Nashville Group & Ruby Tuesday Show Their Love for Camp Progress

Cori (The Gathering), Progress Inc. Program Manager Annelise , Progress Executive Director Donna  and Rolander (The Gathering) pose with Camp Progress donation check.

The giving has continued well beyond Giving Tuesday for Camp Progress! 

Just last week, some generous folks dropped by Progress' office with a donation to Camp Progress. The men - who call themselves The Gathering - held a line dancing party at Progress and donated $150 (a portion of the proceeds from the party) to Camp Progress.

We also had some support from folks in the community through our Ruby Tuesday Give Back last month. Ruby Tuesday gave 20 percent of the proceeds from those who turned in our flyers to Camp Progress. About $140 was raised the weekend of the event.

 THANKS TO THE GATHERING AND RUBY TUESDAY. 

 Camp Progress  will offer youths ages 10-22 with intellectual disabilities a unique camp experience that nurtures their needs, opens their minds and emphasizes fun. The innovative indoor and outdoor activities focus on the “can” instead of the “cannot.” The camp takes place 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 9-July 18 at West End Middle School.

As the date of Camp Progress grows nearer, we are hoping to secure donations of volunteer time, activities and supplies of our youth participating at the camp. If you'd like an opportunity to be a part of the fun this summer, please contact Meika McClendon at m.mcclendon@progress-inc.org or  615-399-300 ext. 4714.

Stories of Progress: Portia Streator's a Ball of Energy & Ambassador for Progress Inc.

Portia Streator has received care giving assistance for several years, and she sees Progress gives her new freedom.

I recently had the great pleasure of spending an afternoon with Portia Streator, a gregarious 28-year-old who loves kittens and all things glitter. Her life living with Cerebral Palsy has been a challenge, but it has also taught her to keep a positive attitude. Having help from caregivers at Progress, who understand her condition and treat her with respect has made the difference.

"I would recommend Progress to anybody," Portia said."They really do care about you as an individual."

 Portia, a Nashville native who now lives in LaVergne, spent her early years enduring dozens of surgeries, physical therapy and, at one point, believed there was very little she could accomplish considering her disability.

"I just kept saying, 'I can't do this. I can't do that,' and finally one day my physical therapist told me 'You need to take can't out of your vocabulary,'" Portia said. "Every since then, I've stopped using that word." 
Portia is now studying to become a paralegal.

Portia also doesn't accept excuses from those around her, but she says employing friends and others as her caregiver over the years has shown her not everyone abides by her motto.

"My mom needed some help caring for me a few years ago, so we employed some people we knew," Portia said. "They would be late. They felt like they could do whatever they wanted." 

Her mom ran into similar problems with home health agencies. Earlier this year, Portia's social worker referred the family to Progress. Though Portia was reluctant, she said the services, level of commitment and genuine concern for her needs and wants have been a refreshing change.

"The first day with my caregiver April we were out at the mall. Progress wants you to get out," she said. "A lot of these companies say the client comes first, but Progress really means it." 

Portia says her caregivers April and Rachel have become her friends, and she tells everyone she meets how happy she is with Progress.

Go to Ruby Tuesday's This Friday, Saturday or Sunday to "GiveBack"

GiveBack Program will donate 20 % of every meal purchased along with this flyer.

• 
  Ruby Tuesdays is inviting you to Clean Your Plate for Progress!
  Print the image above and present it at the locations listed below for lunch or dinner on Dec. 13, 14 or 15, and Ruby Tuesday's donates 20 percent of the proceeds to Progress. 
• 
  NASHBORO SQUARE • 2304 MURFREESBORO PIKE • 615-366-0314
  DONELSON PIKE • 520 DONELSON PIKE • 615-316-0278
• 
  Ruby Tuesday's GiveBack program will help dozens of children with disabilities attend Progress Inc.'s summer camp Camp Progress.
  
  Grab your family and friends and join us at one of the locations.
  

  *Must present this flyer to your server in order to be considered a part of the GiveBack program. Ruby Tuesday's will not accommodate coupon usage or other discounts in conjunction with our GiveBack Program.

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 Inc. 4-miler Coming to East Nashville Nov. 3

Progress Inc. is gearing up for the inaugural E.N.D. East Nash Dash - a 4-miler and bash that will benefit the programs that support seniors and adults with disabilities. There will be free food, drinks and music from East Nashville's favorites.

Please learn more and register for the 4-miler at www.eastnashdash.org and take a peek at the video from our PSA shot in the heart of Five Points last week.