Upcoming Events & Important Dates
CSN Closed Dates
- Thursday, November 28th
- Friday, November 29th
- Tuesday, December 24th
- Wednesday, December 25th
- Tuesday, December 31st
- Wednesday, January 1st, 2025
For more information about our upcoming events, visit us on social media or at VisitCSN.org/events
Sprouting Connections:
How Growing Herbs Brings Us Together
We are thrilled to have our indoor garden back this year! There’s something truly rewarding about getting our hands dirty and watching our small seeds transform into thriving plants.
Gardening offers numerous benefits, including stress reduction, improved mood, and enhanced
focus and mindfulness. It also fosters a sense of community.
This year, we grew a variety of herbs—cilantro, basil, and parsley—not only for our cooking classes and to take home, but also to share with the community. We tended to these herbs daily until they reached maturity. Once fully grown, we labeled each pot with care instructions to help others harvest their herbs and encourage new growth. We then placed them on a cart outside of CSN—free to our neighbors and community members.
To our surprise, the first time we set out our herbs, they were all gone within just two hours! We hope everyone who brought home a plant has enjoyed it and found new ways to add freshness to their meals.
We strive to connect with our community as much as possible, and it’s a wonderful feeling to know we can share our talents and connect with others.
Enrichment
An Explosion of Fun
Our final experiment of the summer ended with an EXPLOSION—of chalk, that is!
We learned how to make liquid chalk and then watched it burst onto the sidewalk, creating a vibrant display of color that reminded us of the fun we had until the rain washed it away.
To make this the best experiment ever, we chose a beautiful summer day to create our liquid chalk in Ziploc bags. We combined vinegar, cornstarch, and food coloring to make our colorful concoction. Once the chalk was ready, we packed baking soda into a tissue, twisting it shut to keep it secure.
Then the real fun began! We went outside to the sidewalk, opened a corner of the Ziploc bags filled with chalk, dropped in the baking soda packets, and zipped them shut. Before our eyes, we watched as each bag bubbled and fizzed, expanding tighter and tighter until—boom! The chalk burst from the bag, leaving a brilliant splash of color on the sidewalk.
The anticipation of watching our bags grow and finally explode filled us with laughter and joy that lasted throughout the day!
Wreaths with a Twist
Our recent craft stick wreath project was a wonderful opportunity not only to create a beautiful decoration for our door but also to engage in observations, study color mixing, and practice patience as we completed each step.
We began by dyeing our craft sticks. To do this, we gathered several plastic jars and added drops of primary color food coloring to each—one jar with red, another with yellow, and the last with blue. Next, we filled each jar with about an inch of water and submerged one end of several plain craft sticks in each. As we waited for three hours, we observed how the colors absorbed into the sticks.
After the initial soak, we removed the sticks from the jars, refilled them with fresh food coloring and water, and placed the opposite ends of the sticks into a different color than they had originally been in. After soaking for another three hours, we took them out and set them on towels to dry. We noticed how the colors blended toward the center, creating beautiful secondary shades.
While the craft sticks dried for 24 hours, we cut out the centers of small paper plates. Finally, we were ready to transform our hard work into a wreath. Using hot glue, we attached our craft sticks to the paper plates, adding a second layer to fully cover the base. Voila! We had a stunning, handmade decoration to brighten our door.
Vocational
Partner with CSN: Empowering Adults with Developmental Disabilities
At CSN, our mission is to support adults with cognitive delays and other disabilities in actively participating in their communities. One of the key ways we achieve this is by facilitating meaningful employment for our clients. Our approach is tailored to meet the unique needs of each individual and employer.
When you hire an individual with diverse abilities, everyone benefits. Our clients gain fulfilling, income-generating jobs, while employers receive motivated and qualified employees.
Partnering with CSN means we will take the time to understand your business needs and work to match you with one of our dedicated candidates. We provide ongoing support, including training assistance and regular check-ins, to ensure that both your needs and those of your employees are met.
If you’re interested in hiring through CSN, please reach out to us at Info@VisitCSN.org. We’re here to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.
Wellness
Gratitude and Wellness: Embracing the Holiday Spirit
As the holiday season approaches, it’s the perfect time to reflect on the wonderful things in our lives and express our gratitude.
Gratitude is the quality of being thankful—showing appreciation and returning kindness. It plays a significant role in enhancing our mental and emotional well-being. Research shows that practicing gratitude can reduce stress, improve mood, and lead to greater overall happiness.
Each person, region, and culture may have unique ways of expressing gratitude. Around the world, people celebrate in various ways, including festivals, rituals, and community gatherings; through prayer; acts of service; formal acknowledgments; gifts; storytelling; song; and gratitude journals.
This season, let’s take the time to embrace gratitude and enrich our lives and the lives of those around us.
Caregivers Writing Workshop
This free, 6-session expressive writing workshop will span 9 weeks. It will provide family and community caregivers with space and time to express their experiences through writing and experience the power of writing exercises as a tool for self exploration and self compassion.
WHEN
The following Monday's from 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
January 6 | February 3 |
January 13 | February 17 |
January 27 | March 3 |
Spots are limited. Use this link: https://forms.gle/aEQp1XdyrRJXfVhq6 to sign up by
Friday, December 13.
Where
Six Willows Counseling Services
255 N. Sherman Ave.
Madison, WI 53704
Email Ellyn@SixWillows.com with any questions.
Meet Our Facilitators
In 2006, Ellyn Zografi started an 11-year career at Community Support Network (CSN) providing direct services to, and case management for adults with developmental disabilities. In 2013, Ellyn moved into a clinical role as Director of Collaborations, a mental health clinic, housed in CSN, after receiving her Master’s degree in Marriage and Family Therapy (LMFT) at Edgewood College. Along with providing therapeutic services to CSN clients, she created spaces and programs for both family and professional caregivers to receive support and resources. In her total 18+ years working as both a social worker and psychotherapist, Ellyn has discovered writing to be a powerful tool. She has conducted writing workshops and provided writing prompts for not only clients, staff and family members at CSN, but also as part of a wilderness therapy program in Southern Utah as well as part of her clinical private practice, Six Willows Counseling Services, Inc. Ellyn is currently working towards a certification in Biblio/Poetry Therapy, an expressive arts therapy in which the main mission is to promote growth and healing through written language, symbol and story.
Donna Anderson has a Bachelor of Music degree, but loves anything to do with writing. At age 42, she earned a Master of Fine Arts degree with a major in English and taught writing classes at two St. Louis colleges, while continuing as an organist and choir director. During this time, she attended four Progoff Journaling Workshops which focused primarily on dialogue-writing. She gave up teaching writing classes when she suddenly became a caregiver for her in-laws who were in their 90’s and moved into the Anderson home for the final three years of their lives. Her mother-in law had severe dementia and her father-in-law suffered from numerous physical ailments. Every night Donna wrote in a journal, venting her frustrations, assessing the day, and solving problems, all of which helped her move onto the next day. She never regretted this caregiving period in her life, even though it was more challenging than any job she ever had.
What Are Past Participants Saying About the Workshop?
A Poem
Two seasoned and compassionate guides
carved out space and time to teach us as the caregiver.
To pick up the pen and speak from our heart,
to reflect by writing with expansive empathy for ourselves
and those we care for.
Whenever I feel hopeless on this consuming and sometimes overwhelming journey,
I will use the tools and my writing to make myself whole again.
Thank you to Donna and Ellyn for being our guides on this path to healing.
As a participant, I can only say great things about the opportunity and benefit I experienced through the Writing Therapy. I was able to delve deeper into who I am and explore possible factors as to why I have personal challenges. I was taught a tool that helped me deal with some issues. This program would definitely be therapeutic for all caregivers.
Summer of Impact
Highlights from Our Fundraising and Volunteer Events
A few of our fantastic volunteers serving up refreshing beverages at Taste of Madison 2024
This summer has been truly unforgettable for CSN! In July, we took part in “Change It Up Tuesday” at Delta Beer Lab (167 E. Badger Rd, Madison, WI 53713). This new initiative partners with a different local nonprofit each Tuesday to raise awareness and funds. We had a fantastic time connecting with the community, hosting a raffle, and are incredibly grateful to Delta Beer Lab for donating 100% of net taproom proceeds to support our mission. Thank you to everyone who joined us and contributed to this partnership!
At the end of July, we attended the Disability Pride Festival at Warner Park, a wonderful event hosted by Disability Pride Madison that celebrated our community. We had a blast making water bead stress balls and engaging with attendees.
Additionally, we proudly hosted a beverage stand at Taste of Madison over Labor Day Weekend. Our dedicated team of volunteers—comprising board members, staff, parents of CSN clients, regular volunteers, and new faces—did an amazing job keeping event-goers refreshed with water, soda, and lemonade. Since 1983, Taste of Madison has been a beloved community event, celebrating great food, drinks, and entertainment, and we were honored to be part of it this year.
To everyone who supported us at any or all of these events—THANK YOU! Your generosity has made a significant difference for CSN and the individuals with developmental disabilities that we serve. We truly appreciate your support!
Fall Recipes
Whipped Ricotta Prosciutto Bites
Ingredients
7 oz Ricotta Cheese
2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
1 1/2 tsp Olive Oil
3 oz Prosciutto
1 Box Ritz Crackers
Salt & Pepper to Taste
Honey, for Drizzling
Chives, Chopped
Directions
In a small mixing bowl, whip together ricotta cheese, garlic, olive oil, salt & pepper.
Cut Prosciutto into small triangles.
Spread ricotta mixture onto crackers, making sure not to make the layers too thick.
Roll Prosciutto triangles into cone like shapes and place on ricotta covered crackers.
Drizzle honey over crackers and sprinkle with chives.
Enjoy!
Turkey Spinach Pinwheels
Ingredients
8 oz Garden Vegetable Cream Cheese
8 Flour Tortillas
4 C Fresh Baby Spinach
1 lb Sliced Deli Turkey
Directions
Spread cream cheese over tortillas.
Top cream cheese with spinach and turkey.
Roll up tortillas tightly.
Cut pinwheels in half at an angle.
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate.
Enjoy!
Apple Crumble Sundae
Ingredients
1/2 C Rolled Oats
2 Tbsp Flour
2 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
2 tsp Butter
2 tsp Cinnamon
2 tsp Milk
2 Tbsp Maple Syrup, Divided
1 Medium Apple, Cubed
Vanilla Ice Cream
Directions
Add rolled oats, flour, walnuts/pecans, butter, cinnamon, milk, and 1 Tbsp maple syrup to a microwave safe bowl.
Stir to combine.
Microwave mixture for 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds.
Add ice cream to two bowls.
Divide crumble mixture and use it to top the ice cream.
Top crumble mixture with cubed apples.
Drizzle each sundae with the remaining maple syrup.
Enjoy!
Make a Difference
Join Our Board of Directors
Are you passionate about supporting individuals with developmental disabilities? We're searching for dedicated individuals to join our Board of Directors at Community Support Network (CSN). As a board member, you'll attend one-hour monthly meetings, typically held on the second Tuesday of each month, virtually or in person. Your role will involve active participation in discussions, guiding strategic planning and program monitoring, overseeing financial matters, and serving as an ambassador for our organization in the community. Directors and Officers Liability Insurance coverage is provided to protect board members. If you're committed to our mission and eager to make a difference, we'd love to hear from you. Please contact Caroline Bowers for more information at caroline.bowers@visitcsn.org. Your involvement as a board member will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our organization and making a meaningful impact in the lives of those we serve.
Ways to Donate
Financial Donation - Financial donations are always appreciated! Checks can be mailed to CSN or donate directly on our website - VisitCSN.org
ShopRaise - Shop online using ShopRaise and your purchases from eligible retailers will help support CSN
Volunteer - Share a hobby or talent with us. We would love to learn something new from you!
Supplies - Contact us if you have supplies to donate and we’ll let you know what we are in need of.
Recyclables - Drop off your used markers, pens, glue sticks, mechanical pencils, highlighters, and watercolor containers to CSN. We’ll collect them and recycle them.
Hire Us!
Hire CSN clients to work at your company. Email Info@VisitCSN.org for more information.
Host an Art Gallery Event!
Learn about our clients and their lives through art. Host our art gallery at your business for a month and experience their stories and talents. Email Info@VisitCSN.org for more information.
View Past Newsletters and our 2023 Annual Report
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