Diana Soto named IFB Solutions 2021 Overall Employee of the Year

Contact: Melissa Stanz, Two B Public Relations, melissa@twobpr.com, 828.768.1202

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (April 23, 2021) – Diana Soto, who moved to Winston-Salem from Puerto Rico with her husband Kelvin, is the 2021 IFB Solutions Overall Employee of the Year. This award goes to a blind or visually impaired person who goes above and beyond their job description to demonstrate initiative and a positive attitude. IFB Solutions is the largest employer of people who are blind in the U.S., with facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, NC, and Little Rock, AR. The nonprofit employs more than 1,000 people.

Soto is now nominated for the National Industries for the Blind Peter J. Salmon Employee of the Year Award, to be announced this May. The national award recipient is chosen from more than 100 National Industry for the Blind organizations nationwide representing some 5,500 employees.

“Diana is an enthusiastic team player, produces quality work, and is dedicated to her job and our organization’s mission,” said David Horton, IFB Solutions CEO. “Her managers admire her willingness to do any job, her positive attitude and her initiative. She is a cherished employee and friend to so many here at IFB.”

Born with a condition called RP (retina pigmentosa), Soto is visually impaired, especially when she comes inside after being in the sun. Her eyes must readjust to see what’s in front of her such as shadows and movements. Her peripheral vision is good, so she turns to the side to make eye contact with people.

“After joining IFB Solutions I knew I had been blessed with an amazing opportunity for my career. I hope that my contributions will serve as a reference to continue planting new seeds in my professional life. Even though I have lost some of my sight, I will never lose my vision for a fulfilling future,” said Soto.

Soto began working at IFB in 2018. In addition to her manufacturing job as a sewing machine operator in Advanced Combat Shirts, she volunteers at the organization by translating company information into Spanish and teaching English to her Spanish-speaking colleagues. She is also a writer for IFB’s Insider employee newsletter.

During the Covid pandemic, she demonstrated extraordinary flexibility when she was transferred from her manufacturing job to care for employees’ children when schools and daycares closed. By doing this job, many IFB employees were able to continue working and earning a paycheck during the pandemic.

Read Diana’s blog post at https://ifbsolutions.org/losing-my-sight-but-not-my-vision/

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

Russ Stinehour  Appointed Chair of IFB Solutions Asheville Advisory Board

Contact: Melissa Stanz, melissa@twobpr.com, 828-768-1202

Asheville, NC (Oct. 28^th, 2020) – Local nonprofit IFB Solutions recently named Russ Stinehour, COO of Sciolytix and former CEO of DigitalChalk, as Chair of its Asheville Advisory Board. As Board Chair, Stinehour advocates for and helps increase awareness of the organization’s mission of providing employment, services, and training for people who are blind or visually impaired.

Stinehour, who is visually impaired, has worked with IFB Solutions since 2011 in a variety of roles, including helping create eLearning solutions for people who are blind or visually impaired. He has served on the Asheville Advisory Board for nine years.

“Some 70 percent of working age adults who are blind are unemployed, and that statistic is very personal to me,” said Stinehour. “I want to use my position as Board Chair to help lower that statistic and increase awareness of the excellent work IFB Solutions is doing.”

A skilled problem solver, Stinehour has more than three decades of technology and leadership experience. At Sciolytix, he directs the company’s eCommerce Strategy and Operation, Finance, Human Resources and Client Success. He was previously co-founder and CEO of Infinity Learning Systems, the parent company of DigitalChalk. He was also founder and CEO of CrossLogic and held leadership positions at IBM for 16 years.

A champion of software accessibility, Stinehour is also an expert in assistive technologies. He is passionate about helping people who are visually impaired use technology.

“Russ has faithfully served on our Board and knows our opportunities and challenges. With his appointment to Chair he is bringing his talents to help more people who are blind and visually impaired,” said Randy Buckner, Vice President of Operations Support.

“It’s especially appropriate that he begins this role in October, which is National Disability Employment Awareness Month.”

About IFB Solutions (IFB)

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                      

Contact: Nicole Ducouer

nducouer@ifbsolutions.org, M (304) 685-2393

IFB Solutions EARNS 14^TH NATIONAL EMPLOYMENT GROWTH AWARD

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (Oct. 14, 2020) – Local nonprofit IFB Solutions was honored with the 2019 Employment Growth Award for its efforts to increase employment retention, growth and upward mobility for people who are blind. This is the 14^th award for IFB Solutions, which is presented by National Industries for the Blind (NIB) to recognize agencies who are increasing employment and economic opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired.

During its fiscal year 2019, IFB Solutions added nearly 42,000 hours of employment and hired almost 100 people who are blind. Deemed an essential business by the Dept. of Defense, the nonprofit kept most of its operations running even as the pandemic continued. IFB Solutions also earned new business by producing masks for the U.S. Air Force and supported hundreds of employees who could not work through its innovative People First Fund. Across its three locations in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., IFB Solutions employs nearly 500 people who are blind or visually impaired, making it the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country.

“These jobs are truly changing the lives of people who are blind or visually impaired,” said David Horton, IFB Solutions President and CEO. “Many of our almost 100 new hires were individuals who relocated to Winston-Salem because they could not find jobs in their own communities. And for nearly one-third of our total workforce, IFB is their first job opportunity.”

The organization’s growth also afforded them the opportunity to invest time and money into the next generation of America’s workforce. The IFB Solutions Student Enrichment Program (S.E.E.) continues to serve children who are blind or visually impaired through after-school programs and summer camps.

Many of these programs are now delivered in new formats so the children don’t miss out on important opportunities to develop independent living, orientation & mobility and socialization skills.

“I can’t wait to see what the next generation will do—who knows, maybe one of these children will sit in my seat someday,” said Horton.

According to NIB, 70 percent of working-age adults who are blind are not employed. The success of agencies like IFB Solutions in creating and sustaining employment for people who are blind is key to changing this statistic.

“IFB Solutions is doing an outstanding job of creating U.S.-based career opportunities for people who are blind,” said NIB President and CEO Kevin Lynch. “This is a great example of the unlimited capabilities of people who are blind working across the country.”

IFB Solutions’ local footprint in Winston-Salem includes large-scale manufacturing operations, a comprehensive optical lab, Community Low Vision Center and Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse which houses its S.E.E. programs for children in grades K-12.

“Our mission is to provide opportunities for people who are blind or visually impaired in need of training, employment and services,” said Horton. “Everything we do is guided by our belief that all people who are blind or visually impaired have the right to succeed in every area of life.”

About IFB Solutions (IFB)

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org

#   #   #

As the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, IFB Solutions understands the vital importance of consistent and safe lighting for its employees. A grant from The Cannon Foundation, based in Concord, N.C., is making this possible with a $50,000 grant to convert IFB’s manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem and Asheville, N.C. to all LED lighting. Combined, the two facilities employ 685 people and cover a total 183,000 square feet.

“Consistent lighting on the production floor is critical to our employees, many of whom have light perception sensitivities,” said David Horton, President & CEO of IFB Solutions. “We’re incredibly grateful to The Cannon Foundation for this generous grant that enables all of our production areas to maintain the same level of light across every work area. It’s a huge benefit to our employees and to our organization.”

The nonprofit also expects to realize significant energy savings from the use of LED lighting, monies which then can be invested back into programs and services such as IFB’s Community Low Vision Centers and S.E.E. children’s programs. IFB Solutions has already converted to LED lighting at its manufacturing facility in Little Rock, Ark. and distribution center in Clemmons, N.C. IFB Solutions worked with Waste Reduction Partners (WRP) based in Asheville, N.C. to identify cost-effective energy and environmental management opportunities like the conversion to LED lighting.

“The cost-savings generated by the move to LED lighting could not come at a more important time as we bear the financial challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Horton. “IFB Solutions has been designated an essential business by the Department of Defense, and our operations have remained open. To assist employees unable to come to work because of the virus we’ve established our People First Fund which has helped nearly 500 employees.”

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org.

ABOUT THE CANNON FOUNDATION

The Cannon Foundation was formed in 1943 by Charles A. Cannon, chairman and president of the Cannon Mills Company. The Foundation continues his philanthropic legacy by funding primarily capital and infrastructure projects for organizations across the state of North Carolina. To date, the foundation has awarded grants totaling more than $305 million.

Leaders at IFB Solutions are showing their support for IFB employee Alanna Richardson and her husband by helping provide some “sweat equity” hours during her home’s wall build. Working at a social distance at Habitat’s Construction Technology Center, the team will help construct the walls that will later be transported to the Richardson home site.

Alanna, who is blind, has worked at IFB Solutions since 2015. She and her husband have long dreamed of owning their own home. Earlier this year, they applied for and were accepted into Habitat’s “Homeowners in Progress” program which requires 300-400 “sweat equity” hours through volunteer hours at Habitat before they can purchase a home. Additionally, Alanna and her husband attended a series of classes about subjects such as homeownership, maintenance, and financial management.

George Redd, Habitat for Humanity director of program services, said materials about the Habitat program were provided to Alanna in Braille. Habitat staff members read the class materials aloud to a recorder. After listening to the recordings, Alanna was given oral tests on the material. “Alanna was wonderful to work with because of her outgoing personality,” Redd said. “It was important to us to adapt our program so she could be successful and also pave the way for other future homeowners who may be blind or visually impaired.”

“Our mission at IFB Solutions is to help people who are blind or visually impaired live full and independent lives through employment, training and services,” said IFB Solutions President and CEO David Horton. “What better way to live out this mission than by joining Alanna and her husband as they realize their dream of homeownership through this fantastic program at Habitat for Humanity.”

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org.

ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Habitat for Humanity of Forsyth County works to eliminate substandard housing and revitalize   communities through new construction, renovations and repairs to single-family homes. Families accepted into the program perform 300-400 hours of “sweat equity,” including working on the homes of other families and their own, and complete a series of classes about topics such as financial literacy and home maintenance. They purchase the home from Habitat through a low-interest mortgage, and their payments help fund future houses for more homeowners. Habitat’s repair program makes critical repairs and aging-in-place modifications to existing homeowners in its target neighborhoods.

Since its founding in 1985, Habitat Forsyth has built, renovated or repaired 500 homes. More information about Habitat is available at habitatforsyth.org.

WINSTON-SALEM, NC (July 22, 2020) – IFB Solutions, the largest employer of people who are blind or visually impaired in the country, recently recognized its Employees of the Year, volunteers and partners who continue to play such vital roles in the non-profit’s mission of employment, training and services. IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, Asheville and Little Rock, Ark., and provides a range of services through its Community Low Vision Centers, Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse, and SEE (Student Enrichment Experience) after-school and summer camp programs for children who are blind.

Scott Smith of Winston-Salem was named the overall IFB Solutions Employee of the Year. Scott, formerly a technician in IFB’s optical lab and working now on our helmet pad production line, plays a major role advocating for jobs for the blind. He has joined IFB executives in meeting with Congressional representatives in Washington, D.C. and has spoken extensively with local organizations and the media in support of legislative efforts aimed at sustaining and growing job opportunities for people who are blind. Scott, who is visually impaired, also is a U.S. Navy veteran.

Denice McKinnon Drake was named the IFB Solutions Employee of the Year for the Asheville facility. Denise has worked for IFB Solutions for nearly three years in almost area of the facility including sewing operator, Community Low Vision Center staff member and her current job with the Impulse Merchandising (IMP) team. She came to IFB having lost her sight in an automobile accident – a life-changing event that also has led her to speak out about the importance of wearing seatbelts. Through IFB, Denice has gained meaningful employment and a renewed purpose for her life in addition to meeting and marrying the love of her life.

Andre Johnson was named the IFB Solutions Employee of the Year for the Little Rock facility. Andre has lived with very limited vision his entire life having been diagnosed with optic nerve atrophy at just one-month-old. He joined IFB three years ago to work on the T-shirt production line and now serves as the team’s material handler. He is especially appreciative to work for an organization that produces vital products for the military and serves the members of Arkansas’ blind community through employment, training and programs.

Faith Harding received the IFB Solutions Overall Career Achiever Award. Faith initially lost sight in her left eye as a young child and then lost vision in her right eye at 25 years of age. She joined IFB in 2015 as a sewing machine operator and progressed through the organization to her current role on the Base Supply Center team. Faith has taken advantage of numerous training and educational opportunities in customer service and business to further build her skills. She also is an active IFB volunteer with the SEE program, writer for the “IFB Insider” employee publication and winner of Toastmaster awards. In her free time, Faith is a yoga instructor.

Garry Rippy of Winston-Salem received the IFB Solutions Delmer Wall Outstanding Service Award. Garry, who joined IFB in 2009, works across all of IFB’s manufacturing facilities setting up production lines and modifying operations so they can be performed by individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Through his dedication, many of IFB’s employees who are blind are now able to work in areas previously limited as sighted positions.

Allegacy Federal Credit Union received the IFB Solutions Kathryn W. Garner Volunteer of the Year Award. For more than 20 years, Allegacy and its team of dedicated employees has supported the mission of IFB Solutions. Allegacy employees have provided vital volunteer support for community events and fundraisers. The company also has helped build awareness of IFB’s programs and services through its employee publications and by encouraging its team members to attend tours of the IFB facilities.

The City of Winston-Salem received the IFB Solutions Commodore Funderburk Visionary Award. The award is named for the late Commodore Funderburk who was blind, deaf and mute, and who worked at IFB for 40 years without missing a day of work. The City has been an integral partner with IFB Solutions since the nonprofit opened its doors in 1936. Financial support from the city through various grants also has been instrumental in growing and expanding jobs for people who are blind or visually impaired in the Winston-Salem community. Mayor Allen Joines submitted letters of support regarding IFB’s optical lab and the jobs it created in Winston-Salem, and he also participated in numerous IFB events including groundbreaking and ribbon-cutting ceremonies for new facilities, milestone celebrations and recognitions. View the presentation of this award by IFB Solutions employee Anastasia Powell to Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines here.

DC Holdings received the IFB Solutions Partner of the Year Award. DC Holdings has worked alongside IFB Solutions for more than eight years helping to create business development strategies specifically to grow job opportunities for people who are blind. DC Holdings is a professional management team with a wealth of experience in the military requirements, logistics and acquisition process representing a combined nearly 80 years of government experience in the Military R&D industry. That experience has enabled IFB to successfully foresee potential in new and innovative projects, build supply chain connections and navigate the complexities of the Federal Government procurement process.

ABOUT IFB SOLUTIONS

IFB Solutions is a nonprofit corporation founded in 1936 that provides employment, training and services for people who are blind or visually impaired. As the largest employer of people who are blind in the United States, IFB operates manufacturing facilities in Winston-Salem, N.C., Asheville, N.C., and Little Rock, Ark., in addition to operating nearly 20 office supply stores across the country and producing mattresses. IFB produces eyewear under its Twenty200 brand at its Winston-Salem lab and operates a retail location in Winston-Salem. IFB Solutions funds employee training and services as well as community programs through grants and private donations, making possible summer camps, afterschool programs and activities for children who are blind, and Community Low Vision services through its low-vision Centers across North Carolina and in Little Rock, Ark. ifbsolutions.org