May 2015
Morrison Center Continues to Grow
Board of Directors
OFFICERS
President
Charles McBrady
Vice President
Fred Pape III
Treasurer
Jason Rayne, JD
Secretary
Randy Ford
DIRECTORS
Dean Alofs
Stuart Cayer, DC
Michelle Chumsae
Daniel J. Honan
John Massengill
Richard Michaud
Michele Rock, DO
Theresa Sampietro
E. William Stockmeyer
Exciting changes will be coming once again to Morrison Center. Due to an increasing demand for services, program areas at Morrison Center’s Scarborough
campus are quickly outgrowing their current space. In response to this growing
need, the Center has purchased a new adult campus to accommodate this
growth.
The new program space, located on Riverside Industrial Parkway in Portland,
will be referred to as “Morrison Center,
Riverside” and will feature all of the
same diverse activity offerings that our
adult consumers enjoy in Scarborough
including: culinary life skills, performing arts, visual arts & crafts, community exploration and volunteerism, and
music group. The Portland location
will also be home to our Case Management Services, Finance office, and our new Shared Living Provider Program.
Of course we will continue to offer great adult programming in Scarborough and
our greenhouse fans will be happy to note that the Seedling Program, our Center based horticulture program of close to 30 years, will remain on-site and operating as usual in Scarborough.
The addition of Morrison Center Riverside will enable the Agency to move forward with plans to create a new, state-of-the-art K-12 special purpose school.
Not only will the current space be redesigned for this purpose, but an additional
4,000 sq. ft. will be added to the building. This will allow our specialized early
childhood programs to expand, a program very much needed in the community.
Timothy Thompson
Scott Wentzell
Executive Director
Mark Ryder
We invite all to celebrate our newest program space in Portland by
attending an Open House scheduled for Wed., July 15th 4pm-6pm.
More details to follow...!
Pictured at left and above: The new Morrison
Center, Riverside building. Renovations are underway for a proposed June 1st move-in date.
60 Chamberlain Road, Scarborough, ME 04074 * 526 Post Road (US Rt 1), Wells, ME 04090
www.morrison-maine.org
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A “Bright Space” for Children & Families
This past November, Morrison Center's "Bright Space" was completed.
Our agency was the lucky recipient of a Bright Horizon's grant to create a
comfortable space for our clients to receive services. Sara Filliettaz,
LCSW, Morrison's Center's first clinical social worker, utilizes the space as
an office to see children, teens and families for individual and family therapy. Thanks to the generous grant, it is furnished with welcoming furniture,
toys, and books - all aimed at producing a warm and inviting environment.
Many of the children's books are centered around inclusion for children
and teens with multiple challenges, and many are resources that adults
and parents are welcome to utilize and borrow. For more information,
please contact Sara at (207) 883-6680 x131 or [email protected]. At right: the inviting, new Bright Space at Morrison Center
Recent News & Updates....
Just in time for spring, the playground at Morrison
Center, Wells will continue to see improvements
thanks to grant support
from several generous
businesses and organizations in York County.
A heartfelt thank you to
Bangor Savings
Bank, Sanford Institute of Savings, Robert’s Maine Grill and
the Wells Knights of Columbus for their support
as we work on our goal of building an accessible
and safe playground for our students in Wells.
Dozens of Morrison Center’s friends and families
turned out for great food, cold drinks, and good
company during our annual “Claws for a Cause”
event held at all Maine Portland Pie locations on
Thurs. Feb. 12th. Hosted by the dynamic partnership of Portland Pie Co., Gritty McDuff’s, and
Maine Red Claws, this year’s event was another
tremendous success and raised over $2,000. A big
thank you to all who turned out, as well as our
friends at Portland Pie, Gritty’s and Maine Red
Claws!
Morrison Center is pleased to announce their new
Shared Living Program (SLO). Shared Living is a
residential option for adults with disabilities. In a
Shared Living model, families or individuals open
Above: Mark Ryder and Gwen Sartoris accept a donation from Don Kam- their homes to care for a consumer in a least restricmann, Grand Knight of the Wells Council Knights of Columbus.
tive environment. In exchange, the contracted
Shared Living Provider receives a stipend, respite
and support from the Morrison team. Morrison CenMorrison Center is grateful for the continued support ter is able to serve consumers in Androscoggin,
of the Davis Family Foundation, including a recent Cumberland, Oxford and York Counties. If you or
grant of $25,000. These generous funds will enable someone you know would like more information on
the Center to make safety improvements to our Scar- becoming a home provider or for a consumer looking to move into a SLO home, please contact Mereborough campus that will ensure the safety and sedith Inosencio at [email protected],
curity of our growing and diverse population.
or 883-6680 x145.
We are now accepting Box Tops for Education and Labels for
Education! These labels add up quickly and can help provide additional funds and school supplies for Morrison Center!
MA Y
2015
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A Farm Visit with Russell
Russell is a spry gentleman who has attended the Morrison Center for
several years. While at the center, Russell enjoys participating in
greenhouse activities and more importantly the Morrison Center Sunshine Band where he plays the guitar. Russell talks about his life on
the farm with staff as well as other program participants and always
talked about having people come and visit.
We were very excited when in late April, Russell opened up his home
and farm to his fellow Seedling participants for a field trip. While there,
we were excited to learn that Russell began living with the Zacharias
family when he left Pineland and worked on the farm in exchange for
room and board and has since been a part of their family for over 3
generations.
We also learned that Russell enjoys working on the farm and that he looks forward
to his daily chores. These chores involve collecting eggs, which Russell often sells to
Morrison Center staff , delivering grain and restocking the hay that the cows will eat
throughout the day in their pasture. Russell also shared with us how he looks forward to attending the Cumberland Fair every fall, where he is able to socialize and
mingle with other local farmers.
While we were there, Russell was happy to introduce us to three calves,
several cows, chickens, turkeys, 2 family dogs and a barn cat named
Blackie. Blackie holds a very special attachment to Russell, as Russell
does to him, and will only come when Russell calls him.
Pictured at top: Russell and staff member Amelia with a 5 month-old calf.
Middle: Bradley shows off the fresh eggs that he helped to collect.
Bottom right: Chris gets friendly with one of the three calves.
Celebrating 40 Years of Service
Celebrating 40 years! The Center honored staff member Alison last November as she celebrated 40 years of working in the preschool program at
Morrison Center! Alison’s quiet leadership and unwavering love
and patience has benefited hundreds of children over the years. She continues to selflessly advocate for children and is an invaluable resource for
staff and families as she is willing to share her years of knowledge and experience in working with students who have intensive needs. It is clear to
all that the children adore her. We are so grateful for her dedication to Morrison Center’s mission of empowering students to achieve their maximum
personal growth and independence. Thank you Alison for all you do!
At right: Alison works with preschooler Delanie.
60 Chamberlain Rd.
PO Box 1539
Scarborough, ME 04070-1539
Phone: 207.883.6680
Fax:
207.883-6695
Web: www.morrison-maine.org
SAVE THE DATE!
Annual Spring Sale
in the Greenhouse!
May 14th & 15th
8:30am-4pm
Annual Golf Tournament
Fri., September 11, 2015 5pm
Purpoodock Club, Cape Elizabeth
Geraniums Houseplants Orchids
Bedding Plants Hanging Plants
The greenhouse will also open its doors for a
Saturday sale on Sat. June 6th 9am-2pm.
A unique evening of night golf (in the
dark!) to benefit the
programs & activities of
Morrison Center!
Sponsorship Opportunities Available!
For more information,
please call Meghan at 883-6680 x102.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & PROGRAMS
May
5/22 Early Release—School Age Program only
5/14&15 Annual Spring Sale in Greenhouse
5/18 No Afternoon Adult Program—Staff Training
5/25 Memorial Day Holiday—Center closed
5/26 Board Meeting, 8am
5/27 Community Supper Fundraiser @ Robert’s Maine Grill
July
7/3 Center closed in honor of July 4th Holiday
7/6 Extended School Year (ESY) Program begins
7/6 Preschool Extended School (ESY) Year program begins
7/15 Open House at Morrison Center, Riverside 4-6pm
7/27 “Mix & Mingle” 5pm-7pm
7/28 Board Meeting, 8am
June
6/3 Community Supper Fundraiser @ Robert’s Maine Grill
6/5 Preschool Graduation (Scarborough)
6/6 Saturday Sale in the Greenhouse 9am-2pm
6/11 Preschool Graduation (Wells)
6/12 Last Day of School—Preschool & School-Age programs
6/15 Teacher Workshop
6/29 “Mix & Mingle” 5pm-7pm
6/30 Board Meeting, 8am
August
8/14 Last day of ESY School Program
8/14 Last day of ESY Preschool Program
8/25 Board meeting, 8am
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