Volume 1
Number 5
Supported Employment benefits employee and employer alike
A Look Inside
A Letter from
the President
& CEO
Thanks to
Didlake, He
Gets a Kick
Out of His Job
Ways To Give
Getting Ready
to Face the
Real World
Profile:
Eleana Boyer
A Difference
You Can
Measure
L
aura and Wade Schick were struggling
to find a dependable custodian for their
Chrysler dealership in Culpeper, Va., when
they first got in touch with Didlake, Inc.
the soccer field earned him a scholarship
to the University of Virginia in his senior
year. Friendly and outgoing, he had a bright
future and a supportive, loving family.
As Theresa Allison says: “This was a kid
who had everything going for him.”
“We were having a lot of trouble finding
someone with a work ethic who was willing
to come in and do the job the way
it needs to be done,” says Laura. “ It
“He’s the opposite of
was very discouraging.”
undependable.”
The Schicks got just what they
needed when Theresa Allison, a job
coach at Didlake, introduced them
to 22-year-old John Clore. Not only
did John learn to do the job the way
it needs to be done, the Schicks soon
discovered that, unlike many of their
no-show employees of the past, they
would have a tough time getting
John to stay home from work.
– Laura Schick
Then his life changed
almost overnight.
Struck with encephalitis
at age 18, John
struggled to survive.
Although he ultimately
recovered, the disease
left him with a brain
injury that damaged
his short-term
memory – but left
his indomitable
spirit intact.
John’s job coach
Theresa Allison says
the job at Culpeper
Chrysler is a
Although a rehabilitation professional once
told John Clore his disability would keep him perfect fit for
from ever holding a job, he recently celebrated
John because it
his one year anniversary at Culpeper
meshes well with
Chrysler when he received a special certificate
recognizing his achievements.
his nature – tidy,
In fact, John has always been
organized and
not only dependable, but something of a
almost a perfectionist about cleanliness.
standout. At Woodbury Forrest and later
With Theresa’s help, John learned the job
Culpeper County High School, he was an
skills he needed and developed techniques
excellent student and an admired athlete.
that would help him cope with his ongoing
His skills in the classroom and talent on
memory problems.
“Last February, when we had almost
two feet of snow on the ground, I
had to call John’s mother, Valerie,
and tell her not to let him come in,”
says Laura, with a laugh. “He’s the
opposite of undependable.”
continued on next page
O
ne of the things I like best
about my job is the variety
of hats I wear. On any given day,
I’ll act as a manager, a financial
expert, a politician, a counselor and
of course, I’m always Didlake’s head
cheerleader. They’re all jobs I love to
do and they keep me pretty busy. But
not too busy, I hope, to keep me from
stopping for a moment and reflecting
on what’s really important.
The stories in this issue of Friends & Family are a great example.
When I read about John Clore’s accomplishments, about Eleana
Boyer’s dedication and about the work we’re doing to help
high school students with disabilities get real choices for job
opportunities after school — I am reinvigorated. Seeing the great
things that can happen when someone is given a fair chance
reaffirms how important it is for us to continue this work.
Recently, I had the opportunity to address the Prince William Greater
Manassas Regional Chamber of Commerce, and I think what I told
that audience bears repeating to you, our friends and family.
Didlake’s mission is to enrich the lives of people with disabilities.
If we do our job well, the entire community benefits.
Our Job Coaches help hundreds of people each year get and
keep a job in the competitive labor market. For hundreds more,
we own and operate small businesses that provide supportive
employment. Seventy five percent of our 825 employees have
severe disabilities.
Didlake programs will serve more than 1300 people this year.
Most could sit home and collect a disability check but choose to
become working taxpayers instead. We admire their courage
and are dedicated to helping them succeed.
2
Didlake is a major regional employer, with programs and services
nationally accredited at the highest level, and a talented, dedicated
professional staff. The people we help do amazing things every
day. The people who help them are equally amazing. We want to,
need to, do more. We welcome your help.
Rex Parr
President & CEO
continued from page 1
Theresa also provides ongoing training when John needs
it, as he did recently when the dealership acquired a
new floor-polishing machine that was different from the
old model.
Laura Schick is impressed not only with John’s hard
work and dependability, but his independence and selfsufficiency. She knows that he occasionally has seizures,
but marvels that they only interrupt him momentarily.
“He handles it all on his own,” she says. “He’s really an
amazing person.”
John’s schedule also leaves him time to focus on his
true passion - coaching and playing soccer. The Schicks
have assured him that although a recent offer from the
Paralympics to play with their team will take him away
from work for several weeks in coming months, his job
is secure. And they’ll be cheering for him next fall when
he plays in the organization’s games in Athens, Greece.
“We’re thrilled that he has such a great opportunity,”
says Laura. “He’s just a very special person.”
John can remember what his life was like before his
injury, but according to those who know him, he never
dwells on his loss. He’s optimistic about his future.
With his parent’s help, he’s searching for a college
that can accommodate his disability. He’s also looking
forward to travel in Holland and Greece with the
Paralympics.
And he continues to be enthusiastic about his job with
the Schicks and the help he’s gotten from Didlake. “If it
wasn’t for my job coach,” he says, “I wouldn’t be where
I am today.”
Appreciated Stock Offers More Giving “Bang for the Buck”
D
id you know that your donation to Didlake could
have benefits that go beyond the obvious support for
the organization and the personal satisfaction you feel?
savings. Bottom line: Didlake
receives a donation of $10,000
while the net cost to the donor is
only $5,800.
“Donations of long-term stock (shares held for more
than one year) that have increased significantly in value
While Gillum says there are no
can offer attractive tax advantages,” says Marvin L.
hidden problems or pitfalls with
Gillum - Sr. Vice President at financial advisory firm
donating marketable securities,
Scott & Stringfellow and Mayor of the City of Manassas
there are a few rules and cautions.
since 1996. Gillum says that donating
First, don’t sell
appreciated stock has become increasingly “...donating appreciated appreciated stock
popular in recent years because the practice
that you plan to give.
stock has become
“helps everyone.”
increasingly popular in Give the shares and let the receiving
organization sell them. However, if
recent
years...”
When marketable securities are given to a
you want to donate stock that has
– Marvin L. Gillum
charitable organization, the donor deducts
lost value, it’s wise to sell it and take
the fair market value (up to a maximum
the capital loss on your taxes before
of 30 percent of adjusted gross income) from his or her
donating the proceeds to charity.
taxes. Any excess above that 30 percent can be carried
over for up to five years. This method of donation is
Second, if the claimed value of the stock exceeds $500,
especially attractive because not only is the stock value tax
you’ll need to file a Federal Form 8283.
deductible, the donor also realizes a substantial savings by
not having to pay capital gains tax on the appreciation.
Be aware that while an outright gift might be the easiest
way to donate marketable securities, shares can also be
For example, an individual in the 33 percent federal
included in a life income arrangement or used to fund a
income tax bracket who bought shares of stock for
charitable lead trust.
$4000 that are now worth $10,000 would owe $900 in
capital gains taxes if the shares were sold. If that same
In any event, when you’re considering how to make the
person wanted to make a $10,000 gift to Didlake, a
biggest impact with your charitable dollars, remember
transfer of those shares to the organization would not
that a gift of marketable securities can go on giving and
only save that $900, but offer the donor a $3,300 tax
giving — to everyone involved.
Did You Know?
Didlake, Incorporated employs more than 825 people, 75% of whom have a severe disability.
We operate in 20 locations, from Columbia, Maryland to Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Last year, employees at our Work Center on Breeden Avenue in Manassas, VA
processed more than 4.5 million pieces of mail.
3
Pulley Center Students Get First Hand Exposure at Didlake Job Sites
S
ooner or later, everyone’s
got to face it – that time
when you leave the classroom
behind and move on to the
“grown up” world of work and
career. It’s exciting and scary
all at once. How did you figure
out what you would do when
you finished school?
Eleana Boyer and Industrial Operations Manager, Steven
Nelson about how to prepare for successful careers in
mailroom operations, custodial services and facility
maintenance. Later, they go on tours of four Didlake
federal contract sites to observe these jobs in action.
Tour sites include the Defense Logistics Agency at
Ft. Belvior, the Peace Corps and Department of Energy
in Washington, DC, and the Pentagon.
Lisa Crane is Administrator for the Pulley Center. She
Last fall at the Pulley Center– a
worked with Employment Transition Representative Clem
Fairfax County high school
Castellano and Didlake’s Services Development Executive
dedicated to the transition of
Lynda McPherson to develop the program. Said Ms. Crane,
students with disabili“We’re really excited about
ties from school to work
our partnership with Didlake
– students began a part– it’s a win-win situation for
nership with their teachers
everyone. The students get
and staff members from
a real world view of some of
Didlake to get some inside
the jobs they’ve been preparadvice on answering that
ing for, faculty members get a
question. The Didlake
better understanding of how
Pulley Center Partnership
to shape their students’ expecgives students first hand
tations, and Didlake staff get
exposure to a number of
to meet some of the folks who
jobs and assists faculty
will likely be a part of their
members in their efforts
future workforce. It’s our own
to help students make
version of reality programgood job choices. Students
ming, and we hope to make it
and teachers hear from
an ongoing part of the Pulley
Faculty and staff at the Pulley Center are partnering with Didlake
to give students first hand exposure to a variety of job opportunities.
Didlake’s Director of
experience.”
Pictured are Steven Nelson of Didlake (center) with Clem Castellano
Supported Employment,
(left) and Chris Sugimura (right) of the Pulley Center.
Did You Know?
Artisans at our Remington, VA facility provide chair caning, rushing, and
splint oak reseating services to restore antique chairs.
Our website, www.didlake.com, publishes an updated list of employment
opportunities every week.
4
S
he’s willing to make that nineteenth — and
potential. Douglas R. James,
twentieth — phone call to a potential employer. Do
Regional Director of Virginia’s
hours of coaching to boost an applicant’s confidence.
Department of Rehabilitative
Spend the extra time necessary to discover an
Services calls Eleana an
individual’s potential — and help him or
“innovative
her realize it.
and creative
manager”
For Eleana Boyer, just a typical day.
“Eleana has a rare gift
with a focus
of being able to motivate on providing
And her extraordinary efforts have been
recognized.
individuals with
“quality services”
disabilities to seek the
for those in need.
Eleana Boyer, Didlake’s Director of
best quality of life
Supported Employment, was recently
Both Fletcher and
for themselves.”
honored by the Virginia Rehabilitation
Bertsch applauded
Association with their 2003 Corbett
– Mary Presler, Didlake Eleana for her
Reedy Award for Excellence.
Training Coordinator
ability to “think outside the box”
and for her resourcefulness, energy and
The Association cited her for her critical
enthusiasm. Didlake President and CEO
role in the successful development and
Rex Parr, says: “Eleana
the continued growth
is a great asset to the
of Didlake’s Supported
entire rehabilitation
Employment Program.
services profession.
We are proud she is
For many, Eleana is the
part of the Didlake
personification of Didlake’s
team.” Her boss, VP
Supported Employment
of Rehabilitation
Program, which finds
Services John Craig,
employment opportunities
echoes that thought
for people with disabilities.
and adds, “The work
Her achievement
Eleana is doing makes
highlights the Supported
a difference at Didlake
Employment Program’s
and throughout the
success not only in
Commonwealth.”
discovering opportunities
Pictured left to right at the awards ceremony are: Mark Fletcher, Lead Counselor,
for work, but in providing
VA Dept. of Rehabilitative Services; Eleana Boyer, Didlake; Bonnie Hawley, VA The Corbett Reedy
ongoing assistance to help each Dept. of Rehabilitative Services
Award for Excellence
individual succeed.
is given annually to a
Virginia resident who has “creatively pursued excellence
In nominating her for the award, Mark Fletcher and Teri
in contributions to the rehabilitation program, projects,
Bertsch of the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative
issues, publications or a significant rehabilitation cause.”
Services noted Eleana’s willingness to work “above
Thanks, Eleana.
and beyond” normal duties to create a program that
offers those with disabilities the chance to achieve their
Your efforts make us all winners.
5
Didlake, Inc.
Board of Directors
Didlake’s Outcomes Measurement System tracks
progress “by the numbers”
T
he Didlake mission - to create opportunities that enrich the
lives of people with disabilities – is more than a slogan. It is the
standard against which we measure all that we do.
How do we know we’re meeting our goals? One way is through
the use of our Outcomes Measurement System. It’s an information
management system that tracks a variety of factors including number
of job placements, average wages, training, safety, community opportunities, and consumer satisfaction. Our staff and Board members
use this information to monitor and to improve our programs and
services continuously. This information is available to all stakeholders, so that everyone we serve may review the results we achieve.
The Outcomes Measurement System is a very important tool that
helps Didlake make continual progress toward helping people with
disabilities live richer, more independent lives. If you’d like to learn
more about our reporting system or recent results, please contact
John Craig, Vice President of Rehabilitation Services, at
(703) 361-4195.
Chairman
Vice Chairman
Treasurer
Secretary
Pamela N. Moody
Donald Plebuch
Karen Brown, CPA
Mickey Robertson
Members
Fred L. Allen
Kelle Connolly
Timothy A. Cope, Esq.
Leota Gaither
H. S. Meade Gwinn
David C. Mabie
Rev. Frederick L. Parish
Joseph Pascale, Ph.D.
Richard Ratcliffe
Kevin Ryan
The Didlake Foundation
Board of Directors
Chairman
President
Treasurer
Secretary
Rev. Frederick L. Parish
Rexford G. Parr
Donna Hollis, CPA
Mickey Robertson
Members
Christopher Brown
Stephen Danziger
Keith Scarborough
G.E. Buck Waters
PRST STD
US POSTAGE PAID
MANASSAS, VA
PERMIT NO. 77
8641 Breeden Avenue
Manassas, Virginia 20110
Partnering with the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services,
the Department for the Blind and Vision Impaired, and local
Community Service Boards.
www.didlake.com www.didlake.com www.didlake.com