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

Tracie Thomas — Warehouse Associate

Aug 5, 2021 | Employee Profiles, News

“The most enjoyable part of my job is being a part of the TVS mission. On the struggle days, that’s what keeps me going.”

Graduated from Rosman High School in 1991
Started at TVS in December 2018
College Education: Associate in Arts (AA) from Blue Ridge Community College
Professional Growth at TVS: Originally hired as an INTERACT Direct Support Professional (DSP). “This was the most personally rewarding job I’ve ever had in my life.”
After 9 months, Tracie accepted the HR Administrative Assistant position before being presented with an opportunity as a Warehouse Associate.
Warehouse Associate, in a nut shell: “Responsible for data entry of all incoming materials and ingredients and outgoing shipments of Mountain Maid INDM and Low-Fat Bakery Mix. As well as, moving materials from the warehouse and production locations, and assisting in other inventory or logistic tasks.”
Why TVS? “I had gone through VISION Transylvania in 2015 and toured the facility. I heard about the mission and saw the operation. It was the first place I looked at for employment in 2018 after retiring from elections.”

Career goals? “I plan to keep working towards using my full potential for the company because I have so much more to give. I just don’t know where that will take me yet.”
Previous Work Experience: 25 year career at the local election center working as an election clerk and moving up to the election director.
Favorite part about working at TVS? “The mission first and then the people I get to work with.”
Favorite TVS memory? “A lot. But thinking back, I would have to say that watching INTERACT participants perform a song in sign language at the Transylvania County jail was one of the best experiences. It was heart-warming to watch the reactions from the inmates.”
What makes TVS different? “It is all about working together on a large scale. Each department works independently, together to reach the overall goals.”

Dedication of Avery’s Place

Jun 24, 2021 | News

Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) is honored to have dedicated its new modular classroom on behalf of past program participant and dear friend Avery McKeller. Avery was both a participant and employee at TVS since 2016, and she was an integral member of the TVS family.

Her smile and energy still leave a lasting impression on everyone who knew her.

It was, Derrick, a program participant who suggested that the classroom be named after Avery. “It was a no brainer,” said INTERACT Program Supervisor Jeanette Wayne. “Every time we say, ‘I’ll see you over at Avery’s Place,’ we’re remembering Avery, so we want to dedicate this wonderful building to sparkle, sunshine, joy and laughter because that is who Avery was.”

At the dedication, TVS participants, employees, and friends gathered with some Avery’s family to honor and remember her time at TVS. The dedication began with Wayne talking to the audience about Avery and her impact at TVS.

“We want to have this to be a place where sparkly, beautiful, shiny, happy things happen. And our staff and TVS, as a company, we’re dedicated to doing that as a company,” Wayne said.

The floor was opened up for individuals to speak about their time with Avery. Several participants and a few DSPs spoke of memories and good times while also thanking the McKeller family for sharing Avery with us, at TVS.

The memories left the audience with giggles, smiles, and loving tears.

The McKeller’s had also prepared a heartfelt speech that reminded everyone of their importance to Avery. She always said, “Thank you SO much. And on behalf of Mack and the rest of our family by naming this place Avery’s Place, thank you for choosing to continue to call her name and remember her.”

After friends and family had spoken, the ‘No Limits’ artists performed a sign language rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and gifted the McKeller’s a hydrangea bush, along with a video and book both filled with images and sweet thoughts.

The dedication ended with a family tour of the building and cookies baked by the culinary team in INTERACT.

Avery’s Place was added to TVS in early 2020 to offer more office spaces and additional room for program participants. Avery’s friends will continue to remember her each and every day as they enter their classroom and pass underneath the beautiful overhead plaque honoring the unforgettable life of such an amazing human being.

We invite you to read more about the dedication from the Transylvania Times.

TVS participates in Cornhole Tournament

Jun 18, 2021 | News

Last weekend, TVS happily participated in the Rotary Club of Brevard’s first annual cornhole tournament at the new Depot on Railroad Avenue. The competition was a charity event that helped to raise approximately $3500 for local charities including the Transylvania County Special Olympics.

“We were thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of the Rotary Club and the community,” said TVS INTERACT Supervisor and TVS Extreme member, Jeanette Wayne. “It was fabulous and I couldn’t have wished for it to be any better.”

In the tournament, the first-place team was Calamity, winning a $500 cash prize and a $250 gift card to Pisgah Cove and the second-place $250 cash prize went to Blue Brawlers after a hard-fought battle.

While the TVS teams did not win any prizes, the TVS Thunderbirds soared into a fourth-place spot and the J-namic Duo claimed a dynamic fifth-place score!

“It was fun,” said TVS participant and TVS Thunderbird member Josh. “My favorite part was getting all excited and throwing the bags into the holes.”

Of the 14 teams in the competition, TVS had six teams:

“TVS Extreme“: Jeanette Wayne and Rob, sponsored by Jeanette Wayne
“TVS Terminators“: Sam King and Jay, sponsored by Michael-Dexter-Smith
“TVS Thunderbirds“: Brandon Crawford and Josh, sponsored by Catherine Chapman
“TVS Troopers“: Brooke Wilson and Jonathan, sponsored by Elevate Physical Therapy
“TVS Outlaws“: Taylor and Tyler, sponsored by TVS
“J-namic Duo“: Jamie Brandenburg and Jonathan Coggins, sponsored by Wendi and Scott Adair

“I really loved everything about the tournament. It brought out my competitive side,” said TVS DSP and Thunderbird member Brandon Crawford. “I liked that TVS brought out a crowd and energy to the tournament.”

The Brevard Rotary Club catered the event with Blue Smoke BBQ plates and celebrated all competitors with black and white tournament shirts.

The event was sponsored by Pilot Cove Forest Lodging, Brevard Academy, Ecusta Brewing, Oskar Blues, and Blue Smoke BBQ.

A big thank you to all the sponsors, players, and donators.

TVS Artists continue statewide success!

Mar 15, 2021 | News

Brevard, NC (March 15, 2021) – Program participants at Transylvania Vocational Services (TVS) have been selected as featured artists in the Art Unblocked 2021 exhibit for the second year in a row!

“The TVS artists were very excited about submitting their artwork to the Art Unblocked show. They welcome any opportunity to share their art with others, but this show offered the additional benefits of a much larger virtual audience,” said INTERACT Supervisor Jeanette Wayne. “It means a great deal to the artists to see their work displayed alongside other talented artists from all over the state. Seeing their biographies added a personal touch to the exhibition.”

Art Unblocked is a part of Arts Access’ A Series of Fortunate Events (SOFE) located in Raleigh, North Carolina. Arts Access is NC’s only non-profit organization dedicated solely to making the arts accessible to children and adults with disabilities.

This year, three TVS program participants had submitted artwork accepted into the exhibit.

“My art makes me feel happy and joyful inside,” said Amber reflecting on her work titled, The Art of Sunshine.

“Putting my art in the show means a lot to me. It made me feel good,” said Andrew. His work, Bach in D Minor, shows three colorful flowers and reminds him of springtime and dandelions.

NBC Peacocks by Kristen features two glittery peacocks. She said, “I painted the NBC Peacocks for my mom because she used to work as an assistant manager at NBC in New York City. I could feel my mom’s presence in my heart as I painted. I would do anything for her.”

Click here to read the full PDF or to view the Transylvania Times article.

TVS packs 50 shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child

Nov 20, 2020 | News

For the final donation event of the TVS season of giving, TVS employees collected over 700 items for Operation Christmas Child. Toys, health and hygiene items, and school supplies were all collected and stuffed into shoeboxes for children in need around the world.

TVS requested that the shoebox donation items were all for children ages 10 to 14. This is the oldest age group in Operation Christmas Child, and it is also the group that normally receives the least amount of gifts.

TVS had preordered 50 shoeboxes directly from the Operation Christmas Child site and by the end of the two-week donation period all the boxes were filled. The collected items remaining were donated to help fill more boxes.

“I have never done this project before,” said INTERACT participant Taylor. “I think my favorite toy that I put in a box was the Hot Wheels cars.”

All the boxes were stuffed with health and hygiene and school supply items by Human Resources (HR) staff before being having the “Wow” items added by INTERACT participants. These “Wow” items are the larger items such as toys, dolls, and sport balls.

At the end of the box stuffing, all boxes had around 10 to 15 items.

INTERACT participant Laura said, “It’s fun to help the children. I love it.” Not only did Laura help stuff the boxes, she also donated personal care items for the donation and prayed over the boxes for their safe travels and the joy they are bringing to the children.

To help cover the costs, an anonymous TVS employee donated the nine-dollars per box fee needed for shipping and other project costs.

“Those who donated truly gave with their full hearts for this donation,” said Kayde Hopkins, Administrative Assistant. “I personally love Christmas and the thought of children being excited as they receive these gifts is what this is all about.”

All the shoeboxes were dropped-off at Brevard Wesleyan Church on Thursday, Nov. 19.

The Samaritan’s Purse project Operation Christmas Child has delivered more than 178 million shoebox gifts around the world since 1993 and collected more than 10.5 million shoeboxes for the 2019 initiative.

They collect shoebox gifts and deliver them to children in need around the world to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way. For many of these children, the gift-filled shoebox is the first gift they have ever received.

If you are interested in donating requested items, the Operation Christmas Child national collection week is from Nov. 16-23 and donations can still be locally dropped off at Brevard Wesleyan Church or Little River Baptist Church.

You can also build a box online at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/operation-christmas-child/buildonline/. Learn more about Operation Christmas Child at https://www.samaritanspurse.org/what-we-do/operation-christmas-child/.