From The Desk of the President – August 2024

This month we proudly welcomed Jennifer O’Neal to CFMC as our new Grants and Community Liaison Manager.  Jennifer is a 2015 Martinsville High School graduate and a 2019 Purdue graduate.  A homegrown girl, Jennifer moved to Austin, Texas, after majoring in Sales Management to pursue a career in sales with software giant, Dropbox.  After 4 years in Austin, she returned home, took a sales job with Comcast, and got engaged to 2014 MHS graduate Mason Kutruff, now a pilot for American Airlines.  I asked what attracted her to the position since it is not a financial steppingstone in her career path.  Her response, “Working for the Community Foundation is an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.  It aligns so well with my values, and it is rare to find a role with such potential for impact in the community that has done so much for me.”  With that, I knew I had to have her!

Besides hiring Jennifer, I have spent the last month meeting with several of Morgan County’s not-for-profit organizations who serve those in need. Most of these organizations have benefited from CFMC grants, so I wanted to check in to explore the nature and extent of their work, see firsthand how CFMC’s grant dollars are making an impact, and hear about emerging needs.

All of the not-for-profits we serve are doing great work; however, after one stands out. I only had a cursory understanding of The Jackson Center prior to meeting Lara DePoy last month, and now I am embarrassed of how little I had known.  I am certain most people in Morgan County do not realize how unique it is from its history to its services, now 20 years strong.

Jackson De Poy was born in 2001 and experienced a traumatic brain injury during birth, leaving him with Cerebral Palsy (CP).  His mother, Lara, explained that CP is merely a brain injury sustained before, during, or after birth which causes a disconnect between the brain and the body.  At 3 years old, Jackson was only able to roll over. Lara and her family poured herself into his care, looking and listening for anything to help him.

Lara’s mother-in-law learned about Conductive Therapy, a European-based therapy developed in Budapest, Hungary, when a 60 Minutes story aired in 2004.  Lara was skeptical but desperate to help her child so when she learned about a Conductive Therapy center in Chicago started by another mother, she packed up her family.  After just 5 weeks, Jackson’s progress blew her mind.  In just over a month’s time, Jackson’s fine motor skills improved drastically allowing him to learn self-feeding and make remarkable improvements in his mobility.  He was able to roll in both directions independently, enhancing his overall movement, which played a crucial role in his physical development.

With a great support system, Lara founded the Jackson Center for Conductive Education in Mooresville later that year.  An Occupational Therapist by trade and education, Lara earned a certification in Conductive Education and got all her therapists qualified as preferred providers by insurance.  She secured Medicaid coverage about four years ago.

Now 20 years later, families from Ft. Wayne to Jasper to Terre Haute flock to the Jackson Center for this remarkable approach to educating this delicate population of children.  It is only 1 of 2 full-time facilities in the country.  The majority of students have CP, most are children, but adult students and those with other diagnoses come as well.  Classes focus on breaking down tasks and range from art to cooking to laundry and more.  Students work in small groups, learning from each other.  There are interesting manipulatives and equipment where students can walk, play, and perform other tasks without assistance.  The philosophy of Conductive Education is to create new pathways between the brain and the body by continually teaching life skills.

Stress on these parents and caregivers is hard to comprehend. 40% report depression.  60% experience burnout.  Lara shared that one mother who travels weekly from Ft Wayne brings not 1 but 2 daughters both with CP.  Often these parents are very young.  We discussed how desperately mental health services could benefit all of these parents.  No one knows this better than Lara.  Besides additional centers, many programs are needed.

So I call on you to help this extraordinary facility.  CFMC supports The Jackson Center through grants.  From now until the end of 2025, any donation will be TRIPLED by the Lilly Endowment.  That is not a typo.  $100 becomes $300, $5,000 becomes $15,000!  Every dollar goes directly back to the community to our not-for-profits like The Jackson Center through our Impact Grants.  I feel compelled to do more since Lara has done so much.

To learn more or donate visit: https://cfmconline.org/triple-your-donation/

For more information on donating, or establishing a fund, contact me directly at kcole@cfmconline.org.