IFB Beat – Week of February 26, 2024

A Message from the Editor

Greetings all!

This week, we feature IFB Solutions 2024 overall Employee of the Year; you’ll also find more about Low Vision Awareness Month and the sweet Valentine treats the S.E.E. students packaged and delivered! 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
– Congratulations to our 2024 Employee Award Winners!
– See what S.E.E. is Doing!
– 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?

• There are 285,500 people with low vision in North Carolina. (Source: CDC)
• Visual impairment is unequally distributed across age groups. More than 82% of all people who are blind are 50 years of age and older.

Awareness tips:

• If you are sighted, please announce yourself when entering a room or even passing in the workplace. For example, “Hey Grant, it’s Toni”. It helps those who are blind or have low vision feel comfortable.
• When in a group setting make sure to be clear to whom you are speaking to by using names. Example “Mike, what do you think of this idea?”
• Do your best to keep all walk paths clear of obstructions in the workplace. This will help people who are blind or have low vision travel safely.

An ever-increasing amount of people are at risk of developing a visual impairment as populations grow and demographic shifts move towards the predominance of older age groups. Protect and maximize your vision by seeing a doctor regularly.

Millions of people in the United States are living with a visual impairment. A visual impairment can make it hard to do everyday activities like driving, reading, or cooking. And it can’t be fixed with glasses, contacts, or other standard treatments like medicine or surgery.

The good news is that vision rehabilitation services can help people with a visual impairment make the most of the vision they have so they can keep doing the things they love. People diagnosed with an eye disease or condition that causes visual impairment may not know where to start to find the right services. Take some time this Low Vision Awareness Month to spread the word about the great customer care IFB Solutions provides through the Community Low Vision Center. Read more about the Community Low Vision Centers and its resources!

 

Congratulations to our 2024 Employee Award Winners!

In the next few editions of the IFB Beat, we will be highlighting our 2024 Award Winners. This week we feature IFB Solutions overall Employee of the Year Joshua Denton. Read all about him and make sure to give him a great big congratulations!

Join us in honoring and exemplary employee who strives for success despite life’s twist and turns. Before joining IFB Solutions, Joshua Denton was a manager at a local Wal-Mart. Unfortunately, he began experiencing vision loss due to Retinitis Pigmentosa and Coates disease. Joshua continued working as long as possible. Sadly, due to such severe loss of vision, he was forced to leave his longstanding career.

Several years earlier, Joshua was informed of IFB Solutions from Asheville’s WLOS local news and referred his brother Jason, who is visually impaired for employment. Now, joining IFB Solutions as well in 2022, Joshua mastered several positions as a sewer within our manufacturing departments. Despite numerous overwhelming challenges obtained with vision loss, in less than two years, he has adept in processing multiple products for Military Markets, two operations in Woobies ponchos, four operations in Poncho Liners, and nine operations in Fuel Handler Suits. Also, when requested, he’s always willing to fill in as Front Desk Receptionist.

Maintaining a vibrant engagement in Asheville’s community, Joshua is currently serving on North Carolina Commission for the Blind’s Council. He recently was a past chairman of North Carolina State Independent Living Council as well as former chairman of Thrive Mental Health Board of Directors. He enjoys spending time with his wife and two children. He is a trivia wiz, loves supporting local bands and breweries, and several charities such as our Student Enrichment Experience independent living program for children who are blind. Always embracing humor and genuine concern for people, Joshua naturally became popular at the Asheville facility. With his passionate involvement in work, community, and family, Joshua is truly embodying IFB’s core values of Commitment to Excellence and Mission Possible.
We are pleased to have Joshua Denton represent IFB Asheville as the 2024 overall Employee of the Year.

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing!

The S.E.E. After School kids enjoyed making Valentine’s Day treats for their families. We decorated balsa wood mailboxes with tactile stickers of differently textured hearts, made chocolate candy bars in a mold that says I love you in print and Braille with 2 raised hearts, and put our Valentine cards inside the mailboxes for an at home special delivery.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

• Monday, February 26 Guide Dog support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room
• Tuesday, February 27 Glaucoma support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

Flame Retardant Oven Mitt for $5.95 each. 17 inch elbow length fire retardant mitt offers maximum protection. Protect up to 425 degrees F. Can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.

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. 

Camp Dogwood

As a unique initiative, Camp Dogwood is an all-inclusive retreat style camp located on the shores of Lake Norman in Catawba County. Established on 65 acres of woodlands and pastures, this campus was developed by North Carolina Lion’s Foundation. Since 1967, camp dogwood has been hosting children and adult summer camps, providing scholarships for sighted children of visually impaired parents, giving a free white cane to blind users every two years, camp attendance assistance, and much more.

Join us celebrating Mardi Gras at camp this year! For applications for camp or your free white cane, contact Tammy Thomas, Camp/Retreat Director at 828-478-2135, Ext 229.

 

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

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
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877 853 5257 US Toll-free
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Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576