Author: Mark H

VersAbility Resources Opens COVID-19 Relief Fund to Support People with Disabilities During Crisis

HAMPTON, Virginia – Due to the financial strain and effects from the COVID-19 crisis, VersAbility Resources has launched a relief fund to help provide enhanced support for people with significant disabilities sheltering in place in our residential homes.

“Any amount helps the people with disabilities we serve,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, CEO of VersAbility. “A gift from you, no matter how big or small makes all the difference to people with disabilities many of whom will remain isolated longer due to underlying vulnerabilities and fragile health.”

Donations can be made online at versability.org/covid19.

VersAbility’s residential program remains fully operational with staff providing 24/7 care in 10 homes across Newport News, Hampton and York County. VersAbility staff provides a safe and comforting environment, including daily activities, meals, bathing, and medications to maintain the physical and mental health of each individual.

A donation of $25 provides arts and crafts supplies, movies, games and skill-building resources while residents shelter in place. A gift of $50 funds additional cleaning supplies to keep residents and staff safe and healthy. A donation of $100 buys food, masks, gloves, gowns and other essential items for our residents and allows staff to safely provide care round the clock.

“Although COVID-19 has forced us to take preventative measures to maintain the health and safety of our employees, the people with disabilities we serve, and our community, VersAbility is still providing mission-essential services across our organization,” Grzelkowski said.

VersAbility’s early childhood program continues providing screening services and coordinating therapies for children via phone and/or video conferencing.

“Every day, people with disabilities are going to work to provide mission-essential services for the military,” Grzelkowski said. “Our team answers global calls for the Air Force 24/7, cleans essential government facilities, serves food, and makes eyeglasses for military personnel. Our team is also responsible for loading food on Navy ships from Norfolk to Guam and recently supplied the hospital ships Comfort and Mercy.”

To learn more about VersAbility Resources, visit versability.org.

Hampton, VA, April 1, 2020 – People with disabilities are providing vital services to support the nation during the COVID-19 crisis. The military and first responders are depending on them. Thanks to VersAbiltiy Resources, people with disabilities are providing mission-essential services in response to the unprecedented demand for human and material resources. VersAbility is the nationwide contractor responsible for loading food on ships for the U.S. Navy, and their team provides other critical services for the military as our nation responds to the pandemic.

The VersAbility team played a vital role in quickly provisioning both Navy hospital ships to support the nation’s overwhelmed healthcare system due to COVID-19. The U.S. Naval Ship Comfort, recently left Norfolk, Virginia to provide much-needed relief to New York City and the USNS Mercy, is starting to serve patients in Los Angeles, California.

Thirty VersAbility employees with disabilities loaded the USNS Comfort with food for a thousand-plus crew members for three weeks of service in New York. VersAbility’s nationwide contract to provision Navy ships encompasses the five major ports on the east and west coasts, plus Hawaii and Guam. They subcontract some sites to other disability-serving organizations, including Pride Industries who loaded food on the USNS Mercy for its vital relief mission in California.

“Our employees with disabilities are mission-essential and a critical part of the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. Their work to load the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort shows that people with disabilities are on the frontline of this effort. The military depends on people with disabilities to support our response to this pandemic,” states Kasia Grzelkowski, CEO of VersAbility Resources.

VersAbility employees with disabilities operate around-the-clock every day of the year to handle all global phone calls for Air Combat Command, including heightened volume due to the current crisis. They also play a crucial role in manufacturing eyeglasses, delivering mail across the country, providing custodial services, and serving meals to essential employees at several bases.

“Our employees and those of our sister-agencies are extremely proud to serve our military through this important work,” explains David Neary, Director of Government Contracts at VersAbility Resources. “It is an impactful way for them to serve their country.”

For more information about VersAbility Resource’s government contracts program, visit www.versability.org /employment-programs/government-contracts/.

About VersAbility Resources

VersAbility Resources has supported people with disabilities since 1953. As a nonprofit, VersAbility serves over 1,700 people with disabilities of all ages in Early Childhood, Residential, Day Support, and four diverse Employment programs. Services range from coordinating developmental therapies for children to building successful business partnerships that provide staffing solutions for employers and provide jobs in Hampton Roads and beyond for people with disabilities. Adults with disabilities participating in VersAbility employment programs earn millions in wages and benefits annually. Through their government contracts people with disabilities work alongside enlisted and civilian personnel at military bases as far away as Hawaii and Guam.

VersAbility Resources is a 501c3, tax-exempt organization. Your donations help people with disabilities live, work and thrive in our communities. VersAbility is a vital service provider as well as a major employer in the community, serving people with disabilities throughout southeastern Virginia and beyond

Media contact:

Keltie Klijanowicz
Marketing Manager, VersAbility Resources

kklijanowicz@versability.org

757-896-6473
versability.org

Photo Caption

A) Employees from VersAbility – (left to right): Ronald Jones, Robert Sanchez, Tevin Taylor load the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort

People with Disabilities Support the USNS Comfort Mission to aid New York City

Press Release by Source America

March 30, 2020

SourceAmerica nonprofit agency Versability is contributing to the national COVID-19 response

NEWPORT NEWS, VA (March 30, 2020) – 30 people with disabilities employed by Versability Resources loaded the U.S. Navy Ship Comfort with enough meals to feed its thousand-plus crew members for three weeks. These efforts were in preparation for the ship’s mission to New York City in response to the COVID-19 crisis.

The Comfort, which is one of two large medical vessels under the auspices of the Navy, left its home port in southeastern Virginia over the weekend, arriving in New York City today. The ship will be used as a floating hospital to alleviate the region’s overwhelmed health care system due to COVID-19.

Versability Resources, located in Hampton, Virginia, is one of 750 nonprofits in the SourceAmerica^®network. This network employs more than 90,000 people with disabilities nationwide through the U.S. AbilityOne^® Program. The AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities.

Versability CEO Kasia Grzelkowski said, “Our employees with disabilities are mission-essential and a critical part of the national response to the COVID-19 crisis. Their work to load the Navy hospital ship USNS Comfort as it prepared to depart for New York City shows that people with disabilities are on the frontline of this effort. The military is depending on people with disabilities to support our response to this pandemic.”

The Comfort will not treat COVID-19 patients, but instead will provide care for those who need emergency surgeries, trauma care and more in order to reduce the strain being put on the health care system in New York City and its surrounding communities. The 30 professionals with disabilities who provisioned the Comfort at Naval Station Norfolk are part of the nation’s ongoing emergency response to the pandemic.

“Professionals with disabilities who are part of the COVID-19 response are providing critical support to our nation’s most essential functions – like the work they have done on the Comfort,” said SourceAmerica President and CEO Vince Loose. “They are key contributors to the efforts as navigate this crisis.”

SourceAmerica is committed to providing employment opportunities for people with disabilities across our nation through partners like VersAbility. These talented employees will continue to provide valuable contributions during the COVID-19 response and beyond.

VersAbility Resources Hosts Wings for All® Program to Ease Air Travel for

People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

 

HAMPTON, Virginia – Air travel can be especially daunting and uncomfortable for people with disabilities and their family members. VersAbility Resources recently cohosted a nationally recognized “rehearsal” program at Norfolk International Airport designed to give local family members and aviation professionals the confidence to make air travel a viable option for people with disabilities.

Based in Hampton Roads, VersAbility Resources works each day to support people with disabilities of all ages in leading productive and fulfilling lives.

More than 100 participants and caregivers participated in this year’s Wings for All® (Wings) event which included practice on boarding an American Airlines plane and interacting with gate agents as well as a presentation on the aircraft features and in-flight safety protocols.

The program provides a safe way to experience the noise, bright lights, crowds and security screening procedures – all of which can be overwhelming and overstimulating for people with autism and other intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD).

“I have always been afraid to fly with Eathan,” said one mother who attended the Wings event and whose son has a shunt and cannot go through the metal detectors. “I’ve been very cautious. However, going through this process I’m more at ease. Eathan was very comfortable.”

The Wings program was created by The Arc, the world’s largest community-based organization of and for people with I/DDs. The Arc has co-hosted over 160 Wings events at 65 airports across the U.S., collaborating with airport, airline and TSA personnel to design and carry out each session. Partner airlines and airports volunteer their time for the events.

“We are so grateful for these types of programs for our families,” said a family member of another one of the participants. “All the people who volunteered at the airport and all the staff at ORF and the organizations who put this on were amazing, kind, upbeat, respectful and care about our families! Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

The goal is to make air travel a viable option for traveling throughout the year for people with disabilities and their family members.

During the Wings event at Norfolk International Airport, yellow shirts were worn by volunteers to stand out if participants needed assistance or had questions and blue shirts were worn by participants and caregivers.

Arriving participants checked in, received their shirt and went to the American Airlines ticket counter to get their gate pass before proceeding to their gate where they would wait to board the plane.

With a plane reserved for the event, participants and caregivers could get the entire experience of boarding a flight, locating their seat, listening to the safety protocol and receiving snacks. One participant was even lucky enough to sit in the pilot’s seat.

The session concluded with deboarding the plane, exiting the concourse and a catered reception.

“Thanks to this experience I can’t wait to plan his first trip,” said Eathan’s mother. “We are forever grateful. Eathan’s vision is slowly leaving him so I can’t tell you how much of a dream come true this was for us. That’s all I wanted was for him to go on a plane while he can still physically see one. Thank you so much.”

Learn more about VersAbility Resources at versability.org.

Check out some moments from our event below:

VersAbility Resources Names Fenton Priest Director of Business Development

HAMPTON, Virginia – VersAbility Resources is pleased to announce it has welcomed retired U.S. Navy Rear Adm. Fenton Priest to its leadership team as its new Director of Business Development tasked with fostering relationships with business leaders in the community to grow job opportunities available for people with disabilities.

Support from businesses throughout the region VersAbility Resources serves – Hampton Roads, the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck – help bolster the programs offered to provide early childhood support for individuals with disabilities, student services, day support, housing and employment.

Prior to joining VersAbility, after retiring from the military, Priest served as President of Priest Electronics, as a Senior Program Manager for SAIC, and most recently, as Vice President of Business Operations for Eggleston.

Priest earned his undergraduate degree in commerce and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Virginia. He went on to complete the Navy Senior Leaders Business Courses at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and participated in the CIVIC Leadership Institute.

Priest is a past president of the Tidewater Association of Service Contractors, and currently serves on the Tidewater Industry Government Council, the Military Economic Development Advisory Committee, and the Virginia Beach Board of Directors of the Hampton Roads Chamber.

Learn more about VersAbility Resources at versability.org.

Angels Among Us Giving Gifts of Holiday Cheer

Fifty-six.

That’s how many children and adults with disabilities will have a more joyful holiday season.

One hundred and sixty-eight.

That’s how many presents will be opened by those 56 individuals thanks to the kindness and generosity of the community and all the folks who stepped up to help with VersAbility Resources’ annual Angel Tree program.

Earlier this season, VersAbility Resources unveiled its annual Angel Tree program online – a program that asks the community to help sponsor the holiday season for an individual with disabilities by helping provide them presents from their wish list.

Over the summer, team members from VersAbility Resources worked with individuals to curate those wish lists, which ranged from jackets and clothing to toys and music.

After all the gifts were received and inventoried, Civitan, a community service organization, volunteers with VersAbility staff to wrap all the items and personalize with gift tags.

The gifts were delivered to their final destinations for the holiday season by program team members.

The VersAbility Resources Angel Tree program is one of the most impactful ways to support individuals with disabilities in the community who otherwise might not have anything to open during the holiday season.

We are excited to share a front page article published on 11/27/19 by the Daily Press covering our annual Thanksgiving lunch held on Tuesday, November 26, 2019 and hosted by the Kiwanis Clubs of Division 13 and food that’s provided by Paradise Ocean Club. We appreciate all of the volunteers who make this event possible and bring so much joy to everyone at VersAbility for Thanksgiving each year!

To read the article, please click on the link below:

Daily Press Versability Cover Story 11.27.19[1]

November 2019

Discovering VersAbility, Finding Purpose, Transitioning to Work

When Jonathan Armer enters a room, you know it. He is full of life and greets everyone with a resounding hello.

But he hasn’t always been that way.

Jonathan has Fragile X Syndrome, a genetic condition that causes a range of developmental problems including learning disabilities and cognitive impairment.

His mom, Lori Armer, never wanted his disability to limit him.

So she enrolled him in VersAbility Resources’ Transition to Work program for high school students. The Transition to Work program helps high school students with disabilities hone the hard and soft skills they need for success in work and life, and helps them successfully transition from the special education classroom to employment.

After rotating through several jobs at VersAbility as the team worked to find a good fit, Jonathan found his work home.

Jonathan was transformed. His outbursts stopped. He walked taller and lost over 20 pounds.

“VersAbility made Jonathan grow up,” Lori said. “Jonathan has a purpose and something to do. He loves bringing home a paycheck and is so proud to be working.”

But there’s so much more to this story, to Jonathan’s journey, and to the impact the program has had on the family.

Here’s the Armer family experience, in Lori’s words.

###

I remember sitting in the doctor’s office when we were told Jonathan had Fragile X Syndrome, along with his numerous medical problems. I remember feeling lost, scared, angry, hopeless. Jonathan was only 5-years-old.

As parents, you know when your child isn’t reaching their milestones. You know something just isn’t right. But when you get the actual diagnosis, you feel your world has just been turned upside down.

One of Jonathan’s symptoms was aggression. He started attacking me at the age of two, and as you can imagine, the bigger he got, the worse it got. Our only focus was getting through the day and praying there would be no meltdowns. There usually was. We didn’t think about the future, we just wanted to survive the day. Trust me when I say there were many days we didn’t think we would.

It was a fight every day to send Jonathan to school. Sitting in a classroom, being taught “academics” was just not for him. He got nothing out of it and he hated being there.

Then Jonathan turned 16 and started high school and started puberty. How the Lord got us through this phase of life, I will never know.

His sophomore year at Denbigh High School, his teacher suggested that we put Jonathan in the Transition to Work program at VersAbility.

My husband thought this was a great idea, but I was not having it. I worried enough with him being at a high school and now they wanted to send him out twice a week.

Nope. My mother, Jonathan’s Nanny, and who is more protective than I am, agreed with me.

VersAbility ended up being the best thing for Jonathan even if the first year was a little rough. Jonathan had a hard time adjusting, and I was ready to give up.

But his teacher and VersAbility were not.

By the next year he was going to the Transition to Work program four days a week and even worked at VersAbility over the summers.

One day, I picked Jonathan up and as he was telling me about his day, he, for the first time ever, referred to having friends. I had to turn my head, so he could not see the tears (happy tears) running down my face. Jonathan also stopped having physical meltdowns. He was doing something he enjoyed. He was happy. He had a purpose.

In June 2019, Jonathan graduated from Denbigh High School and he was actually able to sit with the 2019 class and walk across the stage in the coliseum full of people.

VersAbility changed our lives.

Meet Sheila!

Sheila always took her job seriously.  Sheila led the custodial team at VersAbility, making sure everything shined and her team exhibited the same high standards she held for her work.  

“I make sure everything is clean; I love the work I do and they like having me here,” said Sheila.

One day, Sheila noticed staff in the Envisions Day Support program using visual supports for individuals with disabilities.  She liked that it made communication possible for individuals who couldn’t read or were non-verbal.  Sheila spoke with staff about implementing visual supports throughout the building in bathrooms and break areas.  With the support of her supervisor, Sheila developed a cleaning log for the bathrooms that the custodial staff use to mark when a bathroom was cleaned and by whom.  Other visual supports Sheila instituted include proper hand washing and trash disposal.  

Due to Sheila’s knowledge and commitment to her job, she began training other individuals with disabilities in performing custodial job responsibilities.   

Although she took great pride in her work, Sheila was looking forward to retirement.  She started attending VersAbility’s Envisions Day Support program in Newport News three days a week; her other days are spent leading the custodial team until she decides to fully retire.  In Envisions she delivers Meals on Wheels, creates art, and stays active, but she is most excited about learning how to use a computer.

On her days off, Sheila stays busy.  She enjoys trips to Hawaii, New York City, and Florida.  One Friday each month, she gets together with her senior citizens group, the “Lunch Bunch”, to catch up over a good meal.  Saturdays are for bowling, going to the gym, meeting up with girlfriends, and attending usher meetings at her church.  Sheila may be retiring, but she’s not slowing down!

Meet Barry!

Barry Vaughan is an individual with disabilities who worked at VersAbility’s Hampton site for over 9 years. In addition to intellectual disabilities, Barry has a physical disability that limits the use of one of his arms. This made it challenging for him to do some of the work and, even when he was working, he wasn’t motivated because he had a difficult time performing and couldn’t keep up with his coworkers. A supervisor from VersAbility created a jig that held items in place, making it possible for Barry to complete work. With just one modification, Barry was able to work at the same rate as his peers. His increased self-worth and confidence improved his socialization skills.

Barry told his supervisor it was his dream to work at a restaurant as a greeter. To prepare him for this position, he began working as a greeter for VersAbility. He continued to advocate for himself and, with assistance from VersAbility’s Supported Employment program, was hired by Outback Steakhouse in Newport News to welcome guests!

Barry truly enjoys his job; he loves meeting new people, welcoming everyone to the restaurant, and checking in with the guests to ensure they have a great meal.

In addition to all of his accomplishments, Barry also recently battled prostate cancer and rang the bell for his final treatment as he is now cancer free. It seems as if nothing can stop Barry from living out his dreams to the fullest!

View our 2018-2019 Annual Report!

Front cover features Henry, an Early Prevention and Intervention (EPIC) graduate. Read his full story inside!

Meet Mackenzie!

Mackenzie, a proud employee at VersAbility’s Puller Center in Gloucester where people with disabilities from throughout the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck work, receive job training, and develop their life skills.

When Mackenzie began working at the Puller Center she had a hard time with changes to her routine which brought on anxiety and led to crying spells.  It interfered with her work and that of other employees.

Puller Center staff were trained in how to best support Mackenzie.  They gave her time to decompress, collect her thoughts, and identify and discuss what made her anxious. Mackenzie no longer experiences anxiety when her schedule or tasks change.

Mackenzie is now thriving at work, always giving her best and easily making friends.  Mackenzie takes pride in her job at the Puller Center and shares that because she works, she can pay for her cell phone. VersAbility helped change Mackenzie’s life and future.

VersAbility Resources Raises Record Funds at 2019 Annual Gala

HAMPTON, Virginia –The 2019 Annual VersAbility Resources Gala, presented by Old Point National Bank, raised $92,800, a record for the organization’s signature fundraiser, the nonprofit’s leadership team announced this week.

VersAbility Resources works each day to support people with disabilities in leading productive and fulfilling lives, and thanks to the generosity of our community, is celebrating a record fundraising event to further our mission.

“We envision a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society,” said Kasia Grzelkowski, President and CEO. “Thanks to the generosity of our community and partners, we have even more resources to help people with disabilities live a life without limitation, and to help people with all abilities shine.”

Success of the annual gala, held Oct. 11, 2019 at the Marriott in City Center, came thanks to sponsors, ticket sales, a silent auction and attendees moved to support the mission with donations after hearing more about the lives of people served during the event.

“Through quality employment, day support, housing, and early intervention services, we build fulfilled lives for people with disabilities throughout Hampton Roads and beyond,” Grzelkowski said.

In 2018, VersAbility Resources served over 1,700 people with disabilities of all ages, supporting them in leading lives of purpose and belonging.

VersAbilitys’ employment programs are broad and diverse, including loading food on Navy ships and connecting calls for the Air Force around the globe.

“People with disabilities are ready, willing, and able to work,” Grzelkowski said.

VersAbility Resources’ Transition to Work program helps students with disabilities develop the hard and soft skills that allow them to successfully transition from the special education classroom to successful employment.

The largest group served by VersAbility Resources are infants and toddlers with disabilities who need tailored therapies to reach their full potential, with early intervention services for over 1,000 children and their families in 2018.

“Each person with a disability has their own story,” said Scott Rawles, Chief Marketing and Development Officer for VersAbility Resources. “Thanks to the generosity of so many, we can reach more and develop new services to meet emerging needs.”

About VersAbility Resources

VersAbility Resources has been supporting people with disabilities for over 65 years. We are a nonprofit serving over 1,700 people with disabilities of all ages with Early Childhood, Student Services, Day Support, Housing, and four diverse Employment Programs. We serve the entire Hampton Roads region, as well as the 10 counties on the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck, from offices in Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, and Norfolk. Learn more about VersAbility Resources at versability.org.

Meet Henry!

Henry is a 3-year-old graduate of VersAbility’s early intervention program for infants and toddlers with disabilities and delays.   

 In the beginning, Henry had to overcome difficulties with eating and communicating his wants and needs.  Mom tried an ongoing game of charades to figure out what he wanted, leading to constant crying and meltdowns for Henry and growing concern for his family.  

Through VersAbility’s EPIC program, Henry received Service Coordination, Occupational Therapy and Developmental Services to address his many developmental delays, including eating and speech challenges. 

When Henry graduated from VersAbility’s  EPIC program he started preschool with Newport News Public Schools. Henry is currently enjoying his second year of preschool and is healthy and thriving.

His mom says he is interacting well with his classmates and “will talk your ear off”. Henry loves group time and story time.  He has overcome his difficulties with eating and is growing stronger and eating a variety of foods.

Thanks to VersAbility’s EPIC program, Henry is thriving at school, with his friends, and at home with his family. He is ready to take on the world!

For more information about VersAbility’s Early Childhood program, contact Diane Fennell at 757.894.8457 or dfennell@versability.org.

VersAbility’s Newsletter has a new design! Check it out!

Dive into recent events, organizational updates and current news.

View the full newsletter here.

Rep. Elaine Luria recognized by SourceAmerica as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion of employment for people with disabilities

Congresswoman demonstrates commitment to supporting the AbilityOne Program

September 3, 2019– HAMPTON, Va.— Rep. Elaine Luria, D-Va., was recently honored as an AbilityOne® Congressional Champion of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

SourceAmerica® distinguishes members of Congress for going the extra mile to help nonprofit agencies gain recognition in their communities or with legislative requests. Luria is part of a list of 156certified Congressional Champions from 41 states and the District of Columbia.

“Thank you VersAbility, SourceAmerica, and Virginia Industries for the Blind for visiting today. I appreciated learning about opportunities to employ all constituents in #VA02 and will fight to maintain and expand opportunities to employ people with disabilities.” Said Luria. “These constituents have much to offer, and our workplaces and communities are richer when we include everyone. It was also an honor receiving the AbilityOne Program Champion award.”

In order to become an AbilityOne Congressional Champion, congressmembers must complete four steps that include visiting a contract site, utilizing AbilityOne products or services and showing public support for the program. Luria met with advocates of the AbilityOne Program in her D.C. office during SourceAmerica’s Grassroots Conference earlier this year and visited VersAbility Resources. In addition, her office utilizes products that are manufactured as part of the program.

“We are grateful to Representative Luria for visiting VersAbility to meet our employees with disabilities and hear how the dignity of work transforms their lives.” Said Kasia Grzelkowski, CEO of VersAbility Resources. “We are honored to recognize Representative Luria as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion and to continue to work together to create jobs and opportunities for people with disabilities.

Each Congressional Champion receives a plaque that incorporates a commemorative coin and two personalized certificates. The awards are framed and matted by people with disabilities at Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, Inc. in Greenville, North Carolina. Once certified, members of Congress stay on the list until they leave office.

“Support from Members of Congress, like Representative Luria, is critical if we are to help people with disabilities join the workforce.” Said John Kelly, vice president of government affairs for SourceAmerica. “We are proud to recognize her as an AbilityOne Congressional Champion

The AbilityOne Congressional Champions Program was established in 2002 to honor representatives and senators who have demonstrated a commitment to constituents with disabilities and the AbilityOne Program. More information about the AbilityOne Congressional Champion Program is available online.

About SourceAmerica

Established in 1974, SourceAmerica creates employment opportunities for a skilled and dedicated workforce of people with disabilities. SourceAmerica is the vital link between the federal government and private sector organizations that procure the products and services provided by this exceptional workforce via a network of more than 750 community-based nonprofits. Headquartered in Vienna, Virginia, SourceAmerica provides its nonprofit agency network with business development, contract management, legislative and regulatory assistance, communications and public relations materials, information technology support, engineering and technical assistance, and extensive professional training needed for successful nonprofit management. Visit SourceAmerica.org to learn more, or follow them on Facebook(@SourceAmerica), Twitter(@SourceAmericaUS) and LinkedIn(@SourceAmerica).

About VersAbility

VersAbility Resources has been supporting people with disabilities for over 65 years. We are a nonprofit, serving 1,600 people with disabilities of all ages in Early Childhood, Student Services, Day Support, Community Living, and four diverse Employment programs.

VersAbility serves the entire Hampton Roads region, as well as the ten counties on the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. We have offices in Hampton, Newport News, Gloucester, and Norfolk. Through our Government Contracts program we have created jobs for people with disabilities across the globe. We are a capable business partner, engaged in federal contracting, manufacturing, packaging, digitization, and more.”

About the AbilityOne Program

The AbilityOne Program is one of the largest sources of employment in the United States for people who are blind or have significant disabilities. Approximately 45,000 people who are blind or have significantdisabilities, including approximately 3,000 veterans, are employed at approximately 500 nonprofit agencies nationwide, across 15 time zones, from Maine to Guam. AbilityOne provided more than $3.3 billion in products and services to the federal government in fiscal year 2018. The Program operates at more than 1,000 locations, representing 40 government agencies, including more than 150 Base Supply Centers at military and government installations.

Spending a lot of time on Instagram these days?

Not to worry, you aren’t alone! We all are.

But now, the growing social media giant has made it possible to make your time on the network even more meaningful.

In the spring of 2019, Instagram launched a “donation sticker” in the platform’s stories feature, allowing users to raise money for their favorite non-profits (of which, we hope VersAbility is one of yours).

Thanks to Facebook, which owns Instagram, covering the credit-card processing fees and costs of operating the donation feature, all of the donations made will come straight to the charity you choose (hint…hint…we hope you’ll choose VersAbility).

How does it work?

Open your Instagram account.

Navigate to your stories.

Select an image you want to share, or take a photo with the stories camera feature.

Under the stickers tab inside stories, select DONATION.

Search for VERSABILITY RESOURCES. You’ll likely see a list of non-profits and foundations you already follow, or who people you follow are following, pop up in the search tool.

Once you’ve selected the non-profit to support, you can give your fundraiser a title.

Make your story LIVE and let your followers support a cause you love.

Sound confusing at all? Not to worry. Instagram makes it easy to get this set up. Just follow along with the cues they give you.

Thank you in advance for supporting our vision of a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society.

 

Hundreds of millions of dollars.

That’s how much has been raised for charities since last year on Facebook. Yes, FACEBOOK!

If you haven’t heard, the world’s top social network implemented a FUNDRAISING capability in 2017, encouraging users to have their friends, family and social connections give to a charity of their choice in honor of their birthday (or just because).

It’s one of the easiest ways to help organizations you believe in, and one of the greatest ways to become an ambassador of our mission here.

The best part? If you want to help, and are moved to donate your birthday on Facebook to VersAbility, you can set it up in just six easy steps.

1. Go to your Facebook page. If on a desktop, look on the left side column, under the EXPLORE heading, for the FUNDRAISERS option. You might have to select SEE MORE.

If you’re accessing Facebook from your mobile device, tap the hamburger icon (three little horizontal lines stacked on top of each other) in the lower right corner and look for FUNDRAISERS there.

From here, Facebook will walk you through the steps.

2. Determine a title for your fundraiser. If you are using the Facebook fundraising platform for your birthday, be sure to include that in the title.

3. Select the non-profit you want to raise money for. We hope you’ll select VersAbility Resources, of course!

4. Identify the amount of money you want to raise. Every dollar helps us reach our goal to providing more opportunities and services for individuals with disabilities and their families. No amount is too small!

5. Pick a date you want your fundraiser to end. We recommend giving your Facebook friends up to two weeks to give.

6. Write a description for your fundraiser and tell people about why you’re raising money for VersAbility. We’d love for you to tell your connections about our mission – supporting people with disabilities in leading productive and fulfilling lives – and our vision of a world where people with disabilities enjoy dignified, productive lives of their choosing as fully accepted members of society. If you want more details about what and how we go about reaching those goals, visit our ABOUT US page here.

Facebook doesn’t charge fees on fundraisers for non-profits like VersAbility. After your birthday fundraiser is complete, VersAbility will receive the donations directly from Facebook, Network for Good or the PayPal Giving Fund.

Introducing our newest VersAbility Resources publication, the Employee Newsletter.

Dive into current events and news from each department.

View the full newsletter here.

On May 30, thirty-two teams of golfers teed off during VersAbility’s annual Ability Am Golf Tournament. Proceeds from this year’s event support VersAbility’s On-Site Employment program. This program helps individuals with disabilities receive the supports they need to thrive within the workplace. This event also benefitted 17 people with disabilities who have zero funding for employment supports, including one gentleman who has been working for VersAbility for 52 years!

VersAbility would like to thank our generous sponsors and golfers who helped make this year our best yet! This year’s presenting sponsor was Pivot Physical Therapy. The 2019 Ability Am Golf Tournament brought in over $95,000 this year and that kind of success would not be possible if it weren’t for our sponsors, golfers, Cedar Point Country Club staff, and VersAbility staff and volunteers. Because of all of you, this year was record breaking!

We look forward to another great tournament next year!