Creating opportunities for adults with disabilities since 1974
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A Message From Our Executive Director
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This is certainly a most unique and challenging time for all of us. We at Vocational Visions have focused on keeping our programs open, even when our buildings are closed. In this issue, you will read about many of the creative ways our staff have been delivering services to our clients. We are offering an ever expanding plethora of virtual services in order to provide the people we serve continued opportunities for self-direction and choice while staying at home.
We will continue to do this until we receive guidance about reopening our facilities. We look forward to the day this happens but I believe we will have to do this incrementally.
How we reopen will depend on many factors but I think we all know that social distancing requirements will be here to stay for a while longer. We will have to incorporate these guidelines into our reopening strategy to keep our clients and staff healthy and safe. Perhaps some clients will come to Vocational Visions facilities while others, perhaps, will need to continue to receive virtual services. Social distancing in vehicles will be a huge challenge too.
I am participating in a work group with Executive Directors from other organizations throughout California to share ideas and strategies for moving forward when the time is right. Stay tuned for more information.
Thank you for your ongoing support for our mission and your commitment to the people we serve.
Stay home, stay safe and be strong.
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Participant Engagement During Covid-19
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As most businesses have had to do, we have learned to adapt and re-invent ways of doing things during the pandemic. After more than 45 years of providing in-person services, we have mostly moved to a virtual support model. We'd like to share some highlights of how we are using technology to engage with our participants.
We have expanded our website to share several free activities that can be done safely from home during the COVID-19 shelter-in-place guidelines.
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Here is a picture of Amy from our Adult Day Program checking out some of our activities on our website from her group home computer.
Check out our activities here:
From this page, visitors can navigate to activities organized on the following menu tabs:
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The California Disability Services Association complimented our organization for being the first one to include online engagement activities for participants during COVID-19.
Our Direct Support Professional (DSP) staff continue to engage with our participants via the following ways:
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Phone calls
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Texting
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Email
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FaceTime
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Zoom (Clubhouse even has karaoke parties using zoom)
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WhatsApp
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Facebook Messenger
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Skype
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U.S. mail
· In person deliveries (following COVID-19 safety guidelines)
Our DSP's are aware of our website and use it regularly when engaging with participants. We're adding new activities often taking suggestions from participants, their families and staff alike. We aim to continue to add routine, support and value to the lives of those we serve, no matter the circumstances.
Here's an example of some of the ways we have continued to engage our participants virtually:
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Hosting Annual Review meetings via conference calls
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Mailing cookbooks, coloring books / workbooks and word searches
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Mailing personalized cards
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Helping participants to register for classes
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aking with participants using video conferencing
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Watching movies and discussing (reviewing) via phone or video
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Looking at and engaging in activities on our website and Facebook
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Preparing and dropping off art project supply kits
Here's a look at what some of our participants have been doing to stay busy during this time:
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Check out our Vocational Visions Instagram page for spotlight stories on some of our participants.
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Crip Camp - A Disability Revolution
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You have probably heard about the immense popularity of the 'Tiger King' crime documentary on Netflix. In fact, it has recently been the #1 streaming title on Netflix. It has received a lot of publicity.
In the shadow of ‘Tiger King’,
another documentary debuted on Netflix that is not getting a lot of media buzz but absolutely deserves it. It's called 'Crip Camp - A Disability Revolution' and it is a very special film that uses archive footage along with present day interviews to chronicle a fascinating and uplifting revolution that is often overlooked in our history books.
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Synopsis:
Down the road from Woodstock, a revolution blossomed at a ramshackle summer camp for teenagers with disabilities, transforming their lives and igniting a landmark movement in disability rights.
Wouldn't it be great if this movie could become the new #1 that everyone is talking about? If you have access to Netflix, we encourage you to watch
'Crip Camp - A Disability Revolution'.
Fair warning: This documentary has an R rating from the MPAA and is best suited for audiences 17 years of age and older.
Here's a quote from ADP Program Quality Lead Kathy Weiss after watching this film:
"I worked for Congress at the same time as Califano's office was experiencing the protest and was totally unaware of what was going on. I was only two blocks away. It makes me ashamed. Why wasn't the public made more aware of this? It's sad that people with disabilities were so marginalized at that time."
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Q & A Spotlight
Newest Board Member Lynn Chang-Ly
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Our organization is blessed to be served by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors. We'd like to introduce our newest member of our board - Lynn Chang-Ly who joined us just about 4 months ago. Let's get to know more about Lynn Q & A style below:
Question:
Time is a valuable commodity. What inspired you to dedicate some of your valuable time to Vocational Visions?
Answer:
As an immigrant to the United States, I am grateful to finally enjoy the life of the “American Dream.” I was fortunate to have people assist me throughout my immigrant journey. It is now my turn to contribute to those in need. I believe that it is important to give back to my community, my society, and my country.
__________________
Question:
What line of work are you in?
Answer:
I am a financial professional at New York Life. Helping individuals, families, and business owners is my priority, and my goal is to assist them in thoughtfully preparing and protecting their futures. I aim to provide people with the necessary resources to help them achieve fulfilling lives.
__________________
Question:
Have you ever volunteered or worked with people with disabilities in the past?
Answer:
I was the manager of a primary care physician’s clinic for 15 years and met both patients and patients’ family members with special needs and care. Additionally, I was a case manager for 5 years, in which some of my clients had disabilities. As a case manager, I worked closely with single parents to help them acquire self-sufficiency, as well as to protect and provide for their children.
__________________
Question:
What is a quote about life that really resonates with you?
Answer:
“We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves.” ~ Buddha
__________________
Welcome aboard Lynn! You have joined a team of talented and dedicated members and we appreciate each and every one. Stay tuned to see which board member we will shine our Q & A spotlight on in next month's e-news.
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Enchanted Evening 2020 Theme Reveal
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It took a while to finally get this year's Enchanted Evening theme agreed upon as our ideas were reshaping along with the emergence of the pandemic.
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'All You Need Is Love' seemed to fit our sentiments perfectly. What we all need right now is to heal, to foster kindness, to love and to be loved while we endure this difficult time. Love will help get us through this.
Enchanted Evening is currently scheduled for September 26, 2020.
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Social Media Call To Action - Facebook
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Vocational Visions has been serving the disability community in Orange County for just over 45 years. However, our research has shown that only 1 in 10 people in south Orange County have actually heard of us.
To this end, one of our marketing improvement strategies is to become more established on our business social media platforms. These platforms, along with our website, agency referrals, media exposure and word of mouth help to educate others about the great work that we do and the wonderful people that we serve.
This month, we are asking for your help with our Facebook business page. We have a goal of reaching
1,000 page likes
and
1,000 page followers
. We also have a goal of reaching
50 recommendations
. We are a little over half way there on all counts but we need your help.
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If you have a Facebook account, please do any/all of the following:
- Like our business page
- Follow our business page
- Recommend our business on our business page
- Like and comment on our business page wall posts
- Ask your friends and family to do the same
If you don't have a Facebook account, have you ever thought about signing up for one? It's free. Here is the link to our Facebook page:
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Thank you very much for helping us to achieve our marketing goals for Facebook. With very little time and no money, you can make a huge difference with our exposure and reach. Next month, we'll explore our goals for another social media platform.
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We often take for granted the very things
that most deserve our gratitude.
Beth Ozick
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With most businesses enduring financial hardships during COVID-19, it's nice to see some businesses are still making charitable giving a priority. Here is a partial list of businesses donating auction items for our Enchanted Evening event this year. Thank you!
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Since Panera Bread has been kind enough to donate to our Enchanted Evening auction this year, we thought we would reciprocate the generosity by sharing that Panera Bread is doing it's own fundraiser right now.
Panera Bread is on a mission to distribute up to 500,000 meals for
Feeding America.
Also, through 5/10/2020, Panera Bread is offering 20% off on Panera gift cards purchased online. What a great gift this would make for an essential healthcare or public safety employee. You could buy a $15 dollar gift card online by 5/10. Then donate the $3 discount you received to buy a meal for their fundraiser.
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#SeeAPlateFillAPlate
#YourCupIsAlwaysFull
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Memorial Day *
Board of Director's Meeting
Independence Day (observed) *
Enchanted Evening Gala
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May 25, 2020
May 27, 2020
July 3, 2020
September 26, 2020
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*
Vocational Visions is closed on these days
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Enchanted Evening 2020
Saturday, September 26, 2020
Hyatt Regency
John Wayne Airport, Newport Beach
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Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to us.
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