Author: Mark H

On Saturday, June 1 VersAbility Resources hosted its first Student Transition Fair at Thomas Nelson Community College Peninsula Workforce Development Center thanks to a generous grant provided by Impact 100.

Sessions and speakers for the day included: Social Security Benefits with Lizna Qdhwani, Legal Guardianship with Shannon Laymon-Pecoraro, Successful Transition Planning and the IEP: All You Need to Know with Keri Peko, Community Knights with Jennifer Brown, and many more. 

Vendors for the day included: ABLEnow, Community Knights, DBHDS, Eggleston, Fragile X, Hampton SEAC, Moms in Motion, Old Point Trust, Organized Advocacy, The Choice Group, VCU Partnership for People with Disabilities, PERT, and VersAbility Resources. 

Saturday was a huge success for VersAbility’s first Student Transition Fair! Many families and vendors were extremely impressed with the variety of sessions, speakers., and resources available to them. 

VersAbility plans to continue hosting this event in the years to come, building upon the sessions, vendors, speakers, and resources available to families and to students with disabilities.

On April 11, 2019, we hosted an Open House at the Puller Center located in Gloucester, VA. Community members, families, staff, and people with disabilities from the Puller Center all came out for a beautiful day of celebration as we thanked the Gloucester Main Street Preservation Trust and the Gloucester Rotary Club for their generous grant funding that went towards the Puller Center’s exterior renovations. Thanks to their help we were able to improve the signage, walkways, curb appeal, and main entrance to our building. During this event we had a light lunch, music, comments from Kasia Grzelkowski, VersAbility’s CEO/President and surprise thanks from many people with disabilities who are employed at the Puller Center and participate in the Day Support program.

The Wings for all event on April 6, 2019 was a great success and one we look forward to continuing in the months and years to come. VersAbility Resources recently partnered with the Arc of the U.S. to help alleviate the stress for people with disabilities and their families when traveling by air. During the event, 26 participants passed through TSA, waited at their gate, and boarded an airplane with their family/support staff members. Once guests were safely seated on board the plane, Norfolk International Airport staff went through their safety briefing. Guests then proceeded to deboard the plane and joined VersAbility for a warm reception. Participants during Saturdays event thoroughly enjoyed their experience.

“I just wanted to thank you for this event.  It was meaningful for those who attended and while my client loved the snacks and food, he also learned some valuable lessons and got to finally see the inside of an airplane.

Your organization and those with whom you partnered did an excellent job at every turn – I don’t think I have ever experienced a smoother run event – even waiting to board was realistic :).  The volunteers readily engaged the participants which helped pass the time.

Thank you again for organizing this event.”

• Kathi Thomas

Norfolk International Airport was completely committed to this event and had staff from the Airport Authority, TSA, American Airlines, Delta, Southwest, Hudson Group, and HMS Host participating in the event as well.  VersAbility Resources had volunteers to help with registration, directing participants, passing out goodie bags with VersAbility swag, and collecting evaluations.

It was a great event that benefitted both participants and airline staff. Many at Norfolk International Airport are interested in doing it again and there is the possibility of expanding to Newport News-Williamsburg.

The Gloucester Daffodil Festival was one to remember this year. The Gloucester Main Street Association once again put on their wonderful Beer Garden in VersAbility’s Puller Center parking lot. Vendors from local businesses in the Gloucester area joined us that day as many visitors stopped by to grab a drink, listen to the band, shop, and chat.

One of the vendors participating in this year’s event was Marker 9, a local retail business. At the end of the event, Marker 9 donated 10% of their total sales for the day to VersAbility’s Lewis B. Puller Center. Their support and generosity allow us to continue to provide both employment and day support services to people with disabilities on the Middle Peninsula and Northern Neck. One person in particular travels 75 miles each way to receive our services.

New and exciting things are happening at VersAbility Resources! Our annual Winter Gala has been moved to October. This year our event is on October 11, 2019 from 6:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the Marriott in City Center in Newport News, Virginia. We are excited for this new change and hope that you can once again join us as we celebrate all the people with disabilities who we serve! This year we are spotlighting our Transition to Work program. This program ensures students with disabilities successfully move from the special education classroom to paid employment. One student in particular, Jonathan Armer found this program to be simply life changing. After a rough start at VersAbility and struggling to find the right fit, Jonthan finally found his place, is thriving, and earning his own paycheck. Join us on October 11, 2019 at our 13^thAnnual Gala for a special presentation from Jonathan’s family. We are currently seeking sponsorships for this event. If you or your organization would like to sponsor the Gala this year, please reach out to Keltie Klijanowicz, VersAbility’s Marketing Manager at 757.896.6473 or keltie@versability.org. Tickets will go on sale soon on our website at www.versability.org/events.

Help us Invest in their futures, Impact their lives, and Inspire others!

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