Happy Halloween! 🎃 Our October 2021 VV News is Here for You

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OCTOBER 2021 E-NEWSLETTER

A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

With enthusiastic optimism, our Enchanted Evening Planning Committee is moving forward to ensure that our April 30, 2022 event will be spectacular! Please watch for sponsorship opportunities, requests for donations to our live and silent auctions and your invitation to the gala. We are all so excited to celebrate together for the benefit of the participants in all seven of our Vocational Visions (VV) programs. We hope you are too. Please mark your calendars!

Our program participants, along with program staff, have been celebrating Halloween in grand fashion with parties, decorations, costume contests, parades and more. There is so much laughter, joy and happiness in the air. Our participants truly show us how to have fun and celebrate the moment. It’s the stuff that breathes life into our mission.

The state of California has now mandated that all VV employees must be fully vaccinated by November 30, 2021. 97% of our staff is already vaccinated! There are no other public health order changes so we must still operate onsite programs at no more than 50% capacity.

Please don’t forget to tell everyone that VV is hiring!

Thanks for reading and be well!

EMAIL JOAN

PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT

ALEXA SPROTTE

This month, we are shining our participant spotlight on Alexa Sprotte. Alexa has been participating in our DTAC Alambre program since March of 2015. We're eager to share more about Alexa here with the help of her mom Terry.

One of Alexa's favorite things to do is riding horses at The Shea Center in San Juan Capistrano. She is fearless and often signs "I love you” by crossing her arms across her chest while she is riding. It’s a bit disconcerting since she is not holding the reins at that moment but her strong legs and straight posture keep her safely on the horse.

Alexa also enjoys watching the Barney & Friends show. She loves the music, the singing and the bright colors make her bright smile even brighter. Every once in a while, she will even showcase a few dance moves and that makes everyone around her smile.

Alexa’s preferred exercise, besides riding a horse, is walking. She takes several walks a day - about a half an hour each time. Here is a picture of Alexa and her mom Terry enjoying a walk.

Alexa also delights in putting puzzles together, as well as listening to books read aloud to her. When it comes to games, she really loves Pop up Pirate and she generally wins!

Alexa has lived at Gilbert Care Home-Milan, a group home in Anaheim, since 2015. The staff is amazing and takes great care of her. In mid 2019, Alexa’s parents, Terry and Erik, moved all the way to Portugal. Their intention was to return to the states for visits a few times a year. Unfortunately, the pandemic has really altered those plans but video calls were a great substitute. Mom Terry was finally able to reunite with Alexa just last month and it was such a wonderful visit! They made many beautiful memories and some of these photos were taken from this visit.

Although Alexa’s vocabulary is limited, she is a very talented greeter who loves to say “hi” to everyone. She also likes to periodically scream when she gets excited or happy. It’s just her way of saying “so happy to see you” or sometimes, “what you said is hilarious.” Alexa has a very vibrant smile with a personality to match. This month she is celebrating her birthday. Happy Birthday Alexa! It was super fun getting to know more about you.

EMPLOYEE SPOTLIGHT

RON OWENS

Our organization is blessed to have a super staff of Direct Support Professionals who are committed to enhancing the lives of our participants. This month, we are highlighting Ronald Owens who is a Job Coach in our Supported Employment Program.

Question: How did you first find out about VV?

Answer: Barbara Madson, whom I used to work with at another agency, informed me that VV had a need for a job coach who was fluent in sign language to support one of their clients who is deaf at their job site. I knew I fit the bill so I applied and was hired the next day.

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Question: If someone has never heard of VV, what would you share with them to help them to understand what VV is about?

Answer: I would share about how my role in the organization helps our working participants. As a Job Coach, I assist my clients at their place of employment, wherever that may be, with whatever they need assistance with so that they can be their very best at their jobs. It might be something simple and routine like ensuring they are clocking in and out properly so they get paid accurately. It often involves coaching them on how to interact more confidently with their supervisors and managers so they are comfortable expressing their needs and concerns and are able to receive feedback constructively.

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Question: What is your favorite part of your job at VV?

Answer: I support a group of our employees at Montage Laguna Beach. It’s a beautiful place to be and I rejoice in making sure that the participants are happy and enjoying the work that they do. Here's a picture of me with participants Jamie and Julie on the job.

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Question: What is something that could be added, removed or changed to make VV better?

Answer: I’m so happy that we are finally able to get back to work at Montage and I can’t wait to leave this pandemic behind us. I’d like to be instrumental in continuing to make a better environment for our participants so they can achieve their next level of success.

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Question: Did you volunteer or work with people who are uniquely abled before working at VV?

Answer: I sure did. I worked for Goodwill Industries from 1990 - 1998, Project Independence from 1999 - 2007 and Casa de Amma from 2007 - 2008 before joining VV.

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Question: Are there any interesting, unique or fun facts about you that you would like to share with us?

Answer: I have a pretty good sense of humor. I'm fond of working out and I love to hang out with family and friends. I am a big fan of mountain cabin trips, good movies and holiday parties. Halloween is my favorite time of the year. I am known to dress up for the occasion. Here I am dressed up as The Tin Man and as Michael Myers (yes, Michael Myers is an Angels fan). Happy Halloween everyone!

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Question: What is your motto for life or a quote that really resonates with you?

Answer: “Keep the faith and believe and achieve!”

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Thank you very much for your dedication Ron in helping our participants shine in the workforce. Enjoy your favorite time of the year!

BOARD OF DIRECTORS SPOTLIGHT

JOHN CONNOLLY

Our organization is fortunate to be served by a dedicated volunteer Board of Directors (BOD). Over the past year and a half, we have been highlighting our board members in our monthly newsletters. This month, we're wrapping up our BOD spotlights with John. John has been a member of our BOD for ~ 25 years. Let's get to know more about him here.

Question: Time is a valuable commodity. What inspired you to dedicate some of your valuable time to VV?

Answer: I had previously served on the Board Trustees of Saddleback Community College District.

Our original director asked me if I would join the board. I agreed and I'm still here.

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Question: What type of work do you do?

Answer: I am an attorney whose practice is in the area of Trust, Wills, Special Needs Trusts and Probate. Although I have been an attorney in California for over 40 years, I have concentrated my practice in Trusts and Probate for the last 25 years.

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Question: Have you ever volunteered or worked with people with disabilities in the past?

Answer: I have been a member of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men’s organization for many years. One of our goals is to provide summer camps for people with disabilities in the San Bernardino Mountains. We also give wheel chairs to those in need.

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Question: What is your motto or a quote about life that really resonates with you?

Answer: Our family motto is “Non Sibi” (not for one's self).

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Thank you John for your quarter century of commitment to VV thus far, your legal minded expertise and your awesome bingo calling skills at VV. We appreciate you.