“In helping others, we shall help ourselves, for whatever good we give out completes the circle and comes back to us.” ~Flora Edwards
35 Years of Service
2013 marks two important anniversaries for our company. It is the 35th anniversary of MBW, which was started in 1978 by Mark and Brenda Wiger. It also marks our 10th Anniversary as an ESOP when Brenda and Mark sold the company to the employees in 2003. We have come a long way in those 35 years, Jyneal McCrea could attest to that. She has been with the company since 1978 when she started as a high school student working part-time in the Intermediate Care Facility (ICF/DD) known as “MBW on Center” which served eight young men and women – some of whom were in high school themselves.
It was during those years that community homes across the nation were being developed to allow people with developmental disabilities to exit the institutions. Many people had been ware-housed, and were then given the chance to move back to/near their local communities where they could learn independent living skills, be close to family, and develop job skills. “DIGNITY and RESPECT” were the driving force behind this institutional exodus. Those words still carry us forward in our effort to support living situations that provide individuals with opportunities to learn and grow, to make choices about their lives, and to be given the dignity and respect due all individuals.
Since those early days of a single ICF Service, we have grown to support 16 homes and serve numerous individuals in their personal home. We have approximately 175 employees who work daily to ensure that the people we serve have the support they need to live healthy, happy and productive lives as members of their community.
10 Years of Ownership
In 2003, Brenda and Mark retired. They wanted to insure that their legacy of service continued and also wanted to give the employees, that had play such a large part in the success of MBW, the opportunity to carry on without being sold to an outside organization and to have a personal stake in the quality of our work. The company currently has 120 beneficiary owners, an active Board of Directors (6 outside and one employee member), and an outside Trustee to oversee the Ownership Plan. Our employees take pride in their company and the services we provide. Our Board of Directors is skilled and engaged, our Trustee is responsible and appreciative of our Mission. We are dedicated to the people we support and work closely with family members, guardians, and case managers to achieve our Mission and exemplify our Values.
Our Direct Support Staff
And so… With this being the month in which we give special acknowledgment to our Direct Support Staff, we say THANK YOU! You are the foundation of our company. The quality of your work equals the quality of MBW Service. Many of you are, or are soon to be, owners of our company. It is a privilege and a responsibility that we take very seriously. We honor you this month – your skills, and the dignity of your work. We are grateful for your presence at MBW Company.
Together, we will continue the campaign to have the services we provide recognized for their true value by our legislators, and society as a whole. Please continue to support the efforts that DSPs and providers across the state are putting forth for the 5% Campaign for the 2014 legislative session.
