IFB Beat – Week of June 20, 2022

News to Know

Melissa Tuttle, Living the Mission!

AbilityOne Non-Profit Agencies are an integral part of the national security infrastructure, providing U.S. troops around the globe needed equipment and gear, as well as high performance, highly specialized clothing. Many AbilityOne organizations, like IFB Solutions whose manufacturing operations are all located in the United States, are an essential part of the U.S. Defense Industrial Base.  Meet Melissa Tuttle career achiever and one of our supply chain experts. Growing up with low vision never slowed Melissa down. She lives with the mantra of adapt and move forward and does not let low vision define who she is.

Watch and be inspired: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2WvdjvBQ4g&t=14s

 

Do you shop on Amazon?

Did you know that every time you purchase something off Amazon using the “smile” page, IFB Solutions gets a 0.5% contribution, a cost to Amazon merchants, not you? Please take a few minutes to sign up using the instructions below and be a proud supporter of IFB Solutions.

1. Go to https://smile.amazon.com/
2. Type in “IFB Solutions” to select your organization
3. Click search
4. Click Select for IFB Solutions.
5. The website will return you to the shopping pages with “IFB Solutions” showing as your charity at the top of the page

Programs and Services

NFB NEWSLINE

NFB NEWSLINE is a free audio news service for anyone who is blind, low-vision, deafblind, or otherwise print-disabled that offers access to more than five hundred publications, emergency weather alerts, job listings, and more. Anyone that would like to sign up can contact Tiffany Mitchell-Parson at 803-603-2098 or tmmitchell727@gmail.com.

Adult Support Group Meetings:

  • Monday, June 20 NFB support group meeting from 11:00-12:00 in TADS Room.
  • Tuesday, June 21 VIPS Club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
  • Thursday, June 23 Blind Ambitions support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

Community Low Vision Center

CLVC Item of the Week:

Magnifying Nail Clipper

Magnifying Nail Clipper Great for Those with Low Vision | $6.49

Five times power magnifier is adjustable to suit individual needs. Magnifier can be removed from clipper. Sure grip, no slip tips on clipper for easier and safer nail trimming.

 

CLVC June item of the month:

multi color cutting boards

Flexible Cutting Boards – $7.95. People with low vision can find the best contrast for them with this pack of 4 multi-colored cutting boards. Different foods may require different colors—a blue board for a carrot, a red board for an egg. These flexible boards allow users to easily dump chopped items directly into a pot or pan, making cooking that much easier.

 

Insider Corner

Have some interesting information to share or topic you would like to see in the Insider Corner? Whether it is your favorite podcast, website, or article that caught your attention, send to Faith Harding at fharding@ifbsolutions.org and we will post it!

Community Connections

Spread the word!

Folks for Good Housing is hosting a kickoff session for a seven-part public series to discuss local solutions to Forsyth County’s housing crisis. This 1st session will be held at Forsyth Tech on June 14th from 6-8 PM. Please register for the event!

 

Kaleideum Introduces a Laser Extravaganza Series with Rosé and Play!

Check out the Featured Artists for June Laser Specials. $2 for members; $3 for non-members. Laser Specials happen on Saturdays at Noon and 4 pm, and Sundays at 4 pm.

The Laser Special schedule for June is:
• June 25 and 26: Backstreet Boys

 

Mark your calendars for Youth LEAD NC’s next LEADing on Series on Tuesday, June 21st from 7PM-8PM!

This month we are teaming up with our partners in crime, centers for independent living. Have no idea what a center for independent living is? More reason to learn about the work they do!
Centers for independent living, or CILs, are local organizations that help people of all ages and disabilities live independently and advocate for people with disabilities in the community. They also help youth with disabilities transition into adulthood and become the next generation of disability rights advocates. Join our next LEADing on Series for a panel with youth coordinators and other CIL staff from across the state to learn all about what they do for youth with disabilities!

Get connected with a local disability organization that can help work on individual goals, offer a sense of community, and so much more! The Zoom information is down below. If you are planning to attend or need accommodations to participate in this event, please let us know by Friday, June 17th.
Please pass along the word to any young people with disabilities! Hope to see all our youth, who are thirty and under, and NCYLF alumni there!

Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9163000318?pwd=SGtaTGVNV0lOcG1Zd3BiaHZ1b29LUT09

 

Opportunities

We are pleased to announce information regarding the IFB Scholarship offerings for the 2022-23 academic year.

The application period has officially opened!

The Tina Bess and Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship Information

IFB offers its employees two scholarships to further their post-secondary education. The Tina Bess Scholarship and Daniel J. Boucher scholarship are offered to our employees and direct dependents to continue their education in accredited universities or colleges and is described below. There is a formal process that individuals must follow to be considered for a scholarship also described below:

1. The Tina Bess Scholarship is for blind, visually impaired or sighted employees – who are full-time, are in good standing and have completed 1 year of service. Tina Bess was employed at IFB for 30 years as a Production Assistant. She was recognized as the 2001 Career Achiever and twice honored as the employee of the year. Tina was best remembered by her peers as a mentor, advisor, and friend. Tina did not allow her vision impairment to hold her back from being independent, instead using her circumstance to maintain a steadfast level of determination, perseverance, and courage. Countless employees during her time at IFB have accounted stories of Tina’s personal generosity, commitment, and loyalty to them and the organization. Tina’s excellence and inner drive to perform was the priceless personal character contributor to all who met her.

2. The Daniel J. Boucher Scholarship is for blind, visually impaired, or sighted employees and their direct dependents – the employee must be full-time, in good standing and have completed 1 year of service. Mr. Boucher served as the IFB President from 1996-2008 prior to working in the role of Executive Chairman from 2008 through 2016. During his time as President, he led IFB through tremendous growth establishing new business lines including Optical, BSC store locations, and services, resulting in tremendous growth of blind employment nation-wide. A friend of Mr. Boucher’s established this scholarship to honor his legacy and provide opportunities for continued professional development for those Mr. Boucher worked with and held in the highest regard.

To be considered for either scholarship, each applicant must submit a completed application, an acceptance letter from the college or university, a copy of the student ID (front and back), and documentation of the tuition and associated costs.

The deadline for submitting applications and all supporting materials indicated above is Friday, June 24, 2022. Supporting materials should be submitted to Brent Burkholder at bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org. All applications should be completed at the following links:

Tina Bess Scholarship Application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NURE5WQVY4NlBFSlJQTExHRUNaNVJSNE9OQS4u

Daniel Boucher Scholarship Application: https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=SQbDxA4fmESiHhoGX06NHOYPKmJQb4VLrwA3jsZJq_NUM1Y5RzFGQ0w3VlQ2UDFIQUROVlhQM1lLQS4u

Once all applications and supporting materials are received, the committee will consider each applicant for an award. If chosen, the recipient must show proof of class attendance and must complete all classes with at least a “C” to for future funding. The amount of the scholarship awarded depends on tuition costs submitted, how many applicants are being considered for scholarships and funds being available in each scholarship fund.

For more information, please contact Brent Burkholder at 336-245-5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org

 

Just a friendly reminder!

The Winston Salem location has a $250 referral bonus program for any current employee that refers a blind or visually impaired candidate or sighted/temporary candidate to IFB.
Please contact HR for referral bonus program criteria. Associates at other locations should ask your HR Manager or supervisor for the specific programs available at your location.

Job Announcements

Anti-Reflection Tech- Optical- Winston Salem

Education and work experience:
• High School diploma or GED equivalent
• 1 years of Optical lab experience required

External candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=40673&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909
Internal candidates may apply at
https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=40674&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more information, please contact Brent Burkholder at 336 245 5611 or bburkholder@ifbsolutions.org.

 

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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Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576