From Deb Miller:

EO Recycles is in desperate need of some volunteers to sort and weigh recycled materials, getting them ready for sale.  I think everyone knows that Leremie’s last day was last week but of course he’s still taking care of some final things this week.  And thank goodness he’s not going far and we can call him and ask him a million questions.  
But I need some help.  I am reaching out to you in hopes that your long arms will reach out and find me a few good volunteers.  We are looking at doing some work with volunteers on Friday this week, (7/6/18) from 9 to noon, and again on Monday (7/9/19) from 9 to noon.  

It’s hot and dirty work and you need closed toe shoes.  We’ll supply gloves and cold water.  Lots of sweeping, moving piles around, and sorting.  Book tearing too, that’s a lot of hard work.  The covers are cardboard and the pages paper.  Some people don’t have the heart for tearing up books, but we need it done!

If you talk to any teenagers who might want to volunteer, have them contact me.  Here’s several ways they can reach me:
                                
                                Call me at EO 248 5233 x 105
                                Email dmiller@endlessoptions.org 
 
 
We are also organizing another work day on Saturday July 14, 2018 from 8 am to 10 am- for anyone who can help us.
 
I’d like to have a head count prior, but we’ll meet at EO Recycles , 200 Furr Street on all of those days. 
 
Thank you all for getting the word out, I have high hopes for a little volunteer love.
 
Deb

Check out this awesome video that our intern Marcus made!

Fayette, Missouri — March 15, 2018 — CARF International announced that Endless Options Inc. has been accredited for a period of three years for its Community Integration, Supported Living, with Governance Standards applied, Affirmative Business Enterprise, Community Employment Services-Employment Supports, Community Employment Services-Job Development programs. The latest accreditation is the seventh consecutive Three-Year Accreditation that the international accrediting body, CARF, has given to Endless Options Inc.

This accreditation decision represents the highest level of accreditation that can be given to an organization and shows the organization’s substantial conformance to the CARF standards. An organization receiving a Three-Year Accreditation has put itself through a rigorous peer review process.  It has demonstrated to a team of surveyors during an on-site visit its commitment to offering programs and services that are measurable, accountable, and of the highest quality. 

Endless Options Inc. is a not-for-profit organization with offices at 222 East Davis Fayette Missouri. It has been providing services in the Fayette/Howard County area since 1982.

CARF is an independent, nonprofit accrediting body whose mission is to promote the quality, value, and optimal outcomes of services through a consultative accreditation process and continuous improvement services that center on enhancing the lives of the persons served. Founded in 1966 as the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities, and now known as CARF International, the accrediting body establishes consumer-focused standards to help organizations measure and improve the quality of their programs and services. For more information about the accreditation process, please visit the CARF website at www.carf.org.

For additional information, contact Debra Miller at 660-248-5233

A survey team from CARF International will be visiting Endless Options, Inc. on February 5, 2018 to February 8, 2018.  We are excited to welcome them to Howard County.  If you would like to know more or be a part of the process please contact us!  
Find out more here:

​When EO gets involved, we get to spread some positive information about the characteristics of people with developmental and other disabilities.  That category is very broad, and as you might expect, one size does not fit all.  The next step of our mission is to emphasize that we will be bringing PEOPLE first, and that any disability is secondary and in some cases, may not be visible in any way.

Then comes our favorite part. For weeks a delegation from EO goes to CMU where the Methods of Adaptive Physical Education students have an opportunity to adapt or accommodate regular physical education and sports activities. The EO delegation changes some from week to week, and from year to year, but overall, we are faithful in our partnership. While this in many ways is not considered inclusive, it is something that has spread joy and learning opportunities for many years, and one that we hope will continue long in to the future.

​EO Recycles, since its inception, has grown both in the number of people it employees and volume of materials it diverts from the landfill. EO Recycles has never had a permanent location that was solely for recycling. We have been able to function and thrive to some extent in certain buildings, however, it is time that we have a “Home for EO Recycles.” In order to make this dream a reality we need your support. Please take a minute to review the information about EO Recycles and pledge a donation to help this beneficial service remain a viable option for Fayette and all of Howard County!

​EO Recycles:
                  Currently employs 7 people; 1 full-time individual and 6 part-time individuals with developmental disabilitiies.
                  Was diverting over 10 tons per month from the landfill at its peak operation.
This building will allow for EO Recycles:
                  To hire 5-10 more employees.
                  Return to peak diversion numbers.
                  Expand local recycling opportunities to things like:
                                    E-waste.
                                    Styrofoam recycling.
                                    Car seat recycling.
Benefits to the community:
                  Environmentally friendly practice.
                  Creates jobs for the community, particularly in a small job market.
                  A permanent home for the Recycling Center will create less confusion.
                  A building custom-made to our work makes Recycling “cleaner” or “neater.”

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!

Teresa has worked for The Attic for almost 5 years!  She has recently accepted a position in Boonville working 40 hours a week as a Dietary Aid. We will miss Teresa, however, we wish her the best in all of her endeavors!

Every year we have a big party in July to celebrate another year of providing services in Howard County.  This year was our 34th year!  We are fortunate to be able to celebrate with all of our friends and families.  We want to give a special thanks to St. Joseph Catholic Church for the use of their hall, our DJ Russell Gerling who always plays great music, Settlers Inn for providing the wonderful food, and Small Town Expressions (Leslie Anson) for taking such great photographs.  

Every January we pick a theme for the year and focus our groups, our fundraising, and our events around this theme.  This year's theme was created by Cassondra Martin!

This year the award went to Michael Love.  He was nominated by an EO Stakeholder and chosen out of the nomination by a panel of judges.  Michael was described as someone who doesn't say a lot but you should listen when he does.  He gives 100% and is a survivor, he has the quiet will to overcome and endures.  He is a faithful family member and is a great friend to many, and admired by all.  Congratulations Michael Love!

We chose a collection of "Around the World" appetizers to go with our theme.  We had taquitos, toasted ravioli with marinara, egg rolls, BBQ meatballs, and stuffed mushrooms.  

We invited everyone to wear an outfit from around the world and had prizes for first, second, and third place.  A big thanks to our judges Donna Walls and Dinise Mustain and to all of our participants!

First place went to Erika Dickey as the Statue of Liberty!
Second place went to Constance Crump with her beautiful traditional African attire.
Third place went to Christina Heilman with her traditional Indian Saree.

There was lots of dancing and laughing!  We made great memories!

We have so many exciting activities and events going on around here we wanted to share some of the pictures to let everyone know what we have been up to.  

As many of you know, Popeye's opened its doors in Columbia recently.  It was so busy we waited a little bit to go but we finally made it!  

If you haven't seen it yet you should come check out our gardens outside of our main building.  We installed a large raised bed as well as a sensory garden and are also maintaining a plot at the Community Garden.

We have been working on several art and craft projects as well.