Agency Web Site Increases Program Enrichment Fund
Robin Carlson
Exciting News! Vantage Group, Inc., through its web site, can now earn bonuses for generating new customers through the amazon.com links. Just by logging on to www.vantagegroupinc.org, going to the Shopping page and clicking on the amazon.com link~ and encouraging your friends to do the same!
Bonuses will be calculated according to the following New Customer threshold levels:
With the next bonus level always within reach, the more new customers generated, the more the agency earns.
There are plenty of ways to generate lots of new customers. Tell your friends to shop at the amazon.com site through the Vantage Group Inc. link. Tell your family. More traffic means more buyers and more new customers.
Revenue generated through the web site offsets costs incurred for web site hosting as well as contributes to the program enhancement fund. This program enhancement fund pays for tuitions and program supplies needed for those we serve to experience life enhancing experiences within the community. Thanks for contributing to the program enhancement fund by logging on to www.vantagegroupinc.org and registering to be a new customer of amazon.com!
Why We’re Here
Joan Sayers
This past June, I had the pleasure of attending a staff training in Stony Creek that I found to be not only a great reprieve from my normal routine (and held in a beautiful setting, I might add) but also a chance to meet with other managers from area agencies to share our similar stories and concerns.
The guest speakers were informative and interesting; they provided fun exercises that enabled a free flow of dialogue which prodded our normal ways of looking at things.
I especially enjoyed hearing a panel of residents who had made the move from living in group home settings to having their own apartments. Each person discussed how the process began with a dream followed by the steps that it took to make that dream a reality. One man in particular made quite an impression. Mike had been feeling much frustration about his circumstances and blurted out, “I just want to get a life!” For me, the three days of training were summed up when I heard these words spoken in such a strong and serious voice. No matter what topics we chose to discuss, what it came down to is the fact that the people we support desire the same things in life that everyone throughout the world strives for: a life with meaning and purpose that includes family, friends and community.
It is our job as support counselors to assist people to become full participants in society– giving of themselves as well as receiving. By exposing our residents to as many experiences and opportunities as possible, we can better determine what their interests and talents are. This exposure leads to more successful experiences for the people we support. Involving people with developmental disabilities in activities that help them to become more independent also opens up a wider circle of support; this larger support-circle adds a greater sense of security and enhances self-esteem.
This training helped all present to reflect on why we entered this field in the first place. I know for me, it was to ensure that folks with developmental disabilities could experience the same opportunities and positive quality of life that we all dream of.
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The Networking Collaborative, sponsor of the above three day trainings, includes Vantage Group, Inc., and service providers ACES Access, The Arc of Southington, SARAH Tuxis, Benhaven, New England Residential Services, and Camp Horizons. Look for upcoming training opportunities for new and seasoned support staff in September and November of 2000; and in January, March and May of 2001. Partial funding for this project comes from the United Way of Greater New Haven.
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