May 11, 2018 – Happy Mother’s Day from the staff and residents of Duvall Homes! Adult Day Training Support Specialist, LaToya (right), tests out the new white board with Jon and Priscilla in Duvall’s newly renovated Vocational Training Center.
Read about the new workshop space in Duvall’s 2018 Spring Newsletter coming to your door soon. Sign up to receive Duvall news.
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April 26, 2018 – We are once again blessed with the musical talents of Instruments of Healing (IOH), the community group of students from Stetson University’s School of Music.
Formed last year by Guitar Performance major Lauren Baucum, IOH comes to Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center to entertain, and engage with, participants in our Adult Day Training program once a month. They’re inspiring repertoire provides a nice balance to the work contracts, co-curricular activities and life-skills training ADT participants keep busy with throughout the week.
During their visits, the IOH student musicians encourage viewing guests to sing along or pick up an instrument to join in on the fun, and each month a growing number learn a few new skills related to properly holding and playing a particular instrument. Staff, residents and family members extend a heart-felt thank you to these young volunteer musicians for their talent, patience, compassion and goodwill. We are all better for it.
In case you’d like to hear these skillful young leaders perform their craft during their end-of-year recitals, click on the links below.
Shilpa Ravoory https://youtu.be/RVkLzdNd8Kc
Lauren Baucum @ 9:45; Justin Dalisy @ 52:38 https://youtu.be/seRtOsg1wbk
Justin Dalisay https://youtu.be/9ucoUoiQjqE
Blake Rook https://youtu.be/W0aI-IN2wyg
School of Music Live Stream
2018 New IOH Members
Arelys Camargo Delgado – Guitar
Blake Rook – Cello & Guitar
Daniel Del Castillo – Guitar
Eshtemoh Morgan – Guitar and Voice
Jacob Spangler – Guitar
Liam Bombka – Guitar
Logan Spannuth – Guitar
April 13, 2018 – Happy Spring Fling Friday! Participants in Duvall Homes’ Opportunities Enrichment (ADT) Center have fun in the beautiful spring weather flying kites, blowing bubbles, playing frisbee and more. View more photos. #TheDuvallDifference #ImInspired
March 16, 2018 – Students from Father Lopez Catholic High School in Daytona Beach volunteered their time last weekend to prep and paint five garden benches and a large picnic table for the grounds at Duvall Homes Glenwood Campus. This is the second year students from Father Lopez have donated time beautifying the outdoor walking area for participants at Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center. (View 2017 images.)
Thank you to the students (Joshua, Thomas, Victoria and Kai) and to the department of Community Service at the high school for assisting in sharing this opportunity. There will be similar opportunities in the near future. If interested, please email Lisa Habermehl at lhabermehl@DuvallHomes.org. Other Duvall News: DuvallHomes.org/News-Events.
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
February 14, 2018 – To celebrate Valentine’s Day and National Developmental Disabilities Day, we are sharing two videos of a wonderful evening: Duvall Homes Attends 2018 Night To Shine Prom and the Official 2018 Night To Shine Worldwide Highlight Video.
Created by Tim Tebow and the Tim Tebow Foundation and hosted by Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand, residents of Duvall Homes participated in this incredible international event that took place February 9 in DeLand, Florida, in 16 countries at 537 host churches, where 90,000 VIPs with developmental disabilities were crowned Kings and Queens by 175,000 volunteers! Staff from Duvall Homes participated as well.
View additional images on Instagram at #ImInspiredDeLand #NightToShine and #NTSDeLand. This special night was a memorable global event recommended for anyone who wishes to get involved and be inspired. Be sure to put February 8, 2019, on your calendar.
February 9, 2018 – We may not be Elon Musk headed toward the asteroid belt launched by the Falcon Heavy Super Rocket to the tunes of David Bowie; however, we are absolutely just as excited as Duvall staff make last minute pre-prom preparations for tonight’s Night To Shine Prom at Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand for individuals with developmental disabilities in our community. And, the tunes of Bowie very well may be played!
Thanks to the Tim Tebow Foundation, and Stetson Baptist, residents of Duvall Homes can be part of this very special international event close to home in West Volusia County that will also occur in 16 different countries, at 540 host churches by 175,000 volunteers for 90,000 VIP Kings and Queens!
Direct Support Professional Jolene Hunt (grey shirt) stands with Maggie as Group Home Manager, Sherrie Moore, measures and hems Maggie’s new gown. Sherrie modified several gowns and suits for our VIP Queens and Kings attending tonight’s event, including Jason’s below. Follow images posted throughout the night at #NTSDeLand, and on Duvall Home’s Facebook Page.
Read how residents of Duvall Homes helps out Night To Shine: A Team Effort
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
February 8, 2018 – Participants in Duvall’s Day Training Program assisted in putting together 200 special greeting cards for each VIP attending the Night To Shine (NTS) Prom at Stetson Baptist Church in DeLand tomorrow night.
Each unique recycled card reads the message, “You Are Shining Bright Tonight And Every Day!” The cards were decorated with a single sparkling star on the front symbolic of the Faith, Hope & Love this special night represents for each VIP with special needs in our community, and the care put into sealing each envelope by those in our care. The cards were stuffed into the black NTS gift bags for each VIP and will be given out Friday night.
The Director of NightToShineDeLand.org, Pastor Dan Glenn of Stetson Baptist Church (top photo, center), and his hardworking staff, extends his gratitude to Duvall Homes and to the 400 volunteers who continue to work to create an experience like no other. Thanks to the Tim Tebow Foundation, we are now part of a special annual event that will occur in 16 countries, at 540 host churches by 175,000 volunteers for 90,000 kings and queens!
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
Night To Shine Pre-Prom Preparations
February 6, 2018 – A few ladies who work at DuvallHomes.org participated in the 7th Annual ME STRONG 5K Run/Walk in DeLand this past Saturday, February 3. They joined close to 3,800 people from Volusia County, and beyond, in their fight against cancer, walking in honor of people they currently know who are hanging tough in their fight against cancer and in memory of family members who lost their battle in recent years.
Attracting more than 1,000 people than last year’s run, DeLand Mayor, Robert Apgar, reported that the monies raised was a result of 1 in 10 people in our community came out. (DeLand’s current census is 31,000.) The race was initiated when four women, Kim Winters, Barbara Underhill, Kim Martin, and Kathy Guyer wanted to honor their friend Linda Ryan who was diagnosed with recurrent cervical cancer at the age of 43. Following the race, the founders, tallied an incredible $152,000 raised from the event.
Race results and videos can be viewed by visiting MeStrong.net/Deland-5K. Other race images can be viewed at https://goo.gl/uPy7MS.
Participants of Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training (ADT) Program are periodically reminded of the importance of raising awareness in their community for those who are fighting cancer. Last year, they took to the sidewalk proudly wearing personally designed t-shirts created at ADT in Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center. This is only one inspiring example of the many ways in which Duvall Homes’ residents and community participants get involved and practice community engagement and awareness for all populations in need of attention.
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
Tell us how this story inspired you at ImInspired.org.
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February 1, 2018 – Duvall Homes is a proud new member of Volusia Manufacturers Association (VMA), a vibrant manufacturing community of leadership and achievement in Volusia and Flagler Counties.
Founded in 1980, VMA provides information, education and networking opportunities to help manufacturers grow and succeed. This new relationship with VMA is fitting with the programs and contract work services we offer at Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center to people with developmental disabilities who we serve.
As we move into a new year, expanding our own contract work program and facility, we look forward to the professional opportunities and connections that await us through VMA.
Learn about the many programs and services at Duvall Homes here, More Duvall News & Events.
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
January 25, 2018 – Duvall Homes’ steadfast mission of empowering people with Developmental Disabilities since 1945 is a testament to Tim Tebow’s definition of “The Greatest Form of Love.” Join The Movement!
January 23, 2018 – Duvall Homes was selected to receive an award totaling $10,000 from the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties @yourunitedway for Hurricane Irma recovery.
The grant is funded through the generosity of the Eli Lilly Foundation, United Worldwide, Parks Dermatology, SunTrust Bank and other corporations to provide relief and recovery after the damage caused by Hurricane Irma.
The UnitedwayVFC.org was able to distribute $107,600 to local organizations serving the two-county area in need of recovery associated with damage caused when the hurricane hit the area September 10, 2018.
This essential funding is vital to the repair of several buildings that were affected on the Glenwood campus of Duvall Homes.
Programs & Services at Duvall Homes
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Posted by Lisa Habermehl
January 11, 2017 – New art panels debuted at Duvall Homes’ 2017 Inspiration Gala, which displayed artworks influenced by STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Math) subjects. The Opportunities Enrichment Center (Adult Day Training – ADT) at Duvall Homes incorporates, among other things, the cultural arts and influences of STEM subjects into their regular curriculum.
Created individually and collaboratively, the works displayed on the art panels were inspired through the observation of other art done by professional painters and photographers, by learning about and viewing images associated with current events in the news, and by exploring the natural environment surrounding Duvall’s abundant Glenwood campus.
The Support Specialists at Duvall’s ADT center create original programming. They use various educational resources, including digital guides and personal iPads to instruct science-based events like the epic solar eclipse that passed over the U.S. this past August, or eagle nesting that occurs at Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge just minutes from Duvall’s campus.
Given only modified assistance when required, Duvall artists incorporated designs, figures and shapes on canvases of all types and measurements, and created an impressive collection that inspired every individual privileged to view them. Mediums of all types were used from pastels, acrylics, charcoal, chalk and ink, to rocks, twigs and recycled wood, cardboard and aluminum. We’re excited with the specialized programming that takes place at Duvall Homes and proud of the empowerment instilled on all of our ADT participants.
Should your business be interested in exhibiting works of art created by individuals with developmental disabilities from our community in our care, please view our growing virtual DeLand Art Gallery and contact Elizabeth Bhimjee, CMDO, at ebhimjee@duvallhomes.org or 386.734.2874 ext. 102.
Read full Stem-Inspired story on pages 6 and 7 of Duvall’s 2017 Fall Newsletter.
A Total Eclipse Experience, Eagle Watch & Art, Art Rocks
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
December 26, 2017 – Parents, guardians, family members and friends joined their loved ones with staff for a Winter Wonderland Celebration at Duvall Homes‘ Opportunities Enrichment Center last week. Every single square inch of the Adult Day Training Center was beautifully decorated with ribbons and bows, sparkle and snow, presents and holiday treats. The corridors and classrooms were filled with holiday hoopla as family and friends enjoyed sounds of the season by Stetson music students – Instruments of Healing [Listen to Shilpa Ravoory & Justin Dalisay: Silent Night and Jingle Bells] and captured the fun in keepsake photos. Here are just a few. Contact shirleyz@duvallhomes.org for copies.
August 22, 2017 – This past month, participants at Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training (ADT) Center began reviewing and preparing for the “arrival” of the spectacular solar eclipse that would pass the U.S. August 21, 2017. While the skies over DeLand, Florida, were not sunny and clear that afternoon, it didn’t seem to have any impact on the cosmic excitement of the rare occurrence.
ADT supervisors and support specialists used Nasa’s Eclipse Activity Guide to form appropriate-level curriculum to both educate and inspire all individuals on the developmental disability spectrum. Adults with special needs, who are fortunate to take part in programming at Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center, learned a great deal in varying STEM subjects including science and technology. They reviewed current events, geography and astronomy, and received instruction and hands-on guidance to build and create several science and art-based masterpieces.
Participants learned Eclipse Basics, viewing and hearing the differences between solar and lunar eclipses, the difference between ultraviolet and infrared lights, and learning the sun’s essential role in our world. After several “Q and A” sessions with the participants, they built box projectors to view the eclipse indirectly and safely, and solar ovens to measure light and temperatures and bake s’mores! They also used paint and chalk to create works of planet art – each activity building to a culmination in the viewing of the actual solar eclipse. Precautions were made for many individuals to view the solar eclipse outdoors through the purchase of Nasa-approved eclipse glasses; however, due to inclement weather, the eclipse was thoroughly enjoyed on television, with and without the glasses.
Taking part in the same activities and experiences that millions of people across the nation are taking part in is not new to us at Duvall. “We take pride in the fact that we stay current, keep involved with the community and create opportunities of personal growth, pride and independence on a daily basis,” said Marsha Shankleton, Chief Operating Officer of Duvall Homes.
The solar eclipse is the first of its kind, where the path of darkness crossed both East and West coasts exclusively in the U.S., since 1918 – Duvall Homes has been empowering people with developmental disabilities since 1945!
Posted by Lisa Habermehl
If this story inspired you, please tell us at ImInspired.org.
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