October 31, 2022 - Bona Vista receives $25,212.79 donation from Tom and Karen McKinney, Wayne Mast, Stellantis, and Kokomo Grain. Stellantis owns crop acreage near their northern plants, ITP1 and ITP2, that they allow McKinney and Mast Farms to use to raise funds for a local nonprofit need each year....

Nov 26, 2021 - As you prepare for Thanksgiving festivities, I’m sure a lot of you, like me, are thinking about the retail holidays that follow: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Cyber Monday. Another important one is also Giving Tuesday, on Nov. 30. Giving Tuesday is a chance to...

Nov 19, 2021 - The holiday is very fun, but can be very expensive. If you are a caring individual looking for additional income, please check out the open positions available at Bona Vista Programs in both Kokomo and Peru. Right now we are hiring for a variety of positions...

Nov 12, 2021 - Welcome to our favorite holiday time of the year at Bona Vista – the holiday season! To kick it off, we hosted our traditional Halloween activities last week for both the children and adults in our services. The Early Childhood administration hosts a costume parade annually...

Oct 29, 2021 - Are you a nurse looking for a more rewarding career path? You should definitely check out the nursing opportunities available at Bona Vista. Bona Vista is currently hiring for nursing positions in the residential department. Qualified applicants have a chance to work alongside an established team...

Oct 21, 2021 - For this quarter’s community service opportunity, Bridgeway Church chose to provide breakfast for the entire teaching staff of Bona Vista’s Early Childhood department. Bridgeway Church celebrated an outreach program this month called Love Week, which allowed members of the congregation to work together on many projects...

Oct 15, 2021 - The Early Childhood program at Bona Vista has a current need for a lead teacher and two assistant teachers in the Keys for Kids Preschool. Bailley Maxwell, early childhood director, is hopeful the program will be able to open an additional Infant & Toddler classroom for...

Oct 7, 2021 - It’s that time of the year again, when our community starts planning for holiday traditions and activities. One of our very favorites is, of course, We Care! We Care is synonymous with Christmas in Kokomo, and Bona Vista staff and clients always look forward to participating...

Sep 30, 2021 - Brittnee Smith, regional vice president, Business Development & Support Services at DSI/Bona Vista Programs, has been appointed chairwoman of the Interagency Coordinating Council (ICC) for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities for the 2022 year. ICC is Indiana’s early intervention council comprised of parents, providers and other...

Sep 21, 2021 - Last week was Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week, and Bona Vista spent it thanking our staff members who provide direct care to our clients. Direct support professionals, known as DSPs, are some of the most integral employees at our agency. They work tireless hours caring for...

Sep 16, 2021 - Hi, everyone. I’m Alika Altmiller, the new staff recruiter for Bona Vista! I am so excited to be a guest columnist this week and to tell you all about the amazing career opportunities our program has to offer! With fall quickly approaching, this is the perfect...

Sep 9, 2021 - Bona Vista has welcomed a new staff member, Alika Altmiller, who joins our human resources department as staff recruiter. Our agency is so excited to have her on board to help with recruitment, employee relations and retention. Alika was born and raised in Kokomo, where she...

Sep 2, 2021 - Since 1995, Soupley’s Wine and Spirits has hosted The Greatest Spectacle in Tasting to raise money for Bona Vista Programs. This month’s golf outing increased the total amount raised to over the $1 million mark. Traditionally, the Soupley’s Greatest Spectacle in Tasting is hosted during the...

Aug 25, 2021 - Can you believe we are 125 days away from Christmas? As you start to plan your shopping for the holidays, and even with your everyday grocery purchases, I’d like to encourage you to use giveback shopping programs to benefit Bona Vista. In your normal course of...

Aug 24, 2021 - A $10,000 grant from the Duke Energy Foundation will help Bona Vista Programs provide high school- and college-age students direct support professional training. A direct support professional is someone who provides services for adults with disabilities. Daily activities could mean acting as a classroom lead and...

Aug 18, 2021 - Bona Vista is a staple nonprofit in our community, and we are so thankful for the support we receive each year from partners and sponsors who believe in our mission. There are small ways you can get involved, too, if you have a heart for volunteering...

Aug 11, 2021 - School has started back but summer isn’t over yet. We have an exciting grand finale for the season. Smith Financial presents the Soupley’s Wine & Spirits Birdies, Bourbons & Beers Golf Classic to benefit Bona Visa Programs on Aug. 27 at Wildcat Creek Golf Course. I...

Aug 4, 2021 - It’s evident that many places are hiring in our community, but the rewarding work we do every day at Bona Vista is something to really consider if you’re in the market for a job. Coupled with our amazing benefits, paid time off and the opportunity for advancement,...

Jul 28, 2021 - We’ve reached that point of the summer again, when we question how it flew by so fast and are cramming our last must-do activities into the remaining weeks. It’s Back to School season and, at Bona Vista, teachers are gearing up for an exciting year for...

Jul 21, 2021 - If you’ve experienced the Bona Vista Christmas party, you know how much fun this annual tradition is for all of our clients and guests. Because of the pandemic, we did not host this event in December 2020 but have, instead, decided to celebrate it this month....

Jul 14, 2021 - Thanks to a grant provided by Duke Energy Foundation, Bona Vista’s Pre-Employment Transition Services (or Pre-ETS) program is introducing a new curriculum to help prepare high school students for their post-graduation careers. There is an increasing demand for direct support professionals, known as DSPs, in the...

Jul 7, 2021 - Our community was buzzing this past weekend as people celebrated the birth of our nation all over town. Bona Vista was no different; Independence Day is a holiday that staff and clients look forward to each year. Over the past few days, Bona Vista has celebrated...

Jun 30, 2021 - Soupley’s Wine and Spirits will host the second annual golf event fundraiser with all proceeds benefitting the children and adults at Bona Vista Programs. Birdies, Bourbons & Beer Golf Classic is on Friday August 27 at Wildcat Creek Golf Course. We are excited for this year’s...

Jun 23, 2021 - It’s summer time, but temperatures aren’t the only things heating up. Job opportunities at Bona Vista are hot, hot, hot! Are you in the market for a new career, or do you know someone who is? Now is the time to check out the open positions...

Jun 16, 2021 - One of the Bona Vista programs you see most in the community comes in the form of support provided to people with disabilities who are seeking a job. Our Workforce Diversity department provides many services for Bona Vista clients as they prepare for and enter the...

Jun 8, 2021 - Bona Vista hosted a favorite annual tradition last week as rows of preschool class children lined up in blue caps and gowns, and 15 kindergarten-ready children graduated. Our early childhood program accepts children as young as 6 weeks of age, which means we get the unique...

Jun 2, 2021 - I have heard so many wonderful stories from people I meet at Bona Vista, from clients we serve to families we work with. Perhaps one of the most moving encounters I have to share is from one of our own staff members, Racheal Lisby. In 2010,...

May 26, 2021 - As the warm temperatures tick upward and pandemic restrictions slowly loosen, doesn’t it feel like we are emerging from a great hibernation? Bona Vista clients and staff are enjoying the return of some normalcy and usual activities (socially distanced and wearing masks, of course). In our...

May 19, 2021 - One of the most important aspects of operating a nonprofit organization successfully is the support offered by the local community. I would bet my hat that all nonprofits you ask would agree. I know it is true at Bona Vista; we could never provide quality services...

May 12, 2021 - I have a big announcement to make to you. “You” being our community, our supporters, the people who know and love Bona Vista. In an effort to keep your attention right in the beginning, I’m going to rip off the Band-Aid: Bona Vista is merging with...

May 5, 2021 - Everyone has a favorite teacher, a name that they’ll reflect on for decades after being in class. This week is Teacher Appreciation Week, and at Bona Vista we are celebrating the preschool teachers on our early childhood staff. Whose life has not been touched by a...

Apr 29, 2021 - Due to the unknown climate of the pandemic, Bona Vista was unable to plan appropriately for the Soupley’s Greatest Spectacle in Tasting scheduled for May, and, therefore, the event has been postponed to May 2022. This event is the largest annual fund raiser for the local...

Apr 21, 2021 - You know how there are people in every operation that work behind the scenes to support and oftentimes handle the integral details that keep the day running smoothly? Everyone encounters these people within an organization. This team of miracle workers makes up the administrative staff at...

Apr 14, 2021 - Bona Vista celebrates the Month of the Young Child. Helpful. Resilient. Caring. Celebrated. These are all characteristics of someone I would consider a hero. What is a hero that comes to mind for you when thinking of these qualities? My favorite heroes are not characters that I...

Apr 7, 2021 - Along with the rest of the world, the clients at Bona Vista are excited to return to a little bit of normalcy as we come out of the pandemic. One of the activities that we have missed the most has been holiday gatherings and traditional events...

Mar 31, 2021 - In the United States, 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. With millions of families affected, a grassroots effort has emerged to increase education and support surrounding the diagnosis. This Friday, April 2, is World Autism Awareness Day, and Bona Vista is...

Mar 24, 2021 - The court is waxed, and the teams are warming up. The time is here. Clear your schedule Wednesday night, and join us for the Disability Awareness Basketball Game to benefit Bona Vista Programs. The annual event is coming to you virtually this year on March 24...

Mar 17, 2021 - It’s March in Indiana. There should be only one thing on your mind: basketball. This month is also Disability Awareness Month. Since basketball heritage runs deep around these parts, it is natural that Bona Vista hosts a fundraiser game each March. The annual Disability Awareness Basketball...

Mar 9, 2021 - March is Disability Awareness Month, and The Kokomo Post is helping increase support for Bona Vista as well as the people with disabilities in this community with a T-shirt. In January, The Kokomo Post began a charitable initiative to promote local nonprofit agencies. The 2021 CommuniTee...

Mar 3, 2021 - March is national Disability Awareness Month, and Bona Vista celebrates annually with activities to support people of all abilities and to promote education in our community. This month you can catch the Bona Vista team buzzing about town promoting inclusion and encouragement for people with disabilities....

Feb 24, 2021 - There is new hope for parents who have an infant or toddler and are seeking childcare in Kokomo. Bona Vista is adding an additional infant and toddler classroom to the Keys for Kids Preschool program. This new classroom will be structured like current infant/toddler classrooms, accommodating...

Feb 17, 2021 - The services that Bona Vista provides the communities in which we serve are no doubt essential. What you may not know about the direct care jobs that work with our adults with disabilities is that they are also very rewarding. Meet Marty Johnson, a 36-year employee...

Feb 10, 2021 - In honor of Valentine’s Day, the staff at Bona Vista was asked what they love about their job and the agency. The response was overwhelming; so many people wanted to share their appreciation for their work and the people that we serve. Please enjoy some of...

Feb 3, 2021 - A few weeks ago we celebrated an anniversary when I introduced you to Linda Wallace, who has been a loyal Bona Vista employee for 35 years. This accomplishment is certainly worth noting, but it is not the only anniversary our staff members celebrated in 2020. Each...

Jan 27, 2021 - It’s finally here! It’s Viva Las Vista week at Bona Vista, and we are excited for our virtual casino night fund raiser event that will be streamed live online on Friday at 6 p.m. and is complete with your chance to win $500. The event is...

Jan 20, 2021 - This month, Bona Vista is celebrating an anniversary for a long-time employee who has spent 35 years with the organization. Linda Wallace, a data entry specialist and everyone’s favorite smiling face at the Crossing building, achieved this impressive anniversary milestone this month. Shortly after graduating from...

Jan 13, 2021 - A nonprofit’s greatest asset is people: the people who are served, the people who do the work, and the people who support the cause. Such agencies exist because of a need, and people invest their time and energy because of the effect these agencies have on...

Jan 8, 2021 - The Community Foundation of Howard County has awarded $316,388 in competitive grants and $83,000 in rapid response grants in 2020. “In addition to our traditional competitive grants, we developed a rapid response grant application for community needs related to COVID-19,” said Joe Dunbar, Chairman of the...

Jan. 6, 2021 - The Kokomo Perspective asked leaders of the community’s nonprofits, small businesses, schools, colleges, and other organizations what they hope to see in the coming new year. While the leaders had various wishes, they’re all looking to brighter days in 2021. Bona Vista - "2020 has given...

Jan 5, 2021 - Welcome to 2021, a new year and a new opportunity for great fortune! Is luck in your future this year? Join the Bona Vista team on Jan. 29 for what may be your first chance to find out at our annual casino night, Viva Las Vista....

Dec 30, 2020 - Amber Bell utilizes programs at Bona Vista to help her gain independence and focus on her many abilities. With the help of Bona Vista staff, Bell enrolled in the Excel Center, a tuition-free public charter high school for adults, a year ago and is now closing...

Dec 23, 2020 - One of the most valuable programs offered at Bona Vista is the behavior management service provided to address behavioral concerns for adults and children with disabilities. Within this department is a staff that consists of behavioral therapists who work collaboratively alongside the client’s team of staff,...

Dec 22, 2020 - Last week, the We Care board presented the checks to the nonprofits – Kokomo Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Goodfellows, Mental Health America, Bona Vista, and Kokomo Urban Outreach – and they received a combined $465,000, up from $415,000 last year. We Care raised nearly $225,000 in...

Christmas traditions are among the most favorited and cherished memories for so many people. They are special and emotional while often transcending generations. Thanks to the Indiana Transmission Plant of Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, Bona Vista was able to celebrate Christmas in a way familiar to years past safely within our...

Dec 9, 2020 - Bona Vista achieved a three-year accreditation from the respected Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities ( CARF ). Bona Vista undergoes a rigorous organizational survey by CARF to determine eligibility for accreditation. This achievement is recognized industry-wide for health and human services as the standard for...

Dec. 2, 2020 - We have set a 2021 date for Viva Las Vista and are excited to gear up for this annual Bona Vista fund raiser that also allows you a chance to make yourself money! Do you remember how much fun our casino night was last year? It...

Nov 24, 2020 - Do you know why we do what we do at Bona Vista? It’s for the adults who need our services and for the children who are thriving here. The people we serve enjoy books and board games in their classrooms, as well as playing various sports...

Nov 18, 2020 - Each year the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce hosts an awards banquet in November to recognize members who have most affected the community. This year, Bona Vista was named the IMPACT award winner during the virtual ceremony last Thursday. This specific award nomination is designated for...

Nov 11, 2020 - You have probably heard about the renovation project that has been occurring at the Bona Vista Crossing location over the past few months. The interior space of this building previously housed the manufacturing division at Bona Vista Programs. The space was huge, open, and empty, but...

Nov 10, 2020 - Bona Vista has received an $80,000 grant through the Youth Program Resilience Fund of Lilly Endowment Inc. Bona Vista will use the grant to enhance the Pre-Employment Transition Services (Pre-ETS) program, which provides independent and employment preparatory services for students ages 14 to 22 in this...

Nov. 4, 2020 - This past week Bona Vista children, adults, and staff enjoyed some of our traditional Halloween events. It was refreshing to kick off the holiday season with our much-anticipated Halloween festivities. With the safety precautions of masks and gloves in place, we were excited to host our...

Oct. 28, 2020 - October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month and Bona Vista is celebrating all of our friends affected by this diagnosis. Down syndrome is the most common chromosomal condition and was named after Dr. John Down, who wrote the first comprehensive paper studying the diagnosis in the 1860s....

10-21-2020, This month marks 75 years since the introduction of the National Disability Employment Awareness Month ( NDEAM ). Each October Bona Vista celebrates NDEAM, which is an initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP). This year’s theme for the month is “Increasing Access...

10-14-2020, Head Start is a national initiative to provide health and education services to underprivileged or impoverished children since its inception in 1965, housed under the umbrella of the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), a department of the United States Department of Health and Human Services. In October, we...

Oct 7, 2020 - On Feb. 5 our world got a little brighter, a little stronger. Out of the most devastating circumstances developed a story of hope and strength and was born a set of twins named Barron and Lennox. As first-time parents, Morgan and Shaun didn’t expect anything unusual...

Sep 30, 2020 - The season is changing; do you need a change too? Bona Vista has immediate openings for your new career today. Do you need a job with a flexible schedule, full benefit package, and opportunity for advancement? You should consider a position as a Caregiver for the...

Bona Vista is celebrating a new opportunity for the WorkForce Diversity program through a recent partnership with the Literacy Coalition. The WorkForce Diversity division of Bona Vista’s community services helps individuals with disabilities with career placement. When Teresa began in the program in January she was seeking a new occupation....

It is Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, and Bona Vista is taking this chance to officially recognize all of our caregivers. The direct care staff at Bona Vista should be celebrated every day for the amazing work they do with our community of people with disabilities. We often say that...

This was the inaugural year for the Bona Vista Golf Classic, and our team was overwhelmed by the success of the event. Earlier this year we were forced to cancel the Disability Awareness basketball game and the 2020 Soupley’s Greatest Spectacle in Tasting, our largest fund-raising event, due to the...

In 1985, Maria Stark interviewed for her first full-time job, a clerical position with Bona Vista and became an employee. She had no idea at the time that this job would become her career. Stark had graduated high school early and attended Indiana Business College when the opportunity presented itself...

Employees don’t get involved in providing services for Bona Vista without a personal investment in the mission of the agency. It is a line of work that can be challenging and rewarding but is almost always guaranteed to be emotional. When you work with the same set of persons served...

Bona Vista will be partnering with Soupley’s Wine & Spirits to host an inaugural golf outing at Wildcat Golf Course on Friday, Aug. 28, after having to cancel previous fund-raising events this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After losing approximately $85,000 in funds following the cancelation of The Greatest...

Last week was staff training week in the Early Childhood department at Bona Vista. One week a year, right before school starts, the department closes to the children in order to provide training to teachers and staff. “Teamwork among teachers is imperative in creating a positive learning environment for early...

This week marks 30 years since the introduction of the Americans with Disabilities Act ( ADA ). On July 26, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed this legislation into law to protect Americans of all abilities. The Americans with Disabilities Act, or ADA, establishes the rights for persons with disabilities...

This month we joined the trend by hosting open interviews. The event was such a success we have decided to offer it monthly. These hiring events allow interested applicants to arrive on their schedule, learn about our available jobs, meet supervisors, complete applications, and interview for open positions all in...

One of my hats at Bona Vista Programs is overseeing the pediatric therapies program – Positive Results for Kids. I adore this program for so many reasons. When I started at Bona Vista 13 years ago, I was hired in as the medical marketing representative for the therapies program. I...

On Tuesday, June 9, 2020 Four County and Bona Vista Programs, Inc. signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU). This agreement was made with the focus of providing employee wellness groups for Bona Vista staff. All employees will have the opportunity to join these groups virtually for an hour at a...

Damitz: Old face, new position. Against all odds, we have made it to the second half of this crazy year. 2020 has been nothing short of a chaotic ride for all of us. I have found myself reeling, at times, in the midst of this pandemic and have learned to...

Brantley passes the torch to Tiffany Damitz! In my time at Bona Vista, I have written approximately 200 of these articles. This one will by far be the most difficult. It is the last one – for me. I have loved every single minute of my time at Bona Vista...

A couple of weeks ago I hinted at a new event Bona Vista would be hosting this year. Well, it’s time to hook you up with some details and let you in on all of the behind-the-scenes action. Friday, Aug. 28, is the official date of the first-ever Bona Vista...

At the end of the day on Feb. 11, 2020, I had everything organized for my pending maternity leave. I was set to have my baby come into my life the next morning, and I knew I would be out of work for the next eight-and-a-half weeks. Since this was...

This was our first week back with more children's services (not all of them) and adult's services (not all of them). And, thanks to our strong executive leadership team that worked so diligently on processes and procedures, it has been pretty uneventful – in the best way! Now, don’t confuse...

During a previous Disability Awareness Basketball Game, celebrity team member Shelly Wyman drives to the basket. This year’s event has been canceled, but the organization is still looking for much-needed funds to make up for the loss. The last time we updated you about our special events in April we...

Brianne Boles, president of Bona Vista Programs (right), accepts a check for $18,875 from Community First Bank. Community First Bank of Indiana (CFB) announced an initiative to support every Hoosier nonprofit organization that has entrusted the bank to process their Small Business Administration (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loan. In...

Bona Vista’s staff recruiter, Marcy Kistler, uses the social media app Tik Tok to recruit new staff. Social media. There are people on both sides of arguments when you mention it, usually. Now, I’m not saying that every single person falls into one of these camps I’m about to mention,...

Bona Vista is not unlike many organizations and businesses that have had to evaluate what re-opening means to them in response to Governor Holcomb’s “Back on Track Indiana” plan. For example, what does that look like for us? How quickly it could/should happen? What additional precautions, if any, should be...

Each year, Bona Vista participates in Giving Tuesday for much needed support. You may have read my articles about it in the past. Last year, we partnered with Lewis Cass High School and their Champions Together program for students with special needs. Giving Tuesday is mainly done via social media...

It is with heavy and regretful hearts that it has been decided to cancel Soupley’s Wine & Spirits 26th Annual Greatest Spectacle in Tasting to benefit Bona Vista Programs for 2020. In good conscience, and because of the governor’s executive order limiting the congregation of people, along with thinking of...

It seems that if there are obstacles from a natural disaster that hits Kokomo, it also hits Bona Vista Programs. 100-year flood? Check. Tornado that leveled one of our buildings? Check. Tornado several years later that damaged several of our buildings? Check. What has always impressed me, though, is how...

Normally in this space Bona Vista is telling you about an upcoming event that we are putting on, a person served or staff person who is out in the community doing amazing things or even how an intern or volunteer has impacted our organization. This week, though, much of that...

The Early Head Start program at Bona Vista is home to something called the Kiddo Kloset. It is an incentive for families and parents to become more involved in our Early Head Start Program with their child(ren) while being given an opportunity to earn items from the Kiddo Kloset. We...

What specific guidelines will Bona Vista follow as we continue with preventative measures? Bona Vista will continue to reference the guidance produced by the Centers for Disease Control.  This guidance outlines steps that can be taken to help stop or slow the spread of respiratory infectious diseases, including COVID-19. New...

As you are aware, the coronavirus (COVID-19) is currently a local, state and national concern. Bona Vista has elected to take several precautionary measures in an effort to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus and other serious illnesses.  Communication will be maintained on an appropriate frequency as developments are identified...

For twenty years, Bona Vista Programs has been putting on a Disability Awareness Basketball game during the month of March. The number of people who have been involved with this game over the years is staggering. Whether they have played as a celebrity or All-Star, performed during one of the...

I want to introduce you to a couple of our adults who have been with Bona Vista throughout their lives. They started coming to Bona Vista Programs as children in our preschool program and are now receiving adult services. It’s true! There have been many times over the past six...

Did you know that Bona Vista’s Early Head Start has a free home-based program for children? It’s true! We offer parent support and guidance to families with children ages birth to 3 in the comfort of their very own homes. Are you curious how a free home-based program could benefit...

In addition to displays by the seven elementary schools and Head Start preschool, Kokomo Schools community partners will be present to assist families. These community partners and schools include: Bona Vista, the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana, On My Way PreK, the Kokomo Public Schools Education Foundation, Coyote Kids, the...

March will be here before we know it. Can you believe it? The first two months of 2020 are almost in the books? Whew. At Bona Vista Programs, March is a huge month. Not only does it host one of our biggest events, but it also is essentially the focus...

This year’s Viva Las Vista casino night was a success, held last Friday, to benefit Bona Vista Programs was the highest attended in the four years the organization has put on the event. That wouldn’t have been possible without every guest, sponsor, raffle donor, Kokomo Country Club employee, Bona Vista...

If you’ve never been to Las Vegas, the thought of planning a trip might seem a little intimidating. What do you want to see? What do you want to do? Where do you want to eat? Do you want to gamble (and do you have a limit)? Do you want...

Each and every staff member (all 450-plus of us) play an important, distinct, and vital role in this organization. When one piece of the puzzle is missing, it’s not complete. We couldn’t do what we do without you! So, don’t think for a second that the work you are doing...

It is with great excitement that Bona Vista Programs announces the Crossing Renovation Project to start in February 2020. Bona Vista Program’s Crossing building located at 1221 S. Plate Street will undergo a facelift this year. This will provide Bona Vista the opportunity to expand their adult day program options...

Are you currently searching for a job with an organization that has a long-standing history in the community where you live, work, and play? If you are looking for a meaningful and fulfilling career, then Bona Vista can help you find a position to meet your needs. Our staff recruiter,...

2019 has proven to be a wonderful year at Bona Vista Programs, and we are anxiously awaiting all that 2020 has in store for our organization and those we serve daily. Some highlights from 2019 include: • Our Pre-Employment Transition Services program continued to grow and helped more than 300...

The long-term dream of We Care founders Dick Bronson, Charlie Cropper, and Jan Buechler has been realized with the purchase of a building. The board of directors of We Care purchased the former Aldi building on S.R. 931, and it will be used to conduct the annual We Care telethon...

The Kokomo–Howard County Public Library in partnership with Bona Vista recently joined the Next Chapter Book Club Affiliate Network and will soon be launching a local club. Founded by Dr. Thomas Fish, a professor at The Ohio State University in 2002, Next Chapter Book Club is a community-based book club...

After a year of fund raising, including the popular We Care telethon and the latest Wrap-Up auction, We Care officials presented checks to six area nonprofits today. The nonprofits – Kokomo Rescue Mission, Salvation Army, Goodfellows, Mental Health America, Bona Vista, and Kokomo Urban Outreach – received a combined $415,000,...

Angela Coppola nominated Grace Boyd for this award and had these thoughtful words to say: Grace works with teachers, children (ages 2.5 – 4), and directors at Bona Vista Early Childhood Programs, and another intern and I to create and implement a mutually-beneficial children’s physical activity and development internship program...

The relationship between small businesses (or companies of any size, for that matter) and nonprofits are mutually beneficial. Nonprofits ask for donations; companies respond by sponsoring nonprofits' important projects and events. For the past two years I’ve written about how you can be a difference-maker in the community. This year,...

Vote for Bona Vista in the Kokomo Tribune's 2019 Best of Friday Awards! Go to https://www.readerschoicecontest.com/contestid/97?sfns=mo and vote for Bona Vista Programs in the category of People\Best Community Service Organization. The voting ends December 19th, so vote today and help Bona Vista win the 2019 award Kokomo!

Giving Tuesday is a national campaign that takes place the Tuesday after Thanksgiving every year. It is an opportunity for people to give back after days of shopping and buying. It’s a chance to show the non-profits in the community (or around the nation) that they are doing important work...

Leadership at Ivy Tech Community College and a provider of adult day habilitation services celebrated their burgeoning partnership Wednesday evening when they held a brief ribbon cutting at the college’s Main Street location in Peru. “We’ve been here seven weeks now,” Bona Vista Programs vice president of learning and development,...

For the past three years, we have partnered up with the Kokomo Area Career Center (KACC) students in a variety of ways. Their work-based learning class assigns an intern to our development department, and we put those students to work. Each fall, they put on an event for adults with...

First, go to smile.amazon.com to support and select Bona Vista Programs, Inc. as your charitable organization. This site is the exact same as going to Amazon.com so don’t worry about it looking different or not having what you need. Because of that, once you’ve chosen your charitable organization then you can...

October is National Physical Therapy Month! Each year we want to take intentional time to celebrate Bona Vista’s extraordinary physical therapy staff and provide you some tips on how to keep your children active and promote physical activity during the fall season. The weather is turning colder. But, that doesn’t...

You know what would be totally crazy tubular? Righteous? Bodacious, even? Bona Vista’s Let’s Glow 80s crazy dance! That’s right! My intern from the Kokomo Area Career Center, Jacob Moore, has developed an event for anyone with special needs (age 16 and older) to rewind and unwind the night away...

Peru, Ind. – Bona Vista Programs and Ivy Tech Community College are joining in an innovative collaboration to offer adult day habilitation services at the College’s Peru Instructional Site at 425 W. Main St. After the recent sale of Bona Vista’s Benton Street location, Ivy Tech’s Peru facility is now...

Caregivers at Bona Vista are the heart and soul of the agency. They work tirelessly and relentlessly to make sure the adults in our services receive the best care they can possibly get. Some work days, while others work overnights, weekends, or holidays. They run and run and run on...

PLAY BALL — Bona Vista and the IU Kokomo baseball team joined together for the third annual Athletes for All Abilities baseball game last Sunday at Kokomo Municipal Stadium. Each person-served was paired with an IUK baseball player and showed off their skills on the diamond.

During many of my happy articles I’ve talked to you about special events Bona Vista is putting on and the numerous programs we have. You’ve even heard me talk about how we are hiring. Do you know why I’m so passionate about recruiting new staff?

Did you miss our most recent free Positive Results for Kids Therapies Developmental Screening? That’s OK! You’re probably not alone. We always have people calling us after the fact because life sneaked up on them, and they forgot to schedule their appointment. Well, lucky for you, we have another option!...

It’s back to school time at Bona Vista! If you’re a parent who has been home with their children all summer you’re either, one, super appreciative for the time and have enjoyed every minute of it, or, two, you’ve been counting down the days of summer since the second week...

Bona Vista has two prenatal specialists – Rebecca Ashenfelter and Vicki Petrowsky – who can meet with you at our center or in your home. All you have to do is call 765-457-8273 and ask for Rachael Lisby, family service specialist. She will set you up for a time to...

Summer offers many opportunities for parents and grandparents with young children in the home like developmental screenings. There’s always a new adventure to go on or sun to soak up. One other opportunity that summer often affords those who care for children is the chance to see them in all...

If you follow us on social media at all, I have no doubt that you have seen pictures of our staff and amazing volunteers working the concession stands at the Kokomo Jackrabbits games this summer! We have worked the stand 12 separate times, and I want to be sure to...

When I started working at Bona Vista a few years ago now, I wanted to know everything. I wanted to meet everyone. I wanted to know why things worked the way they worked (even if it wasn’t my department). That’s just how my brain functions. During that inquisitive time, I...

Seventy-five employees participate in Delphi Gives Back Day Delphi Electronics employees are used to working with each other inside the plant. The annual Delphi Gives Back Day on June 26 gave them a chance to team build outside the plant. Approximately 75 employees volunteered for the day. They tackled various...

On My Way Pre-K has slots available for children to attend preschool at no cost to qualifying families. Attention parents of 4-year-olds. On My Way Pre-K has slots available for children to attend preschool at no cost to qualifying families. Scholarship applications for On My Way Pre-K, is now in...

It occurred to me recently that when I write about quality in our Early Childhood Education Center and talk about how we are a Paths to QUALITY Level 4. you probably don’t even know what that means. It’s OK! I didn’t either before I started working here. Paths to Quality...

Servant leadership. Are you familiar with the concept? The idea is that leadership’s main goal is to serve others. A servant leader puts the needs of the people in our programs and employees first, and, in the end, it hopefully results in people feeling appreciated. That is what we are...

If you follow any of Bona Vista’s social media, you’ve undoubtedly seen tons of pictures of children and adults doing art activities (and if you don’t, you should). Persons served of all ages and all abilities love to express themselves through the arts. Whether it’s painting, drawing, music, woodworking, singing, sewing,...

Cue the Pomp and Circumstance March! Bona Vista’s Early Childhood Education Center recently held preschool graduation for 16 bright-eyed, ready-to-learn kiddos who will embark on the next chapter of their lives in the fall, and we are so proud of them all!

Bona Vista, a United Way of Howard and Tipton Counties partnership agency, received $17,259.75 with the help of Tom and Karen McKinney, their farm staff, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Pioneer HiBred, Austin Henderson (dealer), and Kokomo Grain.

Adults at WorkForce Diversity are trained and ready to work for local businesses! There are so many businesses in Howard County. Yes, I know that’s a super general statement, but it’s true. From restaurants to car service centers to salons to fitness clubs and everything in between. We are pretty...

Looking back through all of the articles I’ve submitted since 2016, I realized that I’ve never written a Greatest Spectacle in Tasting wrap-up…

The Greatest Spectacle in Tasting was held on May 18th. This year marked the 25th anniversary of the event.

Soupley's 25th annual Greatest Spectacle in Tasting took place Saturday on the grounds of Bona Vista Programs to benefit the nonprofit.

We want you to come to the Jackrabbits game on May 31 versus the Kenosha Kingfish for Bona Vista Programs Night!

It’s National Teacher Appreciation Week! And, I’m not quite sure where to begin. Teachers, not just at Bona Vista, are so valuable. Honestly. …

The sun is finally shining on a more consistent basis, and the temperatures are slowly rising. We weren’t sure winter was ever going to end, b…

Music Monday. Tasty Tuesday. Work together Wednesday. Artsy Thursday. Family Friday. These are all of the fun days planned for the week of Apr…

From her brightly colored tennis shoes to the tips of her outstretched fingertips, it’s impossible to take your eyes away from the joy that radiates from Sommer Kitts when she hits the dance floor.

We hosted our 19th Annual Disability Awareness Basketball Game at Memorial Gym last Tuesday. It was nothing short of amazing.

Bona Vista wouldn’t have been able to treat children and adults without that first building; we would not exist, and thousands of parents would be without the much needed resources we provide through our programs. We need your donations to keep our 14 programs running. We are a nonprofit organization...

2019 Disability Awareness Basketball! If you live in Indiana, the fact that it’s March probably brings one thought to the front of your mind – It’s almost college basketball tournament time! It’s not called Hoosier Hysteria because we are calm and quiet about our love for the sport, right? Make...

Do you know about Bona Vista? Instead of you possibly answering, “No,” “A little bit” or “Kind of,” I’m giving you the answer: Come visit us, learn about what we do for the community, and then help us spread the word!

We are just coming off the heels of our Viva Las Vista casino night event, but there’s no time to slow down now. It’s full steam ahead into March! At Bona Vista Programs, March is a huge month. It’s not only the month we host one of our largest events,...

Getting Lucky — The Kokomo Country Club was transformed into a casino last Friday for Bona Vista's third annual Viva Las Vista. Dealers from Sertoma Group of Broadripple manned the tables, and guests played for bragging rights and the chance to win prize packages.

One of the things I love about working for Bona Vista Programs is that I know there is room to grow here. And, when I meet with new hires in orientation, I always make a point to tell them that.

Viva Las Vista is on Friday, Feb. 8, from 7 to 10 p.m., Bona Vista Programs is bringing a small taste of Las Vegas to Kokomo. Elvis won’t be there, but it will be much like being in Vegas in many other ways (and not like Vegas in some other...

All employees want to feel appreciated. It’s a natural human reaction not because we need the attention or want everyone to know what we have been doing, but it is nice when someone notices, validates your work, and lets you know they appreciate you.

All of last year I told you about how it was Bona Vista’s 60th year in Howard County, and many of the ways we chose to celebrate that accomplishment through our events. So, where do I go from there? Into year 61. That’s where. We aren’t slowing down or stopping,...

All had fun at Bona Vista this Christmas! Well, it happened at Christmas. My most favorite day of the year at Bona Vista has come and gone. OK. That may be a slight exaggeration because there are so many amazing days here. Holiday party day is right up there at...

A few weeks ago I wrote about the Sock Hop & Roll event to benefit Bona Vista Programs that my Kokomo Area Career Center intern, Keegan Paul, was putting on and executing. I’m pleased to say that the event went off without a hitch last week, and I wanted to give...

Kokomo, IN ~ The We Care Telethon is returning for the 46th year this weekend. Thousands of donated items will go up for bid. All of the money raised will go for a good cause. Starting at 6 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 7 and continuing until Sunday. The 48-hour telethon will...

Whether you’re a first-time expectant mother or you’ve had a child before, whether you have a child enrolled in our early childhood services or you have children enrolled someplace else, whether you are working, in school, or planning to stay at home, or whether you just found out you are...

A couple of weeks ago I told you about Bona Vista’s Sock Hop & Roll event for adults with special needs that will take place on Dec. 14 at UAW Local 685. Did you read about it? I don’t want you to miss out!

How can you partner with Bona Vista giving on #GIVINGTUESDAY? Make sure you follow us on social media! If you’re on Facebook (@bonavistaprogramsinc), Twitter (@Bonavista_) or Instagram (@bonavsitaprograms) make sure to “Like” us and look for recent posts. If you don’t see anything that we’ve posted for awhile, you might...

Get on the Medicaid waiver. That’s where. But what does that even mean? Why do you even need it? Medicaid waivers allow Medicaid (and not the parent or guardian) to fund supports and services for children and adults with disabilities. For example, if you have a child or adult with...

It’s Bona Vista’s Sock Hop & Roll! My intern from the Kokomo Area Career Center, Keegan Paul, has developed an event for adults with disabilities (18+) to twist and shout the night away with their friends while enjoying diner-type food, a photo booth, hair/makeup styling, and so much more. Mark...

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is recognized nationally every October as a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities.

Last Saturday Bona Vista and IU Kokomo Baseball teamed up to play softball in the annual Athletes for All Abilities game. The event featured players from Bona Vista and IUK players.

Bona Vista is jumping onto the Halloween scene this year at its newly-opened Respire House. “I want to share with our community what the Respite House is all about. This gives a chance for all to see the fun-filled activities we do daily as well as take a tour of the...

Last week I told you about National Direct Support Professionals Week. If you missed it, and all of the wonderful things I shared about what it means to be a Caregiver for the Developmentally Disabled (CDD) at Bona Vista Programs, you need to find an old copy of the newspaper...

By the time you’re reading this we will be well on our way to recognizing (and high fiving) our Caregivers for the Developmentally Disabled (CDD) during National Direct Support Professionals Week (Sept. 9-15). While one week will never be enough to show them how appreciated they are, we are going...

For nearly 25 years, Soupley's Wine & Spirits has helped raise funds for Bona Vista Programs during one of the community’s most well-attended events: the annual Greatest Spectacle in Tasting. The Greatest Spectacle in Tasting has raised $889,482 since 1995.

Troy Bowers sees it and hears about it all the time: some people just don’t know how to treat or interact with a person with a disability.

Bona Vista Programs started out as a simple idea based on a BIG need 60 years ago.

When Maria Stark took a job at Bona Vista when she was 20, she didn’t realize she was starting a career. Now, at age 53, she looked back on why she stuck around.

Bona Vista, as it’s known today, serves hundreds of children and adults annually, offers countless therapies and programs, and spans across several buildings in the community and surrounding areas.

The Bona Vista Bistro. You’ve heard me talk about them many times. They’ve won awards. They’ve had booths at community events. They’ve catered…

Last year, Indiana University Kokomo Baseball Coach Matt Howard reached out to us about the possibility of getting his players involved in playing softball with persons served

Make a mug! Bona Vista is going to do something it’s never done before. We hope to do it on a regular basis. We will host our first-ever B-cause It’s Art Halloween mug Bisque painting class. Proceeds will benefit the adults at Bona Vista Programs. On August 23 from 5:30 -...

Bona Vista offers developmental screenings. It’s almost time for children to head back to school. If your children are anything like mine, they are not ready for school to start just yet. They’d rather soak up the sun, sleep in, and not have to worry about homework.

Qualifying Howard County families eligible for preschool grants this year Qualifying families can send their 4-year-old to preschool at no cost to them. The On My Way Pre-K grant has expanded in to Howard County for the first time this year. Therefore children who qualify will be able to attend...

Birthdays are a curious thing. As a child, you anticipate your birthday. You long for the day, the gifts and the attention. Then, as you get a little older and you’ve celebrated a few decades of birthdays, they tend to lose their appeal. As an organization, though, 60 years is...

This month, it sounds like all we are doing is celebrating. And, that’s not too far from the truth! Last week I told you about Christmas in July to benefit our adult day service programs. It is still going strong, and we could still use your help. Check out our...

Everyone wants to feel appreciated. It’s a natural human reaction. Not because we need the attention or want everyone to know what we have been doing, but it is nice when someone notices. Feeling appreciated comes in different forms, and not everyone wants to be recognized in the same way.

Who do you know that wants to find a job they love? Who do you know that loves people well? Who do you know that has a passion to serve others? Here’s what we are asking: tell the people you know that we are hiring, and we would love to...

If you’re anything like me, you probably started to ponder whether Mother Nature ever was going to let us have warm weather. Well, if this past week has shown us anything it’s that when she finally decides to let it happen she doesn’t play around. It is hot! That means...

Project provides housing for 13 intellectually-delayed and physically challenged adults. Through a project with Bona Vista, Kokomo expanded its housing offerings and improved a public amenity all at once. Last week public officials, community members, and Bona Vista leadership came together for two ribbon cuttings: one for the new and improved...

I’ve mentioned our 60th anniversary to you in previous articles. I’ve interviewed our current CEO, Jill Dunn, about what she feels her biggest accomplishments are and what things she may have done differently. I’ve walked you through our humble beginnings to where we are today. Now, I want to introduce...

Brianne Boles has already worked in several departments throughout the agency. She knows the leadership staff. She knows the administrative staff. She knows the people we serve. She knows the ins and outs of the daily grind. She knows this community. She knows the nature of organizations like ours (and...

Soupley’s 24th annual event to feature more than 30 restaurants, 100 wines and microbrews. Before racecars lap the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the Greatest Spectacle in Racing, hundreds will lap tents for Soupley’s Greatest Spectacle in Tasting.

After a thorough interviewing process by Bona Vista’s Board of Directors, it was decided on May 11, 2018 that Brianne Boles will be taking on a new role at Bona Vista as the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

When people hear about respite care, they might not know what it is, or they may just be too busy in their daily lives to take the time to find out more about it. But, respite care is nothing complicated -- it's simply relief from caregiving duties when you're looking...

April 8, 2018 - The Betsy Mason Memorial Scholarship was established in December 2002 to assist students pursuing a degree in speech pathology. The annual scholarship will be awarded this spring. Applicants must reside in Howard or surrounding counties and be accepted into a Speech and Hearing Program at the...

April 7, 2018 - March was a whirlwind of amazing activity at Bona Vista Programs. If you’re friends with us on Facebook or follow us on any other social media, you were able to go along with us ...

April 4, 2018 - April is Autism Awareness Month. There are so many forms of Autism that professionals have deemed it a “spectrum disorder.”

March 25, 2018 - Held on March 20th, 2018 in celebration of Disability Awareness month!

March 23, 2018 - Regardless of title, we all make a difference. The work we do is not easy. Yes, we have a lot of fun moments. We also have a lot of trying moments. It’s how we work together across the board that makes those moments less stressful. It’s...

Mar 17, 2018 - For more than 15 years, Bona Vista Programs has been putting on a Disability Awareness Basketball Game during the month of March. When I think about the number of local celebrities and Bona Vista All-Stars that have played or coached in those games over the years,...

March 7, 2018 - Vivaaaaaaaaa Las Vegas! There’s a good chance at some point in your life you’ve heard that Elvis Presley song. If not, go to YouTube and look it up. You can thank me later when it’s stuck in your head for the rest of eternity. What does that...

Feb 23, 2018 - Jill Dunn, Bona Vista Program’s CEO/president for the last 42 years, is retiring effective July 2. I wrote the introductory line to this article many times in different ways, but I figured it was best to rip off the Band Aid from the start and then...