Author: Karen Koethe

For LOV Inc.’s Improv Group members, exploring the world of improv has been so much more than fun and games… although it has been that, too! As participants gathered each week, they learned to think quickly, build scenes, and work as a team. Gaining skills to use both on and off stage, participants met over the course of a month to hone their craft under the guidance of Professor Jeanne Leep at Edgewood College Theatre.

Improv Group participants are individuals with disabilities who are members of LOV Inc.’s Bridge Builder Project, where they work one-on-one with staff to pursue their goals and can also opt to join a wide variety of interest groups.

These groups, designed and staffed by LOV Inc. employees, explore areas ranging from bird watching and music discussion to Dungeons and Dragons and knitting. Typically offered annually, the Improv Group is a popular series that combines technique, games, and teamwork. 

For Kevin Thayer, participating in the series has not only helped to boost his improv techniques but also built skills that are useful beyond the stage. 

“I’ve done the Improv Group twice in the last couple of years, and both times, it has helped with my confidence. I had to think on my feet, and the more I’ve done it, the more it’s helped me let my guard down,” says Thayer. “It helped me realize that it’s okay if I make a mistake, and the goal is to bounce back from it.” 

Participants learned the art of improv through workshopping various improv games, focusing on skills such as storytelling and the physicality of performance. The group also worked on building off each other to create compelling scenes and tell stories as a group. 

Playing improv games, such as Freeze, was a highlight for participant Annie O’Brien. These games help players learn how to work with partners and think creatively—and quickly. 

“Playing the improv game ‘Freeze’ was really funny. ”,” said O’Brien. “Improv was fun, and I want to do more of it.”

For Bridge Builder Project staff member Haley Bergstrom, the group’s creativity and support of one another stood out. 

“Members of the group learned to think quickly and work as a team as they built scenes together,” said Bergstrom. “Our members are not only very creative, but they also supported one another to learn new skills.” 

Learn more about the Bridge Builder Project and Interest Groups. 

Interested in becoming a Bridge Builder member? Fill out our prospective member form, and a staff member will contact you. 

LOV Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting people with disabilities to engage and build their best lives through innovative services, is pleased to announce it has received a $45,000 grant from the Otto Bremer Trust. With a growing demand for services, this grant provides general operations support that will bolster LOV Inc.’s capacity and infrastructure and serve as an investment in the lives of people with disabilities.

“We are honored by the continued support of the Otto Bremer Trust and are already busy putting their donation to work toward our mission,” says Stefanie Primm, LOV Inc.’s Executive Director. “We appreciate their investment in our infrastructure and capacity, which allows us to spend more time focusing on our mission and the work we do with individuals with disabilities.”

Founded in 1944, the Otto Bremer Trust is a charitable organization that invests in people, places, and opportunities in the Upper Midwest. LOV Inc. is honored to have received the Trust’s support for two consecutive years.

LOV Inc. was founded in 2008 to unite individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. What began as a small, local operation has expanded to an organization with state-wide reach. With hubs in Madison and Milwaukee, LOV supports individuals with disabilities in community integration, offers education and training around future planning, provides peer groups for building social skills, and supports families of children and youth with disabilities. 

In the last year, LOV Inc. supported more than 150 individuals with disabilities and over 130 families that include an individual with disabilities in 15 counties throughout the state. In recent years, we have expanded our offerings to address inequities within the disability services community through our two family navigator projects, offering specialized programming for Latino and Tribal families. 

LOV Inc. relies on a variety of support, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and community partnerships. If you want to support individuals with disabilities to live a more inclusive, fulfilling life, consider making a donation or becoming a corporate supporter.

LOV Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to uniting people with disabilities to engage and build their best lives through innovative services, is pleased to announce it has received a $4,000 grant from the Green Bay Packers Foundation. This grant funding will be used to support LOV Inc.’s educational programming.

“Our unique educational programming supports parents, so that they, in turn, can support their child with a disability. Offered at no cost to participants, these sessions bring together knowledgeable facilitators, behavioral, health, and advocacy experts, and other families to provide a circle of support and resources,” says Stefanie Primm, LOV Inc.’s Executive Director. 

LOV Inc.’s educational programming breaks down barriers that often hinder individuals or families from accessing disability benefits, planning for the transition to adulthood, and addressing educational issues in school. The Learn with LOV educational program is offered in Dane County and the greater Milwaukee area, providing crucial information and support during key moments, such as a child’s diagnosis or a teen’s transition into adulthood. Additionally, LOV Inc. offers two tailored programs – The Tribal Family Navigator Project and the Latino Family Navigator Project– to increase access to critical information and resources. 

LOV Inc. was founded in 2008 to unite individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. What began as a small, local operation has expanded to an organization with state-wide reach. With hubs in Madison and Milwaukee, LOV supports individuals with disabilities in community integration, offers education and training around future planning, provides peer groups for building social skills, and supports families of children and youth with disabilities. 

Founded in  1986, the Green Bay Packers Foundation is a charitable organization that invests in organizations throughout Wisconsin. It is a component of Green Bay Packers Give Back, the all-encompassing community outreach initiative.

LOV Inc. relies on a variety of support, including individual donations, corporate sponsorships, grants, and community partnerships. If you want to support individuals with disabilities to live a more inclusive, fulfilling life, consider making a donation or becoming a corporate supporter.

Foundations

Alejandra Espejo, LOV Inc.’s Bilingual Resource Specialist, was recently awarded the Shaw Brothers Outstanding Professional Award in honor of her work of going above and beyond to support individuals with disabilities.

Presented at the Circles of Life Conference, the award honors professionals who work in the disability community and have gone beyond the call of duty in their role. 

Alejandra was selected for her work in serving Spanish-speaking families in Dane County by providing culturally responsive, one-on-one consultations to address pressing needs and connecting families to services and supports.  

“We are so lucky to have Alejandra and her talent on our team, and this award is a testament to that,” said Stefanie Primm, executive director of LOV Inc. “The families can tell that she genuinely cares and understands what they are going through, and her boundless energy and creativity shine when it comes to supporting their needs.”

Through individualized consultations, Alejandra supports families in addressing their most pressing needs through connections to resources and services. This looks different for every family. For example, Alejandra has supported families to advocate for their child’s educational needs and ensure they know their rights within the school system. She has worked alongside families at various stages of receiving or seeking a diagnosis, connecting them to resources, and providing a listening ear and guidance. Alejandra has helped families improve accessibility within their homes by identifying home modification resources. She has also connected families with housing and food security resources. 

At the award ceremony, Alejandra reflected on the joys of working with families and the strength she finds in partnering with other advocates in the community. 

During her comments, she remarked, “Thank you for opening the door for me, families. But I am not alone in this work. Thank you for the support of LOV Inc., Catholic Multicultural Center, Dulce Respite Center, and many other community partners and organizations who share our mission. Together we are stronger.”

Learn more about the Latino Family Navigator Project and the Colectivo de Familias Latinas. 

LOV Inc.’s annual Winter Gathering was held on February 25, 2023. Now in its 15th year, this annual event is a beloved tradition for the LOV Inc. community. The event included a social hour, a dessert bar, an art showcase, and a talent show. The talent show, helmed by long-time emcee and LOV Inc. member Molly Waugh and her father Steve, included a wide variety of performances, including:

• Hannah Cormier, Singing “A Million Dreams” from the film “The Greatest Showman”
• William Paulson, German Yodeling
• Ben Fleischman, Singing “Any Man of Mine” by Shania Twain
• Abbey Webster, Mad Libs live
• Adam Rowe, Performing “November Rain” by Guns N’ Roses
• Rachel Vanderbloemen, Singing “Sentimental Journey” by Les Brown, accompanied by Bob Berger on piano
• Molly & Steve Waugh, Singing “Don’t Go to Strangers” by Etta Jones
• Yasmine Elfarra, Singing “Slipping Through My Fingers” from the film “Mamma Mia!”
• Cara Swedeen, Dance Party to “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake

In addition to performances, the art showcase featured the works of Daniel Ellis, Matt Ward, and Edith Veitch. Daniel’s art featured a range of creative projects, including an Adirondack chair made of cedar. Matt shared a collection of origami, including an icosidodecahedron made with 60 pieces of paper. Edith’s art featured her drawing and coloring work, including a piece entitled Flower Girl. 

Local bakeries provided desserts for the event, including Madison Sourdough, Paleo Mama, and Willy Street Co-op.

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS) has awarded LOV Inc. $422,000 to fund Colectivo de Familias Latinas, a project to address disparities in access to services for Spanish-speaking families with a child with disabilities. The Colectivo is a joint initiative between LOV Inc., the Catholic Multicultural Center, and Dulce Respite Center. This funding is part of a total of $17.3 million awarded to 69 organizations statewide. These grants are intended to improve Medicaid home and community-based services that help older adults or those who have disabilities.

“The Colectivo brings together and increases the efforts of three organizations to provide robust support to Spanish-speaking families that include an individual with a disability,” said Stefanie Primm, Executive Director of LOV Inc. “Whether it is accessing respite care services with Spanish-speaking providers or accessing translated materials, the Colectivo brings together a rich set of resources alongside a deep commitment to community building.”

Spanish-speaking staff will connect with families to identify resources and family support in areas including respite care services, understanding Children’s Long-Term Support, connecting with other families that include a child with a disability and sharing resources, identifying resources for a wide range of needs, from home modifications to food and housing security, and navigating school and educational supports.

“In my role, I have seen the difference that individualized consultations make in families accessing resources and support,” said Alejandra Espejo, LOV Inc.’s Bilingual Resources Specialist.  “As the Colectivo launches, I am excited to increase resources in the Spanish-speaking community.”

Grant funding is made possible by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). To learn more about the statewide grant opportunity and all funded projects, visit the DHS website. Questions about ARPA funding and DHS can be sent to the DHS media team at DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.

---

El Departamento de Servicios de Salud (DHS) le concede $422,000 a LOV Inc. para financiar el Colectivo de Familias Latinas

El Departamento de Servicios de Salud de Wisconsin (DHS) le ha otorgado a LOV Inc. $422,000 para financiar el Colectivo de Familias Latinas, un proyecto que nace con el objetivo de abordar las disparidades en el acceso a los servicios para las familias de habla hispana que tienen un niño o una niña con necesidades especiales. El Colectivo es una iniciativa conjunta de LOV Inc., el Centro Multicultural Católico y Dulce Respite Center (Centro de Relevo Dulce). Este financiamiento es una parte de un total de $17.3 millones que se concedieron a 69 organizaciones en todo el estado. Estas subvenciones están destinadas a mejorar los servicios de Medicaid, en el hogar y en la comunidad, que sirven de ayuda a los adultos mayores o a aquellos que tienen discapacidades.

“El Colectivo reúne y multiplica los esfuerzos de tres organizaciones para brindar un apoyo sólido a las familias de habla hispana en las que hay una persona con discapacidad”, dijo Stefanie Primm, Directora Ejecutiva de LOV Inc. “Ya sea para acceder a servicios de cuidado de relevo con proveedores de habla hispana o para acceder a materiales traducidos, el Colectivo reúne un amplio conjunto de recursos junto con un profundo compromiso con el fortalecimiento de la comunidad”.

El personal de habla hispana se pondrá en contacto con las familias para encontrar recursos y apoyo en áreas que incluyen servicios de cuidados de relevo, comprender el programa de Apoyo a Largo Plazo para Niños (CLTS), conectar con otras familias con niños con discapacidad e identificar y compartir recursos para una amplia gama de necesidades, desde modificaciones en el hogar hasta seguridad alimentaria y de vivienda, y aprender a manejar y aprovechar los apoyos escolares y educativos.

“En mi función, he visto la diferencia que las consultas individualizadas les trae a las familias que acceden a recursos y apoyo”, dijo Alejandra Espejo, Especialista Bilingüe en Recursos de LOV Inc.  “A medida que arranca el Colectivo, me emociona poder aumentar los recursos en la comunidad de habla hispana”.

La financiación por medio de subvenciones es posible gracias a la Ley del Plan de Rescate Estadounidense (ARPA). Para obtener más información acerca de la oportunidad de subvención estatal y todos los proyectos que han recibido financiamiento, visite el sitio web del DHS. Las preguntas sobre los fondos ARPA y el DHS se pueden enviar al equipo de comunicación del DHS, DHSMedia@dhs.wisconsin.gov.