Randy Lewis has an incredible story to tell. “It’s the tale of how a man who led logistics at America’s largest drug-store chain, supporting it as it grew from 1,600 to 8,000 outlets with the most advanced logistics network in its sector, did so while giving job opportunities to thousands of disabled people.”

Randy is an advocate. He understands the benefits that inclusive organizations experience. Think ability, not disability.

This is another quote from the article. It really shows how perseverance and teamwork are so important to the success of any strategy:

“Walgreens had previously employed disabled people to do “ancillary rather than mission-critical work”, cleaning for example, but Lewis wanted to do something more. “We wanted an opportunity to bring people in as our own employees,” he recalls. That opportunity came with the building of a new distribution centre; larger and more automated than any the company had owned before.”

The full article goes in to depth regarding Randy’s personal inspirations and current advocacy work.

I encourage our followers to read the full article

Vanessa
Aug, Fri, 2014

Community , News , Our Heroes

Hero Community Volunteers Help Veteran

DC is extremely proud of these hero community volunteers that have come together to help a fellow neighbor after a fire destroyed her home.

—–

“I just feel blessed, you know, just blessed, blessed, blessed, blessed,” Silva said.

“We need to all come together and support our friends and neighbors because none of us know when it might be ourselves,” Founder of Disability Connection Janie O’Keefe said.

Quote and Photo Via WLOX News

July 2014

View the local news stories below:

Volunteers help a woman who lost everything in a fire – WLOX

Disability Connection helps out Local Veteran – WXXV-25

Vanessa
Jul, Mon, 2014

Blog

2014 Healthy Family Fun Fair

Bring the Family!

• Free Photo Booth
• Free Prizes
• Live Entertainment
• Free Health Screenings

Download the flier!

Contact:

Kay Daneault, Executive Director

Mental Health Association of South Mississippi
4803 Harrison Circle, Gulfport, MS 39507

228-864-6274 phone; 228-864-1310 fax

www.msmentalhealth.org

Vanessa
Jul, Wed, 2014

Blog , Community , News

Introducing “The Ability Club”

There are a plethora of online job-search sites available today.

Now there is a job-search site specifically for people with disabilities.

“Online applications are so complicated that they form a barrier to the job market for people with developmental disabilities. When I saw that the McDonald’s application included psychological testing, I knew there was a problem,” says Wade Ogletree, IDD Director, Jackson County.

“Ability.Club is a system “where employers can post jobs for free and prospective employees and their service providers can search for free.”

This is an excellent new resource for the disability community.

Vanessa
Jul, Tue, 2014

Blog , News

Introducing “We Connect Now”

Check out this awesome organization!

Letter from the creator of “We Connect Now”

I would like to share with you the link to the We Connect Now website. http://weconnectnow.wordpress.com/ The website was created while I was a college student with a grant to create a website to serve college students with disabilities. I developed the website to connect and integrate college students with disabilities as a virtual community with a voice on important issues with particular emphasis on college students and access to higher education and employment. The We Connect Now website has been up and serving college students with disabilities since April of 2008.

I wanted to share the We Connect Now website with you so that you may post it as a resource on your website or otherwise share it with any students that you serve. The website has been used as a resource by institutions of higher learning and has been linked to by colleges and universities and groups serving people with disabilities in all states and at least 10 foreign countries.

I thank you for any and all help that you may give me in promoting this project as a service to all college students with disabilities.

We are also on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/We-Connect-Now-National/136925609714725

Sincerely,

Gabriela McCall Delgado

Vanessa
Jun, Fri, 2014

Blog , Our Heroes

Hero, Local Veteran Gives Back

Dave Flowers is a local hero making a huge difference.

The Dave Flowers Foundation was established for the purpose of providing critical support to veterans underserved by current public and private veteran support programs.

The Dave Flowers Foundation is focused primarily on veterans of WWII, the Korean Conflict, and the Vietnam Conflict. The service area of the foundation will be the three coastal counties of Mississippi.

“Although great emphasis has been placed on post service care for those detached from military service since Desert Storm there is a large and woeful gap between the services provided to veterans exiting military service today and the services provided to veterans of less recent wars and conflicts. Compounding the services gap is the reluctance of older veterans to ask for help; even when desperately needed. This unwillingness stems from pride, perception, and past poor experiences with veterans support organizations.The Dave Flowers foundation will help veterans overcome both real and perceived obstacles and will deliver services where gaps exist. The Dave Flowers Foundation will identify veterans of historical conflicts and war, assess their needs, and work to fulfill those needs. Services provided will include financial support for critical needs, assistance with identifying available resources, helping veterans in utilizing existing resources, and providing a helping hand with critical projects. This country owes these veterans a great debt.

The Dave Flowers Foundation mission is to ensure all veterans within our region of influence receive the care and respect they deserve.”

To read more about Dave’s story and about this wonderful organization, visit www.DaveFlowersFoundation.org

Vanessa
May, Thu, 2014

Community , News

The Father’s Heart Widows Conference 2014

Logo for Fatherless and Widows

“Fatherless and Widows is a non-profit ministry to help bring community awareness regarding the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community and abroad. We desire to listen to needs and respond with practical help that comes from a place in the heart. Please consider referring fatherless and widows to us so we might be of help to them. Your volunteer efforts &/or financial assistance is appreciated….

The Fatherless and Widows ministry would like to announce its opening on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The Fatherless and Widows ministry is dedicated to helping and bringing awareness to the needs of the fatherless and widows in our community.

The origins of the ministry are founded on a Bible verse that states “Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction…” James 1:27. This Bible verse has its own roots digging deep into the pages of scripture showing G-d’s special encouragements and warnings pertaining to the manner in which we treat fatherless and widows.”

Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection presents at the The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian — Janie O’Keefe, Director of Disability Connection, presenting at The Father’s Heart Widows Conference in Pass Christian.

For more information about his awesome organization: http://bit.ly/1nQzW5D

Vanessa
Apr, Wed, 2014

Community , News

2014 Art Ability Fair Success

The 2014 Art Ability Fair was a great success thanks to partners, volunteers, schools, and sponsors, like you. Over 600 individuals participated including over 425 kids and adults with disabilities from 33 schools in 6 counties. Everyone enjoyed a free day of professional art instruction including: acting, costuming, make-up, photography, sponge painting, sand art, stencils and motif painting, hand-thrown pottery, wheel thrown pottery, and dance.

ACTIVITIES WERE PROVIDED BY THE FOLLOWING:

Made a Western Box to take home their Pottery-MS Department of Rehabilitation
Decorated a Photo Mat (refrigerator magnet) using western stickers and motifs-Walter Anderson Museum of Art
Created Sand Art with George Ohr’s Pottery-Ohr-O’Keefe Museum of Art
Had fun with Sponge Painting– Lynn Meadows Discovery Center
Learned Western Line-Dancing-Island School of Performing Arts
Selected a Costume for a Photo Session: Cowboy/Cowgirl or Indian Warrior/Indian Maiden
Got their Professional Makeup for their photo session -Mary C O’Keefe Cultural Center
Acted in character while their Photo was made by Professional photographers – Greg Wilson & George Guthrie
Participated in a Video Production & Learned about horse safety – Horses Giving Hope
Created Hand-build Pottery to take home-Studio G
Learned about Wheel-thrown Pottery – O’Keefe Studio

Participated in

Music (Singing), Instruments & Indian Storytelling

-Chazmania Productions

Teachers Corner:
- Teachers picked up their Art & Photos and left some art for the Art Ability Fair art show
- Picked up Goodie Bags, one for each student and one for their school

This event is in its fifth year and is founded, organized, and hosted by Disability Connection, a 501 (c) (3) Nonprofit Corporation. The Art Ability Fair Art Shows will be hosted following the event by Lynn Meadows Discovery Center & the Knight Nonprofit Center. Additional donations were provided by Biloxi & Ocean Springs Walmart, Winn Dixie Orange Grove, ABC Rental, Rouse’s Ocean Springs, Starbucks, Negrotto’s Art Gallery, Kentwood Water, Gulf Coast Produce, Rex Distributing,Art with Heart, and Building Bridges International.

Publicity provided by WLOX, Sun Herald, Clear Channel Radio, Biloxi Bay Press, Ocean Springs Record, and others.

Volunteers assisted from Job Corps, Kohl’s, RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteers), VA Veteran Warriors, & LIFE of MS

This event is free to individuals with developmental disabilities 8years old through adult. To participate or volunteer for the 2015 event contact Disability Connection, 700 Pass Rd, Gulfport, MS 39501; www.DisabilityConnection.org; Office@DisabilityConnection.org; 228-604-4020

THIS EVENT HAS BEEN MADE POSSIBLE BY THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS

Thank you for all that you do in helping us create a connected community!

Vanessa
Apr, Wed, 2014

Blog , Community , Events , News

2014 Playground Party Success

Thank You for supporting an Earth Day event in support of our friends in South Mississippi with disabilities. The “I Love My Playground Party” was the opportunity for our community to celebrate the one year anniversary of building the Disability Connection Community Playground in Harrison County. Over 200 individuals participated in the Picnic including about 140 kids and adults with disabilities.

Playground Party Happy faces 2014

This event was made possible by the support of Harrison County Parks & Recreation, Kaboom, and Kohls with help from additional volunteer friends such as the VA Veteran Warriors, Job Corps, Disney, and the MS Department of Rehabilitation. The participants planted bushes, freshened mulch, raked and bagged leaves, and other tasks that beautified their playground. Following the work, everyone had a picnic lunch, enjoyed music and an art project, and, of course, enjoyed playing on the playground.

Your support assists us in ensuring that people with disabilities in South Mississippi have access to social, recreational, and educational opportunities that improve the quality of life for both individuals and families. In addition, DC currently assists with eliminating barriers to employment and home repair for some individuals in need with priority to seniors, veterans, homeless, and people with disabilities.

The Disability Connection staff, volunteers, and friends appreciate your support of our programs. Your support allows us to continue doing important work in our community, and we are proud of our partnership. Other well-attended Disability Connection inclusive events include the Arbor Day 5 K-1 Mile Run/Walk/Roll & ¼ Mile Challenge, the Mayor’s Disability Awareness Health Fair, and the Art Ability Fair. As a Disability Connection Donor you will be helping DC to reaching over 4,500 community members each year.

Thank you for your donation. O’Keefe Educational Media, dba Disability Connection is a 501 c 3 Corporation, and your donations are tax-deductible; no goods or services were received for this donation.

Most Sincerely,

Janie O’Keefe