Creating opportunities for adults with disabilities since 1974 |
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NOVEMBER 2022 E-NEWSLETTER
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A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |
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Hello Friends of Vocational Visions,
Making the holidays special is something that is important to all of us. While we may all celebrate this time of year in different ways, we want to create memories that give meaning to our lives and to those we love. And I am sure we all work very hard to create those precious moments.
Here at Vocational Visions, our staff and managers have also been working very hard. Thinking back to Halloween, there were costume parties with food, music, and a lot of laughs. Last week was Thanksgiving, and almost every program did something special for people we support, with fun food and drinks, and most importantly, the chance to get together and show how much we appreciate each other.
The December holidays will be no different. Spaces in our Alambre and Pala buildings will be decked with colorful decorations. Christmas music (and maybe a Hanukkah song or two) will waft through the buildings. And, of course, there will be more celebrations, with more fun food and drinks, and again, the chance to come together, to reflect on the year coming to a close, and to set our sights on the year ahead.
We know that when people in our programs are here at Vocational Visions, or out in the community, everyone is treated with love, respect, and kindness. But we also know that when people leave their programs, many go home to a different reality. While many live with loving families and caring group homes, some are cared for by aging parents who may not be able to care for their son or daughter as they once could. Some may be socially isolated, without a strong support system of friends and family. For some, the celebrations they attend at Vocational Visions may be their only chance to enjoy the holidays.
We strive every day to help people with disabilities be part of their communities. This is never more important than during the holidays. I want to thank you for being a supporter of Vocational Visions. You strengthen our mission, and with your help, fewer people will be isolated, and more will know how much they matter to those around them. During this time of year, with so much love, laughter, and generosity, we are all reminded how important it is to bring people together – during the holidays, and all year long.
Whether you celebrate Kwanzaa, Hanukkah, Christmas (or even Festivus), on behalf of everyone at Vocational Visions, I wish you joy, peace, and happiness during this holiday season.
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Looking for something fun to do this holiday season? Two of our participants are performing in a local production of 'A Christmas with Scrooge' presented by Musical Theatre Village (MTV). MTV is a community theatre in Irvine that has presented six family-oriented musicals each year for the past 25 years.
Igor, who won a best newcomer award last year from MTV, will be playing the role of 'Tom' on the following performance dates:
December 3 @ 2 pm
December 9 @ 7:30 pm
December 16 @ 7:30 pm
December 17 @ 7:30 pm
For the performances where Igor is not playing Tom, he will be part of the chorus.
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Longtime MTV cast member Joshua will be performing two of his favorite characters.
He will be playing the role of 'Mr. Poole' on the following dates:
December 4 @ 2 pm
December 9 @ 7:30 pm
December 18 @ 2 pm
Joshua will be performing as the 'Ghost of Christmas Presents' on the following dates:
December 3 @ 2 pm
December 17 @ 7:30 pm
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This musical is performed annually and is funny and heartwarming. For ticket information, please check out the MTV website.
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Our HRS (Health Related Services) program provides the participants we serve with instructional activities and community integration to help them develop and maintain skills and for us to discover their capabilities to continue giving them the best services. |
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The participants are always joyful to come to day program as our department is not a team but a family. While our staff are great advocates and support for our participants, we also have amazing nurses that tend to the health needs of our participants to ensure their well-being while at Vocational Visions. |
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Here in HRS, what we do is important. It makes a difference amongst our participants, their families, and for the community of those with disabilities. |
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We are excited to shine our employee spotlight on Richard Squirrell. Richard joined Vocational Visions in 2020 and has worked as a job coach with a 1:1 ratio, as well as a community coach with a 1:4 ratio in our ADP program. Let's get to know a bit more about Richard here.
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Question: How did you first find out about VV?
Answer: I am the parent of a Downs / Autistic son and I am retired from teaching special education. My family has also been a foster family for children with special needs. Because of this background, I have become very aware of local resources like Vocational Visions.
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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 the ADP program where we work with adults with special needs through community integration.
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Question: What is your favorite part of your job at VV?
Answer: It has to be the unique personalities this population has.
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Question: What is something that could be added, removed or changed to make VV better?
Answer: More jobs for the participants. I would like every participant who wants to work, to be able to work, with our support. I know that we are short staffed which can make it difficult to accommodate varying work schedules with 1:1 job coaching (especially in ADP where our job coaches are on the jobsite with the employed participants 100% of the time).
Additionally, I think higher pay for our coaches would really help us to hire and to maintain our workforce.
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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 appreciate the good rapport I have with our participants.
Editor's note: We got a bit more insight about what's special about Richard from some ADP participants and co-workers. Here's what they said:
- He has a great sense of humor
- The participants love him and often request him
- He is nice, caring, and kind
- He encourages others to try new things
- He's super helpful
- He works really well with people of all abilities
- If he had to choose between cats or dogs for a pet, he would choose cats (but since his wife loves dogs, they have both)
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Question: What is your motto for life, or a quote that really resonates with you?
“We're all different, deserve respect, and should respect others.”
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Richard recently shared a few impromptu words about being an employee at VV. Watch the short video below. |
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Thank you, Richard, for sharing a bit about you. We are fortunate to have your temperament and experience at VV and it's clear you are well liked by all. Participant Townsend sums it up quite nicely by saying you are a cool guy! We couldn't agree more. |
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We are busy decorating for the December holiday season. We love to decorate big! Take a look at some of our participants showcasing their fall themed decorations by clicking on the brief video below. |
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Alzheimer's Awareness Month - Entire Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month - Entire Month
Diabetes Awareness Month - Entire Month
National Family Caregivers Month - Entire Month
National Stress Awareness Day - November 2, 2022
Daylight Saving Time Ends - November 6, 2022
World Kindness Day - November 13, 2022
World Diabetes Day - November 14, 2022
VV Board of Directors Meeting - No Meeting This Month
Thanksgiving * - November 24, 2022
Day after Thanksgiving * - November 25, 2022
Giving Tuesday - November 29, 2022
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Birth Defects Awareness Month - Entire Month
Board of Directors Meeting - December 14, 2022
Christmas Day (observed) * - December 26, 2022
December 27 - 30, 2022 * - VV Onsite Programming Closed
New Year's Day (observed) * - January 2, 2023
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* Vocational Visions is closed
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SHOP FOR SUMMER & EARN DONATIONS FOR VV
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Click on this link to smile.amazon.com to go right to the page to select Vocational Visions as your charity for Amazon purchases.
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to us as long as you shop at smile.amazon.com.
Click here for instructions to activate AmazonSmile on your Amazon mobile phone app.
This month, we received a donation check for $148.13 thanks to our 106 Amazon shoppers that have selected VV as their charity of choice for AmazonSmile purchases. In the month of October 2022, we had 198 qualifying purchases (down by 19 from the previous month). Are you taking advantage of AmazonSmile, especially with the holiday shopping? It is a wonderful and easy way to help further our mission.
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BUY GROCERIES AT RALPHS
EARN DONATIONS FOR VV
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Shop for your groceries and earn donations for Vocational Visions! Simply link your free Ralphs Grocery Store shopper's card account to Vocational Visions as part of this program:
Then, swipe your shopper's card (or enter your associated phone number) during the checkout process and Ralphs will make a quarterly donation to us on your behalf.
It only takes a couple of minutes to sign up. Click on the link above or the image below to sign up and make a difference in an unassuming but important way.
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Purchases excluded from earning a donation include: alcohol, tobacco, pharmacy, postage stamps, gift cards and gift certificates, CRV, fluid milk and milk products, lottery and promotional tickets, fuel and fuel center purchases. |
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