Breath of Life

"In His hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."

- Job 12:10

Where Did You Come From?

Where did you come from, Baby dear?

Out of the everywhere into here.

Where did you get your eyes so blue?

Out of the sky as I came through.

What makes the light in them sparkle and spin?

Some of the starry spikes left in.

Where did you get that little tear?

I found it waiting when I got here.

What makes your forehead so smooth and high?

A soft hand stroked it as I went by,

What makes your cheek like a warm white rose?

I saw something better than anyone knows.

Whence that three-comer'd smile of bliss?

Three angels gave me at once a kiss.

Where did you get this pearly ear?

God spoke, and it came out to hear.

Where did you get those arms and bands?

Love made itself into hooks and hands.

Feet, whence did you come, you darling things?

From the same box as the cherubs' wings.

Where did you get that dimple so cute?

God touched my cheek as I came through.

How did they all come just to be you?

God thought of me, and so I grew.

But how did you come to us, you dear?

God thought of you, and so I am here.

--George MacDonald, 1871

Emily Dickenson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain.

If I can ease one life the aching,

or cool one pain,

or help one robin into his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Norma H. Hill

Somtimes adversity impels a person to greater heights,

and sometimes it provides the opportunity

for that person to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Howard Schultz

Excellence is the result of caring

more than others think is wise,

risking more than others think is safe,

dreaming more than others think is practical,

and expecting more than others think possible.

Success

To laugh often and much;

to win the respect of intelligent people

and the affection of children;

to earn the appreciation of honest critics

and endure the betrayal of false friends;

to appreciate beauty;

to find the best in others;

to leave the world a better place,

whether by a healthy child,

a garden patch,

or a redeemed social condition;

to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived.

This is to have succeeded.

-- Ralph Waldo Emerson

Instead

Instead of walking with you,

I will crawl with you.

Instead of talking with you,

I will find ways to communicate with you.

Instead of focusing on what you cannnot do,

I will reward you with love for what you can do.

Instead of isolating you,

I will create adventures for you.

Instead of feeling sorry for you,

I will respect you.

-- Huygen Hilling

Where Did You Come From?

Emily Dickenson

If I can stop one heart from breaking,

I shall not live in vain.

If I can ease one life the aching,

or cool one pain,

or help one robin into his nest again,

I shall not live in vain.

Norma H. Hill

Somtimes adversity impels a person to greater heights,

and sometimes it provides the opportunity

for that person to be a blessing in the lives of others.

Howard Schultz

Success

Instead

Potential

"What lies before us and what lies beyond us is tiny compared to what lies within us."

- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr

About Us

The Dream

A Look into the Future for Developmental Enrichment Centers

“The Dream” Phase One

Developmental Enrichment Centers (DEC) plans to lease additional facility space to meet the growing needs of our children's program, expand the senior program and relocate the administrative offices. Regular day program services will be enhanced by the addition of a fully equipped handicap accessible kitchen, art studio, indoor recreation space, covered handicap accessible playground, and ample lawn with adjacent shaded areas to allow for recreational games. This new facility will provide opportunity for cross-generational interaction of our day program clients and will also be designed to accommodate those individuals deemed medically fragile. The staff will consist of our fully training direct care providers, nursing staff and a Medical Director to oversee all client services.

Our program services at this location will also include classroom space for community wide state mandated training for Direct Care Workers including: First Aid, CPR, Article Nine, and the DCW certification training program. Training classes and workshops will also be scheduled and offered to families in such areas as: social security, guardianship, behavioral management techniques, and methods to strengthening the family unity. Additionally, DEC will collaborate with Young Life Ministries “Capernaum” programs for disabled youth and offer our day program facility for week night young life meetings and special weekend events.

Volunteer from local churches will be offered opportunity to participate in our special training programs to enhance their knowledge and skills in working with children and individuals with disabilities. DEC will also host local conferences related to working with the disabled in our community and the need for full inclusion within the faith based community. DEC vehicles used during the week for day program services will be made available to partnering faith communities for use in Sunday morning transport of elderly and disabled members.

Leadership within the faith community will coordinate with DEC administration in providing counseling and support to families of disabled individuals and help connect them with other community support services.

“The Dream” Phase Two

In the second phase of our program growth, we envision a campus for developmentally disabled individuals situated on a large piece of landscaped property. At the center of the campus sits a large building with wide double doors at the center and a welcoming portico to shield from the sun and rain. This building contains the reception area, hospitality room, recreation center, therapy room, nursing station, art studio, sensory center, computer lab, kitchen, dining hall, and individual classrooms. The second floor of the building houses the administrative offices, training/conference room, and resource library. The second floor may be accessed by either the central staircase or elevator located just off the reception area.

Encircling the main building are individual, six bedroom, three bath homes, designed to accommodate six residents and two staff. All homes face the main campus “Enrichment Center,” linked by a wide paved walkway. The exterior grounds offer a wonderful expense of landscape gardens including individual vegetable and floral garden plots tending by the residents and clients. In addition, the campus contains small gazebos for private conversations, a baseball field, track, soccer field, and ample parking for staff and guests.

The overall décor provides soothing sensory stimulation with a coordinated color palate, aromatic fragrance, soft lighting, and comfortable yet functional furniture. Artwork and flowers abound through the campus buildings including the private residences, with a strict adherence to order and cleanliness. Staff is required to dress in approved uniforms for their specific area of service.