On a windy, cold evening, the JVS Supportive Home Staff were honored to receive the Thomas H. Kidd Award for Excellence. The event was March 2, 2009, and it was the Hamilton County Board of MR/DD Annual Banquet at Sharonville Convention Center. The evening was already a night to remember with a record crowd, the fun of mingling with many friends at the Cocktail hour, and a delicious dinner. Jenn Jordan did a fabulous job of emceeing the event, and the adapted guitar group, Standing Room Only, provided memorable entertainment. When the time came to present the Thomas H. Kidd Award for Excellence, JVS Supportive Home Service was announced as the winner. With all the many quality programs and all the great providers in Hamilton County, to win this award is the honor of honors, and all of us at JVS wish to express our gratitude for the award and the excellent evening! For those who have not had exposure to the program, here is more information about Supportive Home Service. SHS started in 2003 with Virginia Gilbert and 1.5 staff. There were a handful of participants. There are now eight full staff devoted to the program and well over 50 consumers of service. JVS staff visit people in nursing homes, facilities like Drake Center, or private homes sometimes. All participants have severe medical needs that require special care. They can be served an hour a week, but some get up to ten hours of service per week.

Activities range from learning life skills such as cooking and cleaning, to learning shopping and banking skills. Some participants like for someone to just stay and talk to them or read the Bible to them. Some enjoy going on community outings. There is one new participant who went on a community outing to shop with JVS staff, and it’s the first time she had left her home in the past three years.

More than a program, it’s about relationships, getting to know a person, and helping them stay involved in their community. No one likes the prospect of growing old and being homebound. Thanks to Virginia Gilbert and the JVS Supportive Home Service, over 50 Hamilton County participants have options and a social life again. Their retirement years have some more options and dignity added.