On the evening of Friday, December 6, Rhyme & Reason Ministry, Inc., held its annual Christmas Party at North Liberty Christian Church in North Liberty. Rhyme & Reason was founded as a nonprofit organization in 2012 and in 2019 became a Medicaid Waiver Provider for individuals enrolled in Medicaid's Developmental Disability Waiver program. Through Rhyme & Reason's social program, individuals with developmental disabilities can interact meaningfully with others in the community.
There were about 225 Rhyme & Reason clients, staff, and families at the Christmas party, along with Rhyme & Reason employees. Sky's Catering prepared a holiday menu featuring chicken, green beans, roasted potatoes, and dinner rolls. Hot chocolate, coffee, and a holiday punch were also on offer. Courtney Lane, cofounder and Behavior Clinician, and Rhyme & Reason participants prepared dessert, which included a giant chocolate chip cookie and vanilla ice cream. The attendees dined at tables beautifully decorated with DIY centerpieces and set with the help of several Rhyme & Reason participants.
Barbara Kampa, principal founder and CEO of Rhyme & Reason Ministry, considers the Christmas Party to be an exceedingly important event for her organization. “Many individuals with developmental disabilities in our community are hidden, slighted, and don’t feel that they’re accepted,” Kampa said. “We wanted to provide them with a space to build and maintain friendships and experience the healing and growth that comes with that. Rhyme & Reason helps them find themselves as they learn what their gifts are and discover their purpose in life. The entire experience is designed to incorporate the help of Rhyme & Reason clients. It provides an opportunity for them to invest in their community and experience the joy of knowing they had a hand in creating a celebratory occasion for their families and friends to enjoy. The Christmas party keeps getting bigger every year, which tells us that our community wants to socialize. We love hanging out with them. I hope all of our clients feel loved and valued tonight.”
One of the evening‘s highlights was a special gift presentation. Juliana Arias, a Rhyme & Reason client and a member of the organization’s leadership team, gave Barb Kampa and Courtney Lane a hand-painted art piece made by the leadership team. This gift, which featured a photograph of the leadership team, was given in recognition of the great work they have done through Rhyme & Reason throughout the years.
Liz Bennett, social program coordinator at Rhyme & Reason Ministry, began working at Rhyme & Reason several months ago. She looked forward to her first time participating in the Christmas Party with great anticipation. “I was extremely excited to attend the Christmas party," Bennett said. “I’d been to some of our other events, but I knew that this one was going to be the biggest of them all. I love seeing how much our clients enjoy being here. We at Rhyme & Reason serve the underserved. Our research has shown that people with developmental disabilities are lonely. While someone without a developmental disability might have 150 social connections, these individuals have roughly five. We want them to know that they are part of something, they are loved, and they are cared for. It’s great to see them smile and enjoy themselves. It’s so much fun.”
A handmade Polar Express-themed photo booth provided an enjoyable opportunity for attendees to pose for photos. As a Christmas gift from Rhyme & Reason, guests took home a jar of powdered hot cocoa made and assembled by Rhyme & Reason clients.
Toni Modglin, Director of Waiver Services, is pleased to join her fellow staff members and clients for another evening of Christmas cheer and celebration. “This is one of my favorite Rhyme & Reason events of the year,” Modglin said. “Everybody comes out in good spirits, and they have such a good time. This is the best turnout we’ve had for the Christmas Party. I enjoy seeing our clients in one place and interacting with each other. The Christmas Party is always a very joyful occasion because we all get to hang out and have fun. It’s a nice way to wrap up the year with joy, which is what Rhyme & Reason is all about.”
This is the first year that Linda Vervaet, Bennett’s mother, has been a volunteer at the Christmas party. She was invited by her daughter to come help out, and she appreciates the opportunity to participate.
“This is a beautiful event to volunteer at,” Vervaet said. “It’s right in the spirit of Christmas, and it gives the clients a chance to reunite and be together. I’ve seen so many people hugging, and it’s delightful to see them fitting in with others. I would like everyone here to be filled with hope and the joy of the holiday. Hopefully, everyone has fun tonight.”
This also happens to be the first year that Andrew Kaser, Director of Social Program and Events at Rhyme & Reason Ministry, has attended the Christmas Party. He found the experience to be a most enjoyable one.
“I’m excited to be here because I get to see the families of our clients and see them celebrating, shining, and smiling,” Kaser said. “This event is the only time of the year we get to see our clients with their families. I don’t work directly with clients on a regular basis, so the Christmas Party is a great opportunity for me to interact with them. They’ve been coming up and hugging me, and it just lifts my heart. The holidays are certainly amazing, but for some, it also can be a time of deep loneliness. Some people may not have the support of family and friends that they see others receive. Our goal here tonight is to make everyone feel seen, valued, and loved during the holidays. It's a gift for us to be able to serve, and, at the end of the day, we're the ones that walk away with the biggest smiles on our faces.”