jenny Hatch's story helps us all to see the impossible is indeed possible.

"It’s not just a reminder of the ample abilities of people with disabilities, but to me, it was challenge to remember who each individual can become," Progress Executive Director Donna Goodaker said of the article about Hatch.

Click the link below to read more of her inspiring story:
Woman with Down syndrome prevails over parents on control

 

Progress Asks: Who wants to walk/run with us WEDNESDAYS to battle obesity?

Step-by-Step: Progress' new walking/running initiative to get us Lean in 2013!

 

Walk, run and just get moving to beat the odds in Tennessee!

In Tennessee, 3 in 10 people are considered obese. At best, there are only 11 states that rank lower than we do in overall health.

Progress is responding to these challenging numbers by taking part in the state's Healthier Nashville Wellness initiative. We have partnered with Governor Bill Haslam's office and launched Working for a Healthier Tennessee. This is a companion initiative dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our employees. 

We welcome ALL of Progress supporters, friends and family to join us in our new walking challenge Step-by-Step: Path to the East Nash Dash. The weekly walk/run challenge will gradually get participants to the distance of 4 miles, which is the same distance of Progress' Oct. 19 benefit run East Nash Dash at Five Points.

Every Wednesday, a team of Progress employees will begin walking/running at the Metro Parks Soccer Field track (across from our campus at 319 Ezell Pike) at 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

We're encouraging everyone to attempt some walking or running  three times per week. If you'd like to know more about our Step-By-Step Walk/Run program, contact Bonnie Sanders at 615-429-5014.

To sign up for the East Nash Dash, visit www.eastnashdash.org/register. 

Progress Asks: What do seniors think of Progress Inc. In-home Care?

Barbara Joyner first learned of Progress when her husband suffered from Alzhiemer's Disease last year. Since September, Ms. Joyner has seen the benefit of having a senior care attendant by her side for all the little things it's hard for her to do.

Progress Staff Honored at 2013 TNCO Awards of Excellence

Yaeden "Spud" Taylor won the title of Oustanding DSP of the year.

Progress Staff Honored at 2013 TNCO Awards of Excellence

Spud Taylor and Carolyn Huey win big at TNCO Awards on Aug. 14.

Spud Taylor and Carolyn Huey will be honored for their outstanding efforts to keep seniors and people with disabilities healthy, happy and safe. We here at Progress are honored that these two individuals can represent the dozens of other exceptional Progress employees.These two folks go above and beyond their roles as direct support professional and program manager, respectively. 

Spud's nomiantor said: 

Spud always arranges his ‘off time’ to accommodate appointments, picking his guys up early for whatever reason. He has also changed his schedule and adjusted his time off if there was another staff that needed the same time off. He arranged his studies to work around his guys to ensure their well-being and happiness instead of putting himself and his studies before the guys.

Carolyn's nominator said:

Carolyn never hesitates to pull in and work a home when needed, not just because she is without staff, but because she is very familiar with everyone on her caseload. She would rather work in the home herself than place someone in the home that’s not familiar with the service recipient’s needs.. The last couple of years Carolyn began managing homes through our senior program in Cheatham Co. She often also worked the homes, not just to get the home covered but at times the senior client would request Carolyn to work their home.

On Wednesday, the two will accept their awards at the TNCO Awards of Excellence Ceremony and Luncheon at Hotel Preston.
Please share your congratulations here in the comment section for Carolyn and Spud!

Progress Asks: Top 3 Things In-Home Care Provides

Progress Senior Care Manager Patrick Ridner has a personal connection to caring for seniors.

Progress Asks: What's the Top 3 Things In-Home Care Provides?

It's Tuesday, so once again Progress is giving you a peak into the world of senior care with our Progress Asks segment. Today, our guest blogger Progress Senior Care Manager Patrick Ridner will provide a list of some of the major aspects of in-home care through the services Progress Inc. provides.

 Patrick has a heart for the communities we serve. The Middle Tennessee native said his grandfather's passing more than a year ago, opened his eyes to the need for care at home.

"My grandfather passed away two days before I got the job here," Patrick said. "He had been in a nursing home, but if we would have known about something like Progress, he could have been cared for at home. It seems like people know they're there to die at a nursing home."

Working at Progress means he can give families an opportunity his family didn't have. He enjoys interacting with his employees that work in the homes and getting to know the people Progress supports. It's hard to know exactly when someone could utilize in-home care, but Patrick has one piece of advice

 "When a person loses a certain amount of independence, (like they need help with cooking or cleaning), our services are beneficial. That's when we can come in and make the difference."

With in-home care, caregivers can provide a personal touch and add much more to the lives of the people they support, Patrick said.

Here's the TOP 3 Thing Patrick suggests in-home care can provide:

COMPANIONSHIP: The interaction between our senior care attendants and the seniors is often the best benefit for them. We have one person that goes to her church with her senior care attendant. Another loves to go to yard sales with her caregiver. It's all about having someone there rather than being alone for the time their family can't be there.

TRANSPORTATION: Many of our folks need to make it to doctor's appointments, grocery stores and other places, but they don't drive anymore. We get them there and wait with them as long as they need us.

CARING FOR HOME: Sometimes it's difficult for seniors to make meals, do laundry and clean their homes like they once did. Our senior care attendants provide light housekeeping, prepare meals, prepare grocery lists and handle other domestic duties for the people we support.

Let us know what you think about Patrick's blog in the comment section below: