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| Awards Ceremony Recognizes the Generosity and Compassion of the Southeastern, Virginia Community |
Tom Swanston, Executive Director and Joan Brock of Dollar Tree Stores |
It is estimated that there are over 500 people with severe developmental disabilities who can and want to work, but are unemployed in Southeastern, Virginia. Because of this crisis situation, Chesapeake Service Systems (CSS), a nonprofit who provides vocational training and work opportunities to people with severe developmental disabilities, took a bold step in 2004 and started raising funds to begin creating a newly integrated laundry occupational center in Portsmouth, Virginia. The goal was to create more work for these vulnerable individuals. To date, close to three million dollars has been raised get the facility up and running.
The Hampton Roads community banded together and gave gifts to build a place where humble dreams could be realized. The new laundry facility opened in 2005 and there are currently 75 people with severe disabilities who are now gainfully employed there. With room for a total of 300 people, there is still more work to be done. CSS recently recognizing the generosity of the Hampton Roads community at an annual meeting and awards ceremony at the Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in Portsmouth, Virginia. At the event, donors from all over Southeastern Virginia were given community recognition awards for their generosity and five outstanding people with severe disabilities were given awards in honor of their dedication to their jobs and employers. The Master of Ceremonies for the event was ABC affiliate WVEC Channel 13's Meteorologist, Craig Moeller.
The companies, banks, and Foundations who were recognized at the awards ceremony are as follows:
Foundation of the Year Providing Assistance to People with Disabilities 2007: The Beazley Foundation
Disability Philanthropist of the Year 2007: Joan and Macon Brock of Dollar Tree Stores
Media Award 2007: Seven Cities Media
Disability Media Coverage Award 2007: The Virginian-Pilot
Henry Pace Jr. Award 2007: Cox Communications
Supported Employment Employer of the Year 2007: Roses Department Store
City of the Year in Assisting People with Disabilities 2007: City of Portsmouth
Disability Advocate of the Year 2007: Judy Luffman of the Portsmouth Community Foundation
Excellence in Community Giving Awards 2007: Douglas and Patricia Perry Foundation, Resource Bank, Capital Group Companies, Home of the American Fund, Portsmouth General Hospital Foundation, Hearndon Construction, Norfolk Southern Foundation, and the Obici Health Foundation.
CSS serves 553 individuals with severe developmental disabilities from all Hampton Roads, Virginia cities by providing work opportunities and job training in production specialties (for firms like Cox Communications), commercial laundry, food service at Dam Neck Naval Base, Oceana Master Jet Base and NSA NorthWest, as well as supported employment at area businesses.
"I marvel as I contemplate the enormous impact just having a job and earning a paycheck means to people with severe disabilities. It is evident that working is everything to them. Clearly, they just want to feel valued and have a sense of purpose in life" says Tom Swanston, Executive Director
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| Not Your Average (dreaded) Holiday Office Party! |
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Let's be honest, most people hate their end of the year office parties. They dread spending countless hours with the same people they see eight hours a day, five days a week. It's a necessary evil that we all drag ourselves to in fear of losing our jobs or appearing like we don't want to participate. Who doesn't secretly wish they could just stay home and pretend they never got the invite?
There is one place where people start asking about the holiday party months in advance. As the days grow closer they talk with frenzied anticipation about how they can't wait to get dressed up, eat, socialize and dance with their co-workers. The reason is, they actually love their jobs! Over 500 people with mental retardation, autism and other severe disabilities who would otherwise be in institutions or baby-sitting programs, come to work everyday and earn a paycheck at Chesapeake Service Systems (CSS). It gives them independence, self-worth and a purpose in life. Their individual stories would be heartbreaking if they were not given the opportunity to utilize their talents and abilities, but thankfully that is not the case. Sadly, hundreds of other people with severe developmental disabilities in Southeastern, Virginia are not being given the opportunity to work because of negative stereotypes or lack of job opportunities. This is a crisis situation where vulnerable people's lives hang in the balance. It's not only happening here, but all across our country. These are people who can and want to work. Everyone deserves the opportunity to earn a paycheck and have a chance at a normal life. This is why this holiday party is so important. It about community inclusion, working hard and celebrating reaching goals together.
This event was held at the Indian River Recreation Center in Chesapeake, Virginia. A delicious hot meal was served as well as cake for dessert. Dancing and socializing were the highlights of the afternoon. In addition to that, a reporter and camera-person from the City of Chesapeake's TV-48 came to do a story about this very unique office party. Everyone wanted to be on tv talking about their jobs and how proud they are to be earning a paycheck. One of the individuals featured in the piece works for Cox Communications. One of his tasks is cleaning remote controls. He said "I love my job. I have my own apartment and money. Now nobody can tell me what to do. I'm my own boss!" That statement embodies what CSS's programs are all about.
This was a day to celebrate the holidays, but more importantly it was a day to celebrate the hard work and dedication of our clients throughout 2007!
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