October 2015 - Dale Rogers Training Center

Dale Rogers Training Center
quarterly
Blazing Trails, Promoting Abilities Since 1953
Fall Edition
October 2015
Coast2Coast
Connections
Papa Murphy’s CEO and President Ken Calwell visits DRTC
A better connection......................3
PPM CEO Visit.....................3
Connecting coast to coast............4
Connecting at MetroCon15.......5
Schmooze with us......................5
CEO Visits Papa Murphy’s
Perfection...............................6
Raising some dough......................6
Meet the holiday card artists.........7
Wyman Fast Frames.................7
From the Director
2
Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M. Ed.
DRTC: Good to Great
As the seasons change, football
fans gear up for game day, Thunder
fans hope for an injury-free season,
and pumpkin-spiced everything
goes on store and bakery shelves.
The anticipation of the holidays
builds with planned trips, presents,
seeing familiar faces and every
organization you know has a
holiday event of some kind.
Amid the hustle and bustle of
our everyday lives, many times
we can lose focus on what truly
matters in life. We are so lucky to
live in such a country but there are
still flaws in our government.
Oklahoma’s low unemployment
rate (4.5% in July, compared with
5.3% across the United States)
can make finding a job difficult,
but we here at Dale Rogers
Training Center hang our hats on
finding good jobs for people with
disabilities. Whether it’s in the
community, e.g. Papa Murphy’s,
Walmart, Homeland to name a few,
or at one of DRTC’s specialized
businesses, e.g. Wyman Frame,
Prism Place, we strive to find
Dale Rogers
Training Center
Cheryl Moore
DRTC Board President
Connie Thrash McGoodwin,
M. Ed, Executive Director
Michael T. Jones
PR Manager, Staff Writer
James Helm
PR Coordinator
Brian Landreth
PR Assistant
Graphic Designer
meaningful, well-paying jobs that
make a difference not only for
companies and customers, but also
individuals with disabilities and
their families.
WELL-DESERVED RECOGNITION
October is National Disability
Employment Awareness Month.
While it’s nice to recognize the
efforts of employers to hire those
with disabilities and the employees
themselves, we celebrate our
accomplishments year round.
Here’s some food for thought: last
program year, DRTC again helped
provide training/jobs for 1,100
people with disabilities. Altogether
they earned $5.6 million! That’s
something to shout from the
mountains (or the Devon Tower)!
DRTC’S EXPANDING BORDERS
But wait—there’s more! Since
July 1, 2014, DRTC has sent various
products made or packaged by
people with disabilities to 40 states
(who do you know in Alaska,
Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Maine,
New Hampshire, New Mexico,
Rhode Island, South Dakota and
Wyoming?) and Washington, D.C.,
and has an international presence
thanks to orders from Canada.
Even our newest division,
Papa Murphy’s, has gained some
national exposure. Papa Murphy’s
Holdings President and CEO Ken
Calwell recently toured our campus
and our store on Northwest 23rd
during a recent visit and came
away extremely impressed (for
more, see page 3).
All this to say, our staff work
extremely hard at DRTC and I am
very proud of the accomplishments
of those we serve—both
professionally and personally.
In this Quarterly Newsletter,
you’ll learn more about some
of our budding artists at Dale
Rogers Training Center (page 7)
who created the designs for this
year’s holiday cards. The growth
and efforts of folks like Bruce,
Gabrielle and Virginia continue to
show the creativity and hard work
of people with disabilities.
There are many challenges in
the field of vocational training and
rehabilitation. New changes in
regulations meant to be positive
have unintended consequences
that make it more difficult
and expensive to support our
population.
Despite that, we have some of
the most dedicated workers right
here at DRTC. From Mike who has
been here 36 years (see our June
Quarterly), to Charles who hasn’t
missed a single day in his four
years here (page 6), to Julie who
has been promoted twice at Papa
Murphy’s. Their commitment to
excellence is apparent—just like
we’re committed to recognizing
them as valued, contributing
members of the DRTC Team and
beyond.
3
A better
connection
Dale Rogers Training Center
is proud to be a United Way
Partner Agency.
Special services and programs
supported by United Way:
• Adult after care
• Camp Tumbleweed
•Rehabilitation
(l-r) Papa Murphy’s CEO Ken Calwell speaks with Phillip, Julie and Tanner.
Papa Murphy’s CEO Connection
Papa Murphy’s CEO and President Ken Calwell recently toured Dale
Rogers Training Center and DRTC’s Papa Murphy’s (Northwest 23rd
Street and Pennsylvania in OKC) as part of a regularly scheduled
DMA meeting with local franchise owners.
• Special Needs
Program
Calwell was impressed with the cleanliness of the location (thanks
to DRTC’s wonderful custodial crew) as well as overall appearance
•Transportation
Thank You
Special “Thank You” to
the following corporations
that have toured DRTC:
Chesapeake Energy
Corporation
of the store, featuring images that connect DRTC’s involvement with
the international Take ‘N’ Bake
pizza franchise.
Several employees at DRTC’s
Papa Murphy’s spoke with
Calwell and other corporate
leaders during the visit; Tanner
Devon Energy
Corporation
even gave Calwell a suggestion
OG&E Corporation
the product line, so keep an eye
Mercy Hospital
1953 DRTC’s founders
hold first meeting and
incorporate
on how to possibly even expand
on the menu for changes!
1957 Dale Evans Rogers
visits Dale Rogers School
1966 Eunice Kennedy
Shriver visits Dale Rogers
Training Center
Waneta presents Ken Calwell an
Oklahoma-shaped acrylic award made at
Prism Place featuring a Papa Murphy’s
logo during his tour.
1971 New workshop
completed after tornado
destroyed “The Barn”
1981 Connie Thrash
named DRTC Executive
Director, 54 clients/students
served
4
Connected to th
20
40
Frame
Sequoyah
20
201 3
2016
BIG
PLANS
2016
2005
Robin Rogers plaque
added to museum
in Branson, MO
New building
completed
2013
2015
State Use
Mandatory
Contract
2015
19
2005
2004
DR
WYMAN
OP
PRISM PLACE
TURNS 20!
1999
2004
Connecting
coast to coast
A cross-country trip of a lifetime took a special
route to Oklahoma City and Dale Rogers Training
Center this summer.
New York-based “Guys Group,” comprised of four
people with disabilities and two mentors, set out
on a journey from Buffalo, New York, to California
in hopes of making a documentary to show
anyone can load up and hit the road making
their own memories.
DRTC reached out via Facebook and Guys
Group replied saying they would like to visit
our main campus at Northwest 23rd and Utah.
The group hopes to have the documentary
edited by May 2016.
To read more about the Guys Group visit to
DRTC, visit our blog: drtc.wordpress.com.
19
$66K
grant to buy
Taco
new machines
1 9 97
New
building
Taco
completed
Bell
1997
1996
Groundbreaking
Taco
for
newBell
building
1996
Bell
1999
1994
Product Line
expands to
wooden plaques
1994
1983
PRISM PLACE
FOUNDED
1983
5
he Community
01 5
00+
Connecting at
MetroCon15
e Order
h State Park
015
201 3
New building
completed
2013
201 5
Wyman Frame
To MetroCon
Dallas
2015
996
RTC
N FRAME
PENS
Wyman Frame was a proud exhibitor at MetroCon15 in Dallas.
This was the second year for Wyman to have a booth
at the event for interior designers.
Event-goers heard the Wyman story and how the division of DRTC
provides jobs for people with disabilities, allowing them
to earn their own way and give back to the community.
Wyman Frame can handle production framing with its large
workspace and warehouse. Call 405-790-1285 for more information.
201 5
Transitions begins
at Papa Murphy’s
996
2015
2016
More
Connections!
2016
2013
DRTC
PAPA MURPHY’S
OPENS
2013
2015
Papa Murphy’s
CEO Ken Calwell
Visits Store
2015
Schmooze with us
#SchmoozaPalooza
DRTC is returning to the Greater
Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce’s
SchmoozaPalooza trade show in October.
We’ll be there talking all things DRTC
and explaining how our services
provide hard-working Oklahomans new
opportunities every day.
Thursday, October 29, 2015 - 4-7pm State Fair Park - Oklahoma Expo Hall
Admission: $10
6
Perfection
Few of us can say we’ve never
missed a single day of work in
a year. Even fewer can say the
same over multiple years.
Charles can.
Charles has been with DRTC
since 2011 and hasn’t missed a
single day on the job.
He’s part of DRTC’s Mobile
Workforce. The program sends
6-8 individuals throughout the
community to complete jobs at
Charles at Pelco
various worksites. Perhaps his
favorite location is Pelco in Edmond, where, with a smile, he says
he does, “basically, mostly everything out there.”
You can sense the pride in Charles when talking with him about
his dedication.
“I just like being here,” he said.
Charles credits his mother for his outstanding work ethic, but also
the opportunities at DRTC.
“It gets me away from home,” Charles said, “from during the day
sitting at home not doing anything.”
For more information on Mobile Workforce, visit DRTC.org and
click “Programs.”
Raising some dough
When you order from DRTC’s Papa Murphy’s, you know you’re
buying Pizza for a Cause. Combine that with one of our several
fundraiser nights during the
2015-2016 school year, and
our pizzas carry a double
cause! We’re proud to be
helping several schools
in the area, including
Northwest Classen Special
Olympics, raise some dough.
We also have Peel-a-Deal
cards that are a great way
to raise money for your
group. Contact pizza@
drtc.org if you’re interested
in raising money for your
organization/group.
Employee
Recognition
Hand-crafted products by
people with disabilities
Reward your employees for their
hard work! See our complete lines
of awards and certificate frames at
DRTC.org!
Transitions program
volunteers at Feed
the Children
Transitions filled 600 disaster boxes
People with
disabilities
employed by
DRTC earned
$5.6 million
last year.
7
Meet The Holiday Card Artists
Each received their artwork framed and $100 award for their work
Gabrielle (tree)
Virginia (presents)
Bruce (dog)
1st holiday card design at DRTC
Mobile Workforce
Started at DRTC in Area B
4th holiday card design at DRTC
Enjoys drawing birds and hearts
Enjoys using colored pencils
Hopes to draw more designs
Feels good being able to buy presents
and give them to others
Mobile Workforce, Employment
Services
Has provided artwork for holiday card
for several years
Likes drawing animals
Enjoys spending time with family
during holidays
See the Cards - Next Page!
Top teacher
Wyman Fast Frames
Need a custom frame fast?
With Wyman Frame’s “Fast Frames,” you get your
choice of frame*, matboard and glass.
Provide us the artwork and leave the rest to us—it’s
that easy!
Our experienced staff will build your frame to
specifications with precision and ease within 3-5
business days.
*Sizes range
from
14” X 18”
to
32” X 40”
Left—Shawn Sheehan, Oklahoma Teacher of the Year,
Right—Joy Hofmeister, Oklahoma State Superintendent
Congratulations to Shawn Sheehan, former DRTC
Job Coach, for becoming Oklahoma’s Teacher of
the Year! Sheehan teaches Algebra I at Norman
Public Schools. Before that, he worked in DRTC’s
Supported Employment Program from 2009-2011
helping people with disabilities find and keep jobs.
1983 Prism Place opens
1994 Tinker Food Service begins
2003 50th Anniversary
WymanFrame.org
2006 Custodial contracts begins
8
Dale Rogers Training Center
2501 N. Utah Avenue
Oklahoma City OK 73107
405.946.4489 - TTY 405.947.3872 - Video
DRTC.org
Blazing Trails
Promoting Abilities
Find Us! Like Us! Follow Us!
Oklahoma
nonprofit since
Our Mission
1953
To provide training and
employment opportunities
for people with disabilities.
2015
Holiday Cards
Now Available!
es
“Hear ” Com
s
Santa Clau
Call Today!
405-790-1212
2013 60th Anniversary; DRTC becomes first
nonprofit to own a Papa Murphy’s franchise;
New building housing Wyman Frame opens;
1,078 clients served/employed
• Original art design
provided by Bruce,
Gabrielle and Virginia
• Gloss cover-matte inside
• Full color inside and out
• 5” x 7” card
• Envelopes included
• $12 box of 10
2014 DRTC wins 3-year accreditation
from the Commission on Accreditation of
Rehabilitation Facilities and Cleaning Industry
Management Standard
Happy Holi
days
Your purchase today directly
supports DRTC efforts to find
employment opportunities for
people with disabilities.
2015 180 subcontracts with 40 companies;
Prism Place secures State Mandatory Contract;
20th Anniversary of first federal food contract