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Livonia Man Earns Top Honors Despite Obstacles

LIVONIA, MI. - March 19, 2013 – Some of the greatest stories in history are about people overcoming obstacles and achieving things that were not believed possible. “I don’t worry about obstacles. I always know there are ways around them,” said Josef Zenicki, recent U of M Dearborn grad with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting. Livonia resident, Zenicki uses a wheelchair and has very limited use of his hands, but maintained a 3.96 GPA, earning him the honor of High Distinction and a Chancellor’s Medallion, which is awarded to only six students each semester. He also earned a Dean’s Scholarship, the FEI Academic Excellence Award and the J. Steward Linden Foundation Scholarship.

“He is definitely a success story,” said Community Living Services Supports Coordinator, Robert Sims. “He has limitations but figured out ways to manage them so he could pursue his dream. I’m so proud of him.” Zenicki managed his classes with the help of his mother and an assistant.

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared March as Disability Awareness Month to align with a national campaign that takes place every year. This month CLS celebrates all of the abilities of people with disabilities. Zenicki interned at Federal Mogul Corporation and at Ernst and Young while he was working on his undergraduate. He also volunteered at the Accounting Aid Society as a tax preparer for low-income families as well as at Junior Achievement. Zenicki is continuing his education at U of M while working toward his CPA license. He has accepted a full-time job at Ernst and Young this fall.

CLS has provided Supports Coordination services for Zenicki since 2007. CLS is a non-profit organization providing supports and services to seniors, veterans and people with developmental, physical and intellectual disabilities living in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties. CLS is funded through the Detroit-Wayne County Community Mental Health Agency, Oakland County Community Mental Health Authority, Macomb County Community Mental Health and United Way. For more information contact us at (734) 467-7600 or visit our website at www.comlivserv.com.

Health Issues Impact Us All - Mental Health Authority Getting Involved

Wayne County - Through the Michigan Health Endowment Fund Detroit Wayne Mental Health Authority has an opportunity to make a difference. In FY 12-13, we served 822 children and families in our infant mental health services. Children are entering infant mental health services with poor social and emotional functioning. Problems increase with age and are more common among older children. Among a sample of children receiving services for an average of 9 months, 52% saw improvement in a Total Protective Factors score. Only 16% of children declined in functioning.

DWMHA has also incorporated into its belief system that there should be “no wrong door” for any person seeking mental or physical health services. By transitioning its provider delivery paradigm to an integrated healthcare behavioral health home model, we have an opportunity to identify the effective funding model to enhance and support a holistic approach to delivery of services to the people we are committed to serve.

Michigan Health Endowment Fund
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund was created in 2013 to benefit the health and wellness of Michiganders— particularly seniors and children and seeks to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. A nine-member board will decide how to spend up to $1.56 billion over the next 18 years to support health services for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. is aimed to support efforts to improve the quality of health care while reducing costs and to benefit the health and wellness through funding of programs for minor children and seniors throughout the state with a significant focus on infant mortality, wellness and fitness programs, access to healthy food, technology enhancements, health related transportation needs and food borne illness prevention.

To learn more visit: http://www.healthendowmentfund.org/

CLS WINS CITY OF WAYNE BEAUTIFICATION AWARD

WAYNE, MI - July 22, 2014 - For the second consecutive year, the City of Wayne Beautification Committee has presented Community Living Services the “Keep Wayne Beautiful” Award. This recognition is given to homes and businesses that have been nominated by a neighbor or another Wayne resident or business.

“CLS is honored to be a recipient of this award,” said Marge Werabelski, Building and Property Manager at CLS. “We take great pride in our building and landscaping and we’re pleased that other Wayne residents think so too!”

WAYNE, MI - July 22, 2014 - For the second consecutive year, the City of Wayne Beautification Committee has presented Community Living Services the “Keep Wayne Beautiful” Award. This recognition is given to homes and businesses that have been nominated by a neighbor or another Wayne resident or business.

“CLS is honored to be a recipient of this award,” said Marge Werabelski, Building and Property Manager at CLS. “We take great pride in our building and landscaping and we’re pleased that other Wayne residents think so too!”

CLS has spent more than $1 million dollars in the last five years to resurface the parking lot, landscape the courtyard and parking lot island, upgrade the lighting and add awnings and new doors. “We planned and discussed these changes for a few years, then did each project individually over a period of time,” said Werabelski.

According to the Wayne Beautification guidelines, nominated homes and businesses are evaluated in the areas of property maintenance, landscape design and overall appearance. Honorees show a real commitment to neighborhood beautification, with attention to detail. CLS has been part of the Wayne community since 1993 and is the second largest employer in the city.

Community Living Services, Inc., is a non-profit organization providing supports and services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in Wayne County. CLS is funded through the Detroit-Wayne Mental Health Authority. For more information contact us at (734) 467-7600 or visit our website at www.comlivserv.com .

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