Congressman Grothman cares so much about a full array of choices that he puts his words into action. Thank you from the A-Team and WCBA! Learn more at A-Team USA.
2018 Summer Newsletter
The WCBA’s Summer Newsletter is here! You can click the image below to see what we’ve been up. The newsletter features a recap of recent events, awards and other activities as well as updates from our work activity center, adult training facility, embroidery department and more!
Resources For Individuals With Special Needs And Disabilities
Here are a few helpful resources for individuals with special needs or disabilities. Click any of the following links to learn more:
Legal Resources for Special Needs
Keeping Disabled Persons Safe While Remodeling
Creating a Home Where Your Disabled Child can Thrive
Teacher Resources for Special Needs
Disability and Credit Scores
Disability Resources from the Department of Labor
Tips for Disabled Persons to Declutter and Organize their Home
Financial Planning for Special Needs
Tips To Protect Your Vision
As Spring arrives in western Pennsylvania, we are called to the outdoors. We rediscover what has been hidden by snow and lay dormant during the winter months. The nice weather is our inspiration to collect branches or leaves that have accumulated in the corners of the yard; stain the deck in time for grilling season or break out the bicycle.
The Westmoreland County Blind Association wants you to enjoy the season, and most importantly be safe and prevent eye damage. Please consider these tips to protect your vision in the coming months:
- Wear sunglasses outside when the sun shines. Look for lenses that block 100% of both UVA and UVB rays.
- View fireworks from at least 500 feet away. Never let children play with fireworks.
- Wear safety glasses when doing work that may produce chips, dust or flying particles. When working with chemicals, choose goggles that fit snugly against your face and secure with a strap.
- Thoroughly wash your hands before touching the eye.
- Eat a healthy and balanced diet. Foods rich in antioxidants, lutein, Vitamins C and E are good for eye health.
- If you know something has scratched your eye, seek treatment from your doctor/emergency room for your eye injury.
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!
“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.
WCBA Charity Event for Orlando Tragedy Victims
In light of the recent tragedy in Orlando, Florida our Adult Training Facility individuals have requested to hold a Bake Sale/Lunch with all proceeds being donated to the victims and families. This charity event will be held on Friday, June 24th from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Westmoreland County Blind Association parking lot at 911 South Main Street, Greensburg, PA.
These uniquely special individuals with their staff members diligently work so hard on baking products to sell such as pepperoni rolls, cookies, breads, fudge as well as hot dogs and haluski. Their biggest excitement and fulfillment comes from knowing that they are helping underprivileged or less fortunate individuals. Please consider joining us for this event to partner with some of the most selfless and amazing individuals.
The Adult Training Facility, which was started in 2008, is where individuals (20-60 years old) with intellectual disabilities work with a dedicated team to learn a variety of skills essential to everyday living. The WCBA offers the ATF consumer educational experiences, social development, daily living and survival skills, as well as vocational and prevocational training. Our consumers learn personal hygiene; basic household skills like cooking and laundry; social and community awareness through frequent field trips and participating in charitable work.
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review Article
Nice article in the Pittsburgh Tribune Review about the WCBA, “Westmoreland County Blind Association building brimming with activity”.
Benefits of Responsible Document Destruction
Here is an interesting article on the importance of document destruction, “The Top 8 Benefits of Responsible Document Shredding“.
Connect With Us
We recently launched a new blog and updated our social media presence for the Westmoreland County Blind Association. Our goal is to provide new channels for you to communicate with us while also sharing information that might interest you.
The pages will feature WCBA news, service information, featured employees, videos and more. We’ll also post information about the services we offer to businesses including embroidery, document destruction and manufacturing.
Please consider following us here: