Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/611511
When our transition to community-based Day Supports program started 12 years ago, it would have been very dicult to imagine that our facility could receive this award, which recognizes our employment services, because of all the challenges that lay ahead of us. We had two large vocational sheltered workshops that included around 150 people. Where would we start? Would this even work? What about all the barriers such as transportation, stang ratios, beliefs, etc.? Fast forward to today—we made it! Providing community-based services is not the easiest task, but we feel it's the right thing to do for the people we support. By relentlessly committing to our value that all people of working age should work regardless of their disability, it has made our vision a success, not only for our Day Supports program but also for the people we support and our communities. This International Award of Excellence from CQL validates our eorts even further. "When we were accredited in March, CQL commended us for being an agency dedicated to employment, and that led to our International Award of Excellence," said Dori Leslie, Vice President of CHI Friendship. "We're one of four organizations receiving the award, and we were recognized for our continuous eorts to nd employment options that bring meaning and purpose to each person we support." CQL accredits hundreds of agencies throughout the world and has several hundred standards that are expected to be in place for each person supported. PUTTING PEOPLE FIRST CHI Friendship works to nd meaningful employment for everyone, regardless of support level. Not only do we support many people who actively work within the community, we also support 30 people who have their own businesses. We feel that employment has a positive eect on quality of life, and we do whatever we can to help people nd employment in an area they enjoy. "This award validates our hard work each and every day with our employment eorts," Leslie said. "We know we have further to go, but we are proud of all of our employees for being job developers regardless of position. We believe that all people of working age who can work and who want to work, should work. Everyone wants the American dream. "One of the biggest contributors to CHI Friendship receiving this award is having sta members who work so tirelessly and creatively to nd customized employment for each person supported," Leslie added. "Sta members learn about each person's dreams and what he or she wants out of a career." "We are deeply honored to receive this inspiring award from CQL in recognition of employment services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities," said Je Pederson, President of CHI Friendship. "It is also humbling for us to know the great eort involved in making this transition from facility-based vocational services to community-based vocational services. It is one thing to set the vision for this to happen. It is another to recognize our Direct Support Professionals and Leadership Team in their perseverance to make this happen and in allowing people to achieve their dreams!" Viola and her popcorn business Darlene and her plant business CHI FRIENDSHIP /// www.chifriendship.com 7