SYRACUSE — A small gathering at the home of Bill and Vicki Morton, Lung Lane, Syracuse, provided a perfect opportunity for the invited guests to hear more about Cardinal Center, Warsaw. It was also a perfect opportunity to meet Randy Hall, new chief executive officer.
Individuals left the evening learning more about Cardinal Center’s programs, and its needs from individuals and the community: Support of time and talents to help those needing help.
The Mortons, active with Cardinal Center, stated they would not be able to live in the area without the services it provides for their son Andrew.
Randy Hall, chief executive officer for Cardinal Services, talks about the organization.
Hall spoke about his experience with Cardinal during the past 28 years, including working in a group home with eight men who had spent their entire life in a state institution. He spoke of Cardinal Center’s Mission: “to assist and advocate for people with disabilities or challenges to live lives full of … dignity, growth and opportunity.” He elaborated on each area relating how those present took those words for granted. “If you want to take a class, take a trip, learn a new language … we just do those things. We realize some of the satisfaction, happiness, esteem that comes with it. … The folks we serve by and large are not able to do a lot of that for themselves. They need help to achieve those things.”
He spoke of his visions, the needs of the center and how the staff, due to mandated hiring wages by Medicaid are “the working poor. They are eligible for food assistance, they are eligible for housing assistance.” He noted the staffing crisis is only going to get worse. “We cannot hire enough people to do the work that needs to be done.”
He also spoke of other programs offered by Cardinal.
Vicki Morton, left, explains the importance of Cardinal Services to their family, for their son Andrew, shown at right.
Sarah Montel , development manager, spoke about programs offered at the center — the new art studio, Red Bird Studio. The studio has resulted in hidden talent of many clients being discovered. It is hoped the artwork will be available to purchase, by the public, by October. “They have this talent and will be able to make some money,” Montel said.
Also at Cardinal is the CCI program, providing jobs for individuals. Two years ago CCI received its ISO certification. Montel stated “Once we get the parts and put together, instead of shipping back to the business, we actually are shipping to their customers. That is how well our ISO certification is.”
She noted major work in the program is with CTB Milford, making parts for the chicken watering system. More than 30,000 to 40,000 parts are put together daily, 10 million a year.
Other work is done for Harmony Press, plastic wrapping scrapbooking paper and calendars. CCI also does bulk mailing.
A fun part of the evening was Montel distributing pieces of the chicken watering system for guests to assemble, providing an example of the work CCI employees do on a daily basis. “Imagine putting together 30,000 to 40,000 a day?” asked Montel.
Montel invited guests to attend Cardinal Connection events to learn more about the programs, visit classes and the CCI program. Another invitation was offered to attend the Cardinal Call, an annual luncheon, which is by invitation only.
