Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from Quality Life Associates, Inc.

Two New QLA Board Members, November 2008

Two new board members were invited to join the QLA board and were unanimously voted in at the fall board meeting on November 4, 2008: Lucy Labowsky and Michael Wilcox.

Introducing Michael (Mike) Wilcox
Quality Life Associates Board Member, 2008

Michael Wilcox is employed as a Licensed Certified Clinical Social Worker in the Mental Health Clinic at the Veterans Healthcare System of the Ozarks. He delivers psychosocial rehabilitation services to veterans recovering from such disorders as substance dependence, combat-related posttraumatic stress, and various other thought/mood/anxiety disorders. He helps these veterans find safe places to live, decent jobs, and vocational rehabilitation opportunities.

Michael plays the guitar, and has written a few songs, a couple of which are pretty good. Although a novice, a number of his paintings have sold through a gallery in San Diego. He and his wife Sharon, enjoy bike riding on the Scull Creek Trail with family and friends.

Mike dreams about kayaking.

Michael's son, Adam Wilcox, resides at the Scull Creek Apartment complex. He is a redheaded guy who is 22 years old. Adam provides several hours of service to QLAto assist staff with various tasks. He has cerebral palsy, but hasn't let his disabilities cut very deep into his life experiences. Truly.

The New Quality Life Blog

Here's Rebecca Haden, who's helping out with our blog.

It's been fun to go back in the files and find all the interesting things we've done over the years. Like looking through family scrapbooks. It's been fun, too, to share these things with you. And it's been great to receive calls and emails from you saying how excited you are about the things we've accomplished.

Looking back at what we've done, and ahead to the big plans we have for the coming year, is inspiring. Quality Life Associates, in partnership with you, the members of our community, has been able to make a difference for people with disabilities in Northwest Arkansas. We look forward to being able to accomplish more in the years to come.

In order to make it easier for all of us to share the news, Rebecca's putting an "email it" button at the bottom of all the posts in this blog. Just click on it, type in your friend's email and a message, and the whole story will head off to their inbox. This is a great way to spread the word about the important events at Quality Life Associates!

Update from Jennifer Featherston (QLA Director 2006 - 2008)

(Picture is of Ithaca Falls, one of the many waterfalls in Ithaca. It is located across the street from us and we visit almost daily while walking the dogs.)

"We are getting settled in Ithaca and have wonderful news to share. Larry and I are expecting twin boys that are due at the end of April. Mallory is now 18 months and we are trying to prepare her for her brothers by reading books about being a good big sister. I have enjoyed my time staying at home with her and it looks like it may now be a while before I re-enter the workforce. I miss all of my QLA and Scull Creek friends in Fayetteville, and will keep you posted on the boys' progress!"

Care Staff of Scull Creek Resident Shows Off New Baby

Welcome Wyatt Matthew Schatz

Jessica Gage (Tommy Schatz) is a mother for the second time. She also works for Shelley Melton (Scull Creek resident) as her care staff (Superior Senior Care). Wyatt was born on November 12, 2008 after 18 hours of labor. He weighed an even 8 lbs. and measured 22 inches long.

Shelley Melton says of Jessica: "She is a very good cook. I enjoy being around her and miss her when she is gone." Ms. Gage comes every weekday to the apartment and assists Ms. Melton with various independent living tasks and activities.

a message from Lynne...

Quality Life Associates, Inc. (QLA) exists because a philanthropic couple, Jack and Lynne Alexander, were determined that their daughter, Kathy’s, life-altering car accident would not diminish the amount of confidence, independence, accomplishment, and hope that she could attain. After years of observing and searching the United States for that “perfect-fit” program, the couple decided to use their experience to build an innovative not-for-profit in the Northwest Arkansas community.

New Support Group Planned

Scull Creek resident Jessie Grinder is interested in gathering a support group for those who've suffered from traumatic brain injury without losing cognitive functioning.

Jessie is interested in social support, advocacy, and joining with Students Against Drunk Driving in their work.

We visited with Jessie in his apartment at the Village at Scull Creek.

We got to check out Jessie's new custom vehicle. Sweet!

Trying out the Scull Creek Trail on Cycles

The weather was cold and crisp but beautiful! QLA board member, Mike Wilcox and family (Sharon and Adam) ride cycles with QLA Director, Carolyn Hoppe on Sunday 11/16/08. We are excited about the many possibilities for recreation for Scull Creek residents with the opening of the new trail.

Adam Wilcox, Scull Creek Resident

Quality Life Associates Receives Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Award

Jack and Lynne Alexander
Founders of Quality life
Residential Developer of the Year Award

The Village at Scull Creek Apartments
October 27, 2008

(See Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce Advertising Supplement, Friday, November 7, 2008)

We are very excited to be honored with this award that represents the involvement of many individuals who worked diligently over the past couple of years to make the Scull Creek apartment complex a reality.

We wish to extend a special thank you to Edwards Design and Construction (Greg and Joe Edwards, Blain Erskine, Trey Hill), Key Architecture (Jim Key), and the 2007 - 2008 staff of Quality Life Associates (Jennifer Featherston, Jane Mitchell, and Crosby Cromwell) for a job well done!

THANK YOU!

Brain Injury Association of Arkansas News

Representative Sandra Prater will present the final report of the TBI Task Force to the Arkansas Legislative Council (ALC) on Friday, November 21, 2008 at 9:00 am in Room 171 in the State Capital. Members are encouraged to attend.

The Association's Annual General Membership Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 Saturday, December 6, 2008, in the SoHo Centre in Little Rock. The address is 10515 West Markham.

The Brian Injury Association wants to produce a Registry of brain injury survivors. Further information on the project is available at this link: Survivor's Registry.

New Web Site

We're excited about our new web site, which will be up and functioning at the beginning of the new year. The web site, being designed by Sharp Hue, Inc. of Fayetteville, will be at www.QualityLifeAssociates.com.

In the meantime, call us or email Carolyn at hoppe.qla@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.

The QLA Offices

The new offices of Quality Life Associates (QLA) are on the third floor (suite 325) of the Village at Scull Creek.

The QLA office located at The Village at Scull Creek has lots of comfortable meeting spaces.

Jane Mitchell, our accountant, is in her cubicle at the back.

Director Carolyn Hoppe is right in the middle of the office, and easy to find.

Mud Creek Trail

The Mud Creek Trail is a beautiful trail for walking and biking.

It's hooked up with our own Scull Creek Trail.

Private Gallery

In April, Private Gallery opened a store on Dickson Street in Fayetteville which gives 100 percent of its profit to Quality Life Association.

Private Gallery is a clothing, jewelry and accessories store, said Denise Knox, owner of the company. There are 13 stores located in Alabama, Georgia, Florida and Arkansas. Knox is the niece of Quality Life founders Jack and Lynne Alexander of Mulberry.

The Alexanders started Quality Life Associates in Fayetteville in 2000 to provide assistance to people with traumatic brain injuries and neurological diseases.

Private Gallery is planning a special holiday shopping kickoff on December 4th, joining other downtown Fayetteville businesses in a Progressive Shopping Party.

Wreaths of Scull Creek

At all times of year...



... the residents of Scull Creek...




...are welcoming!





The wreaths of the Village at Scull Creek show the welcoming spirit.