Stryker – “We will continue focusing on helping the individuals we serve achieve their goals as they transition into increased community integration.” Quadco Executive Director, Bruce Abell, shared these thoughts with Board Members during the organization’s regular monthly meeting Tuesday afternoon.
Abell highlighted an article from the Ohio Department of Disabilities website that featured an individual from Wood County who through the assistance of the Wood County Board of Developmental Disabilities and Wood Lane Industries was able to secure community employment in a setting of his own choice. Abell told the group that the individual had been working at a “big box store” but wanted to do something different with his life and had always been interested in tattoos. “By putting this individual, Phil, in the position of directing his support team, he was able to direct his own path to employment in the field of body art. This is employment that is interesting and meaningful to Phil.” “I think that this is a great article. It shows that folks can make the important decisions that will make them happy and organizations like ours can assist them in achieving their goals. This is the way it is supposed to work.”
Shannon Zellers, Program Manager, shared with Board Members the spring and Easter crafts made by individuals. Zeller also told members that several groups participated in community integration activities, including trips to the movies, pet stores and lunch excursions. Individuals at the Agency also took part in a presentation by Stryker Chief of Police, Steve Schlosser, and were able to see the village’s new police cruiser.
Quadco’s Employment Services Manager, Rachel Lange, told the Board Members that Northwest Employment Services is seeing an increase in referrals and is currently serving 40 individuals in job placement and retention services.
The next regular meeting of the Non-Profit Board will be May 23, 2017, in the Stryker facility conference room.
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