SUGGESTION BOX - In an ongoing effort to enhance the quality of services and to be more responsive to consumer needs, TSE has established an electronic "suggestion box".  All comments and ideas are welcome!!!

NEW BUSINESSES - We would like to acknowledge the following businesses that have recently hired workers from TSE:

Arc Value Village (Saint Paul)

Creative Catering (Roseville)

Sonic Restaurants (St. Paul, Savage, West St. Paul and Bloomington)

MARK'S TOWN HALL STORY

Mark Rush, one of our stars from TSE-Roselawn, spoke at the October 5, 2009 Town Hall Forum sponsored by the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities (CCD-MN) and the Minnesota State Council on Disabilities (MnSCOD).  Mark shared his personal story of how services have made a difference in his life.  Mark had previously lived and worked with little to no support.  He now lives in a supported home and is receiving the help there that he needs to survive and to thrive.  Mark also talked about how, through TSE, he has held a job longer than he had ever been able to in the past.  He proudly described how he won the TSE Worker of the Month award recently.

Mark is a great example of a person who has learned to be a strong self-advocate.  We are very proud of you, Mark!

ADVOCATING CHANGE TOGETHER

Advocating Change Together (ACT), the grassroots self-advocacy organization, recently held its annual meeting.  TSE self-advocates were enthusiastic participants in the event.  In fact, two were elected to the ACT Board of Directors:  Carla Webster, from TSE-McCarrons, and Ruth Agre, from TSE-Roselawn.  Based on the tremendous work they have done as leaders of TSE's self-advocacy work, we know they will provide great leadership on the ACT Board.  Congratulations!!

TWICE THE GIFT

TSE was recently accepted as a vendor at Twice The Gift, a seasonal retail store located in the IDS Center in Minneapolis.  The store displays and sells products from over 60 local non-profits, including TSE!  We are featuring TSE Treasures:  our beautiful Garden Stones and unique Spin Art Greeting Cards. You can also consider making a gift to TSE as a tribute to someone you care about by using the Twice the Gift Share Cards.  For more information, go the the Twice the Gift website.

MATT:   NATIONAL CELEBRITY!

Matt Pickford's smiling face can be seen on billboards across the country.  Matt is part of a nation-wide campaign by the National Down Synrome Congress.  The ad campaign stresses that "we're more alike than different".  Matt asks the question, "Who's got better moves on the dance floor, you or me?".  The billboard shown on the photos above was on a bus in Seattle, WA.  We're proud of you, Matt...and NO ONE has better moves than you!

TSE TREASURES

Looking for a unique gift for the person who has everything?  How about a one-of-a-kind, handmade garden stone?  The folks at TSE-Lakeridge can create a beautiful piece for you or a loved one -they even accept custom orders!  Click on the link for a printable order form.

Need a card to go with that gift?  We also make hand-made greeting cards - birthdays, holidays, thank you's...whatever the event, we can create a masterpiece for you.  These can be ordered on the order from linked above (page 2 of the order form). 

If you have custom orders for either garden stones or cards, you may contact Chris Steiner or Heather Meverden at TSE-Lakeridge.

THE LATEST CONSUMER SURVEY REPORT IS AVAILABLE

The latest TSE Consumer Survey Report is now available for review.  The report summarizes the feedback from those people served by TSE (and their representatives) whose annual planning meetings occurred in the first six months of 2009.  The feedback we received was very positive!  Ninety-five percent rated services as "Excellent" or "More than satisfactory", and forty-six percent rated services as "Excellent"!!   You may click on the link to see the complete report.