Picture above is of people walking and supporting The Iris Network Annual White Cane Walk. Some people are walking with white canes, some are walking with guide dogs and others are holding signs of support.
The Iris Network
29th Annual White Cane Walk
Saturday, October 12th
Registration begins at 9 am, Walk begins at 10 am,
Local Mascots Slugger and Crusher will be there!
189 Park Avenue Portland, Maine
Please join us for our annual fundraiser, bringing awareness to those who use a white cane or guide dog to navigate their community.
For more information, to download a pledge sheet and register for the walk, visit our website:
https://www.theiris.org/news-events/white-cane-walk
Those registered who raise $100 or more in pledges will receive a red with white lettering White Cane Walk t-shirt
Food, music, raffles, White Cane Walk t-shirts available for purchase, and tours of our beautiful campus
Meet Elizabeth
The picture above is of Elizabeth being presented with her Certificate of Completion by one of the Certified Vision Rehabilitation Therapists, Sara, at The Iris Network.
Congrats Elizabeth, we are looking forward to hearing about all of your future accomplishments.
Elizabeth came to the Iris Network in January of this year on the recommendation of her high school guidance counselor. She wanted to attend college, and knew she needed more independent living skills to adapt to dorm life. Elizabeth applied to the Empower ME Transitions program at The Iris Network and was thrilled to be accepted.
Hailing from Queens, NY, Elizabeth came to the Iris Network dormitory and met the other students in the program, who all quickly became some of her closest friends. “It was amazing to have others like me striving to live independently and working hard towards their goals.”
Elizabeth has a diagnosis of Cerebral Palsy; this is something that her family knew about before she was born. The vision diagnosis of CVI (Cerebral Visual Impairment) was not detected until she was 7 years old.
“I just thought the way I saw was normal,” she states. “And I adapted every day.”
Elizabeth said it was not always easy being away from home, but the staff and her roommates made everything work out. She loves Portland and has discovered both Hot Topic at the Maine Mall and Bull Moose Music (she is a vinyl record collector). Elizabeth received help from The Iris Network staff and applied to her “dream” college. While here, she learned she was accepted to Queens College for the Fall of 2024.
“That motivated me even more to work hard and learn as much as I could in the five months I was here.”
“I want to study Early Childhood Education, because I want to make a difference in the way children see and accept disabilities in others. There is no better way to do this than when they are young.”
While she was at The Iris Network, Elizabeth says she learned so much from the staff.
“I am so much more confident in EVERYTHING,” she says. “I have learned PowerPoint, cooking, home maintenance, navigation, mobility, computers and lots of study skills using specialized adaptive equipment to help me succeed and live independently. There is no way I would be prepared for my future without my time here.”
Elizabeth was able to practice and have a “mock” job interview with the agency’s HR Director, Kristen Colern, which she said prepared her to succeed at a “real” interview with a summer camp. She landed the job and was able to start in July.
Elizabeth explained she has been asked many times if she would rather be a completely sighted person, and her answer is a resounding NO! “Why would I want that? – I would never have had these experiences or met the people I now call my friends.”
Some of the lessons Elizabeth would like us to all remember:
– It is okay to be different.
– It is okay to adapt.
– You are no less valuable.
The Iris Network Employees of the Month!
Our agency is pleased to announce the following employees who have been nominated by their peers!
October, 2023 – Terri T, Development
December, 2023 – Employee of the Year – Mike E, Assisted Living
January, 2024 – Erika R, Community Rehab
February, 2024 – Kyle M, Training Center
March, 2024 – Daria R, Community Rehab
April, 2024 – Sara N, Community Rehabilitation
May, 2024 – Sonya T, Finance
June, 2024 – Laura V, Community Rehabilitation
Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our agency and programs! We all appreciate you!
Thanks to a generous donor, our staff and residents at the Iris Park Apartments were able to have a wonderful 4th of July cookout!
Picture above is of the food served at the 4th of July cookout, including pasta salad, pickles and burger sliders.
Picture above is of 4 residents of the Iris Park Apartments and two Iris Network staff sitting outside at a table enjoying the 4th of July barbeque lunch.
Picture above is of 4 Iris Park Apartment residents and two Iris Network staff sitting at a table outside enjoying the 4th of July barbeque lunch.
Remember to follow us or like us on Facebook, Instagram and Linkedin! Lots of weekly pictures, news and updates!
https://www.facebook.com/TheIrisNetwork/
https://www.instagram.com/theirisnetworkme
https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-iris-network-maine
Also, if you do not have an email address with us, please forward your email information to Amy Whitmore, Director of Development and Communications at awhitmore@theiris.org to make sure you get ALL of The Iris Network info through Constant Contact. Help us keep our mailing costs down! Thank you!
2025 Large Print Calendars
RESERVE YOURS TODAY!
Calendar opens to show the entire month, with a large box for each date. The extra-wide blocks with big black numbers on a brilliant white background offer the ideal way for someone to keep track of the days with less strain on their eyes.
To reserve your 2025 Large Print calendar contact Terri at 207-518-5040 or email ttomchak@theiris.org
$15.00 each plus tax
A Call for
Volunteers!
We Need Your Help!
COVID brought our recreation program at the assisted living facility to a halt. We have been trying to rebuild it but are struggling to find volunteers. If you have two hours per week, one afternoon a month, an evening every two weeks, or any other amount of time, we are happy to have you! We need game night assistants, assistive shoppers, fitness instructors, and arts & crafts teachers. If you have a passion, we welcome it. It would be a dream to have someone do a monthly outing with residents. This would be a great opportunity for a small group.
Image above is a heart in the background with three hands raised in a volunteer gesture
All volunteers will be required to pass a background check in accordance with Maine Background Check law.
Please reach out to our HR Department at kcolern@theiris.org. Thank you!
The Iris Network has a property square on the Portland, Maine Monopoly game! We have some for sale at only $30 plus tax! Call or email Amy Whitmore to get yours today! We are happy to have you pick it up in Portland on our campus or we will mail it to you! Email Amy at awhitmore@theiris.org or call at 207-838-2177. Makes a wonderful gift!!
Picture above is the Portland, Maine Edition of Monopoly, featuring the Community Chest square with The Iris Network name and logo.
To make a donation to our agency and its life-changing programs, please send a check to:
Amy Whitmore, Director of Development and Communications
The Iris Network
189 Park Avenue
Portland, Maine 04104
or use the link below
https://form-renderer-app.donorperfect.io/give/the-iris-network/website-donation
For questions or more information, please email info@theiris.org
or call 207-774-6273
AS ALWAYS, THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING SUPPORT!