IFB Beat – Week of February 12, 2024

A Message from the Editor

Extra, extra read all about it! Mark your calendar for the February 19 General Assembly at all manufacturing locations, meet the Asheville manufacturing team, and learn how to get involved during Low Vision Awareness Month.

Thanks for reading The IFB Beat and have a wonderful week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– February is Low Vision Awareness Month
– 2023 Year-End Tax Forms
– Winston-Salem General Assembly Monday, February 19
– Meet the Asheville Manufacturing Team
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– February Benefit of the Month
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

February is Low Vision Awareness Month

Did you know that February is Low Vision Awareness Month? Are you eager to explore resources and gain insights into Low Vision and Blindness? If you’re at the Winston-Salem Facility, here’s your golden opportunity!

Join us at the upcoming Winston-Salem Mayor’s Council for Persons with Disabilities meeting on February 13 at 11:30.

📍 Location: Tracy’s Little Red Schoolhouse, 7676 Phoenix Dr. 27106, located on the vibrant campus of IFB Solutions.

Engage in interactive activities and simulations crafted to deepen your understanding of Low Vision and Blindness. This unique event promises to connect you with disability service providers, community members, and neighbors, fostering a rich environment for learning and networking.

Don’t let this chance slip by! Mark your calendar and make plans to be part of this empowering gathering.

 

2023 Year-End Tax Forms

Distribution has begun of paper copies of your 2023 W2. You can immediately access your W2 electronically through Paycom through the steps below.

1. Login to your Paycom app or access the website at www.paycomonline.net
2. Select Payroll
3. Select Year End Tax Forms

Your 1095 is not yet available but will be available no later than February 19th.

Should you need any assistance in accessing your documents, or if you wish to receive a paper copy of your 1095, please reach out to Ciara Frenette in our benefits department at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org or 336-245-5644.

 

General Assembly at All Manufacturing Facilities, Monday, February 19

There will be a General Assembly meeting at all locations held on the manufacturing floor on February 19 at 3:15 pm. We’re looking forward to presenting the 2024 award winners, employee of the month awards as well as remarks from IFB leadership.

Supervisors, please be sure to shut down all equipment, fans and other things that contribute to noise on the manufacturing floor promptly at 3:15. Winston-Salem employees, if your workspace is not close to the central offices (outside Pedro Rojas and Edward Sykes’ doors), please move closer to ensure you can hear. Any office administration working in the building, your presence will be appreciated.

 

Meet the Asheville Manufacturing Team

IFB Solutions, is steadfast in its mission to build life-changing opportunities. While providing employment, job training and services is paramount to our success, IFB also strives to have highly trained management and staff to help individuals in the workplace find the right tools to succeed. We recently highlighted the Winston-Salem Manufacturing Leadership; in this issue of The IFB Beat, we highlight the Asheville Manufacturing Operations and Staff as part of an ongoing series to showcase different departments and team members within IFB Solutions to provide you with the most recent organizational structure.

Asheville Facility Manager – Travis Guerra

Travis has a role that combines management tasks such as managing department supervisors and responsibilities which include managing budgets and advising on long-term energy efficiencies.
Travis gets it all done with the assistance of his direct reports which include, Lead Maintenance Mechanic Richard Bogan, Shipping/Receiving Clerk James Smith, Office Manager Donna Dorlan and Production Supervisors Becky Branch, Alexander Norton, and James Parker. Travis has been with IFB for eight months and states, “Moving to the mountains was a dream come true, but finding work that feels like home is a true blessing.”

 

Quality Control – Supervised by Arnicia Jackson

Arnicia helps to maintain quality systems and technical procedures with the objective of supporting continuous improvement. She strives to achieve and maintain ISO 9000 Certifications. She is assisted by Quality Auditor Jeffrey Candage. Arnicia has been with IFB 11 months and states, “My experience working at IFB has been a challenge yet at the same time knowing that we are supporting our troops, and their families is very rewarding to me.”

 

Fuel Handler Suit and Poncho Liner Departments – Supervised by Becky Branch

Becky and a team of 52 employees make poncho liners and fuel handler suits for our soldiers who serve in the Army and Marines. She is assisted by Production Assistant Isabel Valdez. Becky has been with IFB for 20 years and states, “Some days as a supervisor is a real challenge, but I have the most awesome team to work with.”

 

Cutting Department – Supervised by James Parker

James and a team of 24 employees cut material for the Army Combat Shirts, Fuel Handler Coveralls and other military uniforms for the Asheville Plant, Winston- Salem Plant, and UNICOR (Federal Prison Industries). James has been with IFB 10 years and states, “I am proud that IFB Solutions is here to support the military force while creating jobs for the Blind and Visually Impaired.”

 

Military Markets and Staplers Departments – Supervised by Alex Norton

Alex and a team of 24 employees make Staplers, package Turkey Basters, and are responsible for Repackaging/Labeling products for the Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy. He is assisted by Production Assistant Denice Drake. Alex started with IFB on January 17 2024. We look forward to the many contributions he will bring to IFB – be sure to welcome him to the team!

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

• Monday, February 12 NFB meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room
• Tuesday, February 13 Sight Adjustment support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

AM/FM Portable Radio with Voice Prompts for Visually Impaired for $139.99. 10 station presets (5 AM, 5 FM) and alarm timer!

• Voice prompt announcements for all radio functions in English or Spanish
• Large yellow controls and preset keys with raised symbols help those with visual impairments to identify control settings.
• Great reception and stereo audio performance with auto scan stations
• AC Adaptor is included

If you are interested in purchasing Low Vision Equipment through our Loan Program (3rd Party), please contact a Low Vision Coordinator for assistance.

 

From Our Community

Insider Corner

This section is edited by Faith Harding. Reach out to her at fharding@ifbsolutions.org. 

Tips for Good Mental Health

Submitted by Kim Shoffner

It is critical to take care of yourself and create good, healthy habits that become part of your everyday life. Be pro-active about setting yourself up for success. It is essential to plan ahead for stressful times in life by practicing mindfulness and actively searching for enjoyment. Here are some ways you can work on becoming more mentally fit:

• At the end of each day, think about three things that went well. (This activity helps retrain your brain from focusing on the negative).
• Smile. Especially if you don’t feel like it. Smiling makes you present yourself in a more positive way, thus making you feel better.
• Get more sleep. Even a half an hour more will make a positive difference.
• Do something nice for someone else. Hold the door open for the next person or give someone a compliment. This simple act of kindness is a sure way of lifting your own spirit.
• Send a text message to a friend to let them know you are thinking of them.
• Challenge yourself not to complain about anything for a whole day.
• Sing! It doesn’t matter if you are American Idol or The Voice worthy. You can always sing in your car or in the shower. Take it a step further and make a playlist of your favorite songs that never fail to make you grin!
• Take time to share something you are excited about or looking forward to doing with your family, friends, or a colleague.
• Be mindful of not watching too much news or media. Stay in the know enough to be aware of what is going on in your community and the world; but, don’t saturate yourself in it.
• Drink water the way you most enjoy it. If you prefer ice cold water, fill up your favorite tumbler with it! If you prefer room temperature water, drink it that way. If water is not your thing, try it in a fancy glass or add lemon wedge to it. think of it as doing something good for your body and mind!
• If you have a task you are not looking forward to, do it first thing in the morning. Get it over with so it doesn’t negatively impact your mood and ruin your entire day.
• Make a list of all the things that bring you joy. This list will be unique to you and can contain anything that makes you smile. Once the list is created, select one thing from it each week and do it!

 

 

HR & Opportunities

February Benefit of the Month

This section is a monthly feature supported by IFB Solutions Benefits Supervisor Ciara Frenette. Reach her at cfrenette@ifbsolutions.org.

Guardian’s Employee Assistance Program gives you and your family members access to confidential personal support, across everything from stress management and nutrition to handling legal or financial issues. The services available include consultations with experienced professionals, as well as access to resources and discounts designed to help you in a variety of different ways.

• Consultative services are available to provide direct support and assistance.
• Work/life assistance that can help you save money and balance commitments.
• Access legal and financial assistance and resources – including Will Prep Services.

To access assistance, visit worklife.uprisehealth.com or call 800-386-7055 and use access code “worklife”.

New Job Announcements

For all current openings, visit https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs?clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

BSC Store Clerk – Rock Island Arsenal

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma
• No prior experience required.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83557&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83558&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

BSC Store Clerk – GTMO

Education and work experience:

• High School Diploma
• No prior experience required.

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83543&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=83544&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

 

For information about any employment opportunities with IFB Solutions please contact Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org or X5611.

 

Zoom Meeting Links

Adult Support Groups Zoom

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
One tap mobile
+13017158592,99498078576# US (Germantown)

13126266799,99498078576# US
+(Chicago)

Dial by your location.
877 853 5257 US Toll-free
888 475 4499 US Toll-free
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576