employment - T-V-S Overcoming Challenges | Feeding Our World

Stricker-Alderman Fund Launched

Nov 29, 2021 | News

In an effort to provide additional support to TVS employees, TVS is proud to implement the Stricker-Alderman Fund. This resource is intended to help those in times of crisis.

The Stricker-Alderman Fund is named in honor of Nancy Stricker, former TVS CEO, and Becky Alderman, former TVS COO, for their long-term commitment to individuals in Transylvania County.

“The Stricker-Alderman Fund is built on the idea that life happens and sometimes all we need is an extra life-line and a helping hand-up when times get tough,” said TVS Employee Support Specialist Kyle Ridgley. “TVS wants to serve its employee’s well and show each employee that we value them. We know that things arise that need extra assistance and having this resource available helps make TVS what it is.”

A recent survey indicated that TVS employees have experienced lack of basic needs in some of the following areas within the last 5 years: housing, transportation, utilities, and medical care. The Stricker-Alderman Fund advances the TVS mission of providing services and employment opportunities for adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment, but it also extends beyond the normal work day and assists employees with basic life needs.

“The Stricker-Alderman Fund was needed at TVS,” said Ridgley. “It all comes back to the Trust, Value, Serve model of TVS. We ‘value’ our mission and you can ‘trust’ us to be by your side as we continue to provide ‘services’ and other avenues of assistances as needed.”

The fund is a taxable event. Individuals can receive one grant per year with a maximum of $3,500.

To be eligible, an individual must be a full-time or part-time employee of TVS and the individual, or an eligible dependent (18 years or younger), must have experienced a qualifying event in the past 90 days. A qualifying event is an event that affects your ability to pay for basic living expenses such as utilities, mortgage/rent, food, or transportation.

Events that might be considered eligible for qualification for the Stricker Alderman Fund could include: a serious illness or injury, unexpected medical or dental visits, death of a family member, extreme circumstances such as homelessness or fire, natural disasters, and others.

The application is completely confidential. Usually, within 10 days of submitting the application, a response will be issued. While not all submissions are guaranteed to result in a grant, all submissions are reviewed on a case by case basis, and if necessary, other local resources/assistance options will be provided.

“I am honored to be able to have the opportunity to partner and support TVS employees,” said Ridgley. Looking ahead, TVS hopes to add to Transportation and Personal Advancement assistance tiers to the fund.

For more information about the Stricker-Alderman Fund or to receive a copy of the application please reach out to Kyle Ridgley at (828) 884-2052 or email strickeralderman@tvsinc.org.

A Letter of Appreciation

Nov 17, 2021 | News

A nice surprise popped into the TVS email last week, a letter of appreciation from Allison Snyder. Allison is an Inclusion Education Major at Western Carolina University (WCU) who graduated from Rosman High School in 2019.

The letter is a nice reminder that our mission is visible in the community and how important our work is. Thank you to all TVS employees working to support our mission, and thank you to Allison for your kind words.

Click here to read the Letter of Appreciation.

Letter to business-from Allison Snyder_Page_1

Letter to business-from Allison Snyder_Page_2

Halloween Scares at TVS

Nov 8, 2021 | News

The spooky season was celebrated with festive outfits, hygiene care, and a spooky bake off at TVS this year.

TVS employees and program participants dressed up for the holiday for a chance to win two zero-gravity chairs or a double gravity chair. All individuals who dressed up were displayed on the break room TV for employees to vote on their favorite costume!

Congratulations to Sara Gibbs for winning the Halloween contest! Her scary clown costume spooked the most employee votes.

To complete the holiday, there was also a scary bake-off on Sunday, October 31st for TVS “C” shift employees.

“The Halloween bake-off was an easy idea. We had already been cooking for each other once a week prior to the holiday,” said “C” shift Supervisor Mitchell Rapp. “It brought the staff together and set a good tone for the rest of the day.”

On the menu were multiple items: edible intestines (Sara Gibbs & Devin Stepp), cut-off hand meatloaf (Esther & Charlie Parker), cut-off fingers and toes (Mary Larkin & Eric McGahee), baby fingers (Angie Ludy), candy corn (Will Coleman), stuffed hearts (Esther & Charlie Parker), and candy (Mandy Mathews).

Contestants were judged on taste and overall appearance. The judges were Production Supervisor Brian Wilson and his wife Lee Wilson, along with Supply Chain Manager Justin Frady.

“It was fun seeing the creative and demented ideas,” said Judge Brian Wilson. “I could tell that everyone was enjoying themselves which really made the experience that much more fun.”

But the overall winners were first place – “Edible Intestines” by Sara Gibbs and Devin Stepp, second place – “Cut-off Hand Meatloaf” by Esther and Charlie Parker, and third place – “Cut-off Fingers and Toes” by Mary Larkin and Eric MaGahee.

The top three winners earned a gift card to Hotels.com, Waffle House and Taco Bell.

Along with the holiday cheer, TVS employees were also gifted Halloween goody bags filled with floss, tooth paste and a tooth brush from the TVS Wellness Committee. October was National Dental Hygiene Month and with the trick-or-treating it was a healthy reminder for TVS employees to keep up with dental hygiene, in between pieces of candy!

TVS joins broad effort to observe NDEAM

Oct 1, 2021 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) today announced its participation in National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), an annual awareness campaign that takes place each October. The purpose of NDEAM is to educate about disability employment issues and celebrate the many and varied contributions of America’s workers with disabilities. This year’s theme is “America’s Recovery: Powered by Inclusion”

The history of National Disability Employment Awareness Month traces back to 1945 when Congress enacted a law declaring the first week in October each year “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1962, the word “physically” was removed to acknowledge the employment needs and contributions of individuals with all types of disabilities. In 1988, Congress expanded the week to a month and changed the name to National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

“Our national recovery from the pandemic cannot be completed without the inclusion of all Americans, in particular people with disabilities,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh. “Their contributions have historically been vital to our nation’s success, and are more important today than ever. We must build an economy that fully includes the talent and drive of those with disabilities.”

Reflecting this year’s theme, throughout the month, TVS will be engaging in a variety of activities to educate its employees and community on disability employment issues and its commitment to an inclusive work culture. These efforts include social media posts and informational articles located on the website.

“TVS is proud to be a part of this year’s National Disability Employment Awareness Month,” said Beth Rich, VP Business Development and Marketing. “We want to spread the important message that we value all perspectives, including those of individuals with disabilities.”

Employers and employees in all industries can learn more about how to participate in National Disability Employment Awareness Month and ways they can promote its messages — during October and throughout the year — by visiting www.dol.gov/NDEAM.

Celebrating NADSP membership during DSP week

Sep 17, 2021 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) has been a member of the National Alliance of Direct Support Professionals (NADSP) since 2019. Our membership to the NADSP reflects value in TVS Direct Support Professionals (DSP) as professionals in the field. It is important to maintain a connection with an organization that promotes DSPs.

With National DSP Week coming to an end, TVS wants to give thanks to the hardworking DSPs that keep our Programs and Services thriving. We celebrate DSPs with this special week, but we honor and appreciate them year-round working at the heart of the TVS mission.

“It was important for us to affiliate with an organization that legitimizes the profession, speaks to its significance, and offers accessible information that provides training, support, and standards for this field. DSPs are not Personal Care Aides, as the current Department of Labor – Standard of Occupational Classification has them classified,” said Program Director Carla Hill. “DSPs are hired to support the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life through the provision of person-centered supports, to make informed decisions, and to support individuals to live the meaningful lives that they choose.”

The NADSP values the full participation of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life through the provision of person-centered supports; with a mission to elevate the status of DSPs by improving practice standards, promoting system reform, and advancing their knowledge, skills and values.

The NADSP provides a code of ethics that sets expectations for DSPs. This is a core of competencies that lists the skill requirements and standardizes of the professional field.

Through this membership, TVS DSPs are also able to participate in trainings and webinars that are specific to working with individuals who live with intellectual/developmental disabilities.

Learn more about the NADSP at https://nadsp.org/.