CHOICE
In
, unlimited
Action
October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month!
CHOICE, unlimited celebrates employment throughout October in recognition of
National Disability Employment Awareness Month! Held each October, National
Disability Employment Awareness Month is a time to celebrate the many and varied
contributions of America's workers with disabilities. The theme for this year, which
marks 70 years since the first observance, is "My Disability is One Part of Who I
Am." For over 20 years our agency has worked to find jobs for people with
disabilities by connecting them with employers in our community. We currently
partner with nearly 80 employers in the greater Duluth/Superior area. [For a list of
our Community Employers, see page 7 of this publication.]
Although there are many employers in our community who provide jobs for a wide
array of individuals-including those with disabilities-there are an overwhelming
number of people who are still looking for employment. If you are an employer in
our community looking for a qualified and diverse
workforce, we can offer you applicant prescreening,
job matching, and ongoing training. For more
information about how CHOICE, unlimited can
partner with your business to help meet your hiring
needs, please contact our Employment Coordinator
Theresa Dakota at 218-724-5869 or email at
[email protected].
CHOICE, unlimited
Quarterly Newsletter
Volume 20, Issue 3
Fall 2015
In This Issue
1
National Disability
Employment
Awareness Month
Three-Year CARF
Accreditation
2
Upcoming Events
CHOICE, unlimited’s
Class Corner
Minnesota Wild Visits
Duluth by Sean Kunze
3
Play Review by
Kevin Ressie
Now Hiring!
CHOICE, unlimited Awarded
Three-Year CARF Accreditation
We are excited and proud to announce that CHOICE, unlimited was awarded a
three-year accreditation from CARF International! We participated in a survey
review with CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation
Facilities) in July. The accreditation covers the areas of Community Employment
Services, Employment Planning Services, Employee Development Services, and
Community Integration Services and is through June 2018. This is the seventh
consecutive three-year accreditation awarded to CHOICE, unlimited. By pursuing
and achieving accreditation, CHOICE, unlimited has demonstrated that it meets
international standards for quality and is committed to pursuing excellence.
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
4
Quarterly Highlights
Fall ARTS Program
Update
5
Hike for Health
6
Evening of the ARTS
Thank You Community
Employers!
7
PAGE 1
UPCOMING EVENTS:
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VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
A Culinary Success
CHOICE, unlimited partnered with Lake Superior College to offer a
course in food service for the fourth year in a row this past summer. The
class was a great success! Bruce Wallis, Food Service Director at Lake
Superior College, taught the class. In addition to learning their way
around the kitchen, kitchen tools, and following recipes, a large part of
the curriculum dealt with safety. Students were taught about preventing
food borne bacteria and cross-contamination. Mr. Wallis did a great job
relaying some very technical material in a tangible way and put those
safety precautions into practice right away. This class also had the honor
of catering a meal for faculty of Lake Superior College - which was a big
hit! Congratulations to all of the students of the class for expanding their
knowledge of food service and successfully completing the course.
PAGE 2
Visits Duluth by Sean Kunze
On September 23rd, 2015 our beloved Minnesota Wild came to Duluth, MN for preseason training for a
promising 2015-2016 season. I went and watched them train and absolutely loved the energy right when I got
into the Amsoil arena! People were everywhere and cheering whenever players came onto the ice. The players
greeted fans and were excited to see us. I really wanted to see what the Wild were doing
offensively and defensively. I was really happy to see them look really sharp, quick, and
deadly on offense. Defensively, I was happy to see how aggressive and disciplined they were
in frustrating attackers. I'm really excited to go see some games this year and believe that the
Stanley Cup will be coming to MN for the 2015-2016 season. The Wild open their season on
October 8th against the Colorado Avalanche at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. GO
WILD!
A Review by Kevin Ressie
The BOLD-choice Theatre group went to see
The Foreigner at the Duluth Playhouse this
September. The play was about an English
man (Charlie) and his best friend (Froggy)
visiting a lodge in the woods for a vacation.
Charlie was shy and did not want to talk to
anyone at the lodge so his best friend Froggy came up with a plan where Charlie would pretend to be a
foreigner who did not speak English at all and couldn't understand if anyone spoke to him. But wacky and
scary things unfold as guests interact with Charlie and he finds out secrets, including that the KKK planned to
use the lodge as its headquarters. Charlie and the guests fend off them off in a creative showdown. Froggy
comes to the rescue then shares bad news with Charlie– his wife left him. But it meant he could stay a little
longer if he wanted to with all his new comrades.
I wish I could have played the role of Charlie on stage that night. It was my favorite part of the play that
Tuesday evening we went to see it.
Now Hiring!
Are you passionate about helping others succeed? Are you looking for an employment
experience that will make an impact in the lives of others?
CHOICE, unlimited is currently seeking qualified candidates for
the Full Time Employment Specialist/Job Coach position. We are
dedicated to empowering individuals with disabilities by creating
opportunities for employment, community involvement, and
creative expression. Be a part of our mission and apply today! If
you or someone you know is interested in applying or would like
more information, please call Ann Loop at 218-724-5869 or email at
[email protected].
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
PAGE 3
QUARTERLY
Highlights
EMPLOYEE OF THE QUARTER
We are happy to feature Justin Jenkins as our Employee of the Quarter.
Justin currently works at AmericInn Hotel and Suites as a Housekeeping
Assistant. He is a valued member of the housekeeping team, responsible for
a variety of tasks including stripping beds, cleaning public areas within the
hotel, and occasional assistance in the breakfast area when needed. This
Justin busy at work at the AmericInn.
September marked ten years of employment at AmericInn for Justin! His
employer noted that he is the “longest tenured employee at AmericInn Proctor.” Most recently, Justin has
decided to embark on a new employment adventure starting later this month and will be moving on from his
position at AmericInn. We are excited for him as he takes on this new challenge and proud of the
accomplishments he has made at AmericInn this past decade. Congratulations, Justin!
VOLUNTEER OF THE QUARTER
The Lake Superior Zoo has been around since 1923 and wouldn’t be the
zoo it is today without all of the volunteers who serve there. Kevin
O’Donnell has volunteered with the zoo for four years and continues to
enjoy the birds and other animals he gets to be around during his shift.
Kevin works hard at the zoo wiping down cages, filling cages, sweeping,
taking out garbage, and other tasks as assigned by the zookeeper. He
loves going to his volunteer site and has only missed his shift twice in the past two years.
Kevin is a dedicated and hardworking volunteer. Thank you Kevin for your service in the community!
EMPLOYER OF THE QUARTER
We are proud to feature AmericInn Hotel and Suites of Proctor as our Employer of the Quarter!
AmericInn Hotel and Suites prides itself in offering “true AmericInn hospitality”, promising their guests
that they'll feel that genuine hospitality the moment they walk through the
doors. Our very own Justin has worked at the Proctor location for 10 years!
AmericInn has proven to be a very supportive work environment for Justin,
and we extend our gratitude to them for providing an inclusive employment
experience. We look forward to many more years of partnership with this
community employer!
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
PAGE 4
Fall ARTS Program Update
That snap of chill in the air is heralding in autumn, and the ARTS Program is saying goodbye to one of the
busiest summers on the books.
The summer wrapped up with the 5th Annual Evening of the ARTS on Wednesday, September 23rd. Once
again the artists performed to a full house at Clyde Iron Works. Visual artwork was on display and for sale.
The Creative Writing and Music Class read and performed original pieces of work. The pieces ranged from
funny responses to life to daydreams to touching thoughts on humanity. The night included three original
dance performances. One group danced to the song “Me, Myself and I” by De La Sol, representing self-pride
and recognition for one’s unique contribution to the world. The second performance took a punk twist on a
1950s sock-hop to Weezer’s “Buddy Holly”. The night capped off with choreography to “I” by Kendrick
Lamar. The song and dance were influenced by the ideas of defiance, self-preservation and ultimately
perseverance.
The Evening of the ARTS also premiered “Shantytown” an original short-film created by the Film Class that
was held this summer, made possible by a grant through the Minnesota State Arts Board. The film tells the
story of a post-apocalyptic journey, following a brother’s search for his sister. The film was also shown to
hundreds of movie-goers at the Sprout Film Festival, an international film festival that was held at the
Zeitgeist Movie Theater in downtown Duluth on Thursday, October 8th.
As part of the Sprout Film Festival, CHOICE, unlimited’s Visual Arts Class partnered with UDAC’s Art
Junction for an art show held in conjunction with the festival. The project explored the surface similarities
and hidden differences people in the community experience when approaching the same favorite place in
Duluth. In addition to the Sprout show, the Visual Arts Class had an art show at Beaner’s during the month
of August and has an upcoming show for the month of November at Pizza Luce. The community is getting
to know our artists and it’s a wonderful thing!
The ARTS Program was honored to be included in two fantastic opportunities this summer surrounding the
25th Anniversary of the ADA being passed. On July 26th a group of dancers and musicians from CHOICE,
unlimited participated in the anniversary celebration down at the Minnesota History Center near the capitol.
The day included performances by artists from all over Minnesota, informational booths, art shows and guest
speakers including Governor Dayton and David Durenberger, the senator who was critical to the passing of
the bill in 1990.
In September, the ARTS Program was invited again to
be included as part of a Chautauqua, an educational
gathering, focused around the issue of art and
disability. Artists were part of the “Here I Am”
performance component of the gathering on Friday,
September 25th. Our musicians performed an original
song, “I Wonder about Wonder” and dancers did an
encore performance of Kendrick Lamar’s “I”. Both
trips were incredible successes and represented
northern Minnesota with talent and style.
Annie, James, Alex, Victor, Toby, Brady, and Nathan in Minneapolis
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
PAGE 5
Our 3rd annual Hike for Health took place this summer on Saturday, July 11th. It was a funfilled morning with event participants coming out to support our Health and Wellness
Program. The hike took place at Hartley Nature Center, with the event raising over $2,100.
These proceeds will help fund classes in Yoga as well as community fitness center
memberships and other activities that promote healthy living. The hike started off with a
warm-up session led by Sharon Dawson, Certified Yoga Instructor. Following the walk,
participants enjoyed healthy snacks & refreshments and awards were handed out to the top
pledge earners (Colleen L., Ann R., Hank B., and Justin J.) A special thank you to all of the staff and volunteers
who dedicated their time in making sure the event ran smoothly, and to the major sponsors (Walgreens, Whole
Foods Coop, Red Root Yoga, Northern Rail Traincar Inn, Nicole Lindstrom Massage Therapy, and Citon)
whose support was crucial to the success of the event.
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
PAGE 6
In recognition of National Employment Disability Awareness Month, we would like to
extend our appreciation to the Community Employers we partner with:
AAR Aircraft Services
Always Available Roll Off
AmericInn Proctor
Animal Allies
Barnes and Noble
Bayshore Health Center
Beaner’s Central
Bent Paddle Brewing Company
Blackwood’s at Greysolon
Cash Wise Liquor
Clyde Iron Restaurant
Coca Cola
Culver’s Superior
Culver’s Duluth
Culver’s Two Harbors
Dick’s Sporting Goods
Duluth Bethel
Duluth News Tribune
Duluth Running Co.
EconoLodge
Edgewood Vista –Assisted Living
Edgewood Vista –Independent Living
Entertaining with Sarah
Fall Inn Tavern
FeraDyne Outdoors
First Lutheran Church
First United Methodist Church
Gander Mountain
Gannucci's Italian Market
Globe News
Grizzly's Canal Park
Grizzly's Duluth
Grizzly's Superior
H. Christiansen Co.
Hampton Inn Duluth
Home Depot
How Sweet It Is Bakery
Interim Healthcare
Johnson's Bakery
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
Key Port Liquor
Kitchi Gammi Club
LHB
Madill Performance Center
Mellin Promotional Products
New Horizon Foods Inc.
Northland Country Club
Northwest WI Community Senior Center
Northwood Children’s Services East
Northwood Children’s Services West
Old Chicago
Old World Meats
Radisson Duluth
Salem Lutheran Church
Skyline Motel
Spirit Mountain
St. George Orthodox Church
St. Louis County
St. Luke’s Hospital
St. Mary’s Catholic Church Silver Bay
St. Mary’s Star of the Sea
Super One Foods Kenwood
Super One Foods Miller Hill
Super One Foods West Duluth
Target Duluth
Target Superior
The Gymnastics Academy
TJ Maxx
Turning Point
Twin Ports Dog Training Club
Walgreens
Walmart Superior
Walmart Cloquet
Whole Foods Co-op
William A. Irvin/DECC
Zups Silver Bay
PAGE 7
VOLUME 20, ISSUE 3
Vision
Our vision is to provide quality consumer-driven services leading to self-determination.
Mission
CHOICE, unlimited is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities and persons
who are experiencing barriers to employment and community inclusion.
Values
CHOICE, unlimited values each person’s right to participate in his/her own future planning. The agency is
dedicated to finding community based employment, which emphasizes optimum matches between the individual
applicant, the employment site, and the employment specialist.
Beliefs
CHOICE, unlimited is guided by the principle of community inclusion and natural supports. All recipients of
services will receive individual guidance and support for successful community employment and community
involvement. All individuals will be treated with dignity, respect, and equality.
CHOICE, unlimited
1829 East Superior Street
Duluth, MN 55812
218-724-5869
Return Service Requested
NONPROFIT ORG
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
DULUTH MN
PERMIT NO. 961