MEMBER STORY
Brain Rehab & Wellness Members
Everyone who comes to Brain Rehab & Wellness has their own story. For members in the classroom area of the program, some experienced a stroke, a traumatic brain injury or something else entirely. Some of the areas members work on in the program are memory, attention, executive functioning, deductive reasoning, abstract reasoning, problem solving and mental flexibility. Members get the special opportunity sometimes to plan and lead an activity for the program, but they must prove that it supports the goals of the program. What makes this opportunity remarkable is that planning and leading an activity itself is an exercise in organizational skills, decision making, focus, time management and interpersonal skills.
Everyone has their own goals. For some members, these goals include being able to return to the workforce, live independently or increase scores on health assessments. What is special is that members meet their goals with the support of staff, the programming and each other. “We’re all coming with things we need to work on. We all learn from each other.” a member said.
In Brain Rehab & Wellness, members find community. They are motivated by the support system they have cultivated with their peers. “It feels like I’m helping myself and helping other people.” a member shared. If they see one of their peers struggling with an answer, they want to help. To allow everyone to grow in the program, they are instead asked to provide their peers with a clue. Some members are even competitive with one another, but they use this to motivate themselves.
For some members who experienced a stroke or injury, they feel grief over this change in their life’s course. This is a very common feeling for people who are searching for a new ordinary during recovery. Like with any loss, days are made a little easier when you have others who understand what you are going through. The Brain Rehab & Wellness classroom is filled with warmth, honesty, and compassion. A member shared, “Everybody is in the same boat. Everybody has something going on with their brain. This is your life now. Make the best of it.”
The program is challenging, and it can feel like training for a marathon. That requires a great deal of strength, but the members of Brain Rehab & Wellness know it also takes strength to be collaborative, vulnerable and willing to accept help. They know that many people in similar situations do not receive the same kind of support. While they are grateful for their time at Curative, they want others to know about Brain Rehab & Wellness as well. “More than just the people in this room need this service,” a member said. “I want to be able to give back, help people and do everything they did for me.”
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT Become a volunteer hero today
Diana Brown
Few people in Curative Connections’ history have made as profound of an impact as Diana Brown. Her
journey with Curative began in 1978 when she joined the staff as a social worker for the Older Americans
Program. By the time Diana retired after 42 years of service, she was the Vice President for Program Services. Even as her roles changed and the types of programs she oversaw grew, Diana always remained
passionate about serving older adults. “It’s not a time when you should be isolated,” she shared, “It helps to be surrounded by other people.” She also values the impact it has on caregivers. “It can change lives and help caregivers keep their loved ones at home for years.” Diana said.
Diana was instrumental to the development of Curative’s Adult Day Services. She truly believes in the importance of this service and has been a fierce advocate for it. Diana was active with the National Adult Day Services Association (NADSA) and Wisconsin Adult Day Services Association (WADSA.) In 2008, she received NADSA’s highest individual honor for her work. Last year, Diana was awarded Curative’s William K. Nystrom Award for Advocacy.
After her retirement in 2019, Diana remained involved with Curative as a consultant. She also led the Yesteryear Village planning committee, a group of volunteers integral to making Yesteryear Village a reality. There were several ideas as to what Yesteryear Village could be, and it eventually grew in scope. What started with one grant turned into an extensive capital campaign. “They wanted the best, and I think it is going to be a jewel.” Diana said. She is hopeful that Yesteryear Village will make a difference in the lives of Curative members and their loved ones, as well as serve as a model for other organizations across the country. “So many things came together that should be celebrated.” Diana shared.
As we await the celebration of Yesteryear Village’s grand opening this spring, we want to extend our utmost gratitude to Diana Brown. Her leadership as an employee and volunteer made Yesteryear Village possible, and we are honored that she has continued her journey with Curative.
Employee/Team Feature Join the Curative family and apply today
Years of Service
In 2023, 125 Curative Connections and ProSolutions employees celebrated 1,020 cumulative years of service. Anniversaries ranged from one year to several decades.
For our many employees who celebrated their first year at Curative, they are excited to continue their journey with the organization. “I’m still new to Curative, having only been with the organization since April 2022, but I’ve never been happier in my career,” Director of Donor Engagement and Marketing Kari Moody shared, “I love the people we serve and the work we do, and we just feel like a really big family. I look forward to adding many more years of service to our total number.”
Curative is proud to have many employees who have spent a significant part of their career with the organization. Carla Diedrick, Adult Day Services Life Enrichment Partner, celebrated forty-five years at Curative last March. “It has changed and grown a lot since I started,” Carla said. “I love all these guys. It’s a great place to start out and then you can move up.”
As we start this new year, we want to express our appreciation for the members of our team, whose dedication allows Curative to continue serving our community. “There is power in numbers, but even stronger power when we come together as a team,” President and CEO Jeanne Stangel said. “To log 1,020 cumulative years of years of service is completely incredible. Thanks to all who make Curative and ProSolutions a special place to be and serve.”
Donor/Sponsor Thank You Support Curative’s Mission
The Wheels on the Bus Go Round and Round…
This past fall, Curative asked for your help to raise funds for a 14-passenger bus with side lift to transport members to work experiences and off-site activities. We explained the purchase of our own vehicle would lower operation costs, reduce scheduling conflicts and increase our ability to support our members and staff efficiently.
Together, we raised the funds needed to make the purchase and our bus will be onsite in 2024!
We are overwhelmed by our community’s incredible generosity and support, making a meaningful impact for members, staff and volunteers at Curative. Funds were raised through state and private grants and private support including those who made gifts on Giving Tuesday.
Thank you from all of us at Curative. Because of you, members will have more opportunities to engage with our community and learn in new environments. Your support and having our own bus allow us to live out our mission of helping people achieve their goals for independence.
Curative in the Community
Exceptional Experiences
It takes a community to provide Curative members with the amazing on and off-site experiences they had in a year’s time. What a fun year we’ve had making new friends, visiting new places and learning new things.
In this edition of Curative in the Community, we’d like to thank the new friends we made in 2023 and the friends who continue to support our community engagement efforts – the people and organizations that welcomed our members warmly, provided meals, gave tours and helped them grow in their independence.
Some highlights from the year include spending time with the animals and making personal pizzas in an outdoor woodfire oven at Rockin W Ranch, singing and dancing with Tom’s Tunes, enjoying the rides at the County Fair, trying new coffees on a local coffee shop tour and magic tricks with Gizmo the Illusionist. Other fun trips include visits to the Automobile Garage, Green Bay Botanical Garden, NEW Zoo, Hillside Apples, Sunny Hill Farms, Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, Happy Joe’s, Black Sheep Pub and Grill, Schroeder’s Flowers and the National Railroad Museum.
Our members also love when friends visit us. Thank you to Regina & The 7 Pillars, Ron the Music Man and Singing Sally for bringing fun and entertainment to our programs.
Finally, thank you to our many furry friends who make Curative feel a bit more like home. Thank you to Whiskey, Blue, Cyrus, Greta, Ellie, Nermel and their humans for adding to the fun.
These partnerships provide members with exceptional experiences throughout the year. Thank you for making such a remarkable impact.
Upcoming Events
Rotary Foundation of Green Bay Free Enterprise Awards Dinner | Learn more at 2024 Free Enterprise Award
Monday , May 6, 5-8 p.m.
Oneida Hotel
Garden Gala | For more information visit Special Events: Garden Gala
Tuesday, Sept. 17, 5-8 p.m.
Oneida Hotel
Green Bay Packers Alumni Sporting Clays Event | Save the date
Fall 2024
