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1764 Old Chattanooga Pike SW Cleveland, TN 37311

info@lifebridgesonline.com

+1 (423) 472 5268

Tag: NEWSLETTERS

DirChoice2023
NEWS

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

Spirit of Life Bridges and 20 years of service goes to Tim Pope , l-r Diana Jackson-CEO, Tim Pope, Ginger Davis-CFO
Employee of the Year goes to Lisa Copeland: L to R: Diana Jackson-CEO, Lisa and Dr. Brown-Board Pres.
Directors Choice: Angel Massengill with Diana Jackson
Volunteer of the Year: Angela Neblett, L to R: Diana Jackson, Angela and Dr. Brown
Directors Choice : L to R: Diana Jackson, Recipients: Dorothy Phillips, Bea Alexander, Karen Williams, Rita Hart, Rachel Yancey and Dr. Brown
30 Years of Service: Damaris Betancourt l to r: Diana Jackson, Damaris, Dr. Brown
15 Years of Service: Teresa Tuten l to r: Diana Jackson, Teresa, Dr. Brown not pictured: Ashley Arp, Dewayne Knight
20 Years of Service: l-r: Diana Jackson, Jessica Tharpe Mohlar, Misty Forgey, Robert Russell & Dr. Brown Not pictured: Donna Bramlett, Dr. Jerry Devane, Alba Lindsey
10 Years of Service: Dr. Brown presents awards to: Tyree Smith, Katherine Rodgers, Leroy Rhoden, Jessica Johnson, Tonya Heling, Melody Fields with Diana Jackson Not pictured, Cathy Boone, Tiffany Buchtel, Greg Hardy, Kathrine Johnson, Rhonda Mooneyharm Kenneth Myers, Ciera Pitner, Denese Williams
5 Years of Service: Front Row l-r: Stephanie Janney, Deana Sandidge, Nicole Jones Back row l-r: Dr. Brown, Zoe Neeley, Amanda Barnes, Shannon Alvey, Kallen Ledford, Audrey Trentham, Breonna Vandergriff & Diana Jackson Not pictured: Star Arthur, Donna Clark, Angela Deweese, A.J. Hilliard, Jodi Hilliard, Stephanie Johnson, Monti McGahee, Shelia Mikel, Alli Nunnery, Zackery Swallows, Celestine Thompson, Jennifer Wright, Morgan Yarber
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NEWS

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

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NEWS

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

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NEWS

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.

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.

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

Pictured: Front: Beth Jarrett Back row l-r: Jaime Sanders, Sean Fritts, Kelsey Nickels, Wendy Parman

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.

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NEWS

October 2023. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges continues in the work in support of our CQL Accreditation (Council on Quality Leadership). Our goal is to become even more attentive to what people who are receiving supports really want and help them meet their goals. Many would like to work, go on vacation, move, or accomplish something they have dreamed of doing. Families, staff, and friends of people receiving supports will be called upon for their support, encouragement, and brainstorming – as together we help people gain experiences which have only been dreams in the past. Life Bridges is a place where we see people excelling every day!

Miracle League Baseball is in full swing! Come and cheer for our athletes at Bradley North Complex (6065 Eureka Road). October 21 and November 11 with game times at 10am/11:15am/12:30pm…We hope to see you there!!!

Fundraising opportunities are available to all who would like to participate. We have opportunities to purchase tables at the March 2024 Spring Fling, our annual giving campaign will soon be kicking off, there are $5 Belk coupons to purchase, please check with Karen Kelley/ kkelley@lifebridgesonline.com– so we have choices for every person who would like to be a part of the fundraising efforts which are ongoing at Life Bridges.

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!

Belk Charity Sale:

CHARITY SALE! ALL TICKET PROCEEDS GO TO LIFE BRIDGES!

Purchase a $5 Charity Sale ticket from Life Bridges. Customers get $5 off their Charity Sale purchase, plus and extra 25% off select brands on days of sale November 3-5 (in store only)

Buy your $5 ticket now to use for Nov. 3-5!
Contact Karen: kkelley@lifebridgesonline.com

Save the Date:

Halloween Trunk or Treat

Saturday, October 21, 2023
6PM – 8PM

@ Life Bridges

Holiday Dinner

Monday, November 20, 2023
 11AM

Cleveland High School Cafeteria

Camp Cherokee 2023

Tuesday, December 5, 2023
6PM

Lee University Dixon Center

Miracle League Baseball - 2023:

Jimmy's Journal

Miracle League - 2023

By: James L. Kilgore, Life Bridges Reporter

This year’s Miracle League of Bradley County is visiting Eureka Rd where the Bradley County North. This Reporter has about fifty-two homeruns in Miracle League Softball. I have been going to play with Different teams like the Braves and Dodgers. I am very proud of all the staff for coming to this year’s miracle league softball with all of our coaches.

DSP-Week
NEWS

September 2023. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

What an exciting 50th year we have had celebrating with t-shirts, Domino’s pizza, Jersey Mikes subs, bingo, the Spring Fling, corn hole toss, summer barbeque, and a 50th birthday camp bash! There has been many gift card winners and big smiles. We have another exciting day planned and want to invite all of our friends to join us on September 20 th at 10:00 AM for an aerial picture to commemorate our 50 years. You will want to be a part of this event. Wear a grey or blue shirt and we will have t-shirts as long as they last. Kona Ice to follow the photo at 11:00 AM.

Life Bridges celebrates our Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week. September 10-16 is a week-long celebration that recognizes and honors the remarkable work of DSPs who contribute tirelessly to the lives of people with disabilities.

Life Bridges received a grant from Volunteer Energy Cooperative’s VEC Customers Share program to help with the cost of Camp Cherokee 2023.

“We are grateful to the generosity of the VEC members who have agreed to round up their monthly bill to the nearest dollar in support of local organizations in their community! We thank you!”

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!
Miracle League Fall Schedule

Bradley North Complex

Saturday, Sept. 23

10am Pirates vs. Reds

11:15am Dodgers vs. Braves

12:30pm A’s vs. Giants

Saturday, Sept. 30

10am Reds vs. A’s

11:15am Giants vs. Braves

12:30pm Pirates vs. Dodgers

Saturday, Oct. 7

10am Giants vs. Pirates

11:15am A’s vs. Braves

12:30pm Reds vs Dodgers

Saturday, Oct. 14

10am Braves vs. Reds

11:15am Dodgers vs. Giants

12:30pm Pirates vs. A’s

Saturday, Oct. 21

10am Dodgers vs. A’s

11:15am Braves vs. Pirates

12:30pm Reds vs Giants

Saturday, Nov. 11

10am Pirates vs. Reds

11:15am Dodgers vs. Braves

12:30pm A’s vs. Giants

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

2023 DSP Spotlight

DSP Recognition Week is a week-long celebration that recognizes and honors the remarkable work of DSPs who contribute tirelessly to the lives of people with disabilities. THANK YOU!

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NEWS

August 2023. . . Lifelines

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges staff, people supported, and volunteers had a BLAST at camp, which ended up with a thunder storm! (I did say it is was a blast!) Everyone is already talking about next year and making plans for the 2024 camp to be the best camp experience ever. Watch out David Luzader, First Baptist Volunteers, and many of our camp friends.

August 25th “Come one come all” to the Block Party Summer Fun Barbeque and Games Night at the Main Center from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM. All are welcome to participate. September 20th at 10:00 AM please join us for an aerial picture to commemorate our 50 years at Life Bridges. You will want to be a part of this event. Kona Ice to follow the photo at 11:00 AM.

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 Block Party

Friday, August 25, 2023
5:00PM – 8:00PM

Life Bridges Main Center
Food/Fun/Games
Family and Friends Welcome

M&M Mars Fishing Rodeo

Saturday, September 9, 2023
 8:00AM – 1:00PM

Fishing Pond Behind M&M Plant
Enter Gate 4 (bring a lawn chair)

Rods/Hooks/Worms Provided

Jimmy's Journal

Camp Cherokee - 2023

By: James L. Kilgore, Life Bridges Reporter

Tuesday through Thursday, this reporter holds on to a tubing in the Ocoee River. Plus I watch these guys during the ride. PJ tells us the four things in the kingdom of God for story time. When it was sunset we made a water type dye shirt. Second day was the only different day we got to sit down on rocking chairs. Final day, it started to rain and that ended our trip to camp Cherokee.

See you next year…

SunflowersHead
NEWS

July 2023 Newsletter

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges continues to celebrate 50 years of service to our community. We have had many celebrations and planning an aerial picture to be taken in September. All are invited to participate in the photo, and more information will be coming. So many people have contributed so much to the first 50 years of the agency. A video is currently being recorded to capture many staff, people supported, and community partners.

We are enjoying the summer months with days full of swimming, outdoor activities, and thoughts about camp! August 1-3 many will have the opportunity to enjoy time at camp with our friends of First Baptist Church. If music, boating, talent show, swimming, singing, relaxing, and hot weather are on your list then camp just might be for you!


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:

Staff Meeting

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
1:30PM – 2:30PM

Family Meeting

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
 5:00PM

Camp Cherokee 2023

August 1 – 3

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NEWS

June 2023 Newsletter

Happy Fourth of July!

Fun in the Sun
Friday, July 21 from 5PM-8PM
At Life Bridges’ Main Campus
Food, Games, Fun

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges Maintenance teams have been hard at work updating both our properties and managing the vehicle fleet. The agency now owns 24 homes and the buildings at the main center. The list of items accomplished recently have been:

  • A patio was poured and garage weatherized at Country Club drive
  • Kitchen updated at the main center
  • Appliances and cabinets replaced at 713 Old Chattanooga Pike
  • Cabinets added at Oak Tree
  • Several trees removed and landscaping added
  • Classroom at the main center expanded and updated
  • New icemaker being installed at the main center
  • Parking lot resurfacing at Country Club Dr.
  • New roof at Mohawk Dr.
  • New roof at Misty Meadow Dr.
  • Fence and new shower at Elrod Drive

The agency owns 120 vehicles, with the vehicle with the most mileage being at 173,000. Six new wheelchair vans are due (back ordered) from grants we have received from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. The department has added an onsite commercial vacuum system and has secured a contract with a local car wash for washing of the vans.

Wishing everyone a Happy July 4th!!

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!

Life Bridges Medical Clinic

Just a reminder:

The medical clinic is available for staff & immediate family members, weekdays for physicals or acute illness.

Call Rachelle for an appointment:

4233031946

Or Main Office:

4233031959

Save the Date:

All Staff Breakfast

Wednesday, June 21, 2023
7:00AM – 9:30AM

“To-Go” breakfasts served!

Administration Building

Staff Meeting

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
 1:30PM – 2:30PM

HOC

Family Meeting

Tuesday, July 25, 2023
 5:00PM – HOC

Dinner will be served!

 

Camp Cherokee 2023

August 1 – 3

2023MayHead
NEWS

May 2023 Newsletter

A Note from Diana Jackson, CEO

Life Bridges is proud to announce the purchase of a new home which will be shared by three people in Supportive Living. Every department has provided expertise to bring about a well decorated and comfortable home for the men to enjoy. The new space is being modified to meet the special needs of each person.

Special Olympics was enjoyed by many and the weather was perfect. Many parents and family members attended which was very helpful in keeping everyone hydrated and present for their events. Many are looking forward to the 2023 First Baptist Camp experience in August. Let us know if you would like to be a part of this “hot”event!

Also, the Taziki’s Fundraiser is on May 25th from 4:00-8:00PM. Enjoy a great meal with a portion of each purchase being donated to Life Bridges.

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!

Come out to support
Life Bridges!

When: Thursday, May 25, 2023
Where: 440 Frontage Rd NW (Target Center)
Promo Code: FUNDRAISER

A PORTION OF SALES WILL BE DONATED TO THE LIFE BRIDGES Benevolence Fund.
Use this promo code online or at checkout for your purchase to be counted towards the fundraiser.
Featuring: The Appalachian String Band from 5-8PM and
Cleveland Disc Golf setup outside for all to try!
Jimmy's Journal

Special Olympics - 2023

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 22, 2023, this reporter got third place in the standing long jump and first place in the fifty meter dash. I am very proud of the Civitan club, volunteers and Cleveland Fire Department for helping to make the Summer Olympics fun! First came the softball throw, standing long jump and finally the runners.