Family Services of Blair County

Another change in seasons in Central Pennsylvania has arrived! When I get home this evening (October 6), as with many of you, I will be taking towels and sheets off of the plants covered last night to protect them from the fall's first frost. The fall colors are beginning to appear on the trees and the Halloween plans are beginning. This is certainly a favorite time of the year for many, including yours truly.

Thanks to all of our employees for continuing to share your dedication and commitment to the people we serve each week. You will find some specific thank you messages for employees in the DD Program in this issue. A special thanks to those who helped with The Taste of Home Cooking School on September 13. Thanks to Gunter and the committee that worked with him, the event ran much smoother than our first cooking school two years ago. He has already initiated discussions with the Taste of Home folks in Wisconsin about a date for the next cooking school.

Since the last Focus issue was published, our colleague Brenda Musselman died during the second week of August. She fought bravely against the cancer that attacked her body in April, but ultimately lost that battle. We fondly remember her contributions to the life of the organization and particularly the employees and customers of the DD Program. It was very comforting to learn that a former social worker in our Counseling Program, Millie Baker, now an ordained pastor, was Brenda's pastor. This allowed Millie to include recognition of Brenda's connection with her work from a personnel perspective, which was very meaningful to those of us from the agency able to attend the service.

More recently, another colleague in the effort to deliver services to persons with mental retardation, Larry Hite, died after a hospitalization shorter than Brenda's. He was also stricken with cancer. Larry directed the Adult Center for Exceptional Learning (ACEL), which operates under the Home Nursing Agency banner.

The death of these two persons that many of us knew so well, at their relatively young ages, is a great reminder that we need to appreciate and value each day that we have to share with our families and our colleagues.

October is Domestic Abuse Awareness Month. This morning, I taped an Altoona Cable Access Channel program on the subject, along with Rev. Paul Johnson. It will air on Channel 14 each Tuesday morning at 9AM and each Tuesday evening at 6 PM during October. We are attempting to obtain a copy of the program for training purposes. I am attempting to schedule another program on the topic for December, a month during which many families experience increased stress levels. This can present increased danger for those involved in abusive relationships.

November is Runaway Prevention Month, focusing on our youth. During October, we should move into our new Teen Shelter located at 3718 6th. Ave., Altoona. Peggy Campbell and the employees who work with her are planning an open house in November to highlight prevention activities and to provide an opportunity for all interested persons to visit the new shelter.

All of our program and department directors, as well as the board of directors are working hard to reach the goals we have set for the 2004-2005 operating year. As is usually the case, we have many challenges before us, but the results thus far are encouraging and should lead to another successful year.

Enjoy the invigorating fall weather because we all know what usually follows in Central PA during the winter months! The next time we prepare a Focus issue, we will be closing in on Thanksgiving and Christmas!

PLEASE, DON'T FORGET TO CARRY OUT YOUR OBLIGATION AS A RESIDENT OF THIS GREAT DEMOCRACY TO VOTE IN THE NOVEMBER 2, 2004 ELECTION.

Mahlon Fiscel
Executive Director