September Newsletter
Back to school.... that time of year that brings about excitement for parents and kids alike. New classes, new friends, new teachers, & new challenges as families adjust to new schedules and revisit old routines. However, there is still a little bit of summer left to enjoy before the seasons change and cooler weather begins.
September is also a month dedicated to recognizing DSPs and the work they do. HOME, Inc. would like to take the opportunity to say #ThankYou to our incredible staff, especially our Direct Support Professionals, who have worked tirelessly to continue to serve and do amazing things every day, supporting and assisting our individuals reach their goals. It is because of them that our individuals are thriving & engaged. So, to all H.O.M.E., Inc’s Direct Support Professionals, THANK YOU for continuing to make a difference in all the lives you touch. Know that we see you, we hear you and we are inspired by your service to others.
The History of Labor Day
H.O.M.E., Inc. will be closed on Monday, September 5th, 2022, in observance of Labor Day. All programs will resume their regular schedule on Tuesday, September 6th, 2022.
Labor Day is a federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the first Monday in September to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.[1][2][3] The three-day weekend it falls on is called Labor Day Weekend.
Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor. "Labor Day" was promoted by the Central Labor Union and the Knights of Labor, which organized the first parade in New York City. In 1887, Oregon was the first state of the United States to make it an official public holiday. By the time it became an official federal holiday in 1894, thirty states in the U.S. officially celebrated Labor Day.[4] (Source: Wikipedia.org)
A Message from Our Executive Director
Hello! If you see a Direct Support Professional this month and always, please express your appreciation to them for all that they do!
A note to our Direct Support Professionals:
“On behalf of myself and the Board of Directors, I would like to extend my utmost gratitude to you and your hard work. Thank you for your commitment and dedication to the mission of the agency. We have been through some trying times and you all have proven that you can stand the tests of time. I deeply appreciate every member of this team. You all truly inspire me. I hope you know that the success of our agency would not be possible without your contribution. Continue to be great!”
~ Take Care, Shaneika
Nurse’s Corner
UPDATE – MONKEYPOX
How it is spread: A patient must be in close physical contact with an infected person – skin to skin contact. Certain patients are more at risk; men who have sex with other men are at most risk, but they can pass it on to others.
Number of cases in the US: 15, 909. However, there have been NO DEATHS in the US.
Vaccine: There is now a vaccine for Monkeypox, for those in the highest risk population. Onondaga County does have a limited supply of this vaccine.
Can this spread to pets? People with Monkeypox should avoid contact with animals.
What are the symptoms? Early on, a patient might experience a fever, lethargy, headache, sore throat, cough, and swollen glands. A rash will then develop which begins with small, raised areas on the skin, which becomes red, then blisters, and develops pus-filled lesions. At the end, the rash will scab over. An infected person is contagious until all the scabs on the skin have fallen off, and a fresh new layer of skin has developed.
Other prevention:Excellent hand washing and avoid skin to skin contact with an infected person. For additional information, please visit: www.ongov.net
Creative Corner and Quote
School and Our Daily Bread
by Sheala Burks
“What a school thinks about its library is a measure of what it feels about education.” ― Harold Howe (Source: goodreads.com)
We take our school system for granted,
Every fall, we send our kids to school
So they can learn how to be productive adults.
Yet, there are many people how never get to learn
That lesson because of either finances or lack of access.
We need to fix this problem so every child can become
As productive as they can.
We cannot let politics or oppression stop their growing minds.
“The principal goal of education in the schools should be creating men and women who are capable of doing new things, not simply repeating what other generations have done; men and women who are creative, inventive and discoverers, who can be critical and verify, and not accept, everything they are offered.” ― Jean Piaget (Source: goodreads.com)