[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 6, 2022)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1221-E1222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                HONORING MARY WADE AS IOWAN OF THE WEEK

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CYNTHIA AXNE

                                of iowa

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, December 6, 2022

  Mrs. AXNE. Madam Speaker, I rise today to name Mary Wade of Red Oak, 
Iowa as Iowan of the Week. Mary is a lifelong Iowan who has worked with 
Nishna Productions for 37 years improving the wellbeing of individuals 
with disabilities across Southwest Iowa. Mary's dedicated work 
developing life and job skills for those in need deserves recognition.

[[Page E1222]]

  Mary began working for Nishna Productions when she was 19 years old, 
serving as Activity Coordinator and as direct care staff. Mary helped 
her Nishna Productions clients learn how to cook, clean, and manage 
money. Mary then became a supervisor at the group homes in Red Oak 
where she led the staff and continued to work in direct care with the 
clients. Mary's help growing the skills of her clients ensured that 
individuals with disabilities can retain independence and find success 
living in their communities.
  Mary then transferred back to work as a Program Instructor with 
Nishna Productions. Working directly with clients, Mary began to teach 
classes developing important life skills. From there, Mary transferred 
to the vocational department to focus on the development of employable 
skills. Nishna Productions has its own laundry service in which clients 
can develop working skills, while Nishna Productions also contracts 
with small businesses to fulfill their basic labor needs. By supporting 
individuals with disabilities in a comfortable environment, Mary has 
helped grow confidence with those who need it the most.
  Currently, Mary is the lead supervisory staff member at Nishna 
Production's Red Oak and Shenandoah sites. While she now leads overall 
day to day operations, Mary still finds the most enjoyment in direct 
work with clients. Mary believes that each client is their own unique 
person and that a one size fits all approach would be ineffective. 
Providing unique care for each client takes a full team effort, and 
Mary and her team at Nishna Productions remain committed to tailoring 
their programming and operations to fit each individual person and the 
needs of the community.
  I am thankful to Mary for her work empowering individuals with 
support and opportunity to meet their goals, and I am proud to name 
Mary Wade as Iowan of the Week.

                          ____________________