From the Therapy Department

A fascinating article was recently published in the Huffington Post about the benefits of yoga for teens who may be struggling with anxiety. The research was originally published in the Journal of Development and Behavioral Pediatrics. Here is the link where the full article may be read.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/2012/04/07/yoga-teens-anxiety-mood_n_1408247.html?ref=topbar

Rock Climbing

The Recreation Therapy Department runs a specialty group on campus called Aspire Higher. We take one student from every home on campus per treatment team recommendation to participate. This group focuses on building confidence through rock climbing. The students participate in series of eight groups where they learn more about the sport of rock climbing. They are introduced to the different types of climbing: solo, bouldering, top rope, and lead climbing and given the opportunity to boulder and top rope climb here on campus. Students learn a lot of different skills including tying into their harnesses, techniques when climbing, and how to safely belay one another. 

For one of the final groups, the students that have the Honesty Phase or higher and are not on academic probation are able to go off campus to climb at The Quarry which is an indoor climbing gym here in Provo.  This last Friday we headed over with eight students that were eligible to attend. We had a great time, bouldering and climbing!

 

- Recreation Therapy Department

Admissions Department

At the beginning of the year Susie Fell became the new Director of Admissions.   

Susie was raised in a small farming community outside of Preston, Idaho. (Yes, the home of Napoleon Dynamite!!) She is the oldest of nine children. After attending college, she moved to the Orem/Provo area where she fell in love with the mountains and has stayed for the last 37 years. Susie has three children and nine grandchildren. Since being remarried several years ago, her family has increased to nine children and twenty five grandchildren which she loves and considers a great blessing in her life. Interior design, gardening, British period movies/television, camping, and dancing are among some of her favorite things to do. Susie has worked at Heritage for twenty one years. Nineteen of those years have been in the Admissions Department.

Susie said, “I love Heritage. I have the best job on campus. I am able to interact with our students as well as meet and work with great parents and professionals. I’ve always believed in the work that we do and feel that there is a reason and purpose for coming to work every day.”

We also have another addition to the Admissions/Marketing Team. 

Chris Johstoneaux+ is the new Business Development Manager.

Chris is originally from South Carolina and lived there through the age of eleven before moving to Provo, Utah.  He graduated high school locally and attended Brigham Young University receiving a bachelor’s degree in Recreation Therapy.  Upon completion at Brigham Young, he then attended University of Utah to receive a master’s degree in Social Work.  Married with three boys, spending time with family is a priority and one of his favorite things to do. He joined the Heritage family in 2001 from working in the Residential department, then transferring as a Recreation Therapist and then became a full time Therapist until 2012 when he became the Business Development Manager. Chris says one of the most rewarding experiences at Heritage is going to the graduations and being able to see parents notice changes in their child. 

Chris said, “Recognition of the process that led them feeling a rekindling of a stronger parent to child relationship is so incredible to see.”

Development Director

Spencer Thomas is the new Development Director here at Heritage.

Spencer grew-up in the heart of Salt Lake City and received dual bachelor degrees in History and Speech Communication from the University of Utah. He is currently working toward his Master's degree in Public Administration, with a focus on Non-Profit Management. Spencer loves traveling and adventure (especially on his motorcycle), going to the opera, eating at Crown Burger and listening to Elvis Presley. Also, he is terrible at math.

Spencer will be heading up fund raising and development for Heritage. Some of the projects he will be working on this year are raising funds for the Performing Arts Endowment, writing for Grants, and organizing fund raising events as well as establishing and developing new relationships and getting to know our old friends of Heritage.

We are looking forward to having Spencer as part of our team here at Heritage.

Cooking Class

Alyssa Cundy, Director of Food Services,  has been teaching our students a few of the basics of cooking.  It's a class where the they are able to have a hands on learning experience.

During this particular class the students baked Red Velvet Cupcakes and put together a few calzones.  One of the best parts for the students, was enjoying eating their baked goods.

These classes have been a great experience for the students. Many of the them commented on how they will keep these recipes and make them at home.

Thanks Alyssa for sharing your cooking tips with our students.

Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

From Gingerbread Bagels

Cupcakes




2 1/2 cups cake flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 cups canola oil
1 1/4 cups buttermilk, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 ounce red food coloring (2 Tablespoon)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon white distilled vinegar
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1 Tablespoons all purpose flour
Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
3 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
1/2 Tablespoon vanilla extract

For the cupcakes:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

Sift together the cake flour, sugar, baking soda, kosher salt and cocoa powder. Set aside.

In a bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the canola oil, buttermilk, eggs, red food coloring, vanilla extract and white distilled vinegar on medium speed for 3 minutes.

Slowly add in the dry ingredients on low speed until almost combined. Take a spatula and fold the ingredients together. Mix the chocolate chips with 1 Tablespoon of all purpose flour. Add them to the cake batter and fold them in with a spatula.

Line a cupcake pan with cupcake liners. Using an ice cream scooper, scoop the batter into each cupcake liner.
Bake for 20 minutes.

Cool the cupcakes in the pan for 10 minutes on a cooling rack. Then transfer them to a cooling rack to cool completely.

While the cupcakes are cooling, make the chocolate cream cheese frosting:

Sift together the powdered sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder in a bowl. Set aside. In a bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the cream cheese and unsalted butter on medium speed for 2 minutes until smooth. Add in the vanilla and mix. Slowly add in the dry ingredients on low speed and mix to combine. Then increase the speed to medium and mix for 1-2 minutes until smooth. Pipe or spread the frosting onto the cupcakes. Enjoy!