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By ANNE M. KELLEY News-Post Staff on the walls of the workshop office are memories of the past 16 years — a Picasso print, a copy of the Declaration of Independence, a painting of the clustered spires. Behind each one is a story bringing back the joys and hard ships of Jeanne Bussard Workshop, and the efforts of director Mrs. Helen Nussear Lockard. Mrs. Lockard announced her retire ment to the board of directors in November. She agreed to stay at the workshop until the board can find a replacement and will help the new direc tor became acclimated to the position. She indicated, therefore, that her retire ment date “remains flexible. Mrs. Lockard, who recently married John Lockard of Champaign, IL, has been the executive director of the workshop since its inception in 1964 Speaking of her retirement, Mrs Lockard said that it was a difficult decision to make. “I have a new life now, and I know just how quickly life can change. I don't want to let too much time go by, she continued. Looking back over the years, Mrs. Lockard recalled that she reported to the workshop with the carpenters, Dec. 1, 1964. She had been recruited by the Frederick Civitan Club after speaking at one of its meetings on her work as director of a workshop for the retarded in Baltimore. At the time, she took their compliments and requests that she come to Frederick as a ‘nice gesture.” She did not realize the seriousness of their intent. Two years later she returned as the first director of the Jeanne Bussard Workshop. The building, approximately 140 years old, was donated by Mr. and Mrs. C. Lease Bussard in memory of their daughter. With a budget of $20,000, six chairs and a table, Mrs. Lockard fac ed the renovation of the building and the task of creating a program for the multi handicapped in Frederick. She agreed to accept no more than two individuals to the program at one time. “This is necessary to establish a good relationship — to make those people feel welcome and important. We have never changed that policy, said Mrs. Lockard, even now, when the workshop is actively serving approximately 70 in dividuals. Mrs. Lockard visited organizations and businesses in the community to establish a vocational rehabilitation Program for the individuals who would use the workshop. “I always wondered which would come first,” said Mrs. Lockard lightly, “the work of the handicapped employees.” The job came first — weighing jelly beans. Because a com mitment had been made to the com pany, Mrs. Lockard found herself weighing jelly beans alone for a few days. “We had a delivery scheduled to meet,” she said, so I had to do it. We still have the same job 16 years later. “Businesses have been very receptive from the beginning,” said Mrs. Lockard. “It has been a wonderful com munity to start in. The people have been SO warm and we have been treated so well.” Since the contract of weighing jelly beans, the workshop has received numerous other jobs. A commercial laundry, a gift shop, and a print shop have been organized as well. “We are industrially oriented,” con tinued Mrs. Lockard. “The ultimate goal is to try to find jobs in the communi ty for our people. Individuals have been placed in jobs within the community and outside. I would say that one of the greatest rewards is to be able to go to a place and see our people in regular working conditions,’’ she said. Mrs. Lockard was reminded of a young girl who came to the workshop several years ago, and now has a full time civil service job. “She used to work in the print shop,” said Mrs. Lockard. When she was taken to Washington for an interview, the girl was shown a press and asked if she could operate it. Her response was that she had pever min one like that, but that she could learn. When asked how she would get to work, the girl offered three alternatives. “It was a good feeling to know that the program had given her so much con fidence,” said Mrs. Lockard. “I was amazed. There are some wonderful suc cess stories out there,” she added. “I don't want to label them. All of this may just be a part of their past. Maybe they've forgotten it. Of course, there are days when employees don't appear for work, said Mrs. Lockard. “We call them when they are absent. It's important to stress on dependence on them. ‘This is your job. You have a responsibility. Others are depending on you too. Mrs. Lockard said that this type of “caring discipline” indicates to that person that they are so meone special, that someone cares about them. “We have tried to build the at mosphere of the place, said the direc tor. “It is a place of business, yet we are a family too. There is real care and con cern here of one for the other. Problems as well as the joys of the workshop are shared with the employees. They hear of success and failure, needs and bonuses at home, and here also. This increases their feeling of self worth. They are important enough that we share all of these things with them. And in the past 18 years there have been a lot of things to share, * she exclaimed. The Jeanne Bussard Workshop was recognized by a delegation from France, visiting 10 workshops in the U.S., as one of the “warmest places, on the tour. It appeared the most like home. The employees had printed special napkins welcoming the guests in both English and French. Small gifts were exchanged. Communication transpired through an interpreter. On their return to France, the delega tion sent a Picasso print to the workshop, picturing a circle of people of different nationalities and the dove of peace in the center — “It's not how dif ferent we are but how alike we are. The piece of art brings back a very special day for Mrs. Lockard and the members of the workshop. Holidays become special times at the workshop too. Just prior to the Bicenten nial Mrs. Lockard proposed a party to explain the Fourth of July to the workshop employees. On “Red, White and Blue Day” a program including stories of America’s Independence were explained — the Bicentennial, the American Seal, the Eagle, the Star Spangled Banner, the Liberty Bell and the Declaration of Independence. At the close of the last story, Mrs. Lockard in vited all of those who felt as the American Fathers did about freedom to sign a copy of the Declaration of In dependence. This document, mounted on 2 plaque graces one of the office walls. “Every time I look up and see that it brings back a tremendous memory, said Mrs. Lockard. “I don't think I'l ever forget it.” In this cause and effect world, Mrs. Lockard has stressed the need to help in dividuals at the workshop face situa cns and circumstances in a realistic Manner. “It's a real world and we can not shelter the handicapped people,” she commented. The board of directors has been a great boon to Mrs. Lockard and her ef forts at the workshop. “They have been £ 0 supportive and have been so willing to let me try different things,” she said. “Individuals on the board have lent their expertise in various areas and have really taught me a lot. Through the years, I have grown with them and they with me.” Mrs. Lockard said that she and all the successive board members have held the same philosophies and worked on planning things together. “With that kind of cooperation, we couldn't help but succeed, said Mrs. Lockard warmly. The director commented that there was no place to stop thanking the people in the community for their help, generosity and kindness. The workshop also could not stand without the excellent staff Mrs. Lockard says she has had. “Everyone who comes in remarks how nice the staff members are,”” she said. “I couldn't have done it without them. They have made a tremendous contribution to the workshop. * Mrs. Lockard says that she really hasn't given a great deal of thought as to what she will do at the close of her career as director of the Jeanne Bussard Workshop. “I would like to travel some, to just enjoy my home, and perhaps become involved in some per sonal enrichment things,” she com mented. “All the things I've wanted to do, but never seemed to have the time for. I want life to continue, to count for something,” she added. To make the transition as smooth as possible, Mrs. Lockard said that she is willing to aid the new director when that Person becomes employed. “I don't want the people here to feel rejected or at a loss,” she said, “and I do plan to come back and visit frequently. I've got too much of my life invested in this place to give it up completely. Mrs. Helen Nussear Lockard
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News
Frederick, Maryland, US
Fri, Dec 12, 1980
Page 45
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Spanko G.
