Somerset Home for Temporarily Displaced Children
Jeffrey Fetzko, ACSW, LSW, CFRE
Vol. 5, No. 16, August 9, 2007
The Executive Director's News is published every two weeks, and is specifically written for the employees, board of trustees and friends of the Somerset Home. This issue and past issues are available on our web site at http://www.somersethome.org/main/pages/employee_newsletter.htm.
Capital Projects Update
Fixing Up Our Facilities Continues
The new Passages bathrooms and the emergency basement exit at Whitney House are finally back on the drawing board. As all of you know, the capital improvement projects had to be postponed because of the floods at Passages and Brahma House. But I think you will agree, even though we had to take this unexpected detour, we have come out better for it.
Of course, not all the improvements were directly flood related. Not wanting the boys at Passages to feel left out after the girls residence had to be completely renovated, we bought the same new furniture for the boys and had their entire residence professionally painted. New lighting and other upgrades were made as well.
Brahma House also got some unanticipated upgrades after the flood, including repair to the electrical wiring, new heating and cooling ductwork, and replacement of damaged carpeting in the counseling offices. New desks and chairs in the youth counselor office replaced the damaged furniture and look especially welcoming for new children and visitors. Some very nice shower curtains, new and improved mattresses, new pillows and bedding – including bright, colorful comforters – all add up to a much-improved client environment. Finally, we are expecting delivery of all new cushions and armrests for the furniture in the television and recreation rooms before the summer is over.
The cost for all of these facility improvements and furnishings totaled more than $100,000 and was not covered by insurance. We were able to make these upgrades through our capital improvement fundraising efforts.
New Manuals Will Make Life Easier for Program Staff
The Brahma House and TLP policy manuals have been completely revised to help you find what you need when you need it. By taking out information not directly related to front-line staff’s day-to-day activities, you can focus on the information you need to help you perform your job effectively. In addition, the case management information is being used to create a separate case management policy manual.
All staff members, old and new, have started training to become familiar with the material. This includes Somerset Home’s first-ever orientation videos on our facilities and safety equipment.
Somerset Home Board of Trustees Has a New Leader
Somerset Home’s board of trustees has elected Dennis Flynn, director of facilities operations at Bristol-Myers Squibb, to a two-year term as president. Dennis, who lives in Newtown, Pa., joined the board in 2000 and has been an enthusiastic supporter, serving on several board committees and most recently as vice president. Dennis brings his technical expertise and thoughtful management style to the varied issues Somerset Home faces.
9th Annual Run for Runaways - November 3, 2007
What do Megan Kayser, Melissa Klotzbach, Alison Mathewson and Lisa Wolff have in common? They have all set up their personal fund raising page for the run for runaways.
It's fun and easy to set up your own personal fundraising page. Click on the box or text below or paste the url below into your browser to set up your page:
http://www.active.com/donations/campaign_public.cfm?key=9th_run_for_runaways
Setting up a fundraising page is an easy way to raise funds for Somerset Home programs.
The 9th annual Run for Runaways will be here before we know it! We still need major sponsors, ad sponsors, and volunteers to help with our big event on November 3, 2007. Please contact Joe Godby if you would like to serve on the committee or help with one of the many tasks involved in this exciting event. Check out the web site at http://www.runforrunaways.com for more details. Funds raised go to directly benefit our residents. I look forward to seeing you there!
As always, thank you all for your continued hard work on behalf of our youth.
