2015 Winter Newsletter

S P O FFORD | Changing Children’s Lives, Giving Families Hope
Santa Claus is
Coming to ...
Spofford!
Again this Christmas season,
Santa has a lot of helpers at
Spofford to make the holiday
season special for the children
and families we serve.
On site, all four dormitories
have been adopted for the
holidays—as a result, there will
be lots of packages with bows
awaiting our residential kids on
Christmas morning. In addition,
via our community-based Reach
To Teach program, more than
80 families and 500 children will
have a happy holiday season
due to the generosity
of many individuals,
companies and
community
organizations.
A very special thank you goes
to Cerner Corporation, Cargill,
the National Charity League, St.
John’s UMC, Duane & Deanna
Albert, Woods Chapel UMC,
and our volunteer Book Buddies
for their amazing commitment
to Spofford—and to the many,
many other friends of Spofford
who remember us during the
holiday season.
Through the generosity of our
holiday elves, it will truly be a
holly, jolly Christmas for those
we serve!
Wi n t e r 2 0 1 5
Prayers Really Do Come True
“God, please give me a Mommy and Daddy.” That was Megan’s* prayer
each and every night. While in residence at Spofford, no one showed up to
visit the nine-year-old and she had been waiting a long time for her prayers
to come true.
Megan’s dorm mate and friend, Sarah*, also prayed for her. In her nightly
prayers to her guardian angel, Sarah would always say, “I have a mom, but
Megan doesn’t have anybody. She needs a family.”
These girls’ prayers would soon be answered. Enter Jen*, a Kansas City
mom. Jen started volunteering at Spofford through her church as a Dorm
Friend and helper at Vespers. Each and every week, she was at Spofford and
investing in our girls—singing songs, dancing and providing friendship. One
day, she overheard Sarah’s prayer for a family for Megan.
With the realization and understanding that
this special girl needed—and deserved—a
home and family, Jen and her husband
Travis spoke with Megan’s caseworker. And
soon, the two of them were visiting Megan
several times a week, all with the ultimate
goal of making her a part of their foster
family until the day when Megan is adopted
into a permanent home.
When a child leaves Spofford, our chaplains host a very special ceremony
during which the child receives a “goodbye bag” and is provided an
opportunity to say goodbye to their Spofford family. Knowing that Sarah
had been praying for her, Megan asked Sarah to be her special guest at the
ceremony. Seeing that her prayers had been answered for her friend, Sarah
exclaimed, “My cheeks hurt from smiling so much!”
You, too, can make a difference in the life of a child and help turn prayers
into reality. To learn more about volunteer opportunities at Spofford, please
contact Crystal Bahr at (816) 508-3408 or Crystal.Bahr@SpoffordHome.org.
* Names have been changed to protect the identities and families of the children.
A Wing & A Prayer.............................................. 2
The Healing Effects of Theraplay......................... 3
One Magical Night ..........................................4-5
In the Spirit of Daisy............................................ 6
The Holidays Are Here......................................... 7
Thanking Our Friends......................................... 8
Spofford’s Mission
Spofford provides premier
preventative and therapeutic services
by connecting child, family, and
community to achieve their potential.
Board of Directors
2015-2016
Andrew Muller, Chairman
Doug Nickerson, Vice Chairman
Joe Pribula, Treasurer
Laurie Monsees, Secretary
Marcia Charney, Christy Gudenkauf, Amy
Henson, Sue Klotz, Michael Leikam, Beth
Manley, Ivan Nugent, Brenda Odell, Dale
Owens, Heather Pineda, Shawn Thomas,
Scott Thompson
Spofford Foundation
Board of Directors
2015-2016­­­
Phil Frerker, Chairman
Duane Albert, Vice Chairman
Marcia Charney, Secretary/Treasurer
Della Harris, Tracy Lind, Johnny
Orindgreff, Ames Stetzler, Fred Valentine
Spofford Staff
Rob Whitten, President & CEO (Interim)
Michelle Pendzimas, VP—Clinical Services
Brad Bunde, Director of Development
Michelle Kincaid, Communications Manager
MEMBER
Taking Flight is published four times a year to all
Spofford contributors, volunteers and friends.
Spofford holds contracts with the states of Missouri
and Kansas for services rendered and is an Equal
Opportunity Employer. © 2015, Spofford
9700 Grandview Road
Kansas City, MO 64137
Phone — (816) 508-3400
Toll-Free — (877) 806-3400
Fax — (816) 508-3425
www.spoffordhome.org
/SpoffordHome
/SpoffordHome
/Company/Spofford-Home
/SpoffordHome
PAGE 2
A Wing & A Prayer
“All the flowers of tomorrow are in the seeds of yesterday.”
On many fronts, this Proverb seems to characterize
Spofford over these past few months.
Building upon 15 years of successes, the recent
2015 Butterfly Gala topped them all! You will see
the great results from this year’s event later in this
publication—suffice it to say, it was an incredible
evening to benefit our kids! A very special thank you
goes to event chaircouples Amy & Tyler Henson and
Teresa & Ryan Keller and their fabulous committee
for a job very, very well done in 2015!
Rob Whitten,
President & CEO
(Interim)
But already, it’s on to next year’s 100th Birthday gala: Saturday Evening,
October 8, 2016, at the Sheraton Overland Park Hotel. Mark your calendar
today and plan to join us for another great event!
Speaking our 100th Birthday, it’s finally here! Yes, after sharing tidbits with
you over the past several editions of Taking Flight, 2016 is now in sight—and
with it, Spofford’s 100th Birthday! On one or more occasions during the year,
we hope you will be a part of our year-long celebration!
If you enjoy the links, please plan to join us for the Spofford Scramble on April
29th at Oakwood Country Club (of course, it’s “fore” a good cause!). Or plan
to field a team for our annual Trivia Night event in June. Or plan to join us
in mid-to-late summer for our 100th Birthday Party, a casual social affair to
celebrate our first century of service. Or maybe just set aside an hour or two
on your calendar to visit Spofford and take a tour. Needless to say, we would
love to have you!
We’ll keep you informed as our 100th Birthday plans continue to come
together—and hope you will plan to join us as we celebrate this incredible
milestone of changing lives.
Speaking of change, you may or may not have noticed a new picture and name
associated with this regular newsletter feature. Allen Unklesbay recently left
Spofford to pursue other career interests. Currently, I serve as President and
CEO for Ozanam—a sister Cornerstones of Care agency—and am honored to
be serving as interim President and CEO for Spofford.
In leading Spofford, I look forward to continuing the levels of excellence
which have exemplified the organization for its first 100 years—and to making
strong the foundation for Spofford’s second century of service. Should you
ever have thoughts or suggestions, I would welcome your call.
Have a blessed holiday season … and thank you for all you do for our kids!
The Healing Effects of Theraplay
Family Resiliency Initiative
Being a parent is hard. Parenting a child who has experienced trauma is even
more challenging. At Spofford, many types of therapy are exercised with
clients in an effort to help the child and family heal, including Theraplay.
Consider the story of Mary* & Josh* and their son, Noah*.
Mary was a stay-at-home mom who had experienced post-partum
depression after Noah was born. During the years that followed—a very
formative period for young children—Mary and Josh found that they argued
more often than not and Noah did not seem to be connecting with them as
he should. Nor did he make eye contact or have a desire to be close to them
or go to them for help. He was mean and domineering with his three-yearold sister. Then, just after Noah turned five, they learned that he had been
sexually abused by a neighbor. That is when they decided to get help.
Christy, a therapist in Spofford’s Family Resiliency outpatient program,
began therapy with Noah to help him address the trauma he had
experienced. Christy also began using Theraplay techniques during family
therapy to strengthen their family unit.
One of the most vital parts of providing services
to children isn’t about working with the child at
all; rather, it’s about working with their family.
Professional practice has shown that one of the
best ways to engage a child in therapy is through
play within the parent-child relationship—helping
a child heal from trauma and build safe, healthy
relationships. As such, Theraplay techniques are
one of the therapeutic modalities utilized in family
therapy at Spofford in both our outpatient and
residential treatment programs.
The Theraplay Institute defines Theraplay as a child and family therapy for
building and enhancing attachment, self-esteem, trust in others and joyful
engagement. With a focus on four essential qualities found in a parent-child
relationship—structure, engagement, nurture, and challenge—Theraplay is
based on the natural patterns of playful, healthy interaction between parent
and child and is personal, physical and fun. Theraplay sessions create an
active, emotional connection between the child and parent or caregiver,
resulting in a changed view of oneself as worthy and lovable, and of
relationships as positive and rewarding.
For the families Spofford works with, Theraplay techniques teach, model and
offer opportunities to practice new ways for parents and their children to be
together. At first Noah didn’t like the nurturing games and didn’t want to sit
on his mom’s lap to sing the songs which are a core component of Theraplay.
But things quickly changed.
Mary and Josh both participated in some therapy sessions, working together
and playing games with the children. But other times, because of work
schedules, some sessions were just Mary with the kids—who, afterwards,
shared what she learned with Josh. Through it all, Noah’s parents learned
how much he wanted and needed nurturing balanced with structure.
Continued on Page 7
Integrating
New
Technology
In its on-going desire to most
effectively and most efficiently
serve clients, Cornerstones of
Care (CoC) recently partnered
with Netsmart, healthcare’s
largest provider of electronic
health record (EHR) services, to
utilize technology in new and
different ways to reach those
that need our services.
“I am excited about the benefits
this relationship will bring
to our organization, and the
opportunities to strengthen the
work we do with children and
families,” said Denise Cross,
CoC President & CEO.
Via this fully aligned, multipronged partnership, new
technologies and a culture of
innovation—including userfriendly tools, new hardware
options, mobile applications and
enhanced analytics—will be
integrated with CoC’s culture of
healing and nurturing, resulting
in cutting-edge service delivery
and an even greater impact
upon the children and families
we serve.
Netsmart, headquartered in
Overland Park, Kansas, is
committed to helping health
and human service providers
delivery coordinated, integrated,
outcomes-based services and
care, and serves more than
20,000 clients nationwide.
* Names have been changed and stock photos used to protect identities.
PAGE 3
Thank You
to
16th Annual Butterfly Gala: One
Our Sponsors
Spofford Board Member Amy & Tyler
Henson, co-chaircouple of the event,
pause for a photo.
Event sponsor Stinson Leonard Street’s attendees included:
(seated) Heidi Mann, Mindy Muller, Kristin Hancock, and
Jessica Jungk; (standing) Aaron Mann, Spofford Board of
Directors Chairman Andrew Muller, Nate Hancock, and
John Jungk.
John & Rebecca Kyger, Steve & Meredith Lemons, Gina &
Jay Parsons, and Cherie & David Martin strike a pose before
heading into the dining room.
In addition to being an event sponsor,
the imaginative folks at Hallmark also
created and generously donated new
display signs for the live auction.
Event sponsor QC Holdings’ guests included:
(seated) Spofford Board of Directors Vice Chairman Doug &
Janine Nickerson, Cathy Tharp, and Susan Evans; (standing)
Teri Loveland, Cyndy & John Davis, and Jim Loveland.
ate!
d
e
e th
Sav
Spofford Foundation Board of
Directors Vice Chairman Duane &
Deanna Albert enjoy the evening.
PAGE 4
2016
Butterfly Gala
Magical Night. Hope Takes Flight.
Thank You
to Our Supporters
Table Hosts
Spofford Foundation Board of Directors Chairman Phil Frerker
attended and brought along some friends, including:
(seated) Brigetta Fortin, Dawn & Phil Kernen, and Jennifer &
Rev. Woody Brown; (standing) Mark Kelly, Phil & Nikki Frerker,
Laura Kelly, and Kevin Fortin.
Co-chaircouple Ryan & Teresa Keller
mixed and mingled, ensuring everyone
had a great time!
Gala co-chair Amy Henson welcomes fellow Gala Committee
Members Stacey Gilman and Michelle Schmidt.
An auction favorite, this serving platter
was decorated by Spofford’s children
using their thumbprints to create the
butterfly wings.
Representatives from Table Host UMB included:
(seated) Danny McGeorge, Blake & Christine Smith, and
Spofford Board Member Shawn Thomas; (standing) Katie
& Sam Mellinger, Gala Committee Members Ryan & Leigh
Adams, Chris Calmer, and Jim Thomas.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Sheraton Overland Park
Spofford Board Member and
immediate past chair Scott Thompson
thanks Kevin Perz of presenting
sponsor Dynamic Fastener with the
inaugural Corporate Daisy Award.
BKD, LLP
Dr. Mark S. Box
Bukaty Companies
Burns & McDonnell
Mr. & Mrs. Del Campbell
Capital Portfolio Management
Centric
Cleveland Summit, LLC
Continental Title Company
Mr. & Mrs. Phil Frerker
Grant Thornton, LLP
HanesBrands, Inc.
Henry Schein Medical, Inc.
Mr. & Mrs. Tyler Henson
Insurance Pros, Inc.
Kansas City Life Insurance Co.
Lathrop & Gage, LLP
Dr. James A. Maliszewski
Midland Metal Manufacturing Co.
Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Pribula
Mr. & Mrs. Stan Sasser
Mr. & Mrs. Ames Stetzler
Taylor Forge Engineered Systems
Tri-Ten Consulting
UMB Financial Corporation
United Healthcare Services, Inc.
Wagstaff & Cartmell LLP
Special Friends
Berkowitz Oliver Williams Shaw &
Eisenbrandt LLP
Denise Cross & Larry Hightower
Mr. & Mrs. Bob Ford
The Kansas City Star
Keyhole Software
Mr. John Krivas
Manka Family Foundation
Mr. & Mrs. John Manley
Meierotto’s Jewelers
Mr. & Mrs. Owen Neff
Mr. & Mrs. Jarret Schmidt
Dr. Marc Sternberg
Mr. & Mrs. Tucker Trotter
Underdog Wine Company
Walters Law Firm
Mr. & Mrs. Clifton Wilson
PAGE 5
In Special Recognition
2015 Daisy Awards
The Daisy Awards are annually awarded
to those who go above and beyond
in their dedication and service to the
children and families we serve—much
like the award’s namesake, Daisy, a
committed child caregiver at Spofford
for more than 15 years. In all ways, Daisy
exemplified the spirit, commitment and
compassion of those who serve Spofford
each and every day.
2015 Corporate Daisy Award
Friday, April 29, 2016
Oakwood Country Club
4-Person Scramble
$600 per Team
Limited to 27 Teams
Reserve your spot today!
Fee includes greens fee, cart,
food & beverages, prizes, and
Reception & Awards Ceremony
following conclusion of play.
10 a.m. Registration
11 a.m. Shotgun Start
Sponsorship opportunities
available beginning at $150.
For More Information:
Blake Smith
(816) 315-1132
Blake.Smith@UMB.com
PAGE 6
New this year is the Corporate Daisy Award.
Since first supporting Spofford in 2005,
Dynamic Fastener has routinely and regularly
invested in the children and families we serve.
Headquartered in Raytown, Missouri, Dynamic
Fastener is a nationwide supplier of materials for
contractors and builders. But it’s for what they
do locally for Spofford year in and year out—
helping our kids rebuild and repair their lives—
that we recognize and thank Dynamic Fastener
with our inaugural Corporate Daisy Award.
2015 Volunteer Daisy Award
Lindsey Pryor Jones first volunteered for
Spofford in 2011 through her church. Since then,
Lindsey’s involvement has continued to grow.
In 2012, she and her husband, Will, mentored a
Spofford child. In 2013, Lindsey served on the
inaugural Trivia Night committee, then chaired
the event in 2015, leading it to new heights in
terms of both participation and funds raised to
benefit Spofford. Her motivation? In the spirit of
the Daisy Award, “Seeing the kids and feeling
that there is hope.”
2015 Staff Daisy Award
Lisa Walton, or “Ms. Lisa” as she is known at
Spofford, started with the organization 20 years
ago. Today, Lisa continues her work in the
kitchen “making sure the kids get two prepared
meals each day, five days a week.” With Lisa,
this “job” is clearly a labor of love—her love
for the children and the children’s love for her.
In the spirit of Daisy, Lisa has been a friend, a
mother figure, an aunt, a grandmother, a sister,
a mentor, and we celebrate her compassion and
her love for our kids!
Congratulations! Thank you all for exemplifying the spirit, commitment and
compassion of Ms. Daisy! It is because of people like you that Spofford is
able to continue providing hope, healing and happiness to children in need.
12 Ways of Supporting Spofford
during the holidays & throughout the year!
1. Remember Spofford with a year-end gift!
2. Donate much-needed toiletries for our kids!
3. Give your time, talent or expertise to a Spofford event!
If you have the time and the desire, we’ll find a place for you!
4. Invite Spofford to speak at your company or organization!
Then organize a company activity to benefit Spofford.
5. Coordinate and conduct an activity for our kids!
6. Regularly share your support of Spofford via Facebook!
And don’t forget your personal blog, Twitter, Instagram, etc.
7. Provide a meal for our residential kids.
Happy Meals are a favorite!
8. Donate a QuikTrip gas card for a Spofford family!
9. Invite Spofford to speak at your church!
Then dedicate a congregational offering to help our children in need.
10. Organize a neighborhood, club or school activity with all proceeds
to benefit Spofford!
11. Lend your professional expertise to the organization!
Mar-Comm? Advertising? Social media? We need you!
12. Remember Spofford in your will!
Healing Effects of Theraplay
Continued from Page 3
Like every child, he wanted a warm, loving connection—and through
therapy, was learning what that could look like. Soon, Mary worked to
incorporate some activities she learned from the Theraplay techniques into
their daily lives during transition times throughout the day and into their
nightly bedtime routine.
Through the Theraplay
techniques, Noah’s empathy
increased and his relationship
with his sister improved. He
is coping with the trauma he
experienced. And Mary realized
that the disconnected relationship
she felt from her own childhood
was not what she wanted to have
with her own children; she could
do it a different way.
Being a parent is hard—especially so when parenting a child who has
experienced trauma. But through Theraplay techniques, Noah was able
to trust again and Mary and Josh were able to create the relationship they
wanted with their children.
Winter Wishes
At Spofford, we provide our
children with everything they
need—from therapy to food to
everyday items most people take for
granted—but we need your help.
Below are the items of greatest
need as we head into winter and
cold & flu season:
Clothing
• Jackets (5T—Men’s M)
• Kids’ Gloves (S—XL)
• Kids’ Socks (S—L)
• Sports Bras (S—XL)
• Boys’ Underwear (5T—36)
• Girls’ Underwear (5T—Ladies’ S)
Health Essentials
• Cough Drops
• Fiber Chews
• Flintstones Complete
Chewable Multi-Vitamins
• Eucerin Cream
• Gauze Pads
Hygiene
• African-American Hair Care
• Detangler Spray
• Bath Towels & Washcloths
Indoor Entertainment (Games)
• Angry Birds games
• Apples to Apples Junior
• Barrel of Monkeys
• Clue
• Connect 4
• Diary of a Wimpy Kid games
• Don’t Break the Ice
• Don’t Say It
• Hedbanz kids games
• Hi Ho! Cherry-O
• Hungry Hungry Hippos
• Jenga
• Memory Games for kids
• Monopoly
• Operation
• Sorry
• Star Wars Games for kids
• Uno Attack!
For more details, please contact
Crystal Bahr at (816) 508-3408 or
Crystal.Bahr@SpoffordHome.org.
PAGE 7
Happy Holidays from our home to yours!
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Kansas City, MO
Permit # 4393
9700 Grandview Road
Kansas City, MO 64137
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Thank You, W
ills!
Financial support. Product donations. Volunteer involvement. Vendor services. And Santa Claus! Yes, Willis does it all—
and is a valued corporate partner to Spofford. Since 2006, Willis has served as benefits administrator for Cornerstones of
Care and its member agencies. However, Willis’ relationship with Spofford extends much longer—20 years, in fact—and
annually the company supports the children and families we serve on many levels:
• Via their employees and vendors. Through the years, Willis employees have actively supported our kids through
Stone Soup events, Jeans Days and, most recently, designated Spofford as a partial beneficiary of Willis’ annual
vendor and supplier golf tournament.
• Via support of special events. Be it Spofford’s Butterfly Gala or other events, Willis routinely and generously antes up
as an event sponsor, provides auction items, and/or donates needed goods to help make the
event successful.
• Via program and facility donations. From donations to Spofford’s art therapy program to
goodie bags for our kiddos to office supplies and chairs, Willis generously provides Spofford
with much-needed supplies and goods.
• Via volunteer support. Willis Vice President Duane Albert currently lends his expertise and
leadership by serving on the Spofford Foundation Board of Directors. Duane and his wife
Deanna also routinely volunteer at Spofford—including annually serving as Mr. & Mrs. Claus
for Spofford’s Christmas festivities and helping to create lifetime memories for our kids.
At this most-treasured time of the year, we extend our sincerest thanks to one of our most-valued
corporate partners. Thank you, Willis!
Duane & Deanna Albert
Is your company looking to change lives? If so, please contact Crystal Bahr at (816) 508-3408.