Pursuing Opportunities For ADT

February 15, 2020 – Seated in the newly renovated lobby of the Opportunities Enrichment Center, Shirley Zonnevylle, Director of Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training Program, researches new activity opportunities for our participants.

Volunteer service, multiple work contracts, and a variety of social and leisure activities keep ADT participants busy year-round, thanks to Zonnevylle’s diligence.

Our latest volunteer project connects participants with The Salvation Army, in a coordinated effort to serve the senior citizens of our community. Several participants travel to the DeLand location every Wednesday, to help ready the dining room for more than sixty seniors who arrive for lunch each week. Setting the tables in preparation for the luncheons keeps us engaged with our neighbors and helps promote good will.

Did you know?

Did you know that ADT Participants also volunteer at Publix, Habitat for Humanity, Council on Aging, Rise Against Hunger…and more? If your company or organization is working on a special project, let us know! We may be able to help you, too!

Duvall Homes New Tech Lab

July 28, 2019 – The new Tech Lab inside Duvall’s Opportunities Enrichment Center, is only one of a few classrooms that were given a complete renovation last spring. It’s Phase I to a larger Special Project objective that will be shared at Duvall’s Inspiration Gala.

Other classrooms were given fresh paint, new workstations and classroom materials, including our new Art Studio and Vocational Training Rooms.

Read the story inside Duall’s 2019 Spring Newsletter https://bit.ly/2WO5vYb. Thanks to the continued support of our families and community, we’re able to provide, and sustain, the very best supportive services and programming in a safe, welcoming environment to those we serve.

Other related Tech stories: A Technical Sneak Peek

Thanking ADT Staff With A Renovation Tour

VR Empowerment: Residents Expand Their World

Support For Duvall’s Art For Everyone Program

Thanking ADT Staff With A Renovation Tour

May 9, 2019 – Duvall Homes’ Chief Marketing and Development Officer, Elizabeth Bhimjee, met with staff from our Opportunities Enrichment Center last week at Duvall’s Glenwood campus. The focus of the meeting was to tour some of the recently renovated Day Training classrooms, which took place during the past three months.

Bhimjee praised the hardworking Support Specialists and Management for their commitment to providing excellent programming to those in our care – a fundamental requirement, which helped in last year’s applications for grant funding. The entire renovation project has been made possible through the support of several private foundations, along with Duvall resident family members.

Each Member of the Staff was later rewarded with a personal Art Bin filled with essential art supplies and a colorful new “#DuvallDifference” T-shirt given by the Director of ADT, Shirley Zonnevylle,

A Phase II of ADT renovations is planned for 2019-2020. Look for a more detailed story in the upcoming 2019 Spring Newsletter. Below, Duvall’s newly renovated ADT “Tech Lab” complete with like-new office cubicles from Commercial Office Liquidators in Sanford, new chairs, headphones, new storage cabinetry and blinds from DeLand Lowe’s and freshly painted walls and tables.

Post by Lisa Habermehl

Duvall Homes Adopts A US Soldier

December 18, 2018 – A few weeks ago, Duvall’s Day Training Program began the process to adopt a US Military Soldier through AdoptaUSSoldier.org. We want our service members to know we are thinking of them and want to thank them for their service.

A deployed unit has now been matched with Duvall Homes and the collection of requested items has begun.

In a short time, approximately 70 items were collected; however, more is needed. The plan is to correspond with Adopt A US Soldier – Official and support our assigned unit, not just for the holidays, but through 2019. Packages will be sent out every other month.

Items Needed For US Troops

Here are a few items requested by the unit: coffee, nondairy creamer, individual sugar or sugar substitute; Uno, playing cards, Sudoku or crossword puzzle books; personal hygiene products (travel size); potato chips and beef jerky (no pork)

Should you wish to participate in Duvall’s Adopt A US Soldier, items can be dropped off at our main reception with the message “For Duvall Homes’ ADT’s Adopt A US Soldier.” If you have any questions, please email shirleyz@duvallhomes.org. #TheDuvallDifference #AdoptaUSSoldier

Posted by Lisa Habermehl

VR Empowerment: Residents Expand Their World

Sensory Programming

December 14, 2018 – Rendever is an award-winning tech company out of Boston that is laser focused on improving the lives of others. Their sensory platform, operated by caregivers, helps engage special populations. Watch their video on CBS. So, how does Duvall fit in? Because possible benefits for people with developmental disabilities were recognized, we reached out to the Rendever team. As a result, a plan was set in motion for Duvall to test their virtual reality 360° equipment. And empowerment through VR emerged.

“Our platform was designed to enhance the social experience,” said Rendever CEO, Kyle Rand. “Several people can participate in real time, and form meaningful connections. With caregivers directing the program, participants are able to visit new places and enjoy the selected immersive experiences with ease.”

Rand’s background is in Neuroscience and Biomedical Engineering. Rendever’s CTO, Tom Neumann’s, is a successful developer of VR applications. Since cofounding Rendever in 2016, Rand and Neumann have embarked on a journey to share their unique platform all over the world.

Discovering A New World

“Some of our participants have attention deficits or processing challenges, ” said Duvall’s Director of Adult Day Training, Shirley Zonnevylle. “The VR headset allowed them to focus on one specific subject and eliminate other visual distractions.”

Rendever continues to expand its reach. Their software is not just in retirement communities and long-term care facilities; they’re in single family homes and even cancer treatment centers. Among other things, Rendever’s platform provides a diversion for pain and anxiety.

Duvall Homes is fortunate to be given the opportunity to sample this innovative VR program, and are grateful to Rand and the Rendever team. While additional time is needed to determine the full benefits for clients of Duvall Homes, one thing is certain. Duvall’s team of Direct Support Professionals, Specialists and clients were able to explore a whole new universe. And, for a time, were taken to parts of the world they would otherwise not have gone.

VR Empowerment Video

Watch Steven (top image) pilot a single engine prop plane with Wings of Storm, a Croatian Air Force Aerobatic Team.

Watch what Steven experienced.

Read Expanding Worlds with additional VR photos in Duvall’s 2018 Fall Newsletter.

Posted by Lisa Habermehl

Talent And Inspiration Return To Duvall Homes

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

2017 IOH Members

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

Spring Fling Friday at Duvall

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

Additional News & Events

A Team Effort

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

DeLand Rocks – And So Does Duvall Homes!

May 5, 2017 – The growing community sensation for kids, teens, businesses, people with developmental disabilities, and really anyone who likes to stroll outdoors, paint and/or scavenger hunt, can participate in this county- and nation-wide activity created just for fun, and it’s as easy as 1-2-3:

Find a small flat rock
Paint the rock
Hide the rock anywhere in DeLand

With the assistance of our Support Specialists, participants in Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training program created several one-of-a-kind painted rocks during the past few weeks. A few trips around town followed to hide these tiny masterpieces.

Get some clues on where our rocks were hidden on Duvall Homes’ Facebook Page DeLand Rocks album post. Should you find any of these rocks around DeLand, you’ll now know they were created by some very special people. #delandrocks

Learn more about the programming at Duvall Homes’ Opportunities Enrichment Center at Programs & Services.

Empowering People at ADT

April 17, 2017 – Daily Empowerment at Duvall Homes’ Opportunities Enrichment Center:
Participants of our Adult Day Training program in Glenwood, Florida, develop alternative communication skills, improve self-expression through advancing vocabulary and language building, and explore current events to be part of regular social discussions.

See how this essential life-skills training is put into play in the community in our 2017 Spring Newsletter by clicking here. View all Duvall Newsletters at DuvallHomes.org/Newsletters.

Duvall Homes Lake Woodruff Eagle Watch

April 3, 2017 – Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training programming teaches from a vast spectrum of co-curricular activities that model the framework of core curriculum state standards and extend experiences outside of the ADT classroom. This seasons Eagle Watch Program is only one of many such programs.

ADT participants learned about the Bald Eagles habitat, feeding and nesting behavior from statewide data taught by ADT instructors in our Opportunities Enrichment Center and from viewing a live Eagle cam.

This program continued for weeks and included several field trips with binoculars to Lake Woodruff National Wildlife Refuge to discover and monitor the Bald Eagle’s habitat and hatching of eaglets. [ We’re quite fortunate to have our ADT facility, in Glenwood, be located only five minutes from Lake Woodruff. ]

Participants also created eagle artworks following the trip providing an additional form of expression for each member of the special group of birdwatchers.

To learn more about the Bald Eagle, visit Florida’s Audubon website at http://fl.audubon.org/ and https://goo.gl/7nmYpY. To learn more about Duvall Home’s Adult Day Training Programming, click on Adult Day Training. View additional images from Duvall’s Eagle Watch by visiting our Facebook.com/DuvallHome.

To enjoy additional wildlife images indigenous to the area, visit the website of Florida photographer ScottHelfrichPhotography.com.

ADT Valentine’s Day Celebration

Duvall Homes Valentine’s Day Celebration – Group Home Residents and community participants of Duvall Homes’ Adult Day Training (ADT) in Glenwood, Florida, enjoyed an outdoor Valentine’s Day celebration Tuesday, February 14, 2017, complete with a photo board, refreshments, music, and dancing under the perfect balmy Florida skies.

Technology Duvall Photo board images were captured by both ADT educators and participants using iPads as part of Duvall’s curriculum to develop communication skills and broaden knowledge in technology in its Opportunities Enrichment Center. This form of programming provides essential learning tools used to encourage participants to engage socially and is especially effective for participants who are non-verbal communicators. The iPads were purchased for ADT following the award of the 2015 Greenfeather Grant from Stetson University.

View additional images on Duvall’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/DuallHome.

Other News