Osage Connection Spring 2010 for Orange Grove Center (designed by Leslie Smith)

1. A Publication for Friends and Supporters of
Orange Grove Center
Vol. 3, Issue 2 TheOsage
April - June 2010
C NN C O
“To recognize, support and celebrate the qualities of the individual”

2. THE
OSAGE
4 Insid
Inside
Inside
nside
nsid
sid
ide OGC’s
OG ’
OGC’s A
OGC’s Adult Services a major source for
GC
C NN C O
2
employment
5 From Community Participation, to Personal
Assistance, we offer supports to fit everyone’s
needs
4
7 Thank you to our customers!
8-9 Around the Grove
10 A Salute to Tom Caldwell and Chuck Comer
11 “A Breakfast for Champions” 2010 features
UTC’s Wes Moore
8-9
A quarterly publication of
Orange Grove Center Inc. Board of Directors
© 2010
Dillard Edgemon
All rights reserved. No part of this President
newsletter (verbiage or photos)
may be copied, used or reproduced Michael A. Barto
without written permission. Chairman
Design: Dr. Bruce Hutchinson Susan Gouger Rouse
Leslie Smith, Coordinator President-Elect Vice President
Public Relations and Marketing
lesmith@orangegrove.org Heidi Hoffecker Thomas H. Cox Thomas A. Caldwell
Secretary Treasurer Member-At-Large
Photography: Dennis Wilkes
Melissa Robideau John F. Germ Jerry Summers
Leslie Smith Member-At-Large V.P., Legal Committee
Printer: Graphic Impressions Barton C. Burns John Buhrman Tom Cofer
Chattanooga, TN Daniel J. LaGraff Bill Lusk Sharon Matthews
Hugh J. Moore, Jr. Andrew “Skip” Nardo Neal Pinkston
Rosie Russell Richard Sadowitz, MD S. Scott Short
Dr. Ben Tyber
ON THE COVER
Linda Romans interacts with the HONORARY BOARD
children in her classroom at Lil T. Hicks Armor T. Maxfield Bahner Larry Cash
Miss Mag Day Care. Charles A. Comer Morton J. Kent Mrs. Helen C. Mahn
Mrs. Emily C. McKenzie William R. Russell Mrs. Janet Strang

3. 3 From theExe
Executive Director
Living is All About Giving
Orange Grove is only as strong as the benevolence of our community. This statement is vividly evidenced through
our humble beginnings in 1953 and in every year of our struggle to assist our most vulnerable citizens in creating
stable lives. In my 26 year tenure as an administrator for community agencies serving people with intellectual dis-
abilities, my amazement over the generosity of volunteers and supporters has never ceased. When on a precipice of
a financial catastrophe, we always seem to encounter a new outpouring of love from a donor who sees the value and
worth of a teetering program and, consequently, services continue.
I wish we could claim responsibility for the many innovative means by which people choose to support our services.
The truth is that the myriad of creative activities that have generated financial support for our organization came
directly from benefactors, most of whom were completely unsolicited. I recall receiving a donation one day from
a gentleman who worked in a nearby industry. He delivered cash in a crumpled envelope in the amount of $2,535.
Intrigued by his demeanour and denomination of the gift, I had to inquire of the impetus for his contribution. His
Dennis Wilkes
story was straightforward, but clearly motivated by an honest intent to create good. He said he had been driving past
our agency for years and could not help but notice the people who were benefiting from our services. He had never
had the financial wherewithal to invest in our work. On that particular day a “power that he could not explain” told
him to give that particular amount. In order to avoid your quick judgement of over-dramatization on my part, I will
not go into detail as to how that specific gift was needed at that particular time, but I’ll suffice it to say that the tim-
ing was impeccable.
Obviously, some people have the resources to give much more than others. A family who lives outside
of our community provides a $10,000 gift to Orange Grove every year just like clockwork. They don’t
“We makeget, we
by what we
a living have a family member who has been served by Orange Grove, but they have personal knowledge of the
validity of our mission. The donation makes a critical difference in the effectiveness of our services.
Equally important, however, is the love and trust which accompanies the gift. It is almost impossible
make a life by what to put into words the affect that this kind of gift has upon the morale of our organization.
we give.
” To be entrusted with a gift that has so much emotion driving it, is a powerful engine that sets people in
our ministry on fire. We enjoy numerous contributions in honor or memory of individuals throughout
the year. We were especially proud to receive gifts on behalf of Tom Caldwell, our founding board member, and
John Germ, a longstanding board member, for their retirement from professional organizations. If you followed
their life’s work, you would find that every rite of passage was marked in some way through philanthropy.
The dichotomy of a memorial gift creates complex emotions for all concerned. It is an incredible responsibility to
be entrusted with such funds. There have been so many dear souls whose death has brought more joy and benefit to
humanity than some people’s entire lives have created. Just recently, we were the recipient of gifts from all over the
United States and two other continents in memory of Sharon Thorn. Sharon did not have a relative with a disability
and had very little contact with our organization. However, she had a deep-seated love for our work and the people
we serve. She was able to encapsulate in a song what many people can’t ever seem to grasp.
Three years ago, Sharon came to us with a song she had written for the Orange Grove Center. The minute you hear
the music and the lyrics you recognize a palpable empathy and appreciation for all human beings. The melodious
refrain reminds everyone who takes the time to listen to the Orange Grove song that, “I’m not so different after all.”
Sharon died last year in an automobile accident. Almost immediately, our agency was inundated with a showering
of contributions. Because of these gifts, our music program will have a completely new face-lift and people’s lives
will be enhanced for years to come.
I have learned much about life and success from the people we serve and even more from the people who ensure
that our services continue. I think Sir Winston Churchill summed it up best when he said, “We make a living by
what we get, we make a life by what we give.”
Kyle Hauth

4. Adult Services fortified by The Discovery Curriculum
Adult Day Services at Orange Grove Center includes the Industrial Training Center (ITC), Adult
Comprehensive Training (ACT), Community Supports, Personal Assistance Services and the John
F. Germ Recycling Center. The most recent addition to the services offered by Adult Services is
4
ADULT SERVICES
The Discovery Curriculum.
The Discovery Curriculum is available for adults in day programs. The program allows individu-
als to have exposure to 50 new activities in an ISP year, while helping staff determine their areas
Dennis Wilkes
of interest in the activities. The program also gives them valuable opportunities and experiences
they have never had.
Adult Comprehensive Training (ACT) provides vocational and lifeskills training to adults ages
22 years and older. The program prepares individuals for full-time vocational experiences and
personal achievements toward a well-rounded, interdependent lifestyle.
A year ago, ACT began implementing The Discovery Curriculum, which entails themes for the 14
classrooms within the department. The goal is to provide meaningful activities to those of ACT,
according to Tera Roberts, Director of Adult Services.
“Themed rooms bring about structured activities, and give individuals a chance to learn about
numerous experiences, as well as learn from another teacher,” Roberts said. “They expose them
Dennis Wilkes
to new learning environments.”
For example, Room 34 is considered the “Literature Room.” In it, you will find images of Alice in
Wonderland decorating the walls, and stories of Alice’s adventure are read during storytime. The
client program coordinator (CPC) develops a curriculum to match each theme. Linda Romans, top and bottom, takes pride
in teaching music to children at Lil Miss
To date, the program has been well received. Discovery provides staff with instructions in order Mag Day Care.
to know what new activities to expose to each class. During the course of the ISP year, clients are
exposed to activities such as, horticulture, where they make and sell their products. Romans takes charge with Discovery
Individuals also engaged in everything from playmotion!® to Snoezelen®, to vacuuming floors Linda Romans is a member and soloist
and academic exercises. The goal is to provide the whole spectrum of activities they will enjoy, in the Orange Grove Chorus, and has
while monitoring their reaction and participation. If they enjoy their experiences, then staff con- been part of the Orange Grove family for
tinue to build upon those activities. more than 40 years.
Through the Discovery process she is
able to share her love of music and in-
terest in singing and reading to young
children as a volunteer instructor at Little
Miss Mag Day Care.
On any given day, you may find Linda
typing her music in Braille, or learning
to use JAWS (Job Access With Speech)
screen reading software for individuals
who are visually impaired.
Leslie Smith
Linda attends and participates in her
Individual Support Plan meetings using
Braille documents made available from
Vital Center for the Blind.
Joseph Hansel, Tammy Buttner, Tonya Clay, Toni Munsey (family Recently, she was asked to present her
friend to Melissa White), Joann Banahene, Tony James, Melissa White story about her experiences with the Dis-
and Cindy Turner make every day an adventure through the Alice in covery process to groups in Knoxville
Wonderland theme. and Nashville, as they begin implement-
ing similar programs in their areas.
Through Discovery, Linda has continu-
ously proven that there are no limits to
*The Discovery Curriculum was originally modeled after the Discovery philosophy of the Divi- living her dreams!
sion of Intellectual Disabilities Services (DIDS), but Orange Grove built the curriculum to serve
the needs of its individuals. DIDS embraced this new curriculum, which may be a model of
programs like Orange Grove around the state.

5. 5
Community Supports program benefits clients with the rewards of meaningful employment
Community Supports serves over 130 individuals, and places them in vocational settings that lead to meaningful work opportunities and
job placement in the community.
The department has become a multi-faceted collaborative of Supportive Employment/Job Placement, Community Partnerships,
Enclaves, Georgia Employment Programs, and School-to-Work Transition Programs.
Dennis Wilkes
Clayton Fults works in the Clayton Beal packages boxes at Eddie Pickering (seated) and Robert McDonald work in the
kitchen at Memorial Hospital. Chattanooga Bakery. warehouse at Erlanger Hospital.
There are 14 Enclaves throughout Chattanooga, with each providing community work
opportunities for individuals at companies that are contracted with Orange Grove provid-
ing services or product fulfillment.
Enclave Companies
Jobs are developed for individuals, and referrals are accepted from various state entities
and the community for employment through Supportive Employment/Job Chattanooga Bakery
placement. Erlanger Hospital
Memorial Hospital
Community Participation exposes individuals to real life, meaningful activi- Chattanooga Zoo
ties, such as paying bills, shopping, banking, volunteering opportunities and more. Camp Jordan
Under Community Participation, they go out into the community under the tutelege of the
Middle Valley Baptist Church
staff.
Southern Champion Tray
Children’s Home/Chambliss Shelter
TVA
Georgia Employment is a division of Community Supports that includes commu-
nity employment, community work adjustment, and in-house work adjustment. Cur- UTC
rently, four counties are served, including Catoosa, Dade, Walker and Whitfield. Orange NHC
Grove works closely with the Georgia Department of Labor. Carta
Incline Railway
Komatsu
School-to-Work is based on referrals from the Division of Rehabilitation Servic-
es for individuals who have completed high school. They provide individuals with work
adjustment training, job readiness training and community employment. The program Community Employers
serves all high schools in the Chattanooga area.
Walgreens
For more information about Community Supports, call (423) 629-1451, ext. 3907.
Wendy’s
Wal-Mart
Vine St. Market
Taco Bell
Subway
Shirley Pierce spends her days work-
ing with patients at NHC Health Care,
while Chris Baumia (center) and Rashid
Raheem recycle materials for TVA.
(All unmarked photos taken by Leslie Smith)

6. ITC eyes partnerships, public Personal Assistance meets the needs of individuals
6
support for continued productivity and their families
For more than 50 years, the Walter The Personal Assistance (PA) department serves approximately
Lerch Industrial Training Center 67 individuals. Most of these individuals are actively involved
(ITC) has been a focal point in the job in a day program at OGC, either at work or school.
placement and vocational training of
many of the individuals served by the The PA program is typically utilized in the afternoons and
center. evenings to help aging family caregivers provide needed care. The PA meets
the individual and family needs during those hours by trans-
For a number of porting the individual to community activities, shopping or
years, the facility activities chosen by the individual.
has subcontracted
with local businesses The PA could, however, stay with the person at his or her
to provide quality home to help with activities of daily living, such as, food
services and paid preparation, hygiene, etc. The needs of these individuals
work experiences for vary, therefore, the PA service varies from person to person.
its workforce.
Personal Assistance is often an alternative to residential
Each day approxi- placement because this program allows the individual to
mately 150 individu- live at their family residence and still receive support from
als work in the areas trained professionals.
of packing, kitting,
sorting, labeling, Contact Sally Brown,
heat sealing and as- Coordinator of Personal
sembling. This work Assistance, at 629-1451,
experience is often the ext. 2574, or email to
first step in a voca- sabrown@orangegrove.org.
tional continuum that
may lead to competi-
tive employment.
Business partnerships
are needed in the
day-to-day opera-
tion at the center, in
order to maintain a
steady workload for
employees. The more Top: Gail Banner packages Rozzell named new
projects businesses give the center, BMW floorboard fasteners.
manager for Orange
the more ITC and Orange Grove
Bottom: Kenny Pittman
Grove’s document
benefit.
disassembles computers for destruction
In late 2009, ITC resurrected its elec- ITC.
tronic recycling operation. The goal Nikki Rozzell is Orange Grove’s new Business Development
is to be stewards of the environment, (Photos above taken by Leslie Manager for the document destruction program.
while providing a viable sustainable Smith)
business for the ITC workforce. Rozzell joined the OGC family in January 2010 to help grow
and expand the new secure document shredding program.
Collection of recyclables is on
Tuesday and Thursday, from 9 a.m.
to 2 p.m., at 720 Arlington Avenue.
Business Partners For the past eight years, she has been active in the insurance
industry. Her past experiences with persons with disabilities,
They accept computer components and her sales background led her to Orange Grove.
and other electronics that are later Amazing Glaze
recycled. Dixie Industries She has also had the opportunity to work with students in Spe-
Georgia Pacific Company cial Olympics and the Orange Grove adaptive aquatics program.
A small fee is charged for the safe Gold Bond
and responsible recycling of computer To learn more about secure document destruction at Orange
Norfolk Southern Grove, contact Nikki at:
monitors and televisions.
Racemark International
For more information about business Starkey Printing John F. Germ Recycling Center
partnerships or electronic recycling, Suburban Manufacturing Co. 460 Dodson Avenue
call Phillip Royal, ITC Coordina- Chattanooga, TN 37404
WNA
tor, at (423) 493-2927, or email to (423) 493-2944
Woodbridge Foam Fabricating nrozzell@orangegrove.org
proyal@orangegrove.org.

7. 7 Tera Roberts stands near
Rocky the Raccoon inside the
Caldwell Learning Place at the
Recycling Center.
Leslie Smith
Leslie Smith
Far right: The assembly line
during the recycling process.
We are grateful to our customers
The Recycling Center continues to be a community focal point Allen Stein Dentistry
Approved Cash Advance
Gone are the days of crushing cans with the can crushing machine and recycling Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz, PC
bottles with the glass hopper, gifts that were given to Orange Grove back in 1987 Barnett & Company
when the center first ventured into recycling. Blood Assurance
Bluff View Art District
Today, you will find a much greater workforce with even greater machinery at Central Baptist Church
their disposal making the John F. Germ Recycling Center what it is today - a Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, PC
major player in the local recycling industry. The Center has become a conglom- Charles McBrayer, MD
erate of city-wide recycling services, secure document destruction and electronic Chattanooga Bakery, Inc.
recycling. Chattanooga Federal Employees Credit Union
Chattanooga Gastroenterology - Dr. Richard Sadowitz
You can expect to have your plastic, paper, aluminum products sorted, baled and Chattanooga Podiatry Center
sent to be recycled in the center’s efforts to be environmentally friendly. More Children’s Medical Center
than 100 persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities sort approxi- Chattanooga Vision Center
mately two million pounds of material each month on the assembly lines, or at Citizens Savings and Loan
one of our ten recycling endeavors throughout Chattanooga. Comprehensive Medical Care
Country Inn and Suites
Last year, we saw the return of bi-weekly curbside recycling under the center’s Digestive Disorders Endoscopy
long-time partnership with the City of Chattanooga. Rocky the Raccoon has also Dorothy Lee-Grisham - Allstate Insurance
played a role in the partnership, making appearances around town as the official Dr. Chirag Patel
mascot of the city’s recycling endeavors with Orange Grove. Dr. Mark Bookout - Ear, Nose and Throat
Dr. Yong Oh
Electronic recycling has made a splash, with manpower from ITC lending a hand Electric Power Board
in disassembling computers and other electronics and harvesting parts for waiting Ester Suggs - Allstate Insurance
buyers. Fielding Atchley
Gerald Payne, CPA
Businesses and individuals can be assured that their sensitive documents are dis- HealthSouth
posed of under the strictest and secure industry standards. Orange Grove Center’s Honors Learning Center
Secure Document Destruction is the most recent addition of services offered by Johnson, Hickey & Murchison, PC
the Recycling Center. Keith Thompson - Allstate Insurance Agency
Kerry Friesen, MD
Questions about Recycling, Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain, PC
contact: Lucy Wright, Atty.
Misti Gipson M&M Industries
(423) 493-2949 Manhattan Construction
mgipson@orangegrove.org Memorial Mission Surgery
Miller and Martin, PLLC
N. Georgia YMCA
NorthWest Georgia Dentistry
Ochs Center for Metropolitan Studies
Leslie Smith
Pediatrics on Dodds
Cheryl Hampton, Propex Manufacturing
Bruce Smith and Signal Centers
Jewel Jackson ensure Speech and Hearing Center
that materials are St. Nicholas School
properly sorted at the Stellar Therapy
Brainerd Rd. drop- Tennessee Aquarium Warehouse
off center. Tennessee Safety & Health Council
The Law Office of Morgan Adams
United Capital Lending
Leslie Smith
United Way of Greater Chattanooga
YMCA - Downtown
YMCA - Shallowford Rd.

8. Volunteers honored at annual
luncheon
Each year, Orange Grove says thank you to
the many volunteers who have contributed
to the success of its varying programs and
departments, and to making a difference in
the lives of our clients.
8
In April, the annual luncheon was held in
honor of their volunteerism, accompanied
by a small gift as a token of appreciation.
Guests included the center’s board and
committee members, foster grandparents
and other volunteers.
Orange Grove volunteers (left to right): Back row: Dr. Henry Groseclose, Dr. Janice Wheeler, Herbert Haile,
Grady Williams, prominent local busi- Rosie Russell, Chuck Comer, Rusty Aytes, Andrew Nardo and Dan LaGraff. Middle row: Janet Strang,
nessman, who is known community-wide Patricia Davis, Sharon Matthews, Sherry Campbell, Bertha Ware, Evelyn Jackson, Shirley Johnson and
for his community service, was the guest Maezelle Childress. Seated: Marcia Guilbert, Dillard Edgemon, Michelle Swoboda and Erica Swoboda.
speaker.
Orange Grove, YMCA Y-CAP garden for
healthier living
Orange Grove Center and the YMCA Community Ac-
tion Program (Y-CAP) have established a partnership
to benefit both the
youth in the Main
Street area, and the
residents of Orange
Grove’s Main
Street homes.
The two organiza-
tions are col-
laborating for an
organic garden
Michael Hale accepts his diploma project, located at
from Margaret Abernathy, Director of Orange Grove’s
Exceptional Education for Hamilton Main Street homes. Andy Smith, project coordinator for
County Schools He is assisted by his Participants will Y-CAP, Bailey Bunn, Camp Holder,
teacher, Richard Russell. do all the cultivat- Lowe’s project volunteer, and Terry
ing and gen- Thomas stand alongside the garden at
Congratulations to the Class of 2010! eral maintenance, Orange Grove’s Main Street homes.
while learning
Orange Grove Center proudly announces the graduation of Brandon Kennedy, Ricky about the ecosystem and gardening.
Beagle, Emily Smith, Joseph Barbree, Domique Hitchcock, Nicara Terry, Robert
Ogbuozobe, Michael Hale and Whitney Kidd from the center’s school program. Eventually, the vegetation will be nourishment for
the residents and youth, presenting opportunities
Eight of the nine students were in atten- for healthier dining. In addition, each child will be
dance at the ceremony, which was held in responsible for caring for their own duck, which will be
the Bucky Williams Auditorium. raised on-site.
Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey This community service learning project was made
gave the address to the graduates and possible through a $20,000 grant from the YMCA of
their families. He was presented a gift Chattanooga.
from Executive Director Kyle Hauth for
Orange Grove’s appreciation for his Y-CAP is an intervention/prevention program of the
contributions to the center. YMCA of Chattanooga that works to change the lives
of at-risk middle students between the ages of 10-14
We salute each of our graduates, and wish who are referred to Y-CAP through the juvenile court
them well with their future endeavors. system or the school system.
They offer tutoring, mentoring and counseling to
students and their families, resulting in improved aca-
Left: Reba Smith walks with Brandon
demic progress and behavior modification.
Kennedy during graduation services.
All photos on this page were taken by Dennis Wilkes.

9. 9
Melissa Robideau
Groundbreaking for new Chandler Avenue homes, one in honor of John Strang
Recently, the staff, board members, and supporters of Orange Grove broke ground for the new Chandler Ave-
nue homes, located at 3400 Chandler Avenue in South Chattanooga’s Alton Park community. One of the homes
will be named in honor of John Strang, who has been served by the center since its inception. In attendance
were Mr. Strang himself, along with his mother, Janet, his house manager, Tony Jeno.
Also in attendance were Orange Grove directors, ICF and Therapy Services staff and board members, City
Councilman Manuel Rico, school board member, Jeffrey Wilson, representatives from Chattanooga Neighbor-
Leslie Smith
hood Enterprises, Helton Construction, First Tennessee Bank and other supporters.
State awards Health Care Services for role in H1N1 vaccination program
Orange Grove Center brings McCravey Health Care Services recently received a merit award in recognition of their partnership with the
home Be More Award for Tennessee Department of Health in the 2009 H1N1 Influenza Vaccine Distribution Network. The award was
Creativity-Innovation for its role in the vaccination campaign against the H1N1 pandemic virus, and is only one of a few to be pre-
sented across the state.
Orange Grove Center is the
winner of the 2010 WTCI Be Under their care, 500 injections were given to individuals served by the center, their families, and Orange
More Award for Innovation. Grove employees. Medical staff received an intensive education for three months prior to administering the
vaccine, and all departments took extra precautions with prevention of the spread of H1N1 and the seasonal flu
Fellow nominees included virus. Very few cases of the flu were reported as a result.
Girls Preparatory School HAR-
VEST Program, Jewish Com-
munity Federation of Greater Tracy Wilkerson is the new RN for Supported Living
Chattanooga/First Church of
the Nazarene, and Partnership As far back as she can remember, Tracy Wilkerson has always wanted
for Families, Children and to be a nurse. She began her career with OGC in October 2001 as an
Adults. assistant house manager at Glenwood B. After four years she returned to
school to become a licensed professional nurse. In 2006, she had reached
Dennis Wilkes
The award is based on creativ- her goal, graduating from Chattanooga State Community College.
ity, which has been demon-
strated through the Morton J. The same year, Wilkerson transfered to Health Care Services, becoming a
Kent Habilitation Center and ICF nurse. In 2007, she graduated with an associate of science degree,
the services it provides to in- and was accepted to the LPN to RN Transition program at Chattanooga
dividuals with developmental State. She graduated on December 12, 2010.
and intellectual disabilities.
Wilkerson says Rachel Tolliver, a nurse supervisor for Residential Habilitation, approached her about the
The Be More Awards recog- Non-ICF Residential Health Oversight RN position in Residential/Supported Living. She accepted the job, and
nizes the impact and unsung officially transfered from Health Care to her new position on February 15, 2010.
heroes of area nonprofit
organizations and volunteer According to Wilkerson, the RN’s focus is on a caseload of 15 to 30 individuals who have been identified as
leaders. The winner of each a level four through six on their ICAP (Inventory of Client and Agency Planning) funding by the Division of
category represented a differ- Intellectual Disabilities Services. She follows them monthly and assures that all medical needs are addressed
ent aspect of success at making and evaluated with the appropriate treatment interventions.
a positive difference in our
community. Back in April, she took a step further with advancing her career when she took the RN State Boards to become
a licensed registered nurse.
The award is on display in the
breezeway in the Administra- “I love being a nurse, and working with the clients that I serve here at OGC,” she said.
tion Building at the center.
Wilkerson was the recipient of the Emily McKenzie Award of Merit in 2008 for meritorious and outstanding
contribution, service, dedication and support to the Health Care Services department.

10. A Salute to Tom Caldwell and Chuck Comer by Kyle Hauth, Executive Director 10
Longtime volunteers and founding board members, Thomas A. Caldwell, Jr., and Charles Comer, were honored for their years of service to the center.
Tom Caldwell and many parents and Chuck Comer is well-known in
supporters, started the Orange Grove this community, and certainly
Center in 1953. For 57 years he has a fixture at Orange Grove. As
served in various leadership roles on chairman of the Jaycees’ Public
the Orange Grove Center board of Service Committee in the early
directors. 50’s, he was an integral part of the
development of Orange Grove.
The Harvard law graduate and World
War II navy veteran has been an advo- Like Tom Caldwell, Mr. Comer
cate at the nation’s highest policy- became heavily involved in the
making levels to gain equal opportuni- work of Orange Grove with a real
ties for persons with intellectual and passion for improving services
developmental disabilities. He helped to people with intellectual dis-
to draft groundbreaking legislation abilities. He always responded to
that would have a positive impact on every challenge with a positive
decades of individuals with disabilities mindset and worked diligently
to come. to overcome the many barriers
that the agency faced in the early
In 1955, he drafted the law which allowed Tennessee to utilize education years.
funds to support children with IQ levels lower than 75. Children with
such IQ scores were not considered to be “educable.” Mr. Caldwell met In the early days, Mr. Comer set up booths everywhere to collect
with the then governor Frank Clement, and many other state officials and money and anything else that people would donate for Orange
convinced the state to pass the legislation. Grove. During his tenure as board president, Mr. Comer worked
tirelessly to create residential services for people requiring ongoing
In addition, Mr. Caldwell has provided countless support to individuals supports. With his banking savvy and love for the people we serve,
needing legal services in the formation of guardian and conservatorships. he was able to secure homes and ensure that they were properly
renovated and furnished.
For those of us who have been with Orange Grove over the years, we
know that the real passion of Chuck Comer was to see the smiling
faces of the adults and children of Orange Grove. For you see, he
spent 57 consecutive years as the Orange Grove Santa Claus.
Did you know?
One of the ICF
retirement homes in
Tiftonia is named for
Chuck Comer, and the
Administration Build-
ing is named for Tom
Caldwell?
(All photography on this page is by Dennis Wilkes.)

11. 11
A “Breakfast for Champions” is
Moore of a success
On Friday, April 30, Orange Grove hosted the
annual “Breakfast for Champions,” with Coach
Wes Moore of the UTC Lady Mocs as guest
speaker.
Moore, the fifth winningest coach in the nation,
and number one in UTC history, humbled the
audience of approximately 200 guests with re- Board member, Skip Nardo (left) chats with Chuck
cent news of his decision to remain with UTC. Comer, Tom Caldwell, and Caldwell’s daughter,
Joanne Beckman, prior to the breakfast.
His appearance was marked by a swarm of me-
dia buzz regarding his decision to accept a po-
Moore is saluted with applause as he steps to the sition with East Carolina’s women’s team. By
podium to speak for the first time. the morning of BFC, he was able to share the
news with guests that he had planned to stay
with UTC.
In attendance was Senator Bo Watson and Rep.
Richard Floyd, members of the Chattanooga
Police and Fire Departments, city and county
officials and administrators, Mayor Claude
Ramsey, parents of individuals at the center,
and many others.
“Breakfast for Champions” is a free event, and
Coach Moore signs an autograph for Keith Kirby,
is by invitation. For more than twenty years, it who is served by the center.
has been conducted annually to recognize the
supporters and contributors of Orange Grove.
Orange Grove soloist, Linda Romans, covers,
“The Greatest Love of All.” Previous speakers have included former coach-
es Gene Stallings (Alabama), Phil Fulmer and
Johnny Majors (UT Vols), and Rodney Allison
(UTC); current coaches, John Shulman (UTC)
and Bruce Pearl (UT Vols); and football greats,
Steve Sloan, Lindsey Nelson, and Mike Keith,
the voice of the Tennessee Titans.
Lt. Corliss Cooper, of the Chattanooga Police
Department, is one of several police officials
to show Orange Grove their support.
City Chief of Staff Dan Johnson (left), chats
with Hamilton County Mayor Claude Ramsey.
To learn more about the breakfast,
or for information as to how you
can be included on the invitation
list, call (423) 308-1160 or email Orange Grove board member,
to pr@orangegrove.org. Visit and breakfast chairman, Jerry Moore enjoys a moment with former Lady
www.orangegrovecenter.org. Summers, presents a gift from Moc, Shamya Sermons.
the center to Coach Moore.
(All photography on this page is by Dennis Wilkes.)

12. The Osage Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
C NN C O PAID
Chattanooga, TN
A publication of Permit No. 770
ORANGE GROVE CENTER
615 Derby Street
Chattanooga, TN 37404
(423) 629-1451
(423) 624-1294 (fax)
www.orangegrovecenter.org
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Showcasing our far-reaching impact in the
special needs arena.
The osage orange, or the hedgeapple, is a woody shrub
with green fruit that was found in abundance around the
A United Way location of the original Orange
Member Agency Grove School on Main Street in
Chattanooga and for which the
To correct or change mailing information, call (423) 308-1160. school was named.
DIDS executives visit Orange Grove, other agencies during visit to Chattanooga
In May, executives from the Tennessee Division of Intellectual Disabilities Services (DIDS)
visited Orange Grove Center and similar agencies that serve individuals with intellectual
disabilities.
Dr. James R. Finch, Deputy Commissioner of DIDS, and his staff stopped by Orange Grove
Melissa Robideau
Center, where they met with administrators, toured the facility, and interacted with board
members, parents and individuals served by the center. They visited the center as well as
other agencies throughout the state.
Following their visit, the officials made two requests that demonstrate the stature and respect
Debbie Payne, Assistant Commissioner for Community that Orange Grove has in the field of proving community services for people with intellectual
Services, observes as Brenda Lackey demonstrates the and developmental disabilities. They include:
process of bagging floor board parts for BMWs.
•A request by Debbie Payne, Assistant Commissioner for Community Services, who
asked that Dr. Rick Rader, Director of the Morton J. Kent Habilitation Center, provide
leadership and training of end of life counseling and programming for the state (DIDS).
•A request by Dr. Finch to Orange Grove executive director, Kyle Hauth, that Dr. Rader
is available for consulting in health care and related affairs to the Greene Valley Devel-
opment Center in Greenville, TN, as well as mentoring medical educators in the field of
developmental health care in a novel partnership between DIDS and the East Tennessee
Melissa Robideau
State University College of Medicine.
Dr. Finch was complimentary about some of the sophisticated and highly technological in-
stallation at Orange Grove (i.e, sensory enrichment rooms, computer-client interfaces). The
novel dental clinic impressed him, along with the staff-client interactions that he noted oc-
Chris Foust (right) acquaints himself with Deputy Com- curred thousands of times a day at the center, as well as Orange Grove sites throughout the
missioner James R. Finch, as Mag Hall, Occupational community.
Therapy Coordinator, watches. Finch met Foust follow-
ing a sensory integration demonstration at playmotion! Assistant Commissioner Payne was most impressed with our sensory integration programs,
which Orange Grove has championed and has been a certified regional training center for
several years. It was the first visit by Dr. Finch and his staff to the center.