IFB Beat – Week of June 6, 2022

News to Know

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 came in contact with 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, ultimately resulting in tremendous growth of blind employment nation-wide. This scholarship was established by a friend of Mr. Bouchers 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 be considered 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

 

Programs and Services

Attention Winston-Salem employees!

If you participated in the bi-annual blood drive on April 13, it’s time to redeem your ice cream coupon! The AAA Committee will be set up in the TADS room to distribute ice cream on Monday, June 6 during afternoon breaktimes. Your coupon is not required. We will use the blood drive sign-up sheet to verify donor names. Thanks for donating the gift of life!

 

See What S.E.E. is Doing!

S.E.E. After School Winston wrote the word “friends” in Braille by placing hula hoops on the floor in a Braille cell format and then balling up inside a hoop to be a Braille dot. A picture was taken when each letter was made by dot 1 Trevon, dot 2 Tyquan, dot 3 Lucas, dot 4 Julian, and dot 5 Justin in the hoops. Linking the pictures together, it shows how we are practicing being a good friend.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

• Monday, June 6 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.
• Tuesday, June 7 VIPS club meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room.

Community Low Vision Center

Attention Little Rock employees!

Join us for a free demonstration of OrCam MyEye and OrCam Read. Experience for yourself how OrCam can help you or someone you know to be more independent!

Brand New Voice Assistant Technology: Now, you can say “Hey OrCam” to activate features and settings hands-free, using just voice commands.

To learn more about OrCam, check out orcam.com

Location: Little Rock Community Low Vision Center

6818 Murray Street, Little Rock, AR 72209

June 14 9:00AM-1:30PM

Please RSVP so we can provide you with a personalized experience and an OrCam professional will reach out to you to set a specific time for you to come in for your 15 min. demonstration!

WE ARE TAKING HEALTH AND SAFETY PRECAUTIONS FOR OUR PEOPLE, WORKERS, AND COMMUNITY. SOME OF OUR MEASURES INCLUDE:

1. Employees with a fever or cold and flu-like symptoms such as a cough, sore throat, runny nose, or body aches are required to stay at home.
2. Masks required for employees and customers.
3. Common areas, particularly busy locations such as restrooms and seating areas are regularly disinfected.

We are looking forward to meeting you!

Register today: Demo Day Sign Up!

CLVC Item of the Week:

Cover Blubbers Food Covers – Set of 4 – $19.95. Flexible, reusable food covers easily form and cling to food or container, making food storage a snap. Set of 4 in 4 different sizes for different tasks. Cover Blubbers® are the way to go! Stop fighting with awkward cling wraps!

CLVC June item of the month:

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 1^st session will be held at Forsyth Tech on June 14th from 6-8 PM. Please register for the event!

 

NC Youth Leadership Forum 2022 is here!!

The 2022 North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum Committee is hosting a virtual North Carolina Youth Leadership Forum (NCYLF). NCYLF is a five-day event full of self-discovery, learning, and fun! This event is free and provides accommodations upon request.

Dates & Times: July 18th-22nd; 9:30-3:30 pm with breaks for lunch and rest.

Topics will focus on advocacy, individual goals, leadership, independent living skills, and making change in the community. Small groups will give delegates the opportunity to get to know others with disabilities and who share similar experiences. Participants will also have the opportunity to participate in other fun activities throughout the program!

Fill out your application today!!

 

Opportunities

We are HeRe for you!

Are you looking to take the next steps of home ownership? Summer is considered to be the prime season for buying a home. Did you know that according to many financial advisors and statistics, it may be cheaper and more cost effective in the long run to look into buying a home verses renting from someone. With the market of renting, buying can be cheaper for you as you are working towards something that you will own and build equity in. If you are interested in potentially purchasing a home and taking that next step, there are several resources available that are close by such as Experiment in Self-Reliance, Financial Pathways, and even Truist Financial. If you would like more information, please contact Haleigh Yarboro at X5635.

 

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

Pinnacle Shipping Coordinator-Winston-Salem, NC

Education and work experience:

• Must have a High School diploma or GED equivalent
• Minimum 1 year experience in shipping and receiving
• Forklift licensure/certification required

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=40092&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=40093&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

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

 

Join Zoom Meeting (Adult Support Groups)

https://ifbsolutions.zoom.us/j/99498078576?pwd=ODJzK0sxcXZrME9yN25YRTdiNXBSQT09
Meeting ID: 994 9807 8576
PASSWORD: 92638
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