What's News at the Mattingly Center

A Much Needed Blessing

It all began with a simple poster and a request from Jan Barthle (board member and parent). Could a poster be placed in CURVES (a local excercise facility that Jan frequents) so that the community could learn.....

  • about Jan's daughter, Melissa?
  • about Melissa's participation in the Mattingly Center's Adult Day Training Program (on Baxter Avenue)?
  • about some of the current needs Melissa's program is facing?

Terry Gates, the manager at CURVES at 8667 Preston Highway, welcomed the opportunity and the poster was quicly given a spot. Soon, something quite wonderful happened. Members of CURVES began reading the poster where they learned about the Mattingly Center's current need for supplies and papaer products. In no time, these giving , caring CURVES people were donating all kinds of items and the stack of supplies quickly grew and grew and grew. The amazing part in all of this was, these giving folks at CURVES did not personally know anyone at the Mattingly Center. Simply put-they just wanted to help out.

It was within only a couple of weeks that Jan's simple request had grown from a hope to reality. WIth much gratitude, Jan and her husband, Damian loaded up their van with all of the donated items and headed for the Mattingly Center. At the Mattingly Center, it was just like Christmas morning! Supplies everywhere! There were 10 packages of disposable plates, 12 packs of napkins (a greatly used item), 8 boxes of artificial sweetener, 5 containers of Crystal Light, 9 bottles of dishwashing detergent, 3 boxes of dishwashing detergent, a huge box of disposable forks, several boxes of Kleenex, a few bottles of hand soap, 17 packages of toilet paper, and 25 packs of paper towels (another greatly used item)!

Serving 69 individuals daily at the Mattingly Center's Adult Day Training Program can quickly use up these very basic supplies. The need for these items is ongoing and very costly.

Then, just when we least expected it, Manager Terry Gates threw Jan a "curve" and asked, "Are any MORE supplies needed?" Terry said that CURVES was interested in continuing thier support! Truly, this is a blessing for the Mattingly Center!

The wonderful staff and customers at CURVES at 8667 Preston Highway have provided us with a true example of what a simple act of kindness can produce. From all of us at the Mattingly Center, we wish to say THANK YOU to CURVES! We are all very grateful.

(shown above: Melissa and Jan)



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Annual Art Extravaganza Brings in Needed Funds

The Drama, Art, Choir and Dance groups have worked on what was called "The Dinner Theatre" for the past four years. With such themes as "Sister Act" in 2005, "Shakespeare" in 2006, "Wheel of Fortune" in 2007, "Fun with the 80's" in 2008. This year the "Celebration of Life" began a new era of The Dinner Theatre as it was expanded into The Art Extravaganza fundraising event. Just when we thought this production couldn't get any bigger, it exploded into another beautiful scene of colors, lights and magical moments. Both Mattingly Center and Mattingly Center East participants displayed their beautiful pieces of art work which were on sale throughout the evening. The Choir, Dance and Drama groups took center stage to show us all of the hard work that had been put into each production throughout the semester. The theme was "A Celebration of Life" which was clear to see as soon as you walked in the door on May 15, 2009. We would like to thank Brown-Forman and The Fred and Opal Woosley Foundation for supplying grant funds for arts at the Mattingly Center, Inc. Also, Paige Hollingsworth and Outback Steakhouse on Signature Drive for generously providing servers and preparing our dinners. Most of all, The Cerebral Palsy School of Louisville Foundation offers a huge "thank you" to the wonderful staff, family and friends who helped make this event possible. This event gives our participants the opportunity to develop communication and self development skills through the use of art, music and dance.



Participants Realizing Dreams

Providing a life long learning experience for adults with severe developmental disabilities is athe mission that is realized daily at the Mattingly Center, Inc. Many of the individuals who attend the Mattingly Center have personal goals and dreams of finding employment within their community. These featured individuals have been empowered by the Mattingly Center to realize their dreams of obtaining employment. All four participants have attended the Mattingly Center for numerous years. Marcus has been attending the center for 9 years now, while Mike L. and Lisa B. have been a part of the Mattingly Center for almost 13 years. Regi has attended the longest, being part of the Mattingly Center family for 20 years. As you can see, ensuring the possibility of a brighter future is extremely important to everyone at the Mattingly Center, especially our participants.

(Shown above: Regi L.)



A New Way to Communicate

Considering that each of our program's participants have different needs and abilities, the demands for a device which allows our participants to communicate in new ways have grown. Many of the adults who attend the Mattingly Center, Inc. do not have use of their hands to utilize communication devices. Recently, two of our participants have had the opportunity to use the latest technology in adaptive communication called the Eye Max. This device allows an individual to use their eyes to navigate freely through the device as if they were using a mouse. We are very excited that both Kelly K. and Keith H. are now able to communicate in their own words.