News for You The Meaning Behind Employment First Working

News for You The Meaning Behind Employment First Working

June 2014/Issue 3
News for You
A VGC & Willoughby
Collaborative
A VGC & Willoughby Collaborative
June 2014
The Meaning Behind Employment First
Insi de thi s is sue:
Inside Story
2
Inside Story
2
Congratulations Employee of the
Quarter Bobby R. (pictured with
mom, Megan, Shawn, & Brian at
Willoughby Workshop)
Canesia is filling bags for Fiber
Core
The Adult Services program is
presently reviewing The Employment First Initiatives that
were finalized in March of this
year. The rules state that
county boards & providers be
directed toward community &
supported employment or
prevocational services. Supported employment services
entails job training, vocational
assessments, job development,
placement, work site accessibility. Prevocational services
teach skills that prepare individuals for the workplace. The
rule also states that each individual shall participate in an
individualized person centered
planning process which details
their strengths, interests, abilities, preferences, resources, &
desired outcomes. The person
centered process will determine
which tier level the individual
resides:
1)
Working in the community with supports
2)
Not working in the community but interested &
needs support
3)
Unsure of working in the
community, needs more
information
4) Not interested with working in the community.
Needs support to learn
more.
Presently the Adult Services
program is looking at revising
the evaluation to better address
the Employment First Initia-
Caption describing picture or
graphic.
tives. Workshops are providing the best experiences for
our individuals. Ultimately
we must keep in mind that
choice, advancement,
growth, and more opportunities will benefit individuals
in the future.
By Staff
Working towards Success
The Work group at VGC is
always buzzing. We have so
many jobs going on it takes
everyone working as a team to
get the work done. When we
are doing Fibercore everyone
has a specific job to do to get
the work out. We start by filling the bags. Then Ellie V.
weighs the bags to make sure
they are the right weight. Then
Jesse G. seals the bags and
packs them away in the boxes
that Chris D. and Adam B.
made. Finally they are sealed
closed by Tom S. and are ready
to ship! When all the work is
done there is always something
fun to do. Whether it is read-
ing our book from book club,
going on walks with our Workshop Specialist, or having a
dance party, we enjoy our days
here in the work group at
VGC!
By Jodi S & Julie C
Page 2
News for You
A VGC & Willoughby Collaborative
VGC puts on an Awesome Idol Show
Richard B., Rachel G., Chris
C., TJ L., Casey C., Pete C.,
and John T., all dressed in
army clothes and sung “I am
Proud to be an American”.
3. Cowgirls: Susan M., , Canesia K., Jessica M., line danced
and sang, “Boys Round Here”
The sixth annual VGC Idol show was exciting again this
year. Consumers displayed their talents at the tryouts.
Sherry, Nancy, Dawn and Denise coached the contestants
for weeks. The acts included singing, dancing, and comedy.
The Master of Ceremonies for the event at VGC was Brain
Kelley from WKKY 104.7. The judges included Asa CoxUsher, Joan Spring, Kathy Rhodes, Norman Dunzweiler,
Rikki Coach, Tia Kozlovich, and Mac Chafer. The twelve
acts competed at VGC on March 12, 2014. The acts included:
1. Christopher D. singing “I’m Still Standing”
2. The Team USA all American group included Jean G.,
Eddie N., , Emmalynn S., Tonm S., Lacey J., Shantee M.,
4. Claudia B.. singing
“Tomorrow”
5. Todd R. top hat and cane in
hand singing, “New York,
New York”
6. Carol J. singing “I Love
Rock and Roll”
7. Kyle G. singing “Heart and
Soul”
8. Amanda E. singing “She
Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy”
9. Loretta F. singing “This I
promise You”
10. Shelley B. performing comedy
11. Zack W. singing “A Whole
New World”
12. Drew L. singing “Lean on
Me”
The top four acts from VGC
went on to compete at the
Great Lakes Mall on March 30,
2014. Willoughby Workshop
& CES contestants also competed. A news anchor from
Channel 8 news was Master of
Ceremonies at the mall. And
the winners were: Team USA
took 1st place, Tim S. received
2nd place, Susan M., Canesia
K., & Jessica M. won 3rd
Place, & Christopher D. got
4th place, respectively.
By Carrie M.
Kristin, a member of the news team, the Willoughby Idol , and the
Deepwood Idol. wrote about her experience. “ I felt nervous like I couldn't
sing. Also, my voice was acting up so I could not sing very well. I was glad that
Chrissy, my partner in song, was there. I made it to Deepwood Idol. It was exciting
and a lot of people came to watch. I enjoyed the experience. I would definitely do it
again. ”
Kristin’s song partner, Chrissy, also put the experience in her own
words, “ It is very hard work to be an Idol contestant. You have to practice and
make sure you performance is clean and good. You have to do your best & relax &
don’t over think it. I dread the judging. This is when you feel that you were not good
enough. If I could change one thing it would be my song and my performance.” We
think everyone did a nice job. Thanks to all the contestants for putting
on a great show.
By Kristin & Chrissy
Idol Takes the Stage at Willoughby
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or graphic.
Willoughby Idol Top Ten Idols
Include the following:
Stop Believing”
6)
Lisa F. “Treasure”
1)
Kristin M. & Chrissy P.
singing “Take a Hint”
7)
Tony H. “Home on the
Range”
2)
Brendan R. singing “Old
Time Rock n Roll”
8)
3)
Barry J. singing “Greased
Lightening”
Megan T. singing & dancing to Best of Both
Worlds”
9)
4)
Jeff K. singing “Hi Ho”
Kristin M. singing “She’s
in love with a boy”
5)
Mike P. singing “Don’t
10) Chrissy P. sings “Strange”
Thanks to Christina Brown,
Michelle Cimperman, & John
Maglosky, Allison, Karen, Judy,
Susan, Dawn, Duane, Ken,
Lisa, Cheryl, Laura, Mrs.
Logan, RHI Music, & RPM tshirts /Jim for all the support.
By Staff
News for You
A VGC & Willoughby Collaborative
Page 3
Job Club on the Path towards the Community
The Job Club is a club for individuals who want to get trained
to work out in the community.
We go to different job sites to
learn different jobs. We went
to Laketran, Petti’s Pizza,
Dino’s restaurant, Ladies &
Gents, & Willoughby Brewing
Co so far this year. We are in
the process of learning different jobs such as cleaning, doing dishes, answering phones,
sweeping, scanning, intricate
assembly, folding, and doing
laundry to name a few. Job
Club is about growing into
VGC had two very exciting
events in March. The first
which was a huge success was
a family open house with one
of the biggest pizza parties in
the history of world. Over 900
slices of pizza where gobbled
up! Families came and toured
the building, watched everyone
hard at work, and enjoyed their
lunch with their loved ones.
Another exciting activity was
the special Polka show. The
Habat Family Polka Band
played all the polka hits a polka
Staff Appreciation
I appreciate staff because they
talk to us and care about us.
They help us with our jobs and
answer our questions. I want
staff to know I could help
them out. I also appreciate my
Lake tran drivers because I like
to ride with them and they are
so nice to everyone. I think it
is important to celebrate our
being a better worker. Job
Club is also about learning
what opportunities are out
there and finding what fits
you best. We do paperwork
that helps teach us about different jobs and where we
would like to work and what
our preferences are. We also
do assessments that help us
to be more aware of where
we need to improve. Job
Club has been rewarding . It
has taught me what I need to
work on to be the best I can
be. By Chrissy
By Chrissy P.
Job Club visits Lake Tran in
March for community experience.
Kristin pictured to the left scan-
dancer could ever wish for. Everyone danced the afternoon away
and enjoyed themselves! By
Kyle S.
Disability Month was celebrated throughout the month of
March. We had a party to celebrate the Idol show winners as
well as two birthdays; Mary Lou
and Lacey. We had cake and
learned to polka dance. Even
the wheelchairs were decorated.
We had pizza, salad, cookies and
two birthday cakes. By Carrie
staff because they do a really
great job with all of us.
“Thank you for all your hard
work. I appreciate you. ”
By Allison T.
The Memorial Day Ceremony at Willoughby Guest speaker was Sam Mele,
from the Air National Guard along
with Bobby, Jessica, Donna, & Chris.
Jesse is working hard sealing bags for
Fiber Core at VGC Workshop
(above)
Enjoying the Habat Family Polka at
Band at VGC. (to the left)
Susie & a volunteer knit together at
Willoughby. (below)
The Advocacy group presented the 7th
Annual Chili Cook –off on March 26. Judges
included Al Wells, Doug Valentino, & Gary
Metelko. Winners of the Cook-off were Craig
Snook at VGC, Jim Whiting at Willoughby, &
Angela Hernadez at Willoughby.
Approximately $668.00 was collected with
proceeds going to Camp Sue Osborn. Thanks
to Advocacy, the staff who participated, and
the judges for making this event successful.
At the Movies with Brendan
Dear Reader, sorry about the wait. It has been a long
time but when you do entertainment reviews, it takes a
writer a long time to compare movies. Take Captain
America the Winter Solstice. It was more like the Cleveland
Captain America. It took three months to film in Cleveland but well worth the wait. P.S. Do not leave after the
credits. This movie has two endings —stay for both of
them. The Amazing Spider Man 2 is a well done movie. It
pits Spidey versus electro as the main villain. Felicai is
also introduced, she is later to become an ally of Spiderman in the next installment. In this movie Spidey has
three enemies. The first enemy is the Rhino he fights
only in the opening for a short time. Electro, the second
enemy is introduced and is in most of the movie. The
third enemy is the green Goblin, seen towards the end of
the movie. He teams up with Electro...and the rest you
will have to see for yourself! Additionally, the special
effects of this movie were really good. I especially like the
Rhino. Enjoy!
By Brendan R.
Have Some Summer Fun
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graphic.
There are many things to do in
our area over the summer.
You can go watch The Cleveland Indians or Captains play
ball. There are also several
swimming pools in the area
where you can go on these hot
days to cool off. There are
also festivals in several cities
like Mentors City fest and
Eastlake’s Summer fest where
you have rides, games, parades,
fireworks, and music. But the
biggest event of the summer is
Fairport’s Mardi Gras usually
held Fourth of July weekend. If
fun and games or swimming
don’t appeal to you there are
summer concerts held at the
Mentor Civic Center and
Headlands and Fairport
beaches where you can lay in
the sun and get a tan. There is
something for everyone in
Lake County. Have a great
summer, have fun, stay cool
and try not to get sunburned.,
By Nicole M.
(Pictured above to the left)
Lisa & a volunteer spend time
crocheting together.
(pictured to the left)
Chris, Paul, Lea, & Diana enjoy
the Rockefeller Gardens in Cleveland.