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Bryn Mawr Peer Support Groups

5/1 12:30-2:30pm Career Readiness: “Oh the Places We’ll Go!”

5/8 12:30-2:30pm Fitness: Hip Hop Class (wear comfortable shoes)

5/15 12:30-2:30pm Independent Living: Cooking Class: Spaghetti & Meatballs

5/15 Evening Group 7:00-8:30pm Relationships: Sharing Personal Information

5/22 12:30-2:30pm Health & Fitness: Yoga in the Park at Ashbridge Park

5/29 12:30-2:30pm Community Service: Let the Summer Fun Begin!

Bryn Mawr: Bethel AME Church: 50 S. Merion Ave

Ashbridge Memorial Park: 1301 Montgomery Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

Allentown Peer Support Group – Every 3rd

Friday!

5/18 1:00-3:00pm Social Skills: “Oh the Places We’ll Go!”

2200 Hamilton Blvd., Allentown, PA 18104 Basement Level

Questions or RSVP to pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

SAVE THE DATE!

Parent Support Group

SPECIAL NEEDS PLANNING WORKSHOP with

Financial Planner, PAT BERGMAIER, CFP®, ChSNC™,

Tuesday, May 15th 7:00pm-8:30pm

Bring your “adult child” for a simultaneous Peer Support

Group on Relationship Building:

Sharing Personal Information

RSVP pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org

(Event Flyer attached)

Kenton just moved into his

first apartment! This has

been something we have

been working towards

since December and this is

Kenton's first time living

on his own!

Message from our Executive Director:

Happy spring! Amidst all of the beautiful color, buzzing bees and

fluttering butterflies, we are blooming as well. Just in the last year,

Kaleidoscope has opened new offices in the states of Rhode Island and

Delaware. We have also expanded PA to include Carlisle, with an

expected new space in Lancaster next month. In addition, NJ will be

opening an Ocean County office mid-summer. What brings me the most

joy about this growth is our ability to help so many more people across

the US. My passion, and that of our agency, is to be the connecting link

for individuals and their families regardless of disability, age, diagnosis

or level of care.

Next, speaking of growth, I want to thank the entire Kaleidoscope team

for so boldly embracing IDD and Autism Awareness Months.

Collectively, we hosted and attended numerous events and activities

that supported the worldwide quest to increase awareness and

acceptance. Furthermore, we celebrated our ability to make a

difference in these areas through extensive community outreach and

individual connections.

Finally, June represents our Vision Statement of “Instilling Positive

Values.” Throughout the month, we plan to reinforce our commitment

to living a life with integrity both professionally and personally. Stay

tuned to our photos and newsletters to keep in touch with our journey.

With warm and sunny regards,

Dr. TaraColleen Macatee

Congratulations Mike

on your 1st place in the

50m dash last week at

Special Olympics!!

Posing on our stage at Bethel for peer

support group! Love our friendships!

Jill got her career

300th

strike for

Special Olympics!

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Great Reads for Autism Awareness Month

Praise for Kaleidoscope

I had the pleasure of speaking with our new individual, Tracy, and she had

nothing but great things to say about KFS. Tracy stated that the services she is

receiving are a great support, especially being able to go to the laundromat and

to the library. She also said, “Everyone is so nice!”

--Jessica Padilla, Quality Manager

“Thank you for your newsletters and for having such a fun group for Jacob! I

love seeing pictures of him having fun!

Thanks for everything!” --Jerilyn Greenfield (Jake's mother) Maurine’s mom noted at a recent ISP meeting that she is really happy with

services. She stated that Maurine has come a long way and is significantly

more social – Maurine loves coming to Peer Group!

--Liz Miner-Worland, Clinical Coordinator

Bob Naftal from Creative Options in Pottstown came to Activity Night and

raved about it; he wanted to thank all KFS staff for their time and dedication. Parker is so happy to be a part of KFS. He enjoys getting out into the

community with Taylor and meeting new people at the KFS activities.

Flying at Night by Rebecca L. Brown tells a story of

transformative relationships between mother, father and

their son with autism.

Carly’s Voice: Breaking Through Autism by Arthur Fleischmann and Carly Fleischmann was one

of the first books to display autism and tells a beautiful story of triumphs and breakthroughs.

The Reason I Jump by Nakoki Higashida tells the poignant story

of an extremely intelligent boy with severe autism. The memoir

is described as a remarkable must read!

Brandon is working with customers and learning

to use the cash register at Art of Recycle!

Kudos to Dana for starting a new KFS

bowling league every Friday at Playhouse

Lanes! See activity sheet for more details.

Kareem out celebrating his 27th birthday by painting

a ceramic Spider-Man mug at Color Me Mine!

Melissa living in

fairytale land at Autism

Awareness Day at the

Philadelphia Zoo!

So nice to see the friendships continued

outside of KFS events! Wanda’s Birthday!

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Mission Monday is our space to thank providers who continue

to go above and beyond when servicing KFS individuals. Please

help us salute our monthly winners!

Diane Kasperski is a Behavioral Support Specialist with us;

however, she switched hats last week when an individual she

supports was without community supports due to his provider

being ill. Diane provided community supports so this individual

could continue to receive the services he needs to lead a more

independent life. She is always consistent and reliable! We’d like to thank Olivia Hussian for all the hard work she has

done with her individuals and the activity program! She always

does a great job helping out with cases when we need a new

provider. Without being asked, Olivia stepped up and began

helping out with the activity program. The parents and support

coordinators of the individuals she works with only have positive

things to say about her. A special thank you to Hawa Camara from the EPA team! She

has been working with Alicia and is dedicated, patient and kind.

She is also great with her progress notes. Hawa is a consistent

KFS provider and doing an overall awesome job with Alicia! Chris Forest is a “roll with the punches” kind of guy. He always

communicates schedule changes and is subsequently available to

help out with other cases during these times. Chris sends us

photos of his individuals in their homes and the community with

updates when they receive awards, cook delicious meals or make

progress towards a goal. Chris also writes great progress notes! Amy Reis came to KFS to work specifically with one individual.

After years of consistent service, the family has nothing but nice

things to say about her. She helps other providers with paperwork

and our new electronic procedures. Amy is always willing to help

out when needed!

Lancaster Game Day at

Ephrata Recreation Center!

Shout out to our beautiful Brandy

who has been going to church every

Sunday for the past few months and

was all dressed up!

CPA enjoyed some crafting at the library coloring puzzle

pieces for Autism Awareness Month! Good Job Becky,

Lizzy, Garrett, Brandy, Alyssa and Shania!

Great Game and Arts & Crafts

Night with Allentown making signs

for their upcoming autism walk!

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Home Office

950 East Haverford Road

Suite 100A

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

Speaking of Phillies, we have FREE tickets for

Tuesday, May 22nd

home game against the

Atlanta Braves! The game starts at 7:05pm.

Please contact Pam Frebowitz at

pfrebowitz@kfamilysolutions.org to reserve

your tickets. Tickets will be distributed on a first

come, first serve basis so don’t delay!

Congratulations Are in Order … Kenton has just moved into his own apartment for the first time!

Anthony lost 30 lbs. towards his weight loss goal of 90 lbs.!

Michael volunteers at PetSmart and greets everyone! He has shifted his

focus to even bigger goals.

Eric is in a Special Olympic basketball tournament in May at Widener

University!

Rachel and Renee have a track meet coming up in April at William Penn

Charter School!

Bruno and his friend have a DJ business called the Dream Team (they

DJ’d for our Winter Gala!) and are working on scheduling more events!

Bette is working hard at Applebees for several years and is starting to

transition off of direct supported employment!

Amy has been volunteering at a nursing home in her community. The

nursing home is so pleased with Amy’s positive interactions they have

reached out to her to sit with a patient that wanders to keep her company

and occupied!

Cameron is going to college to take an evolution course for the next three

weeks!

Jackie started a job cleaning exercise equipment at Hockession Athletic

Center!

Alexander is making progress with his new goal to not use technology in

inappropriate places. He also achieved a healthy eating goal!

Micayla is working hard on her support group that she has created and is

successfully setting up scheduled group meeting times!

Katie has found two places to volunteer: the Salvation Army and a local

hair salon, where she is loved and does a fantastic job assisting with her

responsibilities!

Danny has been doing a great job attending the YMCA, participating in

exercising and aerobic activity, and following a healthy meal plan!

Sherry joined Planet Fitness and participates in the 30 minute workout!

KFS Bryn Mawr and Coatesville

represents by “Lighting it Up Blue!”