The St. Louis Regional Chamber and presenting sponsor RubinBrown announced the 2020 Arcus Awards winners last night at the 7th Annual Arcus Awards, held at the Hyatt Regency at the Arch. The Arcus Awards celebrate extraordinary achievements of private businesses, governmental organizations, innovators and non-profits that are making the St. Louis region an attractive place to live, work and invest.
Challenge Unlimited was honored to receive an Arcus Award for Achievement in Inclusive Business Solutions at the event!
Arcus Award for Achievement in Inclusive Business Solutions honors exemplary work achieving measurable growth in the enterprise of diverse business and/or has implemented an innovative solution including a diverse business enterprise.
By Carina Jones (Director of Clinical Services at Residential Options)
The self-advocacy committee, a committee comprised of 15 clients from Residential Options, participated in the Speak Up Speak Out Summit held in Springfield, Illinois at the Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center October 28th through the 30Th. This year’s theme was “Hear My Voice, Support My Choice”. The summit was developed by the ARC of Illinois and funded by the Illinois Council on Development Disabilities. The clients were able to apply for financial assistance to assist with hotel, registration and transportation fees.
Clients arrived in Springfield on October 28th for early registration, since the summit started its sessions on October 29th. Arriving early allowed the clients to participate in a tour of the state capital. While legislators were in session, their schedules did not allow time for individual conversations with the clients. The clients were excited to see the offices and meeting rooms while stating, “We will be back to talk another time.” After the tour, the clients shopped at the local mall and had dinner before resting so that they were ready for the next day’s events.
The event was comprised of keynote speakers, break out sessions, and Fun time! The clients were able to listen to stories from individuals with disabilities who have faced adversity and still accomplished their goals and achieved their dreams. The breakout sessions included trainings on Respect, the power off self-advocacy, and internet safety, just to name a few. The clients were even able to sit on a panel and given advice and support to other individuals. One of our clients stated, “It felt good to be called on to share with the group…. I felt really good.”
As always, the event makes sure to make time to have fun and boy do they know how to party. A Halloween themed dance was held on October 29th and everyone was encouraged to dress up while dancing to all the latest hits provided by the DJ. Now if dancing wasn’t your thing, then a Wii was set up for some good competitive bowling. The next morning, all the clients were dragging into breakfast saying things like, “Boy, I partied like it was 1965!” Another client said, “I’m getting old.” But everyone agreed the dance was one of the top favorites when discussing activities that are provided at the summit.
It was sad on Wednesday when all things came to an end as the team packed all their bags and loaded the van back up to head back to Alton. One client stated, “take me back.” The self-advocacy had one last meeting over lunch to discuss the event and what they had learned. One client said, “I learned that in order to get respect I have to give it, that’s where it starts, and that’s with my staff, my family and my friends.” Another client stated, “I learned how to make an action plan to help me achieve some of my goals- moving out on my own. I had to list when I wanted to do this and who I needed to get help from.” Staff stated, “it was nice to see the clients taking notes and actually paying attention.” Everyone agreed that the summit was an event not to miss and that they must continue to work to stay on the committee so that they can attend next year’s summit.
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October is National Disability Awareness Month (NDEAM)! This year’s NDEAM theme is “The Right Talent, Right Now.” This theme emphasizes the essential role that people with disabilities play in America’s economic success. We know at Challenge Unlimited and Residential Options how individuals with disabilities add significant value and talent to our workforce every single day. One example of this is Kenneth, a client who worked with our Employment Services Division in 2017. His success story is below:
Kenneth and his Wendy’s manager, Cass
In 2011, Kenneth experienced a life-changing event that left him clinging for his life. Ever the fighter, Kenneth spent many years recovering from this incident, completing physical and speech therapy multiple times a week along with many other doctor appointments. Kenneth had to relearn basic skills including things like learning how to talk and walk again. He had incredible support from his entire family during this time, especially from his mother who quit working in order to help him recover.
After years of recovery, Kenneth came to Challenge Unlimited in November 2017. At the time, Kenneth had yet to have a successful employment experience, did not have a high school diploma, and had a previous legal record from events prior to his life-changing experience. During his time job searching, Kenneth worked with his Challenge Unlimited Job Coach to find a solution to his barriers to employment. Kenneth participated in our Employment Services Division’s Job Club on a regular basis and never missed an appointment. He was prepared, on time, and very involved in the job seeking process. Using the skills he acquired at Job Club, Kenneth attended a specialized Job Fair in St. Louis and connected with Wendy’s restaurants in April 2018. He interviewed at one of the company’s locations and was offered a crew member position on the spot!
Since that time, Kenneth has been enjoying his spot on the Wendy’s team as an “opener”. He was able to gain more hours and learn additional tasks, and he now works a total of 24 hours per week. He is an asset to his team, and his managers and co-workers have noted his exceptional work and positive attitude. He’s even received multiple raises due to his hard work and contribution to his employer.
Kenneth’s time working in the community has enabled him to help support his two children and take vacations like a cruise to the Bahamas! Kenneth states he enjoys the freedom and independence that having a job affords him. His future goals include continuing to work for Wendy’s and to “make people smile every day!” He also has goals to obtain a GED and get his own place one day.
When asked about his experience with Challenge Unlimited and gaining community employment, he stated he “would do it again” indicating that he would recommend Challenge and community employment to others with disabilities.
Kenneth’s advice to others living with a disability is to “not look down, but look up!” According to Kenneth, this kind of mindset has been the largest contributing factor to his success in moving forward in life and in finding and keep a job.
Posted in Community Relations | Comments Off on National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Kenneth’s Success Story
ST. LOUIS, MO — FOCUS St. Louis, the region’s premier leadership organization, honored Challenge Unlimited and 19 other individuals, organizations, and initiatives making a difference at the 22nd Annual What’s Right with the Region Awards Celebration on May 16, 2019.
Challenge Unlimited President & CEO, Charlotte Hammond, and Board Chairman, Tom Morrissey, pictured at the FOCUS St. Louis 2019 What’s Right With the Region awards ceremony.
Challenge Unlimited was selected as an honoree for a What’s Right with the Region Award in the category of Improving Equity and Inclusion. The award recognizes companies for exhibiting exemplary work in the area of inclusive business solutions by achieving measurable growth in the business enterprise over a one-year period. Challenge Unlimited’s Board Chairman, Tom Morrissey, and President and CEO, Charlotte Hammond, both accepted the prestigious award on behalf of the organization.
Challenge Unlimited’s selection as an honoree can be attributed to many activities from hiring, to corporate culture, and being highly-engaged with the local business community. The organization has a rich history of workplace inclusion dating back to its founding and has been a trailblazer for employing and providing opportunities to individuals with disabilities, the disadvantaged and veterans. The company continues to foster an inclusive and diverse workplace, demonstrated by a workforce that is over 50 percent comprised of individuals with disabilities.
For 60 years, CU has been committed to the inclusion of individuals with disabilities, veterans and those with disadvantages or barriers to employment—both in the workplace and in mainstream society. With President and CEO Charlotte Hammond’s leadership, the organization helps people with disabilities from all walks of life acquire the skills and connections to maximize their participation in the community.
“Being selected as an honoree for this prestigious award is the result of a shared dedication to our initiatives, resources and community involvement in advancing diversity in the region,” said Hammond. “I am proud of our team for being a beacon for inclusion to the community.”
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A Quick Bite 2 (a developmental training worksite for individuals with disabilities) was recently featured on KSDK News. We are very proud to partner with St. Clair County Transit District for this opportunity, which has provided an additional pathway to meaningful work for our clients. The video can be viewed here.
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Challenge Unlimited’s President and CEO, Charlotte Hammond, was recently profiled in the St. Louis Business Journal’s ‘St. Louis Character’ feature. The article, which can be read here, brings awareness to the important work that Charlotte and Challenge Unlimited do to support individuals with disabilities in the St. Louis region.
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Challenge Unlimited is proud to be part of the St. Louis Business Journal Diverse Business Leader Awards Class of 2018! Click the image below to find out why Challenge Unlimited is a champion for diversity and inclusion.
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Challenge Unlimited (CU) recently received a St. Louis Business Journal 2018 Diverse Business Leader award for the category of Nonprofit Champion in Diversity and Inclusion. The award honors local individuals, companies and civic organizations that are committed to employing a diverse workforce and have programs, initiatives, resources and/or community involvement that promotes diversity in the workplace. CU’s selection for this award can be attributed to many activities from hiring, to corporate culture, and being highly-engaged with the local business community.
Challenge Unlimited President and CEO, Charlotte Hammond, was featured on Fox 2 News to discuss the organization’s mission and expansion into the St. Louis area. Check out the video below for more details!
Posted in Community Relations | Comments Off on Challenged Unlimited continues to offer employment for disabled
Challenge Unlimited is growing employment opportunities for people with disabilities. That includes opening a staffing office in Maryland Heights and building partnerships with St. Louis area employers. Check out the video below (which was featured on Fox 2 News in St. Louis) for more details!
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For nearly 60 years, Challenge Unlimited, a national nonprofit headquartered in Alton, IL, has secured employment opportunities for the disadvantaged, individuals with disabilities and veterans so they may achieve their highest level of independence. The agency is delighted to announce that two of its recent achievements will allow the agency to deliver professional training certification and secure employment opportunities in area corporations as well as judicial court buildings. (more…)
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We are pleased to report that Challenge Unlimited, Inc. has been accredited for a period of three years under the following categories: Community Employment Services – Employment Supports; Community Employment Services – Job Development; Community Housing; and Organizational Employment Services. Challenge Unlimited, Inc. has been CARF-accredited since 1978.(more…)
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The clients working at Challenge Unlimited, Inc. will now find their jobs easier, thanks to a bright electronics engineering team from Triad High School. The team, in partnership with Challenge Unlimited, was awarded 2nd Place in the 2018 SourceAmerica Design Challenge on Wednesday, April 11th.
The Triad students partnered Challenge Unlimited, a non-profit social enterprise that provides employment opportunities to individuals with significant disabilities, to build and customize an assistive technology solution geared toward improving the work environments of individuals with disabilities. In March, the team was chosen as 1 of 5 high school Design Competition finalists across the nation. All finalists were invited to visit Washington, D.C. this week for the finals competition, where they were each given an opportunity to present their solutions in front of a panel of judges. (more…)
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Challenge Unlimited, Inc. is proud to announce the launch of an innovative U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship program for people living with disabilities. For more than 50 years, Challenge Unlimited has been committed to serving individuals with disabilities, while earning a reputation as a trusted business partner to private commercial companies and federal and state government agencies.
Posted in Community Relations | Comments Off on St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson recognizes Challenge Unlimited as the first Registered Apprenticeship for individuals with disabilities in the St. Louis Area
A group of Triad High School students recently partnered with Challenge Unlimited, a non-profit social enterprise that provides employment opportunities to individuals with significant disabilities, in order to compete in the 2017 SourceAmerica Design Challenge. The annual competition involves building and customizing assistive technology designed to improve the work environments of individuals with disabilities.
