Enewsletter – The Via Voice
the voice of our community
November 2010

In This Issue

• Via Appoints New Executive Director
• Via Business & Industrial Services Workshop is Accepting Referrals
• Via Fall Sibshops Are Here
• A Busy Season with Via’s Teen Summer Experience
• Via’s Transitional Employment Service
• Donor Spotlight
• Via Thrift Stores & Events

Via Appoints New Executive Director
Mary Joy Kaiser-Reinartz Named to Lead Via
Via of the Lehigh Valley has selected Mary Joy Kaiser-Reinartz as its new executive director/president.  Kaiser-Reinartz joins Via with a 30-year background in human services and nonprofit administration.  Most recently, she served as vice president of Horizon House, Inc., a resource to communities in southeastern Pennsylvania and Delaware for adults with mental health or intellectual disabilities and/or homelessness.

Earlier this year, Kaiser-Reinartz was presented with the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities 2010 Rehabilitation Leadership Award the 2010 PARF Annual Conference in State College, PA.  Kaiser-Reinartz’s entrepreneurial drive puts her focus on growth and expansion with a dedication to high quality services.

"I was drawn to Via of the Lehigh Valley because of their commitment to children and adults, lasting community involvement, and for the opportunity to help grow an organization that has served the Lehigh Valley for more than 56 years," said Kaiser-Reinartz.

"The mission, vision and guiding principles of the organization are an inspiration and I look forward to continuing to bring those values to this community.  I look forward to working with our Board of Directors, our talented staff and constituencies across the Lehigh Valley."

Via Business & Industrial Services Workshop is Accepting Referrals
Via Business and Industrial Services Workshop is accepting referrals for participants. Via’s Workshop provides packaging and assembly work training services. Via’s workshop provides contract work for Crayola, BBraun, Smooth On and many other Lehigh Valley businesses.

If you are interested in learning more about Via’s Business and Industrial Services Workshop and work services training, please contact Marianne Bear at 610-317-8000 x452 or Via@ViaNet.org.

Fall Via Sibshops Are Here!
Via Sibshops are lively celebrations of the contributions made by brothers and sisters of kids with special needs.  They reflect a belief that brothers and sisters have much to offer one another.

Lafayette College Football vs Holy Cross
Saturday, November 13, 2010  |  11am – 2pm  |  $13 per child
Fisher Stadium, Easton, PA
Join us for a festive fall afternoon of football, fun and a moon bounce too!  Game starts at noon and we’ll meet at 11am for team building activities.  For typically developing children age 8 to 12 years.

Holiday Craft Extravaganza
Saturday, December 4, 2010  |  10 – 11:30am  |  $10 per child
Northampton Community College
Join us for a trip of holiday crafts from around the world.  For typically developing children age 8 to 12 years.

Register for Via Sibshops online or call 484-893-5392.

A Busy Season with Via’s Teen Summer Experience
“This summer was fun.  I flew in an airplane and went to see the Iron Pigs.  We had really good seats and good food.  I made a lot of friends and tried new things,” said Michael DeMicco.

Thirty two teens participated in Via’s Teen Summer Experience and were immersed in the community, helping them connect with their surrounding area through recreational, social, volunteer and educational activities which help prepare them for adult life.

One of this summer’s highlights was the Young Eagles program at Braden airport.  DeMicco and other teens flew with volunteer pilots in small airplanes and learned about aviation.  Teens also toured the news room at Channel 69-WFMZ, planned a trip to Philadelphia and spent an afternoon at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ.

Teens also had the the chance to watch a Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs baseball game from the comfort of luxury box seats, donated by attorney Joseph Russo.  Teens enjoyed a Friday night out with their friends and spent the night doing typical teens things – enjoying the company of their peers, laughing, eating and cheering on the local team.

Via’s Teen Summer Experience helps participants gain confidence, explore their community and develop valuable skills that will take them into their adult lives.  Through career shadowing, mock interviews and volunteering at organizations across the Lehigh Valley, teens develop life skills and learn about their community.

You can help teens with disabilities explore their community and develop valuable skills.  Make a gift online at ViaNet.org.

Via’s Transitional Employment Service
Adolescence and young adulthood is a time of growth, new experiences and increasing responsibilities.  Via’s Transitional Employment Service aims to help young adults with disabilities make the transition from high school to adult life.  Via works with three school districts, Saucon Valley, Bangor and Pocono Mountain, to help students identify employment goals and find jobs in the community.

Via works with students, age 18 to 21, through the employment process with the goal of finding and maintaining a job while still in high school, so students have a job upon graduation.  The ultimate goal for many students, with or without disabilities, is to get a job when they graduate from high school.  Via’s Transitional Employment Service helps students start the employment process early so they are working before graduation.

Via takes students through an employment process that includes discovery, assessment, development and coaching.  Discovery is the investigation of an individual’s interests in the work world and determining their ideal conditions of employment.  Job Assessment helps participants determine their work abilities and interests and are done in the community at businesses to provide the opportunity for real work experience.  Job Development is a team effort between the participant and Via which includes the job search, job application process and interviews.  Once a person is hired, Via offers consultation and assistance to the employer and on-the-job orientation and training for the employee.  Job Coaching continues as long as needed, but typically decreases as the employee becomes acclimated to the work situation and responsibilities.

Via’s Transitional Employment Service prepares students for the work force while they are in school so they opportunities in place upon graduation.

Donor Spotlight
For a community, compassion is measured by the people and the manner in which they support all its members.  Everyone deserves the chance to succeed and, through the support of our community, Via is able to provide opportunities for the people we serve.  We rely on our community to provide financial support so we can continue to provide quality programs for children and adults with disabilities. Thank you to our donors who help us achieve our mission.

Gifts made from June to September 2010
View Via’s annual giving list

Via’s programs continue to grow and strengthen our ability to fulfill our mission. Your gift and support can make real changes in the lives of the people we serve.  Please consider making a gift today.

Visit Via Thrift Stores - Shop or Donate!
Shop - You’ll find great prices and a wide selection of clothing, housewares, furniture, electronics and more at Via Thrift Stores.

Donate - It’s the end of the year and time to get in last minute tax deductions!  Clean out your closets and donate your items to Via Thrift Stores.

Visit our website ViaThrift.org for a list of our store and donation locations.

An Easy Way to Make a Difference
Host a Via Clothing Drive or Clothing Drop-Off Bin
Holding a clothing drive for Via is easy.  Your group collects the clothing, Via provides signs and information and picks up donations of clothing and shoes at your site.  You can also host a clothing drop-off bin at your site.  For more information, email Via@ViaNet.org or call 610-866-6776.

Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via
More than 2,650 runners and walkers participated in the Lehigh Valley Health Network Marathon for Via on Sunday, September 12, 2010.  Together 203 relay teams, 438 marathoners, 802 half marathoners, 350 walkers and 550 volunteers raised money for Via of the Lehigh Valley’s programs for children and adults with disabilities.

Save the date: September 11, 2011

Via All-Star Basketball Classic
The 36th Via All-Star Basketball Classic returns on April 2, 2011 showcasing the finest high school basketball talent in the greater Lehigh Valley.   The Via All-Star Banquet is March 30 and recognizes members of the Via All-Star teams and Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame inductees.

It all kicks off with the Via All-Star Clinic, an Event for Kids with Special Needs on March 26.  The clinic is staffed by Via All-Stars, coaches and members of the Lehigh Valley Basketball Hall of Fame.