Spotlight on Thomas K. at Sprouts Farmers Market

Spotlight on Thomas K. at Sprouts Farmers Market

Thomas K. started at Sprouts Farmers Market in Culver City on November 3, 2010.    Thomas works as a Courtesy Clerk and assists customers with bagging groceries, gathers carts in the parking lot, and helps keep the store looking clean.  

Sprouts has been a supporter of the Jobs program since the Culver City store opened in June, 2010.  Sprouts has employed other Best Buddies Jobs participants and is very supportive of the Best Buddies mission of transforming the lives of individuals with disabilities.  The atmosphere at Sprouts is always welcoming and encouraging, for both employees and customers.

In fact, it is the fun and warm atmosphere that Thomas enjoys best about working at Sprouts.  Thomas states that the people are the main reason why he loves his job.  “I love working with my coworkers, doing a good job, and making new friends,” he said.  Thomas is very social and loves talking sports with his coworkers, but he makes sure that doing a good job is his priority when he’s at work.   

One coworker in particular has been especially effective in working with Thomas.  Janice Aaron, a cashier at Sprouts, has worked closely with Thomas since he first began work at Sprouts.  Janice states that it is “amazing working with Thomas.  Considering any adversity he may have, Thomas still does his best.”  Janice helped Thomas learn the new skill of bagging groceries and she continues to offer Thomas encouragement and tips each day that they work together.  “He listens to instructions and accepts positive criticism with grace,” Janice says.  “I’m a big fan of his.  The customers like him too.” 

Thomas and Janice

Thomas’ mother Meredith Keyes explained why it was so important for her that Thomas has the support he needs on the job.  “Best Buddies Jobs is incredible,” she says.   Meredith explained that Thomas has had jobs before, but that he “hasn’t had the job coaching experience before and it’s wonderful.  He is able to learn new things that others thought that he couldn’t learn.” 

Thomas says that he has already learned a lot at Sprouts and is looking forward to learning more.  "I enjoy working at Sprouts," Thomas said.  "I want to learn something new."

Best Buddies Bay Area Participants Enjoy a Clay Aiken Concert at The Warfield in San Francisco

Twelve lucky Best Buddies participants from the Bay Area were able to attend the Clay Aiken concert on March 12^th, 2011 at The Warfield in San Francisco.  This opportunity was made possible by an organization called The Way We Make a Difference. (TWWMD).  TWWMD was formed by a group of dedicated Aiken fans who wanted to support his belief in inclusion for all by offering a chance for people with and without disabilities to share in the excitement of seeing Clay Aiken in concert.

Cindy and Huong

Reception for the free tickets was outstanding! Buddies and Peer Buddies that were able to go to the concert had the time of their life.  UC Berkeley College Buddy Huong Nguyen and her Buddy Cindy Fass found the concert a great opportunity for a Buddy Pair activity.  

Huong said of the night, “The Clay Aiken concert was amazing and my buddy had so much fun! He sang a bunch of love songs from the 50's and 60’s, which seemed to be right up her ally and a nice change of music from the stuff I usually listen to.”

Many people know of Clay Aiken as a singer and former American Idol contestant, but do not know about his passionate work with inclusion.   The committee of women who comprise The Way We Make a Difference project has accomplished much more than the members ever dreamed it might.  During the Clay Aiken’s first tour, almost 1500 people were given free tickets to see Clay perform. 

Best Buddies California Makes A Move!

The Best Buddies California State office staff started off the New Year by moving into a new office – well, not new exactly, but new to us.  Facing the end of our lease, the move was an opportunity to save money by moving into a smaller space to accommodate our smaller staff.  Fortunately, we were able to stay in the Buckingham business park off of Slauson Avenue in Culver City due to a very generous and supportive landlord. So, the move wasn’t far, but it was far from simple, as Jeremiah White, Deputy Director of Programs and Administration could tell you.  It was his tough duty to manage.



Movers Helping to Pack up the Last of the Boxes



As anyone who’s had to downsize space knows, it’s not easy fitting five years of living into smaller quarters.  The six staff, aided by Lisa, our Jobs receptionist, and a host of volunteers, spent a few frantic days going through boxes and making regular trips to the dumpster.  We gave away old furniture, unhooked equipment, took pictures down from the wall, and in general, worked hard to get ready for the movers who arrived on Thursday, Jan. 6^th. 

The next day, we were in our new space, surrounded by a mountain of files, desks that had to re-assembled (and in some cases, dug out from under boxes), and telephones and computers that had to be activated.  But we got the postage meter and the microwave working, so we were ready for business.



We still have many boxes to unpack!



While we’re not quite prepared for visitors yet, we’re working steadily to make the new office into our home – where Best Buddies’ mission can continue to shine steadily, and grow to new heights and into new communities throughout California.  Make a note of our new address so that you can always find us:

Best Buddies California

5601 W. Slauson Avenue, Suite 255

Culver City, CA 90230

(T) 310-642-2620

FAX: 310-642-2630

1.888.68.BUDDY

www.bestbuddiescalifornia.org

Best Buddies Jobs is Environmentally Friendly!

When Sarah B. arrives to work, she puts on a hard hat, safety goggles, work boots and gloves. Her job is physically demanding. She lifts, bends, sweeps, throws and cuts. She works outside in the elements, rain or shine. It’s a dirty job-one she wouldn’t have any other way.





Sarah works for the Allan Company Santa Monica Recycling Center. On most days, she organizes plastic, glass and aluminum into large bins. On busy days, she sorts items numbering into the thousands. Not bad for a center that recycles 2,500 tons of material a month.

In a short time of working at the center, Sarah has shown the type of dedication and hard work that has earned her the respect of her coworkers and supervisors.

“We couldn’t be happier with her,” said Adam Holt, Manager of the Allan Company Santa Monica Recycling Center. “She has a lot of enthusiasm. To do this job, you have to be a certain type of person. There’s got to be a little extra there, you really have to care coming into this job.”

Sarah came to the Best Buddies California Jobs program looking for a role that would help the environment. She requested a position in recycling and, fortunately, Best Buddies and the Allen Company Santa Monica Recycling Center were able to make it happen.

“I wanted to help the environment for a long time,” Sarah said. “We are at a time and point where we need to take responsibility… The state of our planet is at stake.”



Sarah hard at work at the Recycling Plant



Sarah’s new job allows her to earn a paycheck, and reap the benefits of knowing she is doing something worthwhile.

“I want to help out any way I can. I like the sense of accomplishment of doing something very useful,” Sarah said.

Sarah is aided in her job with the help of a Best Buddies Employment Consultant. The service, which is free to employers, staffs a consultant to help with assigned work duties. Over time, the consultant fades back as the employee becomes proficient with his or her tasks.  

“The experience has been great on every level,” Holt said.

While Sarah is still very new to the role, she has already left a strong impression. 

“From minute one, Sarah dove into her work. She’s doing a great job. She’s careful and does not make many errors.”      

In her time at the recycling center, Sarah has picked up a few pointers that people should know when they are sorting their recyclables.

First, she mentions, please wash the food out of your recycled plastic, glass and aluminum containers. Adam Holt added there can be food residue on the container; it does not have to be completely clean, just give it a nice rinse.

If it says it is biodegradable then do not try and recycle it, Sarah said. Biodegradable bags become a contaminant in the stream and are difficult for people on the line to sort out.

No Styrofoam! Please do not try to recycle it.

Contrary to popular belief, pizza boxes are perfectly ok to recycle. Just remove the pizza. It’s ok if there’s grease on the box.

Please leave caps on plastic containers for public health reasons. The caps are recyclable!

Look for the universal recyclable symbol on the bottom of plastic containers. Recyclable products contain a number between 1-7. 95 percent of items the center receives are numbered between one and two.

Holt recommends that when it comes to plastic, when in doubt, recycle it. In the worst case scenario, they will be able to sort it out. 

 Sarah asks for people to remember that someone has to sort the recyclables, so please take care when you organize them. She adds that things like batteries and electronic waste should not be mixed in with your normal household recyclables.

“Use common sense when recycling,” she said.

ProWellness hosts a Fundraiser for Best Buddies California in Redondo Beach

ProWellness in Redondo Beach held a fundraiser for Best Buddies California on Sunday, January 23^rd to raise funds for our programs. Dr. Julia Moen and her staff held a “Treatment for Charity” Day where they volunteered their various services including massage, acupuncture, cold laser therapy, nutrition and other assorted medical treatments free of charge. All participants were encouraged to donate to Best Buddies California in exchange for the free services.

Best Buddies California would like to thank the staff at ProWellness for their support of our programs. You can contact ProWellness at the below address and telephone number.

ProWellness

510 N Prospect,

Suite 308

Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Phone – 310-374-1952

BBCA Buddies, Families and Friends Rock Out with Santa

Over 200 BBCA buddies, peer buddies, their families and special guests gathered at the Guess? downtown corporate offices  to launch the 2010 Holiday Season in style at the BBCA Family Holiday  Party Presented by MetLife!  Sponsored through a generous grant from MetLife, the Holiday Party featured Gumbo Entertainment’s DJ’s and karaoke set-up, cupcake and cookie decorating and fancy tote bags which were then donated to the Westside Regional Center, hula hoop classes, an X-Box 360 game console, and, of course, the man himself – Santa Claus! 



Maureen McCormick and brother Denny welcoming everyone



During the brief welcome program, State Director Patty Evans thanked MetLife’s Special Needs Planner Chris Kuether,  as well as Susan Tenney, BBCA Board Member and Guess? Vice President, for making the party possible.  Maureen McCormick, national Board member and former cast member of the iconic TV show, The Brady Bunch, and her brother Denny led the audience in a spirited rendition of Jingle Bells. Ken French, BBCA Jobs Participant with the Governor’s Southern California office, read a special Holiday letter from the Governor, who praised BBCA for the valuable work we do, and sent holiday greetings from his wife Maria and himself.   Ms. Evans read a congratulatory proclamation from Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

BBCA Board Members Anne Altman, Keith Watts, Mdvani Monroe and Billy Pittard had a chance to meet many of the buddies and their parents, while Board Member Kevin Tenney donned the red suit and hat and held court as the one and only Santa Clause.

Completing the party, which ran from 1:00 – 4:00 pm, was a fabulous lunch donated by BJ’s Brewhouse, HealthyCA, and Carousel Restaurant.  Helena Spensatelli donated cupcakes and icing for decorating while Wolfgang Puck Catering donated 200 cookies. 

As everyone was leaving with a Guess? giftbag, they all said what a great time they’d had and hoped we’d do it again in 2011.  You can share in the holiday fun through the photos which are available on BBCA’s Facebook page. 



Students from Diamond Bar HS join together for karaoke!



Best Buddies Job's participant Kevin celebrates 9 years at GUESS Inc.



Kevin enjoying some food at the LA Holiday Party at GUESS



Kevin M. celebrated his nine year anniversary of employment at Guess?, Inc.’s Corporate Offices on December 3, 2010.  Kevin first started in the café but he felt that it wasn’t the best fit.  With the help of Best Buddies, Kevin advocated for himself to join the Facilities team and assist them in keeping the warehouse clean and safe for all employees. Kevin is extremely happy working in Facilities.  Kevin works 30 hours a week and receives excellent benefits from Guess, including health insurance, sick leave, vacation time, and discounts on meals at the Guess café.  Kevin has also received several raises throughout the years. 

Kevin’s supervisor, Lorena Rangel-Morales, has been working with Kevin for several years.   Lorena states that Kevin is “a great employee. The dedication that he demonstrates towards his job and this company is something that every employee should strive for. I am very honored to work with him.” 

Kevin has been working since he was 17 years old but says that his job at Guess has been the best.  Kevin loves working at Guess so much, he hopes to keep working there until he retires.  When Kevin isn’t working, he enjoys traveling throughout the country, listening to Rock and Roll music, and going to concerts. 

In honor of Kevin’s 9^th anniversary, we asked him to tell us a little bit about what it is like working for Guess?, Inc. and being a participant with Best Buddies Jobs:

Q:  Kevin, you have been working at Guess, Inc for 9 years.  How does it feel? 

A:  It is wonderful!  People have been so nice.  I’m thankful that I have a nice job to go to every day. 

Q:  How did Best Buddies Jobs help you?

A:  When I first started 9 years ago, it was scary at first.  I was kind of nervous but my Best Buddies job coach really helped.  He made me feel calm.  Best Buddies was a mega help!

Q:  What is your job like at Guess?  How do you feel about your coworkers?

A:  I sweep Building 4 around the clothing aisles and make sure that everything is off of the floor so that it looks nice.  I love to stay busy and my job is a good fit for me.   I love the people that I work with.  They’re great!  I can always go to them for support if I need to. 

Q:  What would you say to someone who has a disability but wants to work?

A:  I would tell them that they deserve a job whether they have a disability or not.  I think employers should hire them because everybody needs a job.  People with disabilities are just like everybody else.