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Human Services Luncheon Honors Disabled Employees

Employers recognized the success of 16 individuals with disabilities at the 17th Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognition luncheon Friday.

The event’s theme was "Expect. Employ. Empower."

Each of the honorees completed the Vocational Rehabilitation Services program, resulting in their attainment of gainful employment.

Felecia Blender, administrator of the VR Program, said the goal is for each client to find employment with the help of such resources as job coaches. Once the clients are employed, the Supported Employment program helps ensure their success by including individualized plans for each of them, on the job support and progress monitoring – all of which is phased out as the client becomes more independent and comfortable in his or her new role.

Ashley George is one of the job coaches who works with disabled clients. George, who joined the program a year ago, reached out to the Department of Agriculture to create a new partnership during the last six-week session.

While the partnership has not led to a direct employment opportunity in agriculture, it was responsible for introducing client Deleon Lake to animal care. Lake, George’s most recent client, was one of the recipients at Friday’s awards ceremony. While Lake said he enjoyed all the aspects of the partnership with the Agriculture Department, such as planting seeds and cleaning, he discovered he loved working with animals most of all.

Along with other clients, Lake visited the race track to learn about horses, the abattoir and a goat farm. At the goat farm, Lake learned how to de-worm goats and sheep and how to swab chickens for possible diseases.

Now, Lake works at the Veterinary Center of the VI as a kennel assistant.

"I like my job," he said, "and I’m learning to love my job."

Lake is not content to remain an assistant. With the support of his job coach, Lake returned to night school to earn his high school diploma and maintains a high grade point average.

"I’m planning to go to college to become a veterinary tech or study theology," Lake said.

George made the connection for Lake at Veterinary Center of the VI. When Lake started to work at the Center’s kennel three days a week, George said he suggested that his client volunteer in the clinic the other two days. He emphasized Lake’s strong work ethic and trustworthiness.

"If you ask Deleon a question, you can expect to hear the truth," George said.

Lake is also working to become independent and live on his own. He is on the waiting list for a federal housing placement program. When he is able to live on his own, Lake said he wants to adopt his own dog and cat.

Dr. Louis Peterson, Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, was also pleased with the outcome of the Department’s first partnership with the VR program. Peterson said Agriculture immediately agreed to be part of the program, but he was still surprised and thrilled by the changes he saw in the participants.

The biggest evolution Peterson noted was the change in openness and communication of the individuals in the program, a change he hoped will carry into their new employments.

The honorees are now employed at businesses and agencies across the V.I. and in the U.S. in positions ranging from electronic technician to art teacher. One recipient, Ahmed Serous-Thomas, now serves as a radio operator in the U.S. Army.

The common thread among all the honorees was a strong desire to continue to grow and learn. Like Lake, nearly all of the sixteen said they will continue their education.

Human Services Commission Christopher Finch said that the awards luncheon is "a tremendous testimony to celebrate who have earned employment and their employees."

Both those honored and their employers will continue to benefit not only themselves, but also their community as a result of their involvement in the program, he said.

The awards luncheon included a performance by the CAHS Music Makers, a keynote speech by Edith Brett-Carty and presentations of awards to the honorees.

The Annual National Disability Employment Awareness Month recognition luncheon is sponsored by Human Services, Disabilities & Rehabilitation Services, in collaboration with the State Independent Living and the State Rehabilitation Councils. More information on the State VR program is available by calling Human Services at 1-340-774-0930, extension 4192/4194.

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