IFB Beat – Week of March 18, 2024

A Message from the Editor

Good evening – I hope this message finds you well. In this message you’ll find an important update from President and CEO Dan Kelly, meet our 2024 Delmer Wall Award recipient, read about IFB’s newest Base Supply Center (BSC), and more. Thanks for reading The IFB Beat and have a great week!

Anastasia Powell

IFB Solutions Communications Manager

apowell@ifbsolutions.org | 336-245-5698

Quick Links:

New this Week

– Important Update from President and CEO, Dan Kelly
– Congratulations to Our 2024 Employee Award Winners!
– Important Reminders for the Winston-Salem Facility
– IFB’s Newest BSC Store at the US Naval Academy
– See what S.E.E. is Doing
– Adult Support Group Meetings
– CLVC Item of the Week

From Our Community

– Insider Corner

HR and Opportunities

– March Benefit of the Month
– New Job Openings

Support Group Zoom Meeting Links

 

Important Update from President and CEO, Dan Kelly

Dear IFB Solutions Team,

Today I’m sharing updates regarding our ongoing efforts to adapt to evolving customer needs and improve our operations.

Our focus on a customer-centric approach aims to address the unpredictable shifts in their needs, ensuring stability in delivering our mission even during uncertain times. In the realm of manufacturing and quality initiatives, we’re nearing completion of a plan to simplify operations, reduce costs, and enhance the overall quality of our products.

Despite our best planning efforts for this fiscal year, changes in customer behavior have led to lower-than-anticipated purchases. Moreover, progress in the use of our organization-wide software has highlighted the efficiencies it brings, allowing for task automation, especially in supply chain.

Lower overall production, coupled with improved system efficiencies, means that we need fewer people to make things and manage the process. After months of careful planning, last Thursday my leadership team implemented changes to reduce staff to better match these new organizational needs. In many cases, this means saying goodbye to valued team members.

Your commitment to IFB Solutions is deeply appreciated, and I recognize the impact these changes may have on each of you. If you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out directly to me or your supervisor.

Thank you for your understanding and continued dedication to our mission.

Sincerely,

Dan Kelly
President and CEO, IFB Solutions

 

Congratulations to Our 2024 Employee Award Winners!

Congratulations to our 2024 Employee Award Winners!

In the March 11 edition of the Beat, we highlighted Lisandra Chaparro, IFB Solutions, Puerto Rico Facility Employee of the Year and this week we feature Linda Bozarth (McGuire AFB), recipient of the Delmer Wall Outstanding Service Award. Read all about her and make sure to give her a great big congratulations!

For the past 19 years, Linda Bozarth has risen well above the call of duty. Her daily concern for our employees is a notable example of her commitment to the mission of IFB. She goes over and beyond every day at the store with not only our customers, but the employees, often she is willing to transport employees who are blind that need to leave work due to medical issues, and it does not stop there! During COVID, she extended her personal car and time to transport all blind and visually impaired employees to and from the BSC location each day when the base shut down bus transportation.

She is a great mentor to all employees and loved by the BSC customers. “Linda is an exceptional employee that is always willing to offer a helping hand here at McGuire Airforce Base. She is amazing and we hope she never leaves.” states customers. Linda Bozarth is an exemplary model of hard work and unwavering dedication, and we are thrilled to announce her as the recipient of the 2024 Delmar Wall Outstanding Service Award!

 

Important Reminders for the Winston-Salem Facility

Updated Pathway to TADs Room

The hallway around the former optical lab, that previously contained employee lockers and connected the cafeteria hallway to TAD’s room, no longer exists. It has been demolished and reconfigured for warehouse space because of the active construction project. We ask that everyone use the door leading to Low Vision at the back entrance of the cafeteria; note this will require swiping your badge. Go straight down the hallway until it turns right, then straight forward into the front entrance of TAD’s Room. Please be mindful as you travel through low vision to get to the TADs room as there may be customers and patients in the waiting area. Thank you for your cooperation.

Shipping and Receiving Entrance

Due to ongoing construction, employees should no longer use the shipping and receiving door (near the former mattress store) to enter/exit the facility. We will update it when construction is finished, and this door is safe to use. Employees who would typically use this door should enter at the employee entrance or front lobby.

 

IFB’s Newest BSC Store at the U.S. Naval Academy

Congratulations to the BSC Leadership Team, IFB Executives, and Store Manager Aaron Pieraldi, on the successful opening of the BSC store at the US Naval Academy in DC.

Everyone gathered for an exciting soft opening ribbon cutting ceremony on February 29, at the USNA Bancroft Hall. Leadership from Navy Supply Officer, Captain Mike Jefferson and his team collaborated with IFB Solutions BSC Leadership team to provide more employment and awareness opportunities through the successful launch of the new BSC store. Online and at military and government facilities across the United States, Base Supply Centers (BSC) fulfill an important role in realizing the vision of IFB Solutions and its AbilityOne® program. They’re operated by and provide a point of sale for thousands of products manufactured, assembled, and packaged by people who are blind or have other significant disabilities and are sold to the U.S. military and federal agencies through a variety of channels.

Last year, customers placed over 72,000 orders at IFB Solutions’ BSC stores and had access to over 55,000 standard and special-order items available online at bscsource.com. Now we add one more to the list of our many locations – learn more and see locations here.

 

See what S.E.E. is Doing!

The S.E.E. kids enjoyed bouncing at Rockin’ Jump trampoline park. Traditional trampolines combined with tall rubbery sides gave us a chance to literally bounce off the walls. Knotted silks suspended from the ceiling gave the climbers the feeling of flying as they swung over a springy landing. The bouncy surface gave new heights to our jump shots for basketball on a trampoline. And a pillow fight on the balance beam ended when the victor knocked his opponent off into the squishy padded pit. From wrist bands to grippy socks, lively music, and tasty snacks, all made for a wonderfully fun 90 minutes.

 

Adult Support Group Meetings:

Upcoming Support Group Meetings

• Monday, March 18 AAA Committee meeting from 12:00-1:00 in TADS Room
• Wednesday, March 19 Diabetic support group meeting from 12:00-12:45 in TADS Room

CLVC Item of the Week:

Color Identifier-Light Detector (Please call Toni Fraser at 336-245-5672 for pricing.)
Easily Identify Colors & Know if the Lights Are On
Easily match clothes, accurately determine the ripeness of fruits and vegetables, and decorate your home with complementary colors!

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. 

Hello, IFB Family. Music comes in various expressions, from soothing to beat pumping, these invisible sound vibrations provide a myriad of feelings. IFB’s own Oryan Battis, uses music to express his experiences and determinations. Explore his YouTube channel discovering a variety of styles from Level Up, Priorities, Bounce Back, and more. Perhaps music isn’t your means of outlet, however despite others influence, take time to express your form of creativity and see the impact it has. Remember, with great power comes great responsibility.

Exciting news for the Winston-Salem community! Submitted by Morgan Dugan

Forsyth Rides is currently offering complimentary rides to all residents until June 30th, 2024. The hours are Monday – Thursday: 9 am – 3 pm and Friday: 9 am – 2 pm. Should you need assistance or wish to schedule your free ride, please call 336-703-2684.

 

HR & Opportunities

March Benefit of the Month

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

Why pay for COVID tests when you can get Free COVID-19 Tests?

Visit https://www.covid.gov/tools-and-resources/resources/tests to order 4 additional free FDA-authorized COVID-19 tests.

Every home in the U.S. is eligible to order 4 free at-⁠home tests. If you did not order 4 tests earlier in the fall, you can place two orders for a total of 8 tests.

Need help placing an order for your at-⁠home tests? Call 1-800-232-0233 (TTY 1-888-720-7489).

New Job Announcements

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

Accounts Payable Lead – Winston-Salem Facility

External candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=86303&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909

Internal candidates may apply at https://www.paycomonline.net/v4/ats/web.php/jobs/ViewJobDetails?job=86304&clientkey=8B43E6E34C5D5C9AA3D07BB04DBEB909&jpt=ce8685cef740a6280b5fcb492b556fa5

For more information, please contact a member of the recruitment team at careers@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