Billy the Artist darted back and forth on stage at Landerhaven using the music of Beach Stav – billed as Cleveland’s premier psychedelic R&B beach band -- to inspire him as he created two original pieces of art simultaneously during The Art of Giving. The recent event, a celebration of art and individuality, was a benefit for Rose-Mary, an organization that supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Rose-Mary is celebrating its 97th year of service with the support of Catholic Charities.
The evening began with music, cocktails and food stations featuring international fare. Guests could satisfy their sweet tooth by visiting a donut wall.
In addition to Billy’s performance, two other local artists – Eileen Dorsey and Dana Depew – worked at stations in the ballroom. Guests could watch them work, chat with them and purchase their work. Dorsey is a graduate of St. Joseph Academy in Cleveland.
In a unique twist on the typical 50/50 drawing, guests could select a rose pin handcrafted by Rose-Mary residents. Cost was $5 per rose. There was a number on the back of each and the winner split the proceeds with Rose-Mary.
Gina Kerman, Rose-Mary executive director, and Bishop Nelson Perez made brief remarks at the event, which took place on June 28.
Kerman said in addition to residential homes, Rose-Mary offers Day Services Programs. Two programs are operating and Kerman said they hope to open a third soon. In addition, Rose-Mary hopes to expand its housing options in order to assist more people with disabilities. She said Rose-Mary continues Jesus’ ministry by nurturing those who have disabilities and celebrating love, family, dignity and faith within the community.
“Families are at the very heart of what we do. We become family to the children and adults who live in our community homes and attend our Day Services Program,” she said. “We become close partners with their families to help our individuals thrive.”
“Rose-Mary has a wonderful mission,” Bishop Perez said. “We thank you for this important ministry of the Church. I visited some of the homes and I am very impressed with the compassionate care of the residents.”
Rose-Mary began its mission 97 years ago – in 1922 -- when Caesar Grasselli, president of Grasselli Chemical Works, deeded his family’s summer home in Euclid to the Catholic Diocese of Cleveland as a home for children with physical and mental disabilities. Rose-Mary began as a ministry of the Sisters of the Humility of Mary. Its name comes from the Blessed Mother and the rose gardens that Grasselli’s wife, Johanna, created behind the mansion.
For 40 years the sisters cared for the children before Rose-Mary’s mission was revised in 1967 to serve children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. In 1989, when the first adult group home opened, Rose-Mary’s mission was expanded to serve all ages from childhood through the end of life. Currently multiple Rose-Mary group homes are operated throughout Cuyahoga County to serve more than 100 people.
The original Rose-Mary facility ceased operations in December 2016 after seven state-of-the-art group homes were opened. Residents moved into these more intimate homes that house four to six people. Residents have their own rooms and live in a family-like setting.
Pat and Dr. Dasarathi Ram shared the story of their late son, David, who was a resident in a Rose-Mary home for most of his life. David was diagnosed with a rare, progressive neurological disorder at a very young age and within a few years, he needed full-time care 24/7. They talked about the love and care he received.
“As parents, we have great respect for this organization,” the Rams said. “We can’t say enough about them. They improved the overall quality of David’s life and the lives of others. God sent us David to teach us the virtues of patience, love, compassion and respect for all individuals – regardless of their disabilities. We love these people dearly.”
Kerman said fundraising is under way to build another home so Rose-Mary can help more families like the Rams. She said there are about 45,000 people with disabilities who are waiting for services and the wait time to get into a Rose-Mary home is more than six years.
A special “call to the heart” campaign raised more than $12,000 at the event to help finance another Rose-Mary home.
Also, the two paintings created by Billy the Artist that night and pieces created by Depew and Dorsey were sold at a live auction. In addition, there were dozens of silent auction items that attendees could bid on, including more artwork, a special fishing charter trip, a gourmet dinner for six by a local chef, tickets on the 50-yard line for the Cleveland Browns-Buffalo Bills football game and a dinner with Nick Gehlfuss, a Cleveland native who portrays Dr. Will Halstead on the popular NBC TV show “Chicago Med.”
Billy the Artist, a Cleveland native, forged a relationship with some Rose-Mary clients earlier this year when he visited a Day Services Program where he worked with the clients to have an opportunity for self-expression and to foster happiness and well-being. Art therapy is one of the programs Rose-Mary uses to aid clients with severe developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Bill said he can relate to the Rose-Mary clients because he had health struggles earlier in his life that caused long hospitalizations and other problems. He said the arts -- especially drawing and painting -- helped him cope and overcome his illnesses.
For more information on Rose-Mary, click HERE. For more information on Catholic Charities and complete listing to all ministries and services, click HERE.
