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OPTIONS Spotlights
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Theresa Chandler looks forward to coming
to work every day. That’s the word from her grandmother, Sadie
Hickerson. “Theresa really enjoys working at the Amite Ironing Crew,”
Hickerson said. Mrs. Hickerson was one of about 100 individuals who
attended the grand opening of the OPTIONS Amite Ironing Crew on
September 24th. The crew has been ironing clothes at the
First Baptist Church of Amite since August 20th.
Theresa lives with her
family and enjoys going to church and going shopping. Crew Manager Jana
Perise said that Theresa has made a lot of progress since August. “She
enjoys being here and has tried very hard to do the best job possible,”
Perise said.
Theresa loves visiting with
her friends and family and enjoys taking vacations with her family as
well. OPTIONS Team Leader Candace Sherbet said, “I am so glad to work
with Theresa and help provide the support services she needs to be
successful. She is a joy to talk to and every time I see her she is
smiling. She really enjoys going out into the community with her worker,
and Theresa loves her job at the Ironing Crew in Amite.”
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Vernon's
Story
Vernon LeBlanc has been working in the
OPTIONS vocational program for about nine years. During that time he
has participated in countless work projects including packaging flatware
for commercial use, making buttons, packaging bay leaves, assembling
tamale kits, and more. Vernon loves his job and want to continue
working at OPTIONS, taking on additional responsibilities and projects
as they are available. He moved to his own apartment in 2001 and lives
there with help from OPTIONS staff.
Vernon enjoys visiting his brother,
Ernie, and sister-in-law, Lorena, on a regular basis. He likes to relax
and watch television when he is not working and also loves to play the
guitar. He is excited about playing his new Wii guitar.
Lorena LeBlanc said that OPTIONS is a
wonderful choice for Vernon. “He loves his job and everyone who works
with him,” LeBlanc said. “I don’t know what we would do without
OPTIONS. Recently, I was quite ill, and my family really depended upon
OPTIONS help with Vernon.”
Vernon’s crew manager, Gwen
Allbritton-Gueary, said that Vernon is a hard worker. “He really takes
pride in his work and works hard,” Allbritton-Gueary said.
His Team Leader, Mary Ann Walker said he
has enjoyed working with Vernon for the past year. “I have tremendous
respect for Mr. LeBlanc, especially for his resiliency and his
determination,” Walker said.
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Gena's
Story
Gena Gerosa
has received services from OPTIONS for over two years now. “Gena came
to OPTIONS through the Louisiana Rehabilitation Services program,” said
Debra Johnson, OPTIONS Client Employment Specialist. “This is a program
which helps people with disabilities find jobs in the community. We
really enjoy working with Gena because she has a lot going for her,
especially her positive attitude. She always has a smile on her face.”
“I love
helping people and really enjoy working with my co-workers at Dollar
General,” Gina said. Gena works at Dollar General as a sales
associate/stocker and has been employed there for several months now.
She formerly worked at Goody’s before that store closed.
“OPTIONS
Supported Employment Services include finding Gena a job that suits her
abilities,” Johnson explained. “We then assign her a job coach who
works closely with her and with her employer to be sure that she learns
exactly what she is supposed to do. When Gena reaches a certain level
of performance, then the job coach begins to fade out of the picture,
but the coach is always checking up and always ready to step in if
further training is required.”
Gena has
many goals: she wants to have lots of friends, she wants to get her GED,
she wants to work full-time and, she wants to get married. “I like to
be busy, so my favorite time is when the trucks bring deliveries and I
have a lot of stock to put out,” Gina said. She also enjoys assisting
customers in the store when they need help locating items.
Gena is
from Chalmette and came to the Hammond area in 2006, after Katrina. She
is an only child and lives with her parents.
“Gena keeps
growing and learning,” Johnson added. We are very glad to have her in
the OPTIONS Supported Employment Program.”
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Joseph's
Story
Joseph Cheatem works on the OPTIONS
Mobile Yard Crew. His duties include mowing grass, weed eating, and
raking. He also trims hedges and cuts and splits firewood. Joseph has
been doing this kind of work for almost twenty years and loves his job.
Yard Crew Supervisor Steve Haddox said that Joseph is “one of the best
on the mobile crew. He’s a hard worker and works independently.”
OPTIONS Team Leader Betty Fisher
remarked that Joseph is always on the job. “Whenever I visit Joseph’s
jobsite, he is always busy and always happy.”
Joseph lives at home with his parents.
They are helping him raise his son. His hobbies include bowling,
listening to music and talking on the cell phone with his friends. He
loves helping people and one of his goals is to learn to drive so he can
help his parents get around.
Fisher said that OPTIONS is trying to
help Joseph achieve all his goals. “OPTIONS is a person-centered
agency,” she explained. “That means that we encourage our clients to
set goals for their future, and we do all that we can to help them
achieve those goals. Joseph may never be able to drive alone, but he
may be able to drive with his parents’ supervision. We are working on
some of those steps now.”
Joseph’s family appreciates his hard
work and supports him in his goals. He has always been a down-to-earth,
easy-going and hard-working man,” said Mr. and Mrs. Cheatem. “We are
very thankful for the help OPTIONS has been able to provide to him.” |
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Ethan's
Story
Virginia and Robert
Guagliardo and their son, Ethan, served as the Ambassadors for the
2009 TELETHON. Ethan attends Ponchatoula High School and lives at
one of OPTIONS' four community homes. Ethan receives both pre-vocational and residential services
from OPTIONS. Ethan loves to work with puzzles, both the old-fashioned
kind and the ones on the computer. As the OPTIONS TELETHON 2009
Ambassadors, the Guagliardo Family shared their story with community
groups and the media. They also appeared at the TELETHON Kickoff on
March 10, 2009 at Smitty’s Supply, Inc. and at the TELETHON on
April 25, 2009 at the Oak Knoll Country Club. Smitty’s Supply, Inc. in
Arcola was the Event Sponsor for TELETHON 2009. |
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Lori's
Story
When you walk down the hall at OPTIONS
in the morning, you are very likely to hear Lori Wagner say, “Good
Morning, Sweetheart!” Lori is always eager to come to work. She works
in the assembly area where she helps recycle Mardi Gras beads by sorting
them according to size and color. The beads are resold at the OPTIONS
Mardi Gras bead office at 1312 W. Thomas Street. Lori’s best friend at
OPTIONS is her supervisor, Gwen Gueary. “Lori loves her job and really
enjoys socializing with others here at OPTIONS,” Gueary said. “She
looks forward to payday and being able to spend money she has earned
herself on things she likes.” Lori often phones Gueary before she goes
to bed at night, just to say, “Good night.”
Lori has received support services from
OPTIONS for 17 years. She has four siblings, two brothers and two
sisters. Her mother, Elizabeth, has volunteered with OPTIONS almost
since Lori was born. She is a former President of the OPTIONS Board of
Directors and continues to serve on the Board. A registered nurse,
Elizabeth, often teaches classes for agencies in the area, including
OPTIONS. She is currently teaching a class at OPTIONS for staff to
become Certified Medication Administrators. “Lori loves her family and
likes to stay in daily contact with her brothers and sisters,” Wagner
said. “She always wants to know who is doing what.”
Lori likes to watch television and her
favorite shows are: The Price is Right, Family Feud and Richard
Simmons. She looks forward to the weekends and rarely misses an
opportunity to go shopping, see a movie and have dinner out.
OPTIONS Team Leader Nicole Dunham said
Lori likes to try new things. “Lori is always willing to do new tasks
with an eager mind,” Dunham said. “She is never afraid to try something
different.”
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Takisha's Story
Meet Takisha Cole, OPTIONS
Telethon 2008 Ambassador.
Takisha has worked in the OPTIONS Horticulture Program
for four years. She performs various tasks but specializes in
grooming plants to prepare them for sale. Takisha loves her job
and is eager to learn new tasks.
She enjoys shopping,
eating out, going to the movies, going to new places and being able to
do things for herself.
Wherever Takisha goes,
she always has a smile that lights up her face and everyone else's
around her! |
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Carmen's Story
Carmen
Clines has been working with the Ponchatoula Ironing Crew since
2002. She began receiving services from OPTIONS in 2001 and has
worked very hard to be successful. Clines lives in her own
apartment in Hammond and wants to continue working in the
community. She takes great pride in the job she does.
In her
leisure time, Clines enjoys bowling, eating out, going to the mall
and talking on the phone with friends. Carla Griffin supervises the
Ponchatoula Ironing Crew. “Carmen is a great worker,” Griffin
said. “She has a positive attitude and gives 100% when she is
ironing. Carmen is always willing to help other members of the
crew, as well. She is truly a wonderful person to have on the
ironing crew.”
Clines
direct care staff, Sabrina Armstrong, said that she is definitely a
motivated person. “Carmen works hard and likes to be independent.
She is a very caring person. If she knows my children are sick, she
will call me at home to see how they are,” Armstrong said. “She is
a real sweetheart.”
Team
Leader Nichole Dunham said it has been a pleasure to work with
Clines. “Carmen has such a wonderful attitude toward her life and
her job,” Dunham said, “that is it just a joy to watch her become
the independent young woman she is today and to see her achieve her
goals.”
Clines
sister, Carla Tillman, said, “OPTIONS has made a real difference in
Carmen’s life. She has done well and is very happy.”
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Faye's Story
Faye Rome
used to work in the OPTIONS Assembly Center sorting Mardi Gras
Beads, but she agreed to help out at the Ponchatoula Ironing Crew a
couple of weeks ago and liked it so much she is now a regular.
“I love
it,” Faye said enthusiastically. “I know now that this is what I
want to do. It’s quiet here, and I get a lot of work done.”
Faye’s
supervisor, Carla Griffin, says Faye is a “godsend.” “I told her
the first day she came to work that she is just the person I have
been looking for. She really works hard and she truly enjoys her
work.”
Avon
Robinson provides Companion Care for Faye. She picks Faye up in the
afternoon and helps her prepare dinner and with other household
chores. She says she can tell the difference since Faye started
working with theIroning Crew. “I can see it,” Robinson said. “She
just smiles all the time now and can’t wait to get back to work in
the morning.”
Faye’s
Team Leader is Marlys Flack. “Faye’s entire attitude has changed
since she began working with the Ponchatoula Ironing Crew,” Flack
said. “She is better physically, mentally and emotionally. It’s a
real plus when you love your job, and Faye loves her job.”
Faye lives
in Springfield. In her spare time she enjoys growing things and
crocheting.
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Harold's Story
Harold Richard was born in
Opelousas and speaks with an unmistakable Cajun accent. He is a
fun-loving young man with a bubbly personality that exemplifies the
laissez les bon temp roulez approach to life. With
assistance from OPTIONS, Harold recently moved from a Community Home
to a two-bedroom apartment. He lives with a roommate.
Harold has been receiving services
from OPTIONS for three years. He has gained the independence and
confidence he needed to organize his activities and to assist in
handling his personal affairs. Last month he planned and hosted a
party for his friends in his new apartment. Harold continues to
receive Independent Living Training so that he can increase his
skills. His goals include “going to school, getting a GED, and
getting an independent job.”
Harold currently works on the
OPTIONS Yard Crew. He says he enjoys his job because it gives him
an opportunity to earn his own money. He takes tremendous pride in
never missing a day of work.
Cabrina Robertson works with Harold
on his personal living skills. “Harold is an outstanding young man
on a good path in life,” Robertson said. “His spirit actually
lifts me up when I am sad.”
John Rothermel is Harold’s Team
Leader. “He is a joyful young man and makes me smile every time I
have the pleasure of working with him. Harold has a great attitude
and is always asking questions in order to educate himself.”
OPTIONS Business Manager ShaRon
Landrews called Harold a model employee,
“Harold always
comes to work with a positive attitude and he is a real team
player.”
Harold likes listening to music,
playing video games and participating in social activities with the
OPTIONS Men’s Group. He has attended SLU sporting events and a
rodeo along with other field trips.
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Janice's Story
A dedicated and hard worker who
greets her customers by name – that’s how Ironing Crew Manager Mable
Jasper describes Janice Wilson. “Janice is one of the original
members of the crew,” Jasper said. “She has been with the Ironing
Crew since the very beginning.”
Emily Bell is the OPTIONS staff who
provides direct care for Janice. “She loves her job,” Bell said.
“Janice is a wonderful person who has made tremendous progress.
Janice loves to shop and go to the
moves. She also enjoys attending church and spending time with
family and friends. Janice lives in her own apartment, with support
services from OPTIONS.
OPTIONS Team Leader Shavonne Mason
describes Janice as a “sweet and wonderful person. She is very
thoughtful.” Mason said that Janice was very ill earlier this year
but was able to regain her health and return to work. Mason added,
“Janice decided she was going to overcome her adversity… and she
did!”
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Robert's Story
Robert Keller works on the OPTIONS
Mobile Yard Crew and always makes sure that he completes his job to
the best of his ability. This was confirmed by his supervisor,
Steve Haddox. Haddox said, “Robert likes to do his job the right
way. He’s a good worker!” Keller said he works five days a week
and will work on Saturdays, if required.
Keller knows how to operate a
lawnmower, trim bushes and use the weed-eater. OPTIONS Business
Manger ShaRon Landrews says that Keller is also proficient with the
blower machine. “Robert is very energetic and takes pride in his
work,” Landrews said. “He loves to operate the riding lawn mower
and use the log splitter.” When not out doing yard work for various
businesses in the area, the Mobile Yard Crew splits logs for
firewood that OPTIONS then sells.
Keller’s Team Leader, John
Rothermel, says Keller is always very positive. “The thing about
Robert is that he is always an upbeat person. We really enjoy
having him come into the office. He likes being part of OPTIONS.”
In his free time, Keller likes to
spend time with the OPTIONS Men’s Group attending sporting events,
and he enjoys all kinds of food. He loves to cook. Keller has just
moved to a new apartment and hopes to have an independent job one
day. He wants to save his money to take a trip with his brother,
who drives an eighteen-wheeler.
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Stephen's Story
Stephen Pirosko was one of the
original clients of OPTIONS and, aside from a few years spent in the
public school system, has worked there since 1973. He has received
pre-work training and vocational training and has been working in
the Mardi Gras Bead program and the Shredding Program. He has also
participated in packaging bay leaves at OPTIONS.
Recently, a shredding position
opened up at First Community Bank and Stephen took that job. He
shreds confidential papers at the bank three days a week and works
the other two days with the OPTIONS Shredding Crew at their new
office at 1103B West Morris Street. Before he begins his work day
at the bank, Stephen gets his own chair and a cup of coffee and
visits with the other bank staff. He loves his new job and is
excited and happy to get off the OPTIONS Van to go to work each day.
Stephen has lived in an OPTIONS
Community Home in Pumpkin Center since 1992. On weekends, he likes
shopping at the indoor malls in Baton Rouge with his mother, and he
also likes riding in his Golf Cart and visiting friends.
Betty Womack is the Training
Coordinator for OPTIONS Community Homes. “Stephen is happier since
he began working at the Bank,” Womack said. “He is focused and
stays on task, and he has increased
his productivity.”
Hazel Ellzey is Stephen’s Direct
Service Worker. She says,
“Stephen is so relaxed and
focused at his new job at the bank. This is such a good change for
Stephen. He can’t wait for his work day to begin. He is a real
go-getter!” Ellzey also says that Stephen is such a sweet person
and she is very proud of him and his accomplishments in his new job.
Stephen’s mother, Mary Pirosko,
says Stephen likes new things. “Stephen loves to travel and
experience new things,” Pirosko said, “so I knew he would find a new
job an exciting challenge. He likes meeting people, and he likes
doing the type of work where he can see the results immediately.
Shredding is the perfect job for him.”
Pirosko added that Stephen’s
success would not be possible without OPTIONS support. “OPTIONS
specializes in helping people with developmental disabilities live
and work in the community successfully. That means providing the
support services they require to achieve that success.”
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