Ive talked before about some of the amazing community partners we have come in to contact with in the year since I started working at Bona Vista. Ive applauded the Kokomo Police Department for talking to our preschool about Stranger Danger, Rhum Academy for coming to talk to the kids about music, the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library that reads to the students on a regular basis, FCA/UAW 685 that brought the Easter bunny (and snacks!) for the kiddos to enjoy, and the Kokomo Fire Department Local Union 376 and Walgreens for giving us a Santa Claus experience like none other!

And, that list doesnt include the many people who support our adult programs! There are so many, and Im not trying to single anyone out. But, what I do want to do is make it clear that without these types of partnerships, Bona Vista would not be able to offer all of the amazing opportunities we offer for the children and adults alike!

Thats where you come in, Howard County! Do you have a group or organization that likes to help local nonprofits? We would love to partner with you. Whether its your group hosting a food drive to help supplement the budgets of our group homes or maybe you could collect school or art supplies for the teachers/kiddos in our preschool program. We would even take hygiene/cleaning supply items for our Early Head Start closet for families to utilize. The list could go on and on, but we want you to expand your horizons and go with your gut.

You might be thinking, But I dont have anything to offer. You would be so surprised! A couple weeks ago we met a farmer (shout out to Daryl and Rachel Maple) who donated 70 dozen ears of corn. What could we possibly do with all of that? We split it up between our eight group homes, gave some to our preschool parents, shared some with our Day Services programs where it was used as crafts and a teaching tool. We also met up with our friend Andy Baker from AndyMark who donated more than 140 yellow, plastic balls to us. Again, not sure what we would do with those? We are using them in our early childhood programs, therapies, and even making crafts out of some.

We also have some specific programs set up for our staff in the coming weeks where people from the community are coming in to do a lunchtime yoga, a class on essential oils, and even teaching us how to make sushi! Sometimes professional development also needs to be personal development because life can be hard. Our jobs can be hard. And everyone needs an hour now and again to take care of themselves or learn something new. Maybe thats where you come in. Perhaps you have a specific skill set that would benefit the staff at Bona Vista Programs whether professional or personal!

We dont see limits. We dont want you to see limits. What we see are possibilities. We dont just make lemonade out of lemons. We add some sugar, shake it up and make some magic out of what might seem ordinary. So, try me.

Call 765-457-8273, e-mail (abrantley@bonavista.org), or stop by 1220 E. Laguna St. and tell me your idea. The more community partners, the merrier we all are!

Read more from the original source:
Bona Vista has great partners - Kokomo Perspective