Tag: Greensburg

My Work My Choice – Thank You

To all of those involved with the “My Work My Choice” campaign: We want to thank everyone–government representatives, workshop representatives & staffing, parents, families, friends and especially the special needs individuals for all of the hard work that went into going to Harrisburg and keeping our sheltered workshop programs going. We could not be more proud of the people involved from across all of Pennsylvania who supported this cause for those who needed their voices to be heard! People listened and changes are being made!

Important Meetings Regarding ODP

We need to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. With that in mind, the Westmoreland County Blind Association will be hosting meetings on February 8th to determine what action is needed to have the Commonwealth revise their “Proposed Changes” for individuals with an intellectual disability.

What will be discussed?

  • Update information on several large Organizations joining our group to provide assistance.
  • Updated information will be provided on the potential of a hearing in Harrisburg.
  • Review the outcome of meetings held with ODP and a SELECT few Providers.
  • Provide contact information from other Providers, family members, advocacy groups, etc. throughout the Commonwealth, in order to build a stronger network.
  • Determine dates for a RALLY in Harrisburg.

As you are all aware, it is getting to CRUNCH TIME!!! Our voices are definitely being heard and we cannot stop until there is a change.

Who should attend?

  • Providers
  • Families/Caregivers
  • Consumers
  • Politicians

*We are arranging for conference calling for those of you that are unable to attend in person.

Times: 9:30 a.m. or 6:00 p.m.

Location: 911 South Main Street, Greensburg PA 15601

Please RSVP Tim Miller or Deann Wallbaum at 724-837-1250 or at tmiller@wcbainpa.org.

Lions Club Donation

Thanks to the 
District 14-E Lions Club (Westmoreland County) who recently donated a check to the Westmoreland County Blind Association in the amount of $3,240 for equipment needed in our Work Activity Center!

Our Shredding Department has many options to fit your document or hard drive destruction needs. Whether you are a large company, small business, or have your own personal documents, no job is too big or small! By selecting WCBA as your document destruction service, you will be supporting our employees with visual, intellectual and/or developmental disabilities to help maintain their independence and productivity.

For many, finding meaningful employment in today’s economic climate is difficult and have diminished employment opportunities in our community. It is through the kindness of our neighbors that the WCBA mission endures!

Volunteers Needed

We are in need of volunteers for answering telephones and/or stuffing envelopes for our direct mailing projects. The work would be performed during our business hours of 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Shifts are very flexible and based on your preferred days and times. Contact Rebecca Labuda, Human Resources Coordinator at 724-837-1250 ext 14 to learn more.

2017 Visions of Springtime

Save the date for Visions of Springtime, an entertaining evening with the Westmoreland County Blind Association!

  • Date: Friday, February 24
  • Time:
 6:00 p.m.
  • Location: 
Greensburg Country Club
  • Price:
 $50 per person
  • RSVP:
  724-837-1250 ext 12

We’ll have a pasta bar, heavy hors d’oeuvres and cash bar along with excellent gift baskets and raffles. Entertainment provided by HitPlay 304.

We also have a variety of sponsorships available. Download the advertising package to learn more.

gala-save-date-2017

A-Team Pennsylvania

We hosted our first meeting of A-Team Pennsylvania yesterday at WCBA in Greensburg. More than 25 staff members from a dozen pre-vocational providers came together to form this new mission for disabled workers. Vincent M. Loose, President & CEO of UniqueSource, was our guest speaker. See the A-Team Photo Album for additional event coverage.

Here is a little more information on the initiative:

MY WORK. MY CHOICE.
A-TeamGoal: Promote people with diverse abilities experiencing the dignity of work in a full array of employment settings.

Mission: Ignite the passion and energy of persons with diverse abilities and their families…
-to advocate in a grassroots efforts.
-create awareness in the community.
-advise those who care for our citizens with special needs to ensure service choices are protected and sustained.

We are looking for serious volunteers who would like to join the A-Team to ignite the passion and energy of persons with diverse abilities along with their families to ensure that service choices are protected and sustained. Please contact the Westmoreland County Blind Association at 724-837-1250 to learn more.

Our A-Team/Pennsylvania campaign will continue in preparation for our “Embrace the Abilities Day” in Harrisburg on October 17th and 18th. Many of our intellectually and developmentally challenged individuals, family members, staff members, and providers from numerous pre-vocational organizations throughout the state will be traveling in support of this cause. Actual stories and videos will be shared with legislators and the Wolf Administration during this meeting. For more information, please visit A-Team Pennsylvania or this website.

David Marks Honored with UniqueSource Achievement Award

On June 13 UniqueSource® Products & Services (UniqueSource) hosted an evening filled with inspiration during the Embrace the Abilities Dinner, which also served as the organization’s 60th Anniversary celebration. A highlight of the event was the recognition of 25 outstanding Pennsylvania workers who were honored with UniqueSource Achievement Awards for the exceptional character they demonstrate in living and coping with disabilities, particularly in the workplace. Congratulations to David Marks who was recently honorees!

marks2

“This is a milestone year for UniqueSource,” said Vince Loose, the organization’s President & CEO. “For 60 years we have worked with nonprofit organizations across the Commonwealth to provide sustainable employment opportunities for Pennsylvanians with disabilities; and tonight, we have the privilege to honor several of those workers who inspire us every day through their strong work ethics, positive attitudes and exceptional performance. They remind us how important it is to embrace each other’s abilities.”

About the Award Winner
David Marks, from New Stanton, was recognized during the dinner, held at the Hershey Lodge and Convention Center, for not only his character, but also the personal fortitude, work ethic and abilities he exhibits while living and working with a disability.

Marks works as a shredding operator for Westmoreland County Blind Association. In addition to being one of the company’s top shredders, he also maneuvers and prepares pallets, helps to unload trucks with incoming documentation and removes hard drives from computer systems that are ready for destruction.