By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

Sitting at the top of an organization chart is lonely. We work our entire careers to get there, then realize there are few people we can truly talk with and relate to. When you add in the events from the past year of a global pandemic, stark political divisions, and rising economic uncertainty, the stress of managing and sustaining a nonprofit can cause significant burnout. Charlie Hall, president of Upstate Warrior Solutions, decided to do something about that.

Charlie and his team organized the first of what could become an annual outing. For five long, hot days at the end of May, our group of nonprofit CEOs hiked the entire Foothills Trail from Oconee to Table Rock. We had five through-hikers and thirteen section-hikers who left our workstations, staff, and families to unplug from reality.

Our veteran hikers breezed right through the 77-mile trip. But for the rest of us, the commitment required months of pre-hike training, several trips to REI, and significant on-line research. There was also an assurance that the hike would be assisted. (Many thanks, by the way, to our support teams who carried our nightly gear to each camp site.)

Setting fears and doubts aside, we hugged our loved ones goodbye and stuffed our over-packed bags into the transport vans to embark on this momentous journey. Our word of the week was “buttercup”, a code for when someone needed to step off the trail for a bit of privacy.

Once on the trail, the terrain quickly became physically demanding. Our mental exertion from the past year was transformed into group therapy by encouraging each other through each step and up the next incline. It was a scenario that played out daily, especially on Heartbreak Hill.

We encountered hornet nests, snakes, lots of lizards, and even an armadillo, thanks to the keen eyes of those in our group. Our collective emergency kit contained a “magic cream” that seemed to cure anything from bug bites to scrapes to poison ivy. And speaking of cures, there was one occasion where a medical procedure was needed on a toe. Since we didn’t have a physician in our midst, we decided that someone in our group who had played a doctor on stage before was close enough. The procedure was performed using tools at hand. We think it worked.

We were surprised to find so many water sources along the trail. This provided wonderful refreshment to our overheated faces and sore muscles. The first two hikers in our group who arrived at Upper Whitewater Falls found the area void of visitors. Taking advantage of the moment, they stripped down to their skivvies and enjoyed a quick dip just as a group of high school students walked up the trail. Their scramble to dry off was a bit comical!

Our trail experience also included a bit of mystery. One evening during dinner, we each had our selection of freeze-dried mountain meals. As the meals were individually chosen and prepared, another member of our group was excited to find her selected meal already prepared for her. As she was enjoying her dinner, the original preparer kept looking around for the meal as if he set it somewhere he didn’t remember. The truth came out later that evening as another beef stroganoff was patiently prepared. Karma had the last word on that, though.

A few other scenarios rounded out the fun week, like coyotes howling one evening near our campsite, Dueling Banjos (song from Deliverance) playing too close for comfort, and discovering a way to buttercup after a thunderstorm rolled in. A few lessons were learned as well, like how mileage on a 1940s State Park trail map may not be current anymore. By the end of the week, our mileage to the next check point ended in “ish”, as in 5-ish miles left. The “ish” was ALWAYS arbitrary.

We are so grateful to the SC Dept. of Natural Resources, the various Boy Scouts and Girl Scout troops, and the many volunteers who help maintain the Foothills Trail. It was absolutely beautiful and is a treasure for South Carolina.

Our time away was incredibly good for the soul. It was never about the destination of getting to Table Rock State Park. Rather, it was about the journey. The trail gave us an opportunity to reconnect with our peers. It gave us space to feel supported. And, it allowed us to renew our passion for our nonprofit work in our communities.

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Salem and Isaac Maud with CDS staff member Jataun Clark

By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

I remember the moment when CDS first realized we needed a plan for the looming pandemic.  It was Monday, March 2, 2020 during our monthly partner meeting with all the organization leaders at CDS.  We had just evaluated some of our programs and were about to move on to another topic when Dr. Desmond Kelly of Prisma Health Children’s Hospital asked about CDS’ plan if the coronavirus made its way to South Carolina.

The initial reaction was to pause a moment, allowing the thought to sink in that this virus could actually be a threat to our community.  Then I remembered why our collaboration works so well…we benefit from each other’s resources.  The response was an assurance that CDS will work with Prisma Health to implement the highest standards recommended to keep our staff and families safe.

The next few weeks were a whirlwind of conversations, emails and decisions between Janine Sally, Director of Kidnetics and the Wonder Center at Prisma Health, and Becky Jones, Director of Operations at CDS.  The priority was to keep our building open and continue the critical care our families needed. It was going to take a strong, collaborative effort and compliance from the other partners to keep our doors open.  Our partners worked together and stayed in constant communication to keep up with the latest information, guidance and statistics coming out of multiple news outlets.

Before I continue, it’s important give a brief description about CDS.  The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is a nonprofit located in downtown Greenville that links five other nonprofit organizations together to provide multiple services under one roof for children with developmental delays and disabilities. Our partners include Prisma Health (Kidnetics, Developmental Pediatrics, the Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics), Clarity, Family Connection, Thrive Upstate, and a medical-legal partnership.  Together, we provide evaluation, therapy (speech, occupational, and physical), audiology, psychology, prosthetics, orthotics, legal aid, service coordination, education, and a medically fragile day care all surrounded by a family support network. Our goal is for these disability services in the Upstate to be delivered in the most streamlined, efficient way possible.

The success of our partnership depends largely on the strength of each partner, and that has never been more apparent than in 2020.  With guidance from Prisma Health, CDS created a policy to limit the number of people in the building by encouraging family members to wait in their cars for appointments.  We have new procedures to disinfect the lobby furniture, hand rails, and other frequently touched surfaces every two hours.  We have removed items such as toys and books that are hard to clean, and we have socially distanced all the patient seating.

Prisma Health is utilizing their hospital network to purchase all of our PPE needed for patients and staff throughout the building.  Kidnetics orders approximately 700-1,000 masks per week for all the building staff and the families who come to CDS.  Kidnetics has also been instrumental in obtaining the disinfectant chemicals that are specifically rated to combat the virus, a product our small nonprofit was unable to obtain.

The Wonder Center has taken the lead on staffing a dedicated nurse at the entrance to take temperature readings and ask the full list of screening questions of every patient, staff member, or guest.  If anyone has been exposed recently or is found to have symptoms related to the virus, our policy follows the latest quarantine restrictions to protect the health and safety of our families.

These policies and procedures were the result of multiple stakeholders coming together for a common purpose.  Our single, biggest level of success here at CDS this year is that we were able to keep our building open during the height of the pandemic when many other programs and businesses had to temporarily close.  I am immensely proud of our partners and the collaboration we share. It is through this collective effort that we are able to serve children and individuals with developmental delays and disabilities so they can get the vital services they need, even during a worldwide pandemic.

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Greenville, S.C. (October 2, 2020):  AC Controls is hosting the 4^th Annual Ned Marshall Memorial Golf Tournament benefitting the Center for Developmental Services (CDS). New this year, participants in the golf tournament may play on any course between Thursday, October 15^th and Sunday, October 25^th. Teams and individuals may register to play for a chance to win tournament prizes and participate in raffle drawings. Registration is $50 per person.

Ned Marshall was a beloved employee of AC Controls for 30 years and served the Upstate area. Ned had a passion for helping children, and CDS was chosen as the beneficiary of the tournament to honor his legacy. Proceeds from the tournament will benefit more than 8,000 children with developmental delays and disabilities who receive services at CDS each year.

If you are interested in registering for the event or becoming a sponsor, please contact Marybeth Dew at Marybeth.Dew@accontrols.com.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, therapy, legal help, day care needs for the medically fragile, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Family Connection of SC; Medical-Legal Partnership; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville. For more information about CDS or its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

I am proud to share that we have created and adopted an important statement on diversity, equity and inclusion. But more importantly, this statement will be adopted into our culture.

You can find this statement on our website under the “About” menu heading.

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Greenville, S.C.  (August 25, 2020):  The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is hosting the 9^th annual Eggs Benefit presented by John I. Smith Charities on Thursday, October 1, 2020. This year the event will be virtual and guests can join online at www.eggsbenefit.com at 9:00am.

In addition to the online event, CDS has launched a crowdfunding campaign as a part of this year’s Eggs Benefit. Community members and friends can create their own fundraising page to support the mission of CDS.

To learn more about the event and participate in the crowdfunding campaign, visit www.eggsbenefit.com, or contact Joy Blue at joy.blue@cdservices.org or (864) 331-1314.

This is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser that benefits over 8,000 children in the Upstate who have developmental delays and disabilities.

About CDS

CDS is the largest multi-disciplinary treatment facility in the Upstate for children with disabilities and developmental delays. In one location, children receive evaluation, therapy, legal help, day care needs for the medically fragile, case management, and a family support network. The partnership is comprised of Clarity; Family Connection of SC; Medical-Legal Partnership; KidVentures of Thrive Upstate; and four programs of Prisma Health – Upstate: Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics, Kidnetics, The Wonder Center, and Prosthetics and Orthotics. CDS and its partners serve over 8,000 children and their families each year on property donated by the First Presbyterian Church at 29 North Academy Street in Greenville. For more information about CDS or its partners, visit www.cdservices.org.

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The Partners and Staff at CDS would like to let our community know that we are heavily focused on the well-being of our clients/patients, our staff, and their families.

Our building will continue to be operational with enhanced safety initiatives in place to reduce any potential risks. We are here for our clients/patients and will remain open for business. All external meetings have been cancelled through the end of April.

You’ll notice that seating in our lobby is limited as we encourage families to wait in their vehicles for each appointment. For Kidnetics appointments, your therapist will come to your car if you would like and bring your child into the building for therapy. Our waiting room looks empty right now because we are practicing social distancing and are working to keep those in the waiting area at least six feet apart. If you have any safety concerns, please speak with your provider.

Our administrative staff and case managers are working remotely when possible, and we’re encouraging social distancing at the reception desk, at our copiers, and in our employee break rooms. Additionally, CDS staff is disinfecting the door handles, chairs, and other surfaces multiple times throughout the day in following the recommended guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prisma Health.

 We will continue to serve our families during this crisis so that children with delays will not lose their momentum in achieving their developmental goals. We are encouraged by how many families and children are coming to their therapies and appointments to continue meeting their therapy goals.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

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By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

Imagine you’re a new parent who has just found out that your precious baby will need extra support in life, whether it’s specialized medical devices, an organ transplant, or fragile care.  Or imagine your child is struggling academically in school and has difficulty communicating with peers. How do you get them tested?  Is there a place where these children could receive therapy with coordinated care among several providers?  What support is available for parents to help navigate this process?

The Center for Developmental Services (CDS) is a place where families can find medically fragile daycare, developmental evaluation, diagnosis, audiology, therapy, family support and more, all under one roof.  We serve over 6,800 children each year through a collaborative partnership in downtown Greenville. For over 17 years we have been impacting the community to build stronger, more united care systems for children with developmental delays and disabilities.

But just as we impact our community, our community impacts us.

All businesses must diversify their revenue sources in order to be sustainable.  For charitable organizations, revenue might include a combination of direct service fees, memberships, government grants, foundation grants, United Way funding, solicitation mailers, or fundraisers.  Every non-profit is unique in their percentages of each, but they all include a key ingredient:  strong support from individual and corporate donors.

As you look for ways to become more active in our thriving Upstate communities, consider also the ways you can make a financial investment.  Whether it’s a corporate sponsorship or a personal donation, fundraisers provide the operational support that keep our valuable programs running.

As an involved donor myself, I look for ways my family can have fun together on the weekend for a cause.  We enjoy 5K’s, mud runs, and cornhole tournaments that provide a bit of competition.  For date night, my husband and I enjoy fundraisers that include delicious food and time to visit with friends.  On a professional level, events that are scheduled early in the morning or over lunch work best because I can easily participate without restructuring my day.  Non-profits have these events down to a “t”, and they are worth your time to attend when their missions match your personal interests.

If you’ve never been to a breakfast fundraiser, here is your personal invitation.  CDS is hosting our 6^th annual Eggs Benefit on Thursday, Oct. 5^th at 7:30am in downtown Greenville at the Poinsett Club.  The event is free, but registration is required to ensure we plan for an accurate headcount.  For more information or to register, visit www.EggsBenefit.com.  The unforgettable stories you’ll hear from our families will leave you inspired to make a difference.  Once you attend, you’ll see why people keep coming back year after year.  I hope to see you there!

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By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

One of my favorite movies of all time is Apollo 13.  In this real life portrayal, the spacecraft was to be the third US mission to land on the moon.  However, an oxygen tank cracked mid-flight and gave little hope of returning the crew safely to Earth.  Frustrated, the NASA flight director (played by Ed Harris) explained to his team that “We’ve never lost an American in space, and we’re sure as heck not going to lose one on my watch.  Failure is not an option!”

No matter how many times I see this film, I’m still in awe of the outstanding accomplishment of the engineers, the trust displayed by the flight crew, and the unwavering leadership by the flight director.  I’m grateful that I’ve never been faced with such a difficult task, nor risked catastrophic results if I ever failed to succeed.

Throughout our lives, we often discover what works by trial and error.  A child learning to ride a bike will fall several times before balancing properly on two wheels.  A chef creating a new dish may produce an unsavory combination prior to blending that perfect mix of ingredients.  A traveler studying a new language will inevitably use an incorrect word or two before speaking it fluently.  While these failures make it tempting to quit, or worse, to stop trying our best, one is less likely to give into those fears when they feel supported.

In the workplace, a fear of failure can stifle greatness.  If an employer encourages creativity with a new product, design, or program, but then reprimands when the investment in those ideas fails, it will suppress future creativity.  Failure should be viewed as an educational tool of what didn’t work.  When employees know they are allowed to make mistakes, they won’t let fear stand in their way of success.  Managers should support staff when they hit roadblocks and encourage them to try again using lessons learned from earlier attempts.

While accountability is good to ensure that sustainability remains strong, employees need to know that making a mistake is part of the learning process.  Employees in this supportive environment are more likely to thrive, as well as the company.

On April 17, 1970, that flight crew did make it back to Earth safely.  The real Apollo 13’s flight director, Gene Kranz, is credited for saving the lives of those three courageous astronauts and leading that successful failure.  In Gene’s words, it’s important “to recognize that the greatest error is not to have tried and failed, but that in trying, we did not give it our best effort.”  I echo those words to all employers in encouraging your team to not be afraid of trying something new.  Yes, it will be difficult, and yes, there will be roadblocks.  In fact, it may even fail.  But in that failure, new ideas or improvements might be discovered that yield even greater gains than the original idea would have produced.  Because of this, failure should be an option.

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By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

Leadership doesn’t happen with a title.

It happens through the passion of an individual.  No matter who you are, where you come from, where you work, or what position you hold, you can help lead our Upstate.

Throughout my work in the non-profit sector, I see so many passionate people willing to give up their time and resources to move our community forward.  They show up when asked, recruit others when needed, and leverage their contacts to multiply the impact.  These are the leaders, with or without an official title, who make a difference.

Need some examples?

Hannah Carter, a workforce coordinator at Bon Secours St. Francis, connects individuals with disabilities to employment opportunities within the health system.  Her passion and energy for serving others is fueling Project Search, a collaboration with the Greenville County School District and Bon Secours St. Francis to identify high school seniors who may be eligible for an internship.

Chris Robinson, a commercial banker with South State Bank, serves as a volunteer on the board of directors at the Center for Developmental Services.  Whether the organization is contemplating a new program, reviewing financial statements, or developing a strategic plan, he is actively engaged to ensure that the integrity and stability of the non-profit remains strong.

For Tim Herron, volunteering has become a family affair with the Cancer Survivors Park Alliance.  To help offset the organization’s small staff size, Tim serves on two of their committees, mobilizes other volunteers when needed, and is a CSPA advocate at multiple events throughout the year. His wife, Carla, and their two sons (Ben and Ryan) provide extra “hands” with clean-up projects, small administrative tasks, and running errands.

These individuals live their passion and show that you don’t have to be the CEO, an executive director, or a partner at a firm to be a leader.  You just have to be willing to get involved in your community.

You could start out through a network group like the Junior League, Rotary, or Kiwanis who incorporate service projects into their mission.  For those wanting to be a voice for others, you could join advocacy efforts on behalf of our youth, veterans, rescued animals, or join patient advisory councils at a local hospital.  If you enjoy social events, the Upstate is full of activities to benefit charities.  Just check the media outlets and on-line calendars for ones that match your availability with your specific interests.

If you’re a parent, you could get involved in your child’s school by helping with traffic flow in the morning, chaperoning on a field trip, or working the concession stand during an athletic event.  If you live in a neighborhood, help organize a yard sale or a “clean up” day to improve the appearance of your streets.  If you attend a worship service, sign up to be a greeter or to visit those who are sick.  Involvement can be what you want it to be.

For a more long-term impact, I challenge you to look into our community for pockets of disparity, areas of inequities, or places you feel are unsafe.  It only requires one person to create an idea and take the initiative to act. That initiative will require some grunt work, collaboration, respectful communication, and compromise to see real change, but never stop moving forward.  You’ll need to be engaged for the long haul and be committed to sustainable results.

We can all help lead our community, the place we call home. Passionate leadership is the driving force behind any great achievement. If you allow your passions to follow the needs of the community, accomplishments are limitless. Our economic and cultural viability depends on passionate leaders.

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By Dana McConnell, CDS Executive Director

Winston Churchill is often cited as giving the shortest, but most powerful commencement address ever. The way I heard the story, it was 1941 when he visited his alma mater, Harrow School, in London.  Churchill stepped up to the podium and simply said “Never give up.”  The roar of the crowds made him pause before he could go on.  He then repeated the phrase, “Never give up.”  This time the crowd went even wilder.  Several minutes later, he delivered the line once again, but this time with even more vigor. “Never give up!,” Churchill exclaimed, then sat down.  And the best speech in history would be passed down for generations.

The only problem is that Churchill never gave that speech, exactly.  While it was recorded that he did visit his alma mater and speak to those students on Oct. 29, 1941, that speech was actually two pages long.

This time of year when we’re celebrating new graduates, I’m reminded about my own alma mater and what I might say to those students graduating today.  What bit of wisdom would I give to those entering adulthood?  By the time we hit our 30’s and 40’s, we’ve no doubt learned a few of life’s lessons we wish we had known back then, things that would have made our young lives much simpler and more meaningful.

Here’s a stab at one such commencement speech I might write:

“To all those entering your next phase in life, I have three “V”s for you.

• Vote – No matter your gender, ethnicity, religion, political affiliation, geography, orientation, or disability, you have the same powerful vote as anyone else.  Don’t vote based on optics, or someone who is nice to look at or happens to look like you.  Instead, vote for those who best represent your values.  Learn who the candidates are and what they stand for.  Voting is a privilege and your civic duty.  Your generation will have a significant impact on the future of our nation.
• Volunteer – Everyone has a passion, and everyone can make a difference.  Whether you volunteer at your school, the local food pantry, your church, or by cleaning up a park, it’s important to give back to your community.  As you make volunteering a priority, you are setting an example for your family and friends.  This also looks great on job resumes and increases your exposure to new people and connections (called networking). 
• Value yourself and others – Whether you become a plumber, bus driver, banker, trash collector, mother, father, waiter, teacher, police officer, engineer, or a janitor, know that you have a vital role to play in our community.  Treat everyone with respect, whether they have earned it or not.  And no matter where you are, be a positive example to those around you.

So, that’s it graduates.  Vote, Volunteer, and Value yourself and others.  If you can do that, you’ll be headed in the right direction.  Good luck.”

Although this speech wouldn’t win awards, it might at least speed up the ceremony.  I truly respect all those who have worked hard to achieve this milestone despite obstacles, disappointments, and personal challenges.  Whether you know someone graduating from high school, a technical school, college, or the seminary, this is a wonderful accomplishment that deserves recognition.  Congratulations to all our Upstate graduates.  Good luck.

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