NEWS – Life Bridges

Category: NEWS

September 21, 2024

September 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Welcome to a month of clean up! As the weather has become cooler, we have been cleaning out garages, storage areas, and closets – not just talking about it but following through! We are refreshing homes with new furniture, paint, curtains, and décor. How fitting that one of the projects of First Baptist Church joined us GO! LOVE! SERVE!

We were certainly blessed by several members from First Baptist Church who were all across our city on Sunday. Thousands of volunteers worked on projects at a couple hundred locations. Life Bridges was blessed to have a team of workers at our Main Center and at two homes led by Tom and Debbie Thurman. They trimmed bushes, pulled weeds, picked up debris, and pressure cleaned with a passion – thank you!!!

Mark your calendars for Spring Fling 2025 if you would like to purchase a table or be a sponsor. This fund-raising event will be held on March 28th and will be one of the funding sources for the new duplexes we are planning to build beginning in 2025. Thank you to so many of you who have already purchased a table or contacted us to be involved with this event.

Thank you for your prayers, contributions, and volunteer hours – together we make it happen!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Go! Love! Serve!

Miracle League Fall Schedule

Bradley North Complex

Saturday, Sept. 14

10am Braves vs. Reds

11:15am Pirates vs A’s

12:30pm Dodgers vs. Giants

Saturday, Sept. 21

10am Reds vs. Pirates

11:15am Dodgers vs. Braves

12:30pm A’s vs. Giants

Saturday, Sept. 28

10am Reds vs. A’s

11:15am Giants vs. Braves

12:30pm Pirates vs Dodgers

Saturday, Oct. 12

10am Giants vs. Pirates

11:15am A’s vs. Braves

12:30pm Reds vs. Dodgers

Saturday, Oct. 19

10am Braves vs. Reds

11:15am Dodgers vs. Giants

12:30pm Pirates vs A’s

Saturday, October. 26

10am Dodgers vs. A’s

11:15am Braves vs. Pirates

12:30pm Reds vs. Giants

Bradley North Complex | 6065 Eureka Rd NW | Cleveland, TN 3712

National DSP Recognition, Sept. 8-14

Thank you for helping people and changing lives!

Life Bridges Supportive Employment Program

McDonald's

Congratulations!

Savance Baker

We celebrate your “1-Year of Service” as an employee of McDonald’s.

Savance is with the SEP (Supportive Employment Program) at Life Bridges. He is always energized and dedicated to his job.

Thank you McDonald’s for your partnership as a Business Partner and to Thank you to our amazing team SEP for all you do to encourage and ensure that Savance is living his best life!

Life Bridges

Around Town

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

August 24, 2024

August 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Summer has proven to be busy, productive, and HOT!

We are working to finalize plans to build two new duplexes with hopes to begin in 2025. The land has been procured, building plans are in the works, and the agency board of directors is working on the financing. We are seeking collaboration from several local donors and we will keep you posted on these. If you have an idea or want to participate in some way, please let me know. This years Spring Fling will be dedicated to this effort. Thank you to so many of you who have already purchased a table or contacted us to be involved with this event in March.

We have ordered 3 more new wheelchair vans to add to our transportation fleet through the TN Department of Transportation. Delivery date is unknown, but we anticipate their arrival before the end of the year. We also expect to purchase several mini vans before the end of year to meet the needs of the people we support. I know many of you are invested in this process.

Thank you for your prayers, contributions, and volunteer hours – together we make it happen!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

MIRACLE LEAGUE

Basketball/Cheerleading
Schedule

10:30AM – 1:00PM

August 17, 24, 31

November 23, 30

December 7, 14, 21

Jimmy's Journal

Always Learning

By: James L. Kilgore, Person Supported, Life Bridges Reporter

I have been enrolled in online courses at Hillsdale College. I passed four classes like, Introduction to the Constitution; Supply-Side Economics and American Prosperity; History of Classical Music and Economics 101: The Principles of Free-Market Economics. Hillsdale is a wonderful college that I can take classes and plan to take additional classes this fall.

This reporter is hoping to find a job soon and my case manager, Totiona Bowers is teaching me about personal space and behavior when working with others.

Congratulations

Staff of the Quarter

Life Bridges Supportive Employment Program

Elder's Ace Hardware

Elder’s Ace Hardware presents:

“Certificate of Appreciation” to Joe Hughes in recognition of 20 years of employment and dedication. Joe participates in the Life Bridges Supportive Employment Program which helps individuals in finding a job and offers supports and job coaching.

Congratulations Joe and thank you to Elder’s Ace Hardware for your valued partnership.

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

July 13, 2024

July 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

What a great week – celebrating July 4th. We are a blessed people to live in such a great country with freedom and rights for all people. We enjoyed hamburgers, hotdogs, apple pie, fireworks, and all the red, white, and blue fanfare! The sunshine was plentiful too.

We have ordered 3 more new wheelchair vans to add to our transportation fleet and recently purchased a mini-van. Thank you to those who have seen this need and contributed in order for this to occur. The agency owns and operates over 100 vehicles.

Soon we will have a brochure to outline opportunities to contribute to Life Bridges through legacy giving and gifting of items like vehicles, homes, and others items of value.

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Staff Meeting

1:30:PM – 2:30PM – HOC

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

Family Meeting

5:00PM – HOC

Volunteer Energy Cooperative

Life Bridges Receives Grant

Life Bridges was awarded a grant from the Volunteer Energy Cooperative’s Customers Share Foundation to help with funding for Individuals Supported to attend Camp Cherokee 2024.

Miracle League Bowling - 2024

MIRACLE LEAGUE Bowling Schedule:

July 6, 13, 20, & 27

August 3 & 10

10:30AM – 12:00PM

LEISURE TIME BOWLING
2739 Keith St NW
Cleveland, TN 37312

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

June 22, 2024

June 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Many people supported by the agency enjoyed First Baptist Camp at Parksville Lake. Our group was moved to the opening week of camp, as opposed to the closing of summer camps. The weather was more favorable and FUN was the word of the week! The participants enjoyed boating, swimming, fishing, Bible study, and music. It was a memorable time for those who were able to attend.

Stay tuned for more information about expansion of affordable home choices for the people we support.

Also, soon we will have a brochure to outline opportunities to contribute to Life Bridges through legacy giving and gifting of items like vehicles, homes, and others items of value.

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Future Newsletter Distribution:
In an effort to reduce direct mail costs for the monthly newsletter; Life Bridges will transition to sending to email correspondence in the future. Kindly provide us with your accurate email address to kkelley@lifebridgesonline.com. If you prefer to continue direct mail for any reason, please call Karen Kelley at 423.472.5268 ext. 1085.

Save the Date:

Staff Meeting

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
1:30PM – 2:30PM

HOC

Family Meeting

Tuesday, July 23, 2024
5:00PM

HOC
Dinner Buffet Provided!

2024 - Camp Cherokee

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

May 19, 2024

May 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Our vision for Life Bridges includes sustainability and upgrades to benefit the people we support. We are so pleased to announce the purchase of two gently used wheelchair vans (pictured below) to assist the growing number of people who need this level of care for transportation. Each vehicle will transport up to 4 people in wheelchairs and will allow more opportunity for community involvement. The combined cost of these vehicles was about $118,000.

We are also looking at building a three-bedroom duplex in the coming year to give affordable housing options to the people we support. It is very exciting to be a part of the advances that are being made under the agency’s Board of Directors.

Employment opportunities continue to grow for the people who are supported by the agency. You will see us at Home Depot, Ace Hardware, and Black Fox Farms. People are learning, earning, and spending!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Recently purchased:

Two newer wheelchair vans.

Jimmy's Journal

Special Olympics - 2024

By: James L. Kilgore, Life Bridges Reporter

“Let me win, but if I do not win, let me be brave in the attempt.” …Mary Kennedy Shriver

April 20, 2024, this reporter got second place in the standing long jump and the fifty meter dash. I am very proud of our athletes, Civitan club, volunteers, Cleveland Fire Department and Life Bridges for helping to make the Summer Olympics fun! First came the softball throw, stand long jump and finally the runners.

2024 - Special Olympics

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

April 20, 2024

April 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! We are off to great start following our Easter celebrations. There is much to look forward to with Special Olympics being scheduled for April 20th at Cleveland Middle School. There are many volunteer opportunities if you would like to participate. First Baptist Camp at Lake Ocoee is scheduled for May and will likely be a day experience this year.

Several individuals supported by Life Bridges are working and would like to invite you to their place of employment. Burger King on APD 40 and McDonalds on APD 40 are two locations where you will find us. New housing opportunities, upgraded wheelchair vans, and property renovations are underway.

We appreciate the Knights of Columbus who invited us to their weekly meeting for fellowship and dinner. They awarded us a check to assist people in our program who are in the community and need funds in order to afford admissions and dining out at various locations. The Knights work hard to raise funds and we are very grateful for their annual donation!

Also, thank you to all who contributed, attended, and sponsored at our March 2024 Spring Fling – it was the best ever!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Knights of Columbus
present a check to Diana Jackson, CEO and Shirley Morgan, person supported.

The donation is for the Life Bridges Benevolence Fund, the fund assists people in our program who are in the community and need funds in order to afford admissions and dining out at various locations.

Save the Date:

Misfit Tacos

Monday, April 23, 2024
through
Friday, April 27, 2024

A portion of sales will be donated to Life Bridges

810 Stuart Rd NE

Special Olympics

Saturday, April 20, 2024
Rain Date, May 4, 2024

Parade Line-up 9:30AM
Games Begin – 10:00AM

Cleveland Middle School
Track & Field

Quarterly Staff Meeting

Tuesday, April 23, 2024
1:30PM

Life Bridges
Hunt Center

Miracle League Spring Schedule

Bradley North Complex

Teams: | 1 = A’s | 2 = Dodgers | 3 = Braves | 4 = Reds | 5 = Giants | 6 = Pirates |

Field	Saturdays	April 13	April 27	May 4	May 11	May 18	May 25	June 1
C	10:45AM	2 vs 1	6 vs 4	4 vs 1	5 vs 6	2 vs 1	3 vs 4	3 vs 4
C	12:00PM	3 vs 6	2 vs 3	5 vs 3	1 vs 3	3 vs 6	6 vs 1	6 vs 1
C	1:15PM	4 vs 5	1 vs 5	6 vs 2	4 vs 2	4 vs 5	2 vs 5	2 vs 5

Bradley North Complex | 6065 Eureka Rd NW | Cleveland, TN 37312

No games on April 20th due to Special Olympics.
Special May the 4th be with you festivities and June 1st Ring Ceremonies.

VIRTUAL GIVE BACK WEEK

ALL WEEK ONLINE
APRIL 23rd-27th
USE THIS CODE AT CHECKOUT:
LIFEWITHMISFITS

20% OF SALES WILL BE DONATED TO: LIFE BRIDGES

Use this promo code: LIFEWITHMISFITS online or dine-in at your checkout for your purchase to be counted towards the fundraiser!

MISFITTACOS.COM

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

February 18, 2024

February 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

At the beginning of each year, we recognize employees who are celebrating work milestones. The roster was long and impressive this year, and those receiving certificates and plaques for the 2023 calendar year marked a total of 460 years!

Employee of the Year was Lisa Copeland, Speech and Language Pathologist. Lisa is very caring, diligent, and eager to help each person receiving her services. Thirty-year employee, Damaris Betancourt, received shouts of congratulations upon acceptance of her award. Damaris has filled many roles in her years at the agency and currently serves at the Director of Operations. She has also been a family-based provider for 25 years.

The 2024 Spring Fling annual fundraiser is scheduled for March 22, 2024. We are looking for donations of wine, silent auction items, and specialty cakes for the night’s festivities. If you would like to donate, please let me know.

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Civitan Pancake Breakfast

8AM-11AM – Aubrey’s

Monies collected help with Special Olympics

Contact Diana Jackson: djackson@lifebridgesonline.com

or

Kelsey Nickels: kelseysouth@lifebridgesonline.com

Saturday, April 20, 2024

Special Olympics

Cleveland Middle School
More details to come. . .

2023

Annual Employee Recognition

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

January 21, 2024

January 2024. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Happy New Year! We are off to an exciting start! If you come to the Main Center you will see we are underway on a much needed parking lot update.

As we look at last year, accomplishments include:

More people supported working in the community
Excellent survey results
Technology advances to give people supported more independence
Financial stability
Pay rases for staff
Increase in staff retention
Purchase of a new home
Maintenance improvements including Medical Center bathroom, Main Center kitchen remodel, Vehicle Maintenance awning and heat/air, commercial vacuum, and many more updates.

The Spring Fling annual fundraiser is scheduled for March 22, 2024. We are looking for silent auction items, and specialty cakes from the bakery for the nights festivities. If you would like more information, please let me know.

Thank you to everyone who made our 50th year our BEST year with a commitment to the next 50 years!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Tuesday, January 30

Employee Recognition

1:30pm – Hunt Center

Jimmy's Journal

Happy New Year - 2024

By: James L. Kilgore, Life Bridges Reporter

We are celebrating 2024 as a new era of Life Bridges. As a close to the end of 2023, the election year was 2024 we need to vote anyway you want. I hope one day we will become more easier to choose from. We celebrated Christmas this year. January 3rd, 2024 Civitan will have our President-elect Kelsey Nickels talking about the Special Olympics this coming year. It has been nearly a year since I became a member of the Civitan Club of Cleveland. Two months away, I’ll be turning one year at Freddy’s Frozen Custards and Steakburgers. I am now working as a PrepCook and Janitor. Speaking about Freddy’s we have a Fundraiser for Support Life Bridges located at 688 Paul Huff Parkway in Cleveland on January 16th (Tuesday) from 4-to-8 PM. 15% percent of the event sales will Support LB either by Flyer or say I’m here for the Fundraiser.

Happy New Year and God Bless you.

2023 - Year in Review

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

December 22, 2023

December 2023. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all of the people we support, staff, volunteers, and partners of the agency! What a year we have had – so much fun celebrating the first 50 years of Life Bridges and now we embark on the next 50 years! We trust you and yours will have a memorable Christmas season, as we remember the greatest Christmas gift of all –our Savior Jesus!

The Spring Fling annual fundraiser is scheduled for March 22, 2024. We are looking for table sponsors, silent auction items, and specialty cakes for the night’s festivities. If you would like more information, please let me know.

To you and yours we say, “MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Thank you to everyone who is making our 50th year our BEST year!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Happy Holidays - 2023

By Karen Kelley

NEWS

November 25, 2023

November 2023. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Happy Thanksgiving to each of you! I hope you will be able to join us on November 20 th at 11:00 at the Cleveland High School cafeteria for our annual holiday luncheon. We have a surprise for you and the choir will be singing a few Christmas songs – led by Teresa and David Tuten. Also, remember the Talent Show on December 5 th at Lee University’s Dixon Center. A good time will be had by all.

Thank you to everyone who is making our 50th year our BEST year!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date:

Life Bridges Holiday Lunch

Monday, November 20, 2023
11:00AM

Cleveland High School Cafeteria

Life Bridges Talent Show

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
6:00PM – 8:00AM

Lee University – Dixon Center
Talent show for those we support.

Dress up like Diana Day!

She loves her cardigans and we love her smiles.

Or NOT!

Almost?

Nope!

Life Bridges - Enabling Technology

A team from Life Bridges recently attended the DIDD Enabling Technology Summit In Murfreesboro, TN.

Life Bridges is proud to enhance their Enabling Technology program, already helping individuals with intellectual disabilities seeking independence and employment.

There is very often a significant challenge of how to provide meaningful learning opportunities in a safe manner that does not expose individuals to the risk of physical or psychological harm. For any number of real-world tasks involved in living independently and having a job — whether learning how to safely walk across the street, or to board the public bus, or to drive a car, or to perform tasks at work — learning to do these tasks in the real world can be extremely challenging and even dangerous, at least at first.

The arrival of advanced technologies based on virtual reality and artificial intelligence are now making it possible to design realistic and immersive environments for realistic learning, in a way that is safe and fulfilling.

By Karen Kelley

Contact Us

Category: NEWS

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!Bridging the gap!

Go! Love! Serve!

Bradley North Complex

Saturday, Sept. 14

Saturday, Sept. 21

Saturday, Sept. 28

Saturday, Oct. 12

Saturday, Oct. 19

Saturday, October. 26

National DSP Recognition, Sept. 8-14

Thank you for helping people and changing lives!

McDonald's

Congratulations!

Savance Baker

Around Town

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

MIRACLE LEAGUE

August 17, 24, 31

November 23, 30

December 7, 14, 21

Always Learning

Staff of the Quarter

Elder's Ace Hardware

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Staff Meeting

Family Meeting

Life Bridges Receives Grant

Miracle League Bowling - 2024

MIRACLE LEAGUE Bowling Schedule:

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!Bridging the gap!

Save the Date:

Staff Meeting

Family Meeting

2024 - Camp Cherokee

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!Bridging the gap!

Recently purchased:

Special Olympics - 2024

2024 - Special Olympics

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!Bridging the gap!

Save the Date:

Misfit Tacos

Special Olympics

Quarterly Staff Meeting

Bradley North Complex

Teams: | 1 = A’s | 2 = Dodgers | 3 = Braves | 4 = Reds | 5 = Giants | 6 = Pirates |

VIRTUAL GIVE BACK WEEK

20% OF SALES WILL BE DONATED TO: LIFE BRIDGES

Use this promo code: LIFEWITHMISFITS online or dine-in at your checkout for your purchase to be counted towards the fundraiser!

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Civitan Pancake Breakfast

Special Olympics

Annual Employee Recognition

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Save the Date

Employee Recognition

Happy New Year - 2024

2023 - Year in Review

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

To you and yours we say, “MERRY CHRISTMAS and HAPPY NEW YEAR!”

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Bridging the gap!

Happy Holidays - 2023

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!

Life Bridges Partners – Thank you for believing in and partnering with us!
Bridging the gap!