Author: Abby S

VersAbility’s Kasia Grzelkowski Honored with 2025 First Citizen Award

Posted on by Abby S

VersAbility Resources is celebrating a moment of well-deserved recognition for one of the region’s most dedicated community leaders.

President and CEO Kasia Grzelkowski has been named the 2025 First Citizen of the Virginia Peninsula, an honor presented annually by the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce to individuals whose leadership, service, and commitment to community represent the very best of civic life in the region.

For those who know Grzelkowski’s work, the recognition comes as no surprise.

For nearly two decades, she has led VersAbility with a steady vision rooted in compassion, collaboration, and the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to live a full and meaningful life.

Since becoming President and CEO 20 years ago, Grzelkowski has helped guide the organization through remarkable growth and transformation. Today, VersAbility supports more than 1,500 individuals each year through employment programs, community living services, and early childhood initiatives — creating pathways to independence and belonging for people with disabilities across the Virginia Peninsula.

Yet what truly defines Grzelkowski’s leadership is the way it reaches beyond any single organization.

Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for partnerships that strengthen the entire community. As a past board chair of the Virginia Peninsula Chamber of Commerce and a contributor to numerous regional and statewide initiatives, she has consistently worked to bring together nonprofit organizations, businesses, and public institutions to solve challenges and expand opportunity.

At its heart, this recognition reflects the mission that has guided VersAbility for generations — creating communities where people of all abilities are valued, supported, and empowered to thrive.

President and CEO of VersAbility Resources holding a bouquet of flowers at an awards ceremony.

Under Grzelkowski’s leadership, that mission continues to grow in both reach and impact, ensuring that inclusion is not just an ideal, but a lived reality across the Virginia Peninsula.

A Leadership Journey Rooted in Advocacy

Accepting the award at a gala held at Christopher Newport University, Grzelkowski reflected on the early experiences that shaped her perspective on fairness, leadership, and service. Raised by parents who were sociology professors, she grew up immersed in conversations about citizenship and the responsibilities individuals share in building stronger communities.

One childhood moment offered an early glimpse of the advocate she would become. While working in her family’s apple orchard packing house as a young child, Grzelkowski discovered that her brother was being paid more for the same work. With encouragement from the women working alongside her, she created a protest sign and staged a picket for equal wages, successfully convincing her grandfather to change the pay structure.

“That determined little girl with a handmade sign and a heart for fairness grew up to become a city planner,” she told the audience during her remarks.

Her early career in planning and work with community-focused organizations ultimately led her to VersAbility nearly 20 years ago. At the time, both she and the organization’s board took a leap of faith, with Grzelkowski stepping into her first CEO role and into a field where she had not previously worked.

“Sometimes life calls us to stretch, to overcome our fears and doubts, and step up to serve at a higher level,” she said.

Advancing Opportunity for People with Disabilities

Throughout her tenure, Grzelkowski has remained deeply motivated by VersAbility’s mission to ensure individuals with disabilities have access to meaningful employment, independence, and full participation in community life.

“People with disabilities are often overlooked, their voices are not heard, and their gifts and experiences are often overlooked,” she said during her acceptance speech. “That’s the ‘why’ that drives everything we do.”

Today, VersAbility supports individuals across the full arc of life, from early childhood services to workforce development programs and community living opportunities. The organization’s work helps individuals build independence, pursue meaningful careers, and contribute their talents to the community.

Grzelkowski emphasized that these achievements are the result of a dedicated team and strong partnerships across the region.

“I accept this honor as a reflection of a team and community that believes in shared responsibility and shared success,” she told attendees.

President and CEO of VersAbility Resources smiles on the stairs with her photo and other people.

A Vision for the Future of Inclusion

Grzelkowski is optimistic about the future of inclusion in Hampton Roads and the Virginia Peninsula. She highlighted the importance of collaboration between business leaders, community organizations, and public institutions to create sustainable opportunity for everyone.

VersAbility continues to play a vital role in that effort by expanding workforce pathways, strengthening partnerships with employers, and helping ensure that individuals with disabilities have access to dignified lives of their choosing.

“If a little girl can stand up for fairness,” she said, “then surely we, together, can build a community where dignity and opportunity belong to everyone.”

Five Signs a Forklift Certification Could Change Your Career Path

Posted on by Abby S

Choosing the right career path does not always require a four-year degree or years of classroom study. For many individuals, especially those seeking practical skills and faster access to employment opportunities, workforce certifications can open meaningful doors.

Forklift certification is one of the most accessible ways to build in-demand skills while creating opportunities for long-term career growth.

If you are considering your next step, here are five signs that earning a forklift certification could help change your career trajectory.

1. You’re Stuck in an Entry-Level Role

If your current job feels like it offers limited growth or advancement, it may be time to add a new skill to your résumé. Forklift certification can help individuals move beyond entry-level positions into higher-paying roles within warehouses, logistics operations, and manufacturing facilities.

These industries often provide clear advancement pathways, allowing employees to grow into supervisory, training or specialized equipment roles over time. A certification can serve as the first step toward a more sustainable career.

2. You Want Better Pay Without a Four-Year Degree

There are plenty of rewarding careers available that do not require college debt. Forklift operators are in high demand across distribution centers, ports and industrial facilities, where employers value practical skills and verified training.

Certification demonstrates job readiness and safety knowledge, helping candidates stand out to employers while increasing earning potential, often within a short timeframe.

VersAbility TECH certification class.

3. You’re Interested in Hands-On, Skill-Based Work

Some people thrive in active environments where they can see the results of their work each day. If sitting behind a desk is not appealing, operating equipment may be a better fit.

Forklift operation combines technical skill, coordination and problem-solving in fast-paced workplaces that keep essential goods moving. For individuals who enjoy practical, hands-on work, certification can align career opportunities with personal strengths.

4. You’re Looking for Job Stability

Industries such as supply chain logistics, distribution, and advanced manufacturing continue to expand nationwide. Certified forklift operators play a critical role in these sectors, ensuring materials and products move safely and efficiently.

Because these skills are needed across many industries — from retail distribution to construction and food production — certification provides a transferable credential that supports long-term job stability.

5. You Want a Fast Track to Workforce Credentials

Unlike traditional degree programs, forklift certification can often be completed in days rather than months or years. Participants gain practical training along with a recognized credential that employers immediately understand and value.

This fast-track approach allows individuals to quickly build confidence, demonstrate workplace readiness, and begin pursuing new employment opportunities sooner.

Building Pathways to Opportunity

The workforce training programs offered by VersAbility TECH, a division of VersAbility Resources, are designed to help individuals of all abilities develop skills that lead to meaningful employment and greater independence.

Certifications like forklift training provide a practical starting point for individuals exploring new career possibilities or seeking a stronger financial future.

Whether entering the workforce for the first time, changing careers or building new skills, the right training can create lasting momentum toward success.

To learn more about VersAbility TECH’s workforce training opportunities and discover how certification programs can help open doors to high-demand careers for all abilities, visit versability.org/versability-tech.

A Workforce Moment for Hampton Roads

Posted on by Abby S

Hampton Roads, where VersAbility Resources calls its homebase, is experiencing a defining moment of economic momentum.

Across the region, advanced manufacturing is expanding. Shipbuilding demand continues to rise. Logistics and port operations are scaling to meet global supply chain needs. Investments tied to offshore wind and emerging energy technologies are reshaping the future of work along Virginia’s coast.

Simply put, Hampton Roads is attracting projects, investment, and global attention.

For that momentum to continue, however, the region’s talent pipeline must grow alongside it.

Companies are ready to hire and expand. What they need now are skilled workers prepared to step confidently into critical roles.

That is the regional need VersAbility TECH was designed to meet.

Training Built Around Real Jobs

VersAbility TECH, a division of VersAbility Resources, is a workforce training initiative designed to prepare individuals of all abilities for high-demand careers through hands-on, industry-aligned credential programs.

Participants gain practical experience and recognized certifications in areas such as forklift operation and material handling, welding and manufacturing, technology career pathways, and workplace safety and readiness.

The goal is straightforward: training that leads directly to employment.

Programs are developed in close alignment with employer needs so participants graduate with credentials that companies recognize and value. This model helps close one of the most persistent gaps in workforce development — ensuring that training leads directly to job opportunity.

Equally important, the program expands access to those who may not follow traditional education pathways. By supporting individuals with disabilities and others seeking alternative career routes, VersAbility TECH strengthens both workforce participation and economic inclusion.

Man operating forklift for VersAbility Resources class

A Region Growing — and Preparing for What’s Next

Regional organizations such as the Hampton Roads Workforce Council and the Hampton Roads Alliance have placed workforce readiness at the center of long-term economic growth.

Through initiatives like the Hampton Roads Playbook, leaders have aligned around several high-growth industry sectors shaping the region’s future, including defense and shipbuilding, clean energy, aerospace innovation, and logistics tied to the Port of Virginia.

Major investments continue to reinforce this momentum. Projects such as LS GreenLink’s major manufacturing investment demonstrate growing global confidence in Hampton Roads as a hub for energy infrastructure and advanced production.

As facilities expand and new companies arrive, the opportunity is clear: strengthen the region’s talent pipeline to match its economic growth.

Employers today are not simply looking for applicants. They are looking for individuals who arrive with verified skills, safety training, and recognized credentials that allow them to contribute from day one.

Workforce development has moved beyond long-range planning. It has become an essential part of day-to-day economic competitiveness.

Unlocking Talent Across the Region

At the same time, Hampton Roads has tremendous untapped potential within its own communities.

Across the region are adults seeking retraining after career transitions, individuals pursuing stable careers without a four-year degree, and people with disabilities eager to contribute their talents in competitive workplaces.

Employers are increasingly committed to building diverse and dynamic teams. What they need are stronger systems that connect motivated individuals with meaningful career pathways.

This is where VersAbility TECH enters the picture.

Rather than simply adding another training program, VersAbility TECH focuses on building stronger connections between people, skills, and employers — creating pathways that are practical, inclusive, and directly aligned with workforce needs.

Workforce Strategy for the Region’s Future

VersAbility Resources has long focused on empowering people with disabilities through employment, independence, and community engagement. VersAbility TECH builds on that mission while responding to the evolving workforce needs of Hampton Roads.

The initiative represents more than a training program. It is part of a broader workforce strategy.

Strong workforce systems create benefits across the region. Individuals gain access to stable and meaningful careers. Employers gain reliable pipelines of skilled workers. Communities see stronger economic mobility. And the region becomes even more competitive for future investment.

Economic developers often say that workforce readiness is one of the most important factors companies consider when deciding where to locate or expand.

Person welding.

By preparing job-ready talent and expanding access to opportunity, VersAbility TECH strengthens Hampton Roads’ ability to compete — and thrive.

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow

Hampton Roads stands at an exciting point in its economic story. Investment is growing, industries are evolving and demand for skilled workers will only increase in the years ahead.

Meeting that demand will require workforce systems that are flexible, inclusive, and closely aligned with real employer needs.

VersAbility TECH represents a forward-looking approach — one that connects people to opportunity while strengthening the economic future of the entire region.

Because when workforce development works, businesses grow, communities prosper, and more individuals gain the chance to build meaningful careers.

And in Hampton Roads, that future is already taking shape.

Why Hands-On Training Matters for Students of All Abilities

Posted on by Abby S

When people think about workforce readiness, one question often comes first: What kind of learning truly prepares students for real jobs?

For students preparing to enter today’s workforce — including students with disabilities —the answer is increasingly clear. Hands-on training plays a critical role in building skills, confidence and long-term success.

Through training programs offered by VersAbility TECH, experiential learning provides opportunities to learn by doing, turning potential into practical, employable skills. Building on VersAbility’s long-standing commitment to supporting people of all abilities, the program delivers inclusive training designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of leaners.

Learning by Doing Builds Real-World Skills

Instructor teaching student in a VersAbility forklift class

Hands-on training allows students to engage directly with tools, equipment and real workplace scenarios. Rather than relying solely on lectures or textbooks, students practice tasks they are likely to encounter on the job.

This approach helps learners:

  • Understand how tasks are performed in real work environments
  • Develop muscle memory and technical proficiency
  • Improve problem-solving and critical thinking skills
  • Retain information more effectively

For many students – including those with disabilities – active learning removes barriers that traditional classroom instruction may create.

Confidence Grows Through Experience

Confidence is a key component of employment success. Hands-on training helps students build confidence by allowing them to master tasks step by step in a supportive environment.

As students complete training milestones, they gain:

  • A sense of accomplishment
  • Increased independence
  • Trust in their own abilities
  • Motivation to pursue employment opportunities

These outcomes are meaningful not only for students, but for families who want to see their loved one succeed at work, and in everyday life.

Inclusive Training Meets Students Where They Are

Hands-on learning environments can be adapted to support a wide range of learning styles, physical abilities and communication needs. Training can be paced appropriately, reinforced through repetition and supported with visual, verbal or physical cues.

This flexibility helps ensure that:

  • Students are not rushed or overwhelmed
  • Skills are learned safely and effectively
  • Individual strengths are recognized and built upon

Inclusive, experiential training acknowledges that there is no single path to success, and that every learner benefits from instruction designed with accessibility in mind.

A young man works at a computer in a small office space

Preparation for High-Demand Careers

Employers consistently seek candidates who are ready to contribute on day one. Hands-on training prepares students for this expectation by exposing them to workplace standards, safety requirements and professional routines.

Students who complete experiential training programs are often better prepared for roles in:

  • Warehousing and logistics
  • Manufacturing and skilled trades
  • Facilities and operations
  • Distribution and supply chain support

These industries value reliability, safety awareness and practical skills, qualities that hands-on training helps develop.

Bridging the Gap Between Education and Employment

One of the greatest challenges facing students with disabilities is the transition from education to employment. Hands-on training helps bridge that gap by connecting learning directly to job outcomes.

Through structured training and workforce preparation, students gain:

  • Job-ready technical skills
  • Exposure to real workplace expectations
  • Resume-building experience
  • A clearer understanding of career pathways

Hands-on training is more than an instructional method. It is a pathway to confidence, independence and meaningful employment for students of all abilities.

Through VersAbility TECH, experiential learning helps ensure that every student has the opportunity to build skills that matter, prepare for high-demand careers and move toward a more independent future.

To learn more about VersAbility TECH training opportunities, visit versability.org/versability-tech/.

Why Forklift Certification Opens Doors to High-Demand Careers

Posted on by Abby S

For individuals with disabilities, one goal often rises above all others: meaningful employment that builds confidence, independence and long-term stability.

Through VersAbility TECH, forklift certification offers a practical, achievable pathway toward that goal. While it may seem like a simple credential, forklift certification can be a powerful stepping stone into high-demand careers.

A Credential That’s Widely Recognized and Needed

Industries across Virginia – including warehousing, manufacturing, distribution, shipbuilding and logistics – depend on trained forklift operators to keep operations running safely and efficiently.

Forklift certification is a recognized workforce credential that demonstrates safety knowledge, technical competence, and job readiness. For individuals with disabilities, earning this certification provides a concrete achievement that translates directly into employment opportunities.

Students learning in classroom for a Versability forklift class

Building Confidence and Independence

Workforce training delivers more than technical skills. It fosters:

  • Increased self-confidence
  • Greater responsibility
  • Stronger workplace independence
  • Pride in achievement

Mastering equipment operation and meeting certification standards helps individuals see their own capabilities in a new light. That growth often extends beyond the workplace into everyday life.

Creating Pathways to Stable Employment

One of the biggest advantages of earning forklift certification is how versatile it can make one’s skillset. While many people picture forklift work within traditional warehouse settings, the reality is that certification helps you qualify for roles in industries you might not expect, including:

  • Manufacturing facilities
  • Retail supply chains
  • Port and logistics operations
  • Construction material yards

These roles are essential to the economy and often provide consistent hours, competitive wages and opportunities for advancement. For families planning for long-term financial stability and independence, these factors are significant.

Instructor teaching student in a Versability forklift class

Support Beyond the Certification

What makes VersAbility TECH different is not just the credential, it’s the support system. Participants receive:

  • Hands-on training in a supportive learning environment
  • Job readiness preparation
  • Resume and interview coaching
  • Connections to local employers
  • Ongoing encouragement and guidance

At VersAbility TECH, we see what happens when opportunity meets support. We see individuals gain skills. We see families feel hopeful. And we see careers begin.

For individuals with disabilities, forklift certification may be more than job training. It may be the start of long-term independence.

To learn more and inquire, visit versability.org/forklift-certification-class/.

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