Page 38 - Top Workplaces 2018

Operator: lwahowskidoellDesc: Time: 02-14-2018 13:03Jobname:

SMALL COMPANIES NO. 5
LEHIGH VALLEY CENTER FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING (LVCIL)

LVCIL advocates for

clients, employees

Great leadership sets the tone for employees.

By Sarah Fulton employees. The workforce has since
Special to The Morning Call expanded to 56, including Laurie New-
man-Mankos, career/LIFE (Living
ehigh Valley Center for Independ- independently for everyone) coach who
ent Living has been opening doors began in 2016.
for the mentally, physically and She offers career coaching to young
L intellectually disabled since 1990 adults with disabilities approaching
through advocacy, vocational and social adulthood and seeking work. She
support. True to its mission, 51 percent coaches high school students approach-
of LVCIL employees have a disability ing graduation and seeking job place-
themselves, so the organization remains ment. She assesses each consumer’s
on task with the consumer at heart. strong suits and finds them positions, be
The camaraderie among the staff is it in a grocery store or warehouse.
palpable as everyone works toward a “We find out which one is the best
common goal. LVCIL was named the match for them, then we do job devel-
No. 5 Top Workplace among small opment” and focus on applying for that
employers in the 2018 survey. one position, Newman-Mankos said.
Debbie Rozear began as a volunteer She focuses on assisting with soft DOUGLAS KILPATRICK/SPECIAL TO THE MORNING CALL
at LVCIL in the late 1990s. Already skills, such as interacting with cowork- Greg Both, director of development, and Executive Director Amy Beck look through a new
facing a rapid loss of eyesight, she was ers. She said that part is often the most brochure of services at the Lehigh Valley Center for Independent Living .
pleased to volunteer as a massage ther- challenging for young adults with disa-
apist. Now, she and her service dog, a bilities. who came from a corporate job. He says hiring.
golden retriever named Virgil, report to “We work with employers to support the nonprofit embraces a different cul- Sarah Holzer, a waiver supports
work each day for her job as the lead them as well,” she said. “I’ve always ture full of integrity. coordinator, has worked in the office of
community support coordinator, which had a really pleasant experience.” Burke works with adults entering the long term living and adult autism waiv-
she has held for 12 years. Newman-Mankos is proud of the workforce. He assesses what jobs they ers since 2016. She helps coordinate
Rozear assists consumers with infor- people she helps place at jobs. can get and if they need additional train- services to help older adults stay in their
mation and referrals, peer support, inde- “They have amazing skills and their ing or education. He is one of several homes safely for as long as possible.
pendent living skills and advocacy. She work ethic is just as good, if not better coaches overseeing an eight-week skills “We know disabilities, we have disa-
runs an independent living skills group (than other people), they’re there on training course taught onsite at the 13th bilities, we work with people who have
and peer support groups. She helps the time, they’re punctual, they just need to Street office. Skills include how to disabilities,” Holzer said. “We’re person
newly disabled navigate a new lifestyle, be given a chance,” Newman-Mankos dress, how to interact, working on a centered.”
such as catching the LANTA van, cook- said. “They’re so pleased because of resume and phone etiquette. Consumers Consumers choose the caretakers
ing with impaired vision, organizing a how successful they are, it’s really satis- are referred to the service by the office that might come into their home to help
home and more. fying.” of vocational rehabilitation. them with intimate daily care. Respect
“Everything you can think of that Newman-Mankos worked in special LVCIL works with individuals living is given each step of the way and at
can make you more independent,” education before coming to LVCIL. with all manner of disabilities, from the every level of involvement, including a
Rozear said. “What our consumers give me is way blind or deaf, physically and intel- front desk staffed entirely by volunteers
She beams when talking about advo- more than what I can give them,” she lectually disabled, and people on the from the community.
cating for consumers, such as appearing said. autism spectrum. “They do a rock star job; they’re the
before a district magistrate to fight Employees consider the workplace “Whatever disability someone has, backbone,” Holzer said. “It’s a very
someone’s eviction or appealing the culture extremely positive, coming from they can come through the door and get friendly open place, very accepting, it’s
denial of Social Security benefits. the top with the nonprofit’s leadership. whatever services we can provide for a great place to work.”
“When you’re hired, they ask if you Managers offer praise when an employ- them,” he said. “It’s good when you
can do things on your own as a self- ee does a good job. come in contact with somebody who Sarah Fulton is a freelance writer.
starter,” she said. “You never know what “They care about you as an employ- never believed they can work and you
you’re going to be up against next.” ee, and that comes from who we serve,” see them a year or two later doing their
She says she lives the nonprofit’s Newman-Mankos said. job and doing it well.” LEHIGH VALLEY CENTER
independent living philosophy everyday. She said the staff and volunteers are Employees receive generous benefits FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
The mission of LVCIL is to empower constantly having office celebrations and paid time off. LVCIL provides ■ Founded: 1990
“persons with all types of disabilities to and potlucks, as well as hosting fund- employees with health insurance and
achieve independence in an inclusive raising events to support the cause, from short and long-term disability. Full-time ■ Ownership: Nonprofit
community.” a fishing derby to a fancy gala. employees have 80 percent of their ■ Sector: Social services
“I really enjoy working here and the “It’s a great environment, very fun, health insurance premium paid for by ■ Employees: 56
diversity,” Rozear said. friendly and warm,” said Timothy LVCIL and are immediately enrolled in ■ Website: www.lvcil.org
When she began, there were just 14 Burke, a vocational coach at LVCIL a $20,000 life insurance policy upon

38 2018 ❘ TOP WORKPLACES