Via Employment Director and Via Consumer to Present at National Employment Conference
August 4, 2010
Funding Sources
- City of Bethlehem – small business revolving loan fund
- Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation
- Lehigh County Human Services
- Employment Reform Resource Project – funded by Pennsylvania developmental Disabilities Council
- PA Medicaid Infrastructure Grant for Beacons of Employment Excellence
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BETHLEHEM, PA – Corey Smith, Via community employment director, and Mike Menio, owner of Polka Time with Polka Mike, will present “Creative and Customized Employment Options” on Monday, August 9 at the Reinventing Quality Conference in Baltimore, Maryland. The conference focuses on a vision of a better future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Menio, who lives in Bethlehem, worked for 32 years in Via of the Lehigh Valley’s sheltered workshop. His love for polka music and entertaining drove Menio to start his own DJ business with the assistance of Via’s employment services. Working with a Via small business developer and Smith, Menio received a small business loan from the City of Bethlehem, and support from the Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation and several other funding sources, to purchase DJ equipment and signs to get his business started. Menio now books several shows a month at places like the Bethlehem Senior Center and Praxis Alzheimer's Facility in Easton.
Smith and Menio’s presentation will focus on strategies for people with disabilities that lead to successful employment. This includes resource ownership (owning a piece of equipment like a photocopier that comes along with the employee) and self-employment. Topics will include the process of discovering job interests, and using an array of traditional and non-traditional funding sources to support job outcomes.
The Reinventing Quality Conference is a gathering place for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, family members, direct support professionals, administrators of community support agencies, advocates, and government leaders – all committed to a vision of a better future for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. This year’s conference focuses on how the most forward thinking states and providers are not only weathering the economic crisis but using it as a fulcrum to improve quality and lives.
Via has been serving our community since 1954. Via’s mission is to provide support and opportunities for children and adults with disabilities so they can live full, independent and productive lives within the community.
Via gives hope to families across our communities by working hand in hand with parents to give their kids a chance for early success through speech, occupational and physical therapy. Via works every day to help people find jobs in our community so that they can have a satisfying job of their choice. And Via helps people, from teens to those at retirement age, connect and live in their community by volunteering and participating in recreational activities. Visit www.ViaNet.org to learn more about Via’s services.
For more information, contact:
Lisa Walkiewicz, Communications Director
L.Walkiewicz@vianet.org | 484-893-5390
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