“Chelsea Werner wasn’t supposed to develop the necessary physical attributes. She wasn’t supposed to get past the most rudimentary level of artistic gymnastics. She wasn’t supposed to show the persistence needed to stick with such a rigorous sport.
Now Werner has one national championship to her credit and is in England this weekend trying to add an international title. Victory or not, a winning message will be on display for those paying attention.” Click here to learn more about Chelsea Werner.
A new program in Lane County is helping people with developmental disabilities learn critical job skills. This is the last week of the program, and they’re graduating in just a few days.Nine students
EUGENE, Ore — Pearl Buck Center continues making a difference in Lane County — empowering people with developmental disabilities.
The nonprofit offers multiple programs including employment opportunities at the Pearl Buck Center production sites and at 49 community businesses.
Jordan Hunt came to the Pearl Buck Center in May of 2016 for job employment assistance. Pearl Buck assigned Linda Cox as his careeer coach.
“Really just try to listen to the client and see what they want and let them lead the job search,” said Cox.
Cox worked with Hunt to fine-tuned his resume and practice interview skills. Not long after working with a job coach, Hunt landed a part-time job at Mac’s Restaurant and Nightclub in Eugene.
“Number one, we don’t discriminate against anyone. We hire based on what we feel is the right person for the right position. Aces in their places in our motto here.” said Peggy Bruce, Mac’s General Manager.
Currently, 112 clients just like Hunt are enjoying a rewarding job in the community. Hunt also gets assistance from a Pearl Buck supported living counselor.
“I’m just here to guide him in making the right decisions,” said Brooke Bodewitz.
Bodewitz and Hunt meet twice a week to talk, run errands and simply hang out. Bodewitz is a friend, a counselor, and a big supporter of Pearl Buck Center.
“I love being able to get out and show our community that people with disabilities can still to every day things just like every other normal person,” added Bodewitz.
Hunt is example that a person with a disability is not defined by their limitations, but rather shaped by their abilities.
“You couldn’t ask for a better job than this,” said Hunt.
– See more at: http://www.kezi.com/news/Pearl_Buck_Center_Helps_Find_Jobs.html#sthash.CitAlyFn.dpuf
Olivia Wilde‘s PSA for people with Down syndrome will give you goosebumps as you watch the actress live her life while a woman with Down syndrome speaks about how she sees herself.
“Vinyl” cinematographer Reed Morano used the actress to show what it’s like to sing, run, and be a daughter, and to show that she is an “ordinary person, with an important, meaningful, beautiful life.”
“I see myself singing, dancing and laughing until I cannot breathe,” says the voiceover. “And also crying sometimes. I see myself following my dreams even if they are impossible.”
We then see AnnaRose Rubright, a 19-year-old woman with Down syndrome, who has been speaking the whole time.
“This is how I see myself,” Rubright asks the camera, “How do you see me?”
In an interview with the Washington Post, Rubright said the commercial reflected something she has suffered her entire life — feeling like she wasn’t “regular.”
“It makes me feel sad and disappointed,” she said. “I’m not treated with respect and I’m not treated as if I’m important.”
According to the Post, there are an estimated 400,000 people living with Down syndrome in the United States. The advertisement was put together by the organization Coordown, an Italian organization.
If you are looking for an employee that has a positive attitude, enjoys staying busy, and is excited to learn new tasks, Adrian Cracknell is the man to hire!
Adrian has many years’ experience at his family’s dog rescue, doing a wide variety of tasks including; administering medication, providing treatment to sick and injured animals, Operating facility laundry, disinfecting, cleaning and organizing pens and stables.
Adrian also has valuable experience operating a cash register, preparing food, and greeting customers. This experience will prepare Adrian for his dream job, working at a movie theater. Adrian is a huge movie buff and is always at the theater watching new releases, and envying the employees who have the coolest job in the world! Marc Anthony said, “If you do what you love, you’ll never work a day in your life” and that goal will absolutely be achieved once Adrian is employed at a theater.
Adrian’s future employment isn’t limited to working in a movie theater. He’s a talented guy who would be great in many positions. Customer service, retail, food service, and even housekeeping are jobs Adrian could really strive in. Any job relating to talking to people, and Adrian will be in his element. His upbeat personality and infectious charisma will add a certain sparkle to any company’s morale. Give Adrian a chance and he will prove to be one of your most valuable employees!
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If you desire an employee who will thoroughly enjoy every minute of his job, feel free to call 541-543-3507 or email adriancracknell89@gmail.com to set up an interview. Thank you!
We talk a lot about hiring people with disabilities not just because it’s our mission and we believe it’s the right thing to do, but because we know from first-hand experience that it Works! All it takes is one small act of being willing to investigate what it will entail and how it might work for your organization. Before you know it you will have created a ripple effect.
Klynt started out in our production area where he worked in the Pearl Buck Center metal room then moved up to the janitorial crew, and then when he was ready he moved out into a community job working at Fuller Cabinet as a shop clean up person and now he is making cabinets.
James, came to us looking for work, we put him to work on our janitorial crew, where he has some responsibilities. He drives and often fills in at several locations and has also been doing temporary work in our postal department.
Aaron had been working at a pizza shop for quite a few years and wanted to do something different. We found a place for him on our janitorial crew where he is thriving, making friends and feels valued.
Lyndon had been working at Dari Mart for several years when it became too hard for him to keep up, but he wasn’t ready to retire so he came to our janitorial crew. and put in another few years before he retired.
Kelly came to us seeking work and we placed her in our very own Community Services department as an administrative assistant, where she has been challenged to learn and try new things.
Nicole, Molly, and Courtney all were interested in child care. After doing assessments and showing that they could perform the job of Teacher’s assistant, the Pearl Buck Preschool hired them on.
Chris was desperate to find a job so he could support his daughter, we placed him in a dishwashing position with the now defunct Eagles Lodge on Irving Road. When he came back to us seeking work again, we put him to work as a delivery driver.
Julian was referred to us by Vocational Rehabilitation. We found him a community job, but after doing an assessment in our LEAP department it was clear that he has an aptitude with the people that we serve and we found him a place on our Community Placements team as well, working as a job coach.
So you can see we have hired people to fill a variety of positions within our very own walls, where they are working as part of a team, thriving, and earning a minimum wage paycheck. There are more individuals with disabilities on our payroll that I could list. Each person filling a real need that Pearl Buck Center has experienced as a result of our continued growth
We have been successful in hiring people experiencing disabilities and have supported them to excel at the work that they do. This makes us better equipped to teach others on how to best implement people with disabilities into a workplace. We know first hand what it takes to succeed. Contact us, we can help you figure out how your business can do the same. community.employment @pearlbuckcenter.com
You never know how one small act, of hiring someone with a disability can affect your community.
I love infographics, maybe because of the use of color, icons and interesting information presented in an often fun and visually pleasing way, that doesn’t take away from the point that is being presented. Here are a few that I found that fill the bill on all accounts.
