Dave Koenig, owner and operator of the Piggly Wiggly grocery, 3900 Erie St., doesn’t post help wanted signs or purchase ads to find store associates. Instead, he always accepts applications from interested candidates. Two such associates who Dave hired this past year were Andy, 20, and Michael, 46, both participants in Careers Industries’ Partners in Employment program.

PIE partners with the Wisconsin Division of Vocational Rehabilitation to match savvy, progressive employers like Koenig who understand the value of a diverse workforce with people with disabilities who have the requested skills and talents.

Read the entire story here.

Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-star rating, the highest rating possible for sound fiscal management and commitment to accountability and transparency, has been awarded to Goodwill Industries of Southeastern Wisconsin, Inc. Charity Navigator’s goal is to provide donors with essential information needed to give them greater confidence in the charitable choices they make. READ MORE

Eisenhower Center: Jobs For The Disabled

Employment is about more than a paycheck.  As much as it may seem like a grind some days, having a job brings a special sense of independence and dignity that almost everyone desires.

And it’s no different for people with developmental disabilities.

Every year, hundreds of people find work at the Eisenhower Center on Milwaukee’s north side.  It subcontracts work to its employees, all of whom are disabled, allowing them to work according to their ability.

Follow this link for audio from 88nine Radio Milwaukee

On Wednesday, March 6, 2013 members of our A-Teams from all across the state took to the State Capitol and met with legislators to discuss topics relating to people with disabilities.  Over 75 Rehabilitation for Wisconsin in Action members, parents, guardians, advocates and people with disabilities took part in our Legislative Advocacy Day.  These activists made contacts with over 40 legislators and their aides!  In this picture, members of the A-Team of Southeastern Wisconsin speak with Rep. Joel Kleefisch. 

As available tax resources keep shrinking, state government officials have been exploring ways to clip costs in order to balance their budgets.

So it is no shock the budget ax has fallen upon programs like Family Care, which provides a long-term care system for Wisconsin residents with disabilities. The problem is recent cuts facing some clients within the system appear to be excessive and unwarranted, and thus life changing . . .

Those entrusted with the state’s Family Care system need to take a step back and start using a bit more common sense and empathy when making decisions that impact those in their care. Any funding decisions should put people first, and not dollars first.

Read more here.

New President/CEO at Curative Care Network!

Candace Hennessy PhD, RN, has joined Curative Care Network as the new President and CEO.  Candace brings 25 years of experience in health care.  Most recently, she was an Executive Vice President for Aurora Health Care and President and Chief Clinical Officer for Aurora Visiting Nurse Association of Wisconsin.  In addition, she brings a commitment to learning as she has been a professor at Marquette University and Carroll University.  

Candace is very passionate about making a difference in the lives of patients and delivering care with the highest quality and touch.  She is very excited to get started and to work with the talented team at Curative.  Please join us in welcoming her!

We certainly thank Bob Coons, who retired after 19 years of valued leadership at Curative.  He positioned Curative to achieve continued success for years to come.

RCS Empowers, Inc. was awarded $4,000 from the Green Bay Packers Foundation at a luncheon and ceremony event at the Lambeau Field Atrium in Green Bay on Feb. 12. RCS was represented by art therapist Laura Griffin and Day Service Coordinator Ruth Weigel.

The grant was specified for the lighting, curtain and sound system project for the annual RCS play production. This grant, along with other grants and donations from the community, will assist RCS in reaching its $75,000 goal. The play productions, which have been held for more than 30 years, are a vital part of RCS’s programming. RCS plays showcase the talents of many actors and actresses who happen to have disabilities. Community volunteers also contribute hundreds of hours to create scenery, costumes, and staging as well as supporting operations like lighting, music and theatrics.

This year’s production, “Beauty and the Beast” will be performed April 19-26 at RCS’s new location, 1607 Geele Ave. The community is invited to attend. Free tickets are available at rcs.ticketleap.com. To initiate the new venue, a special fundraiser pre-show and dinner is available for the April 19 opening night performance. The dinner tickets for the fundraiser must be purchased by calling 920-458-8261.