Bona Vista celebrates 65
Also, Indiana Black Expo to elect officers; Dueling Pianos returns to Ivy Tech
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The grill was smoking, the music was playing, and the sun was shining as Bona Vista Programs celebrated its 65th year in business. Dozens of well-wishers, clients, and Kokomo firefighters gathered under tents in the Bona Vista parking lot on Sept. 11 for the special birthday event.
Bona Vista, a partner company of Developmental Services Inc., has spent the past 65 years providing services to children and adults, most of whom struggle with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The birthday celebration doubled as a thank you to the community, which has supported the organization throughout its existence.
“It’s an amazing accomplishment to celebrate 65 years of service in our community,” said Brianne Boles, President of Bona Vista Programs. “Local families came together in 1958 through grassroot efforts to create services for their children. Over the years, the agency has grown and developed programming to meet the needs of those we serve. What an amazing ride!
“It’s been an exciting journey for staff, board members, clients, and the community as the agency has continued to provide much-needed support to the most vulnerable population in our community, those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.”
Bona Vista boasts a robust array of services for children and adults. Its Early Head Start program reaches out to low-income, pregnant mothers-to-be, providing parenting skills, and then works with their children until the age of 3 on language and cognitive skills. That program complements Bona Vista’s Early Childhood Education Center, where children of all abilities learn in a safe and positive environment.
Bona Vista also provides behavior management and social skills training for children, a First Steps program to provide support and early intervention for infants and toddlers at risk for or facing developmental challenges, and a REACH program that brings Bona Vista’s services to clients’ homes.
For adult clients, Bona Vista provides an even greater level of support. It’s adult day programming and habilitation services are designed to teach life skills and appropriate social behaviors while giving clients opportunities for recreation and time to discover new interests. Like the children’s program, Bona Vista also provides behavior management services for their adult clients.
For those adults with special needs who are seeking more independence, Bona Vista maintains staffed group homes where they can work on life skills and share a home with other special needs clients. Group activities and community outings during the day and after hours are also provided.
Some of those activities fall under Bona Vista’s Personal Enhancement Program (PEP), which is aimed at teaching skills to help clients live more independently. The services extend to those adults who are able to live in their own homes but may need services and support anywhere from a few hours a month to 24 hours a day.
“We continue to support clients 24/7, 365 days a year,” said Boles. “We are there during tornadoes, pandemics, and everything in between. I am proud of all staff members and wish to thank them for their years of service, which make this celebration possible!
“We are grateful to the community for their support and invite anyone in to tour our adult or early childhood programming. Thank you for celebrating our first 65 years. Here’s to another 65!”
Indiana Black Expo to elect new officers
Notice is hereby given that the annual elections for the Kokomo Chapter Board of Directors of Indiana Black Expo, a not-for-profit corporation, will be held at the Center Township Trustee’s Community Building, 213 E. Jefferson St., on Tue., Oct. 10, at 6 p.m.
The meeting will address the receiving and acting on reports of the officers and directors, for the purpose of electing directors and officers, and for the transaction of such other business as may come before the Board. Please submit your information and interest to the Nominating Chair Willie Stroman – w.stroman@comcast.net – prior to the event.
‘Dueling Pianos’ returning to raise Ivy Tech scholarship funds
Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Campus will be rocking on Friday, Oct. 13, when “Dueling Pianos” returns to help celebrate the College’s 60th birthday and raise funds to support Ivy Tech students throughout the six Hoosier counties it serves.
“Our goal this year is to raise $60,000, one thousand dollars for each of Ivy Tech’s 60 years,” said Kelly Karickhoff, executive director for Resource Development for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area, which includes Cass, Fulton, Howard, Miami, Pulaski, and Tipton counties. “These scholarship funds will be distributed to deserving students to help them achieve their educational and career dreams.”
The return event follows two exceptionally popular evenings with “Dueling Pianos” on the campus over the last few years. With two baby grand pianos and two talented players, the 2023 edition of Ivy Tech Kokomo’s Celebration for Student Success promises to be another sell-out.
“We invite the community to join us in raising funds to support the education of deserving Ivy Tech students,” Karickhoff said. “We’ll be entertained by two sharp-witted, incredibly talented musicians for what promises to be a night of unforgettable fun. We anticipate an evening made even better by the anniversary celebration of Ivy Tech statewide.”
With the musical theme of “Education is Key,” the evening will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo Campus and will feature “Dueling Pianos,” dinner, and a variety of activities to raise funds for scholarships.
Karickhoff describes “Dueling Pianos” as a high-energy, all-request, sing-along, clap-along, rock ’n’ roll evening of comedy music where the audience is just as much a part of the show as the entertainers. The piano duo was a smash hit at Ivy Tech’s 2019 and 2022 fundraisers in Kokomo, she added, and the College is excited to be able to bring them back.
Tickets for the Celebration for Student Success are $50 each and may be purchased at https://link.ivytech.edu/2023DuelingPianos or by calling Miriam Thomas of the Ivy Tech Foundation at 765-252-5500. Tickets will be available until Oct. 6 unless they sell out sooner.
“As every key is needed for a pianist to make music, education is the key to successful futures for our students and for our communities,” Karickhoff said. “The Celebration for Student Success events give participants many opportunities throughout the evening to make a difference in the life of an Ivy Tech student through their financial support.”
Karickhoff added, “Whether you can endow a scholarship, fund a sponsorship, or buy a ticket to the event, we hope you will join us!” Those who can’t attend may still help students by donating at ivytech.edu/givenow or calling Karickhoff at 765-252-5501.