The Barry Team

Sep 10, 2013

Dear Hamidu Turay, Tyree Morgan, Frank Hohenstein, Terrell Faison, Jacqueline McKinney, Austin Sawbo and Florence Williams,

Over the past year the Barry Street CLA team has delivered the deepest level of people first services to the residents of the Barry Street home. Last winter when your beloved, Ron became ill, this team wrapped their love and devotion around him and supported him like the most loving  family would through his illness, hospitalization, in-home hospice care and ultimately through his death. When there was a question as to whether Ron would go into a hospice placement or return to Barry St. for hospice, this team advocated strongly for his return home. You did this fully knowing it would be much more work for you. You acted out of love for Ron, not out of concern for your workload. This is a true people-first team. When the hospice nurse told the Tyree and Terrell that Ron was passing, his death was a beautiful transition to his next life as those present gathered around him. They held Ron together in their arms and recited a Jewish prayer led by our Executive Director, Judy and gently helped Ron pass away peacefully.

During Ron’s illness, his sister and brother-in-law were also there making medical decisions and supporting Ron. Through it all, these loving siblings who live out of the area, entrusted and depended upon the Barry staff to care for Ron. Ron’s sister, Barb told me and others of us many times how wonderful you all are and that you are also Ron’s family.

With your hearts broken you supported Mike and Fred to understand what had happened, to grieve and to keep Ron in their hearts while moving forward. You then forged ahead to welcome Allen into the Barry Street home. Allen loved his previous home, but needed to move to an accessible home. Allen needed some TLC to transition and when it comes to TLC, he came to the right place! You welcomed Allen with open hearts and arms and helped him to feel like part of the family from the start. You also warmly welcomed Florence to the team. Florence told me that she and Allen were welcomed with great generosity. Terrell shared knowledge of Fred and Mike and Florence, who herself is an award winning DSP, told me, “It’s a blessing being here and I’m enjoying being at Barry”.

In her nomination letter, Leticia wrote about how hard the Barry staff work to support each man to have an engaged and happy life. Concerning helping Allen transition into Barry, Leticia wrote, “The team had a welcoming party for Allen into his new home. The individuals' friends and family all attended. It was a rather large event and staff worked extra hours to make it happen, despite having to work outside in the heat. Their first priorities are the individuals. They have countless activities and planned vacations in the works. They keep the individuals very busy and happy.”

Very busy and happy to say the least! All three men have zoo memberships and make good use of the investment. Mike, Fred and Allen recently went to Clementon Park, and Allen had a bowling birthday party that everyone attended. There are Saturday bowling leagues for all three men, a train trip to New York to see “The Lion King” for Fred, and at the end of September all three men have a two night stay planned at the Borgata in Atlantic City with tickets to see Earth, Wind & Fire with Terrell and Tyree. When they aren’t out tearing up the city the three men have a great home life; hanging out on their comfy leather sofas watching Philly sports and channel 6 shows, warmly involving and welcoming all family members, healthy living and eating, all of this demonstrates that the Barry St. team fully lives the SPIN Pillars of People First, Professionalism, Performance Excellence and Productivity.

How tremendously proud I am to declare that the Barry team has been voted the Team of the Quarter for the period from July 1, to September 30, 2013. We are starting our new fiscal and program year right by honoring all of you. On behalf of Mike, Fred, Allen, their families, all of your colleagues, the SPIN management team, all Corporate Officers, and the SPIN Corporate Board, I am proud to recognize the Barry St. team as the Team of the Quarter. Congratulations to you all and my deepest gratitude for all that you do.

With Warm Regards,
Kathleen Brown McHale
President and CEO