Press

Blind and autistic musical savant will perform
By: Donna Darovich -- 12/12/2011
Blind and autistic musical savant Rex Lewis-Clack will perform May 25, 2012, in Fort Worth at the Third Annual Hand-in-Hand Luncheon benefitting Helping Restore Ability. His mother, Cathleen Lewis-Clack, will speak.

Cathleen and Rex Lewis-Clack

Lewis-Clack’s rare combination of blindness, autism and musical genius has been featured twice on CBS-television’s “60 Minutes,” and he was profiled in The Science Channel’s “Ingenious Minds” documentary. His book “Rex—A Mother, Her Autistic Child and the Music that Transformed their Lives,” has been translated into eight foreign languages.

Lewis-Clack was born blind with brain damage so severe it looked as though he would never walk, talk, or do much of anything. When he was diagnosed with autism at 18 months, he began to develop an acute sensitivity to sound and touch. When he was 2 years old, his father bought him a keyboard, and his musical talents became apparent. As his musical talents progressed, so did his development. He learned to walk, talk and even ski.

Although Lewis-Clack has never seen the keys of a piano, he can play any composition after hearing it only once, and can instantly identify any note played for him, a talent attributed to only one in 10,000 people.

He is a frequent guest at The Classical Underground in Los Angeles, where he plays with the world’s most famous classical musicians. Underground owner Alexey Steele says of Lewis-Clack, “You are in the presence of a tangible miracle. It illustrates how art can surpass any limitation of the body.”

The luncheon will be at the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel, 1701 Commerce, in Fort Worth, starting at 10:30 a.m. with a silent auction. Sponsorships are available starting at $1,500 for a table of eight. To become a sponsor, call 817-469-2977. All sponsorships include an invitation to meet Lewis-Clack after the luncheon.

Helping Restore Ability is a charitable, nonprofit corporation that employs, trains and monitors personal attendant care providers for people of all ages with any type of disability. It is headquartered in Arlington, Texas, but serves the entire state of Texas. For more information, call Stephanie Melchert-Smith at 817-469-1977.

Niedermayer, HRA listed on Aggie 100

By: Donna Darovich, ANN -- 11/16/2011
The Arlington-based non-profit corporation Helping Restore Ability has been selected one of the top 100 fastest-growing companies in the world owned or operated by former students of Texas A&M University. Its chief executive officer Vicki Niedermayer earned her B.S from A&M in 1980.

Helping Restore Ability is a 501 (c)(3) charitable nonprofit corporation that employs, trains and monitors personal attendant care providers for people of all ages with any type of disability.
 

The Aggie 100 program was created by the Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship in Texas A&M University’s Mays Business School and honors graduates from across disciplines who own or manage companies with the highest compound annual revenue growth from 2008 to 2010.
 

Niedermayer was recognized at a formal luncheon in the Zone Club on the Texas A&M University campus, Friday, Nov. 4.

“Since the founding of Texas A&M University, Aggies have been leaving a legacy across all businesses and industries,” said Dr. Richard H. Lester, Executive Director of the Mays Business School’s Center for New Ventures and Entrepreneurship. “Over the last seven years, the Aggie 100 companies have continuously proven that even in tough economic times, solid business ideas and hard work pay off.”
The Aggie 100 list in its entirety may be viewed at www.aggie100.com
 

Click - section of the Star Telegram

August 26th, 2011

Helping Restore Ability Members met to make promotional brochures for the new home healthcare program.

Front row: Irene Sargent and Stephanie Smith;
Back row: Sherry Riley and Vickie Niedermayer

Work Faces - section of the Star Telegram

July 17th, 2011

The Helping Restore Ability Board has approved the appointments of new board members: Dave Woodwoard, Jack Hill, Brenda Tucker, Patt Bourland, Bonnie Noble, Shana Nix and Chris Huff. Monica Santiago will be a board shadow for the 2011-12 year.

Helping Restore Ability received a $15,000 grant of the children's interest list from the King Foundation to assist children with disabilities.

September 2010

Helping Restore Ability has announced its newly appointed board members and board positions for the 2009-10 term. New board members are: Della Faye Sowunmi of Korloki Corp.; Doug Tonne, vice president of operations, Debt Education and Certification; and Steven Booher, City of Arlington, organizational development specialist. Positions are: Nancy Spears, president, marketing professor at the University of North Texas; Becky Haskin, vice president, owner, Steel Lightning Sales; and Mamie Bevers, secretary, LMSW, district aide to Sen. Chris Harris.

Arlington agency that helps people with disabilities now has double the space

By Elizabeth Campbell
liz@star-telegram.com

Armie Snarley spends five hours a day helping a woman who has lupus, diabetes and cancer with grocery shopping, cleaning and other tasks so that she can stay in her home and live independently.

Snarley, 61, who works for Helping Restore Ability in Arlington, said she doesn't view what she does as a job, but as a way to help someone live a better life.

"Doing this work has helped me be more patient," Snarley said.

"When a person is unable to do whatever it is, like clean house or remember things, I've learned to be more understanding," she said.

Founded 34 years ago as the Arlington Handicapped Association, the renamed Helping Restore Ability has outgrown its former home on Division Street because the number of clients is increasing.

Last month, the organization moved into a 9,200-square-foot building on Beltline Place that is double the size of the old facility. The grand opening was Friday.

Vicki Niedermayer, the agency's chief executive officer, said Helping Restore Ability has grown 20 percent per year during the past four to five years as more people from across the state receive assistance.

Most of the clients are on Medicaid, but there is a "private pay" option for those who are not eligible for federal benefits, according to the organization's website.

Stephanie Meltcher-Smith, director of marketing and development, said Helping Restore Ability provides nonmedical care such as bathing, grooming, light house cleaning and grocery shopping so that people can stay in their homes.

"Our whole mission is to promote independence for those we serve," she said. "We help keep them out of nursing homes and hospitals."

Meltcher-Smith said most of the employees are out in the field, serving people from Corpus Christi to West Texas.

Some employees also spend time reaching out to homeless people who are disabled to make sure they qualify for services they need.

Ruth Ann Bellamy, 70, who gets daily visits from Snarley, said Helping Restore Ability has been a "lifesaver." Bellamy said that she and Snarley were friends for years, and it was an easy transition for Snarley to work with the organization.

"I would be a basket case and a shut-in if I hadn't run in to Helping Restore Ability," Bellamy said.

Because she is getting help at home, Bellamy now works two days a week for the Precious Children's Emergency Shelter in Fort Worth.

"When I come home, [from work] I am totally gone. Armie enables me to be free and to go with other people and do things to keep me from being totally depressed."

Elizabeth Campbell,
817-390-7696
 

Eyes on Arlington: Helping Restore Ability moves to more spacious digs

By Faye Reeder
freeder@arlingtoncitizen-journal.com

HRA Housewarming. Having just attended the inspiring Hand in Hand luncheon for Helping Restore Ability last week, nothing pleases me more than to announce their well-deserved move to new offices.

When I asked HRA executives Vicki Niedermayer and Stephanie Melchert-Smith to tell me about the new digs at 4300 Beltway Place, Suite 130, here's what I learned:

The new space is more than twice as large and the location is extremely accessible and easy to find -- it took a bloodhound to find the old one.

The new building meets all ADA standards and the lease is for 10 years.

All expenses of relocating and refinishing were funded by donors and supporters.

And, to top it off, the agency says that clients can be served far more efficiently in the new location.

The festivities to celebrate HRA's grand reopening are Friday. Mayor Bob Cluck will be on hand for a ribbon-cutting and dedication at 2:30 p.m. Guests can meet the staff, tour the office and learn all about HRA. Call Smith at 817-469-1977 to learn more.
 

Advocates warn that budget cuts could endanger city's plan to end chronic homelessness
By ALEX BRANCH abranch@star-telegram.com

FORT WORTH — When the City Council approved a $3 million plan last summer to end chronic homelessness, advocates called it a watershed moment for the largest U.S. city without a program.

One year later, they say the city risks thwarting the plan's progress if it enacts $1 million in proposed cuts.

"We have just begun this program. To cut a third of the funding only one year in makes us afraid we will slide down the slope back into the status quo," said the Rev. Brooks Harrington, chairman of the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Homelessness.

"It would really hurt the momentum and, we are afraid, endanger the program."

Directions Home, the homeless plan, is among many city programs facing cuts as the city tries to make up for a $61 million shortfall. Mayor Mike Moncrief, a champion of the homeless cause, acknowledged during budget discussions last month that scaling back the plan might be unavoidable.

At the City Council meeting Tuesday night, Harrington delivered a unanimous resolution from the 19-member homeless commission urging the council not to cut the program.

He pointed out that much of the funding that was approved last year didn't get to agencies serving the homeless until April, and he reminded council members that the plan was a commitment to the city's homeless.

"I personally went and addressed homeless people in the shelters and told them this was evidence this entire city was with them, that they are no longer on the margins," Harrington said.

The commission appreciates that the budget gap will force the city to make difficult choices, he said. However, "We are here, frankly, saying this is one program that should be spared any cuts."

Worth the cost
Most of the money for the homeless is being spent on support services and housing vouchers for the most vulnerable homeless people. The money pays for new caseworkers and for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

The theory is that paying to put homeless people in housing is cheaper in the long run because they don't use as many emergency services then. The Rev. Fritz Ritsch, secretary for the board of the Presbyterian Night Shelter, said the plan would specifically reduce the costs of police, firefighter and ambulance services for the homeless.

One study put the cost of homelessness in Tarrant County at $30 million a year.

"Assuming the mayor and City Council still believe in the long-term practical benefits, then it only makes sense to maintain current funding," Ritsch said.

Programs working
At the meeting, several advocates for Directions Home pointed out that local service agencies have started programs in response to the plan. Susan Cockrell, the Fort Worth Housing Authority's administrator of special projects, said six agencies have hired 16 new caseworkers in three months.

Those caseworkers have already helped get 34 homeless people into housing, she said.

"It's not broke; it's working," Cockrell said.

Other supporters listed examples of people being helped. Sara Trigg, one of the new caseworkers, told the council about a 60-year-old woman who suffers from serious heart problems, who became homeless two years ago and has been hospitalized multiple times.

The woman, Vicky, is about to move into an apartment from a homeless shelter, where it was "next to impossible to maintain stable health."

"This program is giving her the opportunity to not just get off the street but will very likely add years to her life," Trigg said.

Solutions possible
Moncrief assured homeless advocates in the audience that he believed that the plan is worthwhile and working. "I could not be more delighted with I am seeing and what I am hearing," he said.

He also reminded them that the budget is in its early stages and that the city manager has yet to submit his official recommendation.

"There are nine more innings to be played here," he said. "We have not made any hard and fast decisions."

Councilman Sal Espino, who traveled on a fact-finding trip to find best homeless practices in other cities, said he subscribes to the belief that spending money on a homeless plan now saves the city money in the future.

He said Directions Home is "a gold standard" for homeless plans.

"We'll work with staff and other colleagues on this council to make sure we keep this momentum going," he said.

There are nine more innings to be played here. We have not made any hard and fast decisions." Mayor Mike Moncrief

ALEX BRANCH, 817-390-7689

Fort Worth has tough budget choices ahead but city? homelessness initiative deserves sparing
By FLORA BREWER — Special to the Star-Telegram

At a recent Day Resource Center board meeting, I heard that the city of Fort Worth is considering cutting the public contribution to homelessness programs by one-third.

I understand the city's financial problems, but I want to contribute some observations about budget trade-offs.

As an officer of an agency receiving Directions Home funding, I have a front-row seat through case managers working to move homeless folks into housing, services or treatment programs.

I am so impressed with the quality and commitment of the case-manager resources that have been brought to bear. Our agency alone has nine clients (some with children) already in the pipeline for housing. These folks include domestic-violence victims and a woman with chronic heart disease who spends most of her time in and out of emergency care at John Peter Smith Hospital.

Helping Restore Ability has served low-income, disabled Texans with nonmedical, in-home personal attendant services for 32 years. It was included by the Day Resource Center and Catholic Charities on their Directions Home grant teams to bring our knowledge of disabilities and services for handicapped Texans into the mix of tools being provided to solve the problems of highly vulnerable homeless persons.

This is the first time the agency has been brought in to work on homelessness programs in the community.

Helping Restore Ability is becoming involved as an employer of homeless persons through Project WISH and Directions Home. We are finding donors who have never been involved in homelessness issues to contribute thousands of dollars to help furnish apartments for our clients. This is one way that the city money is being leveraged.

Fort Worth grants do not cover the cost of the case-management services provided by the nonprofits. That's more leverage of city dollars.

Put in perspective, $3 million is less than 8 cents per Fort Worth resident per week, bringing to mind the Depression-era song Brother, Can You Spare a Dime. What are we willing to forgo to move women, children and sick people off the streets and into stable housing?

Certainly we should make sure that the money is being spent wisely on best practices from lessons learned. But the city has a good evaluation process in place, and metrics are being kept on every aspect of the programs delivered under Directions Home.

In my neighborhood in District 3, we have a park being renovated. Maybe there are some drainage issues, but they were not a big problem and frankly, it was already a very nice park.

I also have trouble as a resident paying to maintain a herd of cattle while the Day Resource Center is serving more than 1,000 unduplicated homeless clients per month.

I realize these programs and services are important to some constituencies. The City Council has the difficult task in difficult times of weighing what will have the greatest overall impact on the community and what is the morally right thing to do, knowing that difficult times are the most difficult on those with the fewest resources.

Government can provide the structures and supports that keep a bad situation from becoming disastrous. As a resident, I hope our City Council is considering these trade-offs.

Flora Brewer of Fort Worth is chief operating officer of Helping Restore Ability. www.helpingrestoreability.org

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