On March 23 and 24 Rita Livingstone, In-Home Support Specialist in the Monroe Home Care Services office, took her client, Melina King,to Grand Rapids for the special Olympics. It was the first time the Monroe group attended the Special Olympics“Melina was so excited that she laughed on and off the whole time,” said Rita. “There were many activities including dancing, arts and crafts, a dental checkup, a smile class (to teach people to smile no matter how bad things are), souvenirs, and a meeting with state beauty contestants. We all enjoyed our time there.” It’s obvious from the photo that Melina enjoyed the outing! Lutheran Social Services’ Monroe team won a medal for basketball.

Jimmy Plaskiewicz, a client of the Southeast Michigan In-Home Services program, received the Life Time Achievement Award from Monroe Community Mental Health on May 19. “JP” lives in his own apartment in Monroe with support from In-Home Services staff. He has worked at Taco Bell for more than 20 years and is active in a variety of sports including bowling, hockey, soccer and basketball. “JP is a joy to work with, and the Monroe County In-HomeServices staff are very proud of his accomplishments,” said Sue Start, regional director for In-Home Services.

Lutheran Social Services was named “Outstanding Provider of the Year” and seven Lutheran Social Services staff were honored October 8 at the annual awards dinner of The Mon-Arc of Monroe, an advocacy group for persons with disabilities. All award winners were nominated by people in the community. Laurie McKinney, support services supervisor in In-Home Services, received the Distinguished Service Award. Staffers Rita Livingstone, Jean (Margaret) Davis, Stephen Hakeous, Elizabeth Carroll, Candice Miller and Savanah Donnelly received Outstanding Caregiver Awards.