C r e a t i n g a C o l o r f u l D i f f e r e n c e I s s u e # 9 P a g e | 1

KaleidoSCOOP Monthly Newsletter September 2017

A few Words from the Editor

Every once in a while, I find myself empowered to

share some thoughts with you. It’s not that I don’t

always want to encourage conversation, because I

absolutely do. It’s that the start of this fall season is full

of new TV series that showcase individuals with

autism, not just kids, but specifically adults, which as

many of you know, is a large part of the Kaleidoscope

scope of focus. Just last night, I binge watched the new

Netflix show, “Atypical” that depicts the life of a teen

with high-functioning autism. It was amazing, truly

awesome. In addition, my DVR is set to record ABC’s

upcoming show, “The Good Doctor” which supposedly

– I haven’t seen an episode yet - depicts the life of an

exceptional doctor with autism. In the show his gifts as

a good doctor are exemplified because of the unique

brain chemistry that many people on the spectrum have.

It really seems like we are moving forward with Autism

Awareness and Acceptance.

With that said, and as positive as it is, I just hope that as

supporters and advocates for those on the spectrum, we

remember that autism is not black and white. Dare I say

that stereotyping autism can thwart our efforts of

acceptance and awareness? There are many facets of

the disorder, thus the spectrum. Consequently, I want to

encourage that we represent all pieces of the ever-

growing puzzle to the public – let’s raise awareness and

acceptance for every person with autism.

By the way, I can not wait to see Sheldon as a teenager

on CBS’s prequel of the “Big Bang Theory.”

Very truly yours,

Pam Frebowitz, M.S.

Peer Support Groups Bryn Mawr

12:30pm-2:30pm Every Tuesday!

9/5 Life Exploration: Vision Boards

9/12 Independent Living: Cooking Class – Pizzas from Scratch

9/19 Social Skills: Coffee Talk at Media Bean Company

9/26 Career Readiness: Resumes and Board Games

Bryn Mawr Office: 940 E. Haverford Road, Lower Level, 19010

Media Bean Company: 1032 N. Providence Road, Media PA 19063

Questions or RSVP to Pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

Parent / Family Support Group

Ira Fingles, Attorney at Law, Disability

Advocate and Vice President of the Greater

Philadelphia Autism Society

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

6:30pm – 8:00pm

Kaleidoscope Family Solutions

940 E. Haverford Rd. Lower Level

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010 Guardianship: Providing Protection While

Maximizing Independence

Parents want their children with a disability to

attain the maximum possible independence as

he or she nears adulthood, but they must

balance this with a need to put in place vital

protections around important decision-making.

In this 90-minute workshop, attendees will

learn about alternatives to traditional

guardianship, including limited guardianship,

conservatorship, powers of attorney and other

legal strategies that provide varying levels of

support and protection. Participants will learn

how guardianship affects voting rights,

marriage rights, and driving, as well as the ins

and outs of disclosure of a disability in the

workplace and in higher education.

We will have a simultaneous peer support

group for your adult child (18 and over).

Refreshments Served!

RSVP to Pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

The WPA team had such

a fun time watching all of

the excitement at the

Pittsburgh Pirates game,

especially seeing Josh

Harrison score a homerun!

New Monthly Allentown Peer Support Group

Friday, 9/22 1pm-3pm

Cedar Beach Park

2600 Parkway Boulevard, Allentown, PA 18104

KFS is excited to resume peer support groups for the fall in the

Lehigh Valley. Similar to our current groups, the topics will address

social skills, job etiquette and preparation, independent living,

health and safety, and community service. Our first group will be at

Cedar Beach Park with a rain location as the Allentown KFS office

at 2200 Hamilton Street, Suite 102.

9/22 Social Skills: Building Relationships Pizza Party in the Park!

Bring a snack to share! RSVP pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

Questions or RSVP to Pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

C r e a t i n g a C o l o r f u l D i f f e r e n c e I s s u e # 9 P a g e | 2

KaleidoSCOOP Monthly Newsletter September 2017

MISSION MONDAY

KFS recognizes the providers who are living the KFS Mission! Ellie Hame is a great overall provider, great progress notes!

Katelynn White is very personable and reliable!

Oliva Hussein is very flexible, always willing to help out and

goes above and beyond!

Chip Williams always communicates with his activity team. His

positive and enthusiastic approach is inspirational, as well as

super helpful!

Shawn Keller recently helped an individual find a job and is

willing to drive long distances to achieve goals! Shawn also

focuses on the health of his individuals and has helped with

weight management and healthy eating.

Valerie McDonald is a super star! A family and BS have been

praising her because of all of her hard work!

Isamar Melina has been doing a wonderful job of helping her

individual get out into the community. She has made an overall

positive impact!

Stephanie Martin is always going above and beyond with all

individuals. She is a great leader and motivator!

Yvondalisse Cintron is a true team player!

James Mcclain helped out the team by taking extra cases!

Laverne Johnson and Bennitta Sumo-Nueta for their

dedication and commitment!

The SPOTLIGHT is on … Maurice

(Q) What was your favorite part of the summer internship?

(M) My Favorite part of the internship was doing art projects with

the students and taking students to the park.

(Q) Tell me about some of the connections you made with others?

Did you make any friends? Was your boss supportive?

(A) I made good friends with my mentor Alec Weinstein from

SPIN Inc. Alec guided me and assisted me in doing my task. Alec

also helped me write my resume. I also made good friends with the

teacher, Ms. Robin from Portside Art Center. I was assigned to

work with her class. She was very nice and was very happy with

the job I was doing.

(Q) What are your plans for the fall? Would you like another

volunteer opportunity? If so, what do you see yourself doing?

(A) I hope to do a work community based work assessment, which

consists of a few separate job shadowing opportunities to get a feel

for different fields.

(Q) Tell me anything else that you think would be interesting for

the newsletter.

(A) I think all individuals with intellectual disabilities should be

featured on the jobs that they do.

The KFS Crew at the ZOO!

A beautiful day for a picnic in CPA!

KCTC summer project was a huge

success! We gave over 50 bags of

clothing on our Giving Day!

C r e a t i n g a C o l o r f u l D i f f e r e n c e I s s u e # 9 P a g e | 3

KaleidoSCOOP Monthly Newsletter September 2017

Praise for Kaleidoscope

We wanted to share some messages of gratitude we received this month.

“Everything has been great! Toren has really been enjoying himself and

Brad mentioned the big “positive” difference in the staff from

Kaleidoscope versus the other company. So thank you!!”

--Josie Campbell, Parent

“We are so happy with our KFS provider, Valerie McDonald. Because of all

of her hard work with Jovanni, he has been opening up and

communicating much more lately.”

--Kaleidoscope Parent

“I just came from a meeting where the family is in love with their KFS

provider Miatta. She has already gotten to know this individual and his

interests; they have so much in common. The family is super excited to be

working with Kaleidoscope and in seeing how enriching our efforts will be

for their brother.”

--Donna Mugler, KFS Admissions Director

“I’m very excited to start your program and it was fun on Thursday. I

enjoyed it, as well you’re very nice and I'm looking forward to all the fun

social activities and cooking and volunteering at shelters. This is an

amazing step in the right direction of my life that I'm excited to start at a

new organization which is yours. I'm excited to meet new people and the

staff can't wait. Thanks so much for everything.”

--Andrea, new Kaleidoscope individual, P/FDS Waiver

We always love to hear from Bette!

September newsletter stories by

Bette in Allentown:

Brand new school year, always the 1st Monday

of the month is Labor Day, football games and

season for NFL, 16 years ago on September 11,

2001 memories, fall season and fall sports.

C r e a t i n g a C o l o r f u l D i f f e r e n c e I s s u e # 9 P a g e | 4

KaleidoSCOOP Monthly Newsletter September 2017

Main Office

950 East Haverford Road, Suite 100A Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Bryn Mawr Social and Support Groups

940 E. Haverford Road, Lower Level

Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

P: 877-384-1729 F: 610-527-8672

www.kfamilysolutions.org www.facebook.com/kfscares

www.linkedin.com/company/kaleidoscope-

family-solutions-inc- www.twitter.com/kfscares

www.instagram.com/kfscares

Great art class at the

Middletown library!

Congratulations Are In Order!

See our individuals in the news …

Tjart for her new volunteer position at the Arnold and

Eisenhower Canteen!

Josephine got a new job at Wawa in the mornings!

Emilia has been growing socially and going to parties on her

own!

Kareem made the most amazing art project for our new

office (see photo below) and won Best Dressed at the red

carpet party!

Niko is taking UBER back and forth to work. He has also

been doing his chores!

Jovanni has been opening up and communicating much

more lately!

Bradley moved into shared living!

Patty got a new job at Garnet Valley High School!

Brian Choke got a job through Aramark!

Patti participated in the Philadelphia Diversity Walk.

Wayne started back at Delaware County Community

College for fall semester!

Turkey and Vegetable Chili Ingredients

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 tablespoon butter

1 pound ground turkey

1 onion chopped

4 cloves garlic minced

2 stalks celery chopped

1 red pepper chopped

1 green pepper chopped

2 carrots chopped

2 zucchini chopped

1/2 teaspoon cumin

Instructions

1. Chop an onion, celery, red pepper, green pepper, carrots,

zucchini and mince a couple cloves of garlic.

2. Measure out your oil, butter, spices, chicken broth, tomato

paste, crushed tomatoes, beans and corn.

3. Start by heating some oil in a large soup pot over medium

heat. Once hot, add in ground turkey and cook until no pink

remains. This should only take a few minutes. Next, add in

some unsalted butter and the onion, celery, pepper, carrot,

and garlic. Sauté for about 5 minutes and then add in your

spices - cumin, chili powder, chili flakes, and salt. Cook for

two more minutes.

4. Then add in some chicken broth, crushed tomatoes, and

tomato paste. Bring this to a boil, reduce the heat,

cover, lower your heat and simmer

for 30 minutes. At about 15 minutes, season with just a

touch of salt.

5. After the 30 minutes is up, add in the beans, corn and

zucchini, recover, and simmer for 15 more minutes.

6. Serve with sour cream, shredded cheese, corn bread, or

tortilla chips! http://showmetheyummy.com/turkey-and-vegetable-chili/

1 tablespoon chili powder

1/2 teaspoon chili flakes

1/2 teaspoon salt

4 cups chicken broth

2 teaspoons tomato paste

(28 oz) can crushed tomatoes

1 (15 oz) can kidney beans

drained

1 (15 oz) can corn drained

Sour cream optional for topping -

but highly recommended

shredded cheese optional for

topping

tortilla chips/corn bread etc.

optional for topping

KFS 4th

Annual Camping Trip

9/8-9/9

It’s here! See attached flyer and

registration form. Don’t wait too long

to sign–up. We have limited space

available. Call your KFS coordinator

to make arrangements.