Providing training and experiences for individuals with disabilities to enhance

their self esteem and quality of life. 20

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Board of Directors

President:

Ron Lemerond

Vice President:

Mike Haubrich

Secretary:

Myles Mullikin

Treasurer:

Dan Naughton

Members

Sophie Clay

Scott Frey

Celeste Henken

Bob Kargl

Mavis Rohling

John Wargo

Member Emeritus

Brad Pettibone

Administrative Directors

Executive Director:

Mary Beth Popchock

Human Resource Director:

Paula Albright

Program Directors

Vocational Director:

Angel Markiewicz

Operations Director:

Ben Coley

Continue on page 2

Dear Friends of LCS:

“An empowered organization is one in which individuals have the knowledge, skill, desire, and opportunity to personally succeed in a way

that leads to collective organizational success." Stephen R. Covey

2014 drew to a close on a very positive note for LCS. Over the course of 2014 LCS consistently met the criteria for success as described by Covey. In fact, LCS took this sentiment further to include personal success for participants. A very talented staff of individuals makes the LCS mission of providing training and experiences for individuals with disabilities to en-hance self-esteem and quality of life a reality every day. LCS Participants also show the desire to succeed through their concerted efforts to work as hard as possible each and every day and to give back to the community on a regular basis. Empowering the individuals that LCS serves is a driv-ing factor for the organization. We truly believe in the potential of every-one that we serve and encourage them to be the “best that they can be” comes naturally to the LCS Staff. This approach has paid off in the out-comes that were achieved and also demonstrates LCS’ ability to meet its

mission and the organizational success.

Some examples of what was accomplished in 2014 follow:

Three LCS Participants celebrated National Disability Employment

Awareness month by inviting their legislator to visit their job site.

One LCS Participant was invited to speak at the Governors Small

Business Summit about his job in the community.

Several participants presented their employment journey with area legislators, Mayor John Dickert and County Executive Jim Ladwig at a

Legislative Breakfast.

LCS Explore Participants produced quality products for over 19 local

businesses.

LCS Connect and Explore Participants gave back to the community

by engaging in over 2000 volunteer hours at local nonprofits.

Two additional LCS QEST Staff achieved their CESP (Certified Em-ployment Support Professional) Certification – Alison Hoffman and

Tara Mitchell.

In partnership with Community Care and other long term support fund-ing sources, LCS provided innovative service options designed to support mutual participants toward maximizing their life skills, building new vocational skills, and increasing community involvement and

awareness.

January 2015

In partnership with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) LCS QEST helped 39 Individuals with disabilities find

employment.

The LCS – WIA (Workforce Investment Act) Case Manager helped 46 working age youth access employment opportuni-

ties.

All of this success would not be possible without a caring and competent staff or without a supportive Board of Directors. The good things that happened in 2014 did not happen in a vacuum and the partnerships with area businesses and the community were vital to our success. LCS Satisfaction Surveys indicated 99.9% satisfaction with the services that LCS offers. On behalf of

LCS, thank you for your support

As LCS enters 2015 we are preparing to engage in strategic plan-ning that will help the organization continue its success and chart a course for the future. Furthermore, we are excited about the prospect of planning for our signature annual events. Please mark your calendars to “save” the following dates in 2015 and plan on joining us at LCS for one or both of these fundraising

events.

Pansy Day May 8. This event will feature spectacular flowers plus fragrant and delicious herbs for sale, which were grown

by LCS Connect Participants in our greenhouse.

Hot Dog Day June 19. Please plan on joining us for the best mid-day party of the year that promises to offer delicious

grilled sausages, great music and a famous silent auction.

I would like to extend a perpetual open invitation to the communi-ty to visit LCS and to learn more about what we do. I would sin-cerely welcome the opportunity to meet you. Please feel free to

contact me at 262.598.0098 to arrange a tour. Thank you.

Warmest Regards,

Mary Beth Popchock, LCS Executive Director

Continued from front page

Page 2

2014 Advocacy Day in Madison

2014 Bring your legislator to work day

Participant speakers at the 2014 Legislative

Breakfast

QEST Staff, Tara Mitchell and Alison Hoffman,

with CESP certificates

Submitted by: Angel Markiewicz, Vocational Director and Becky Bursek, LCS Connect Manager

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2014 Department Highlights

20 14 A NNU AL R E PORT

QEST

LCS Employment Specialists continue to focus on helping individuals secure meaningful employment opportunities in

the community.

During 2014, Employment Specialists assisted 39 people obtain permanent employment. 36% of them were sup-ported employees. In addition, they as-sisted 25 individuals attain paid intern-

ships.

Further more, the Employment First initi-ative continued to have a strong focus. Some of the activities that were accom-plished as part of the initiative were: a Legislative Breakfast, the Fourth of July parade float, a video showcasing em-ployment successes, and legislative vis-

its to participants’ worksites.

E-Now!

E-Now! moved from a pilot program to a per-manently contracted service option in 2014.

To date, this program has led seven individuals to become gainfully employed in the communi-ty, and two will be celebrating one year work anniversaries in January 2015.

As part of the program, staff worked whole-heartedly to aide participants in touring 20 dif-ferent local businesses, completing job shad-ows at 15 different businesses, aiding five par-ticipants to achieve paid internships, and help-ing participants volunteer at three different community organizations.

E-Now Participant, Bridgett, participating

in a job shadow experience. QEST participant, Leaky, hired at a

local Kwik Trip. Lora, second year of bell ringing

for the Salvation Army.

QEST Participant Ed,

Successfully hired at Dominoes

Ed and Becky had the opportunity to

learn about food service at Olive Garden.

E-Now Participant,

Alberta, participat-

ing in a job shadow

experience.

Page 4

Year end Highlights….continue

LCS Connect

LCS Connect served 56 participants during the 2014 year. LCS Connect engages in a wide variety of commu-nity experiences that are geared toward making connec-tions, along with being involved in meaningful learning experiences. LCS Connect Staff continued to make community-based experiences a priority for individuals served, with participants venturing into the community on average of 23 times per month. This past year, LCS participants volunteered over 1,500 hours at approxi-mately 20 different local non-profit organizations. Also, The greenhouse and gardens were utilized year-round, from growing pansies and herbs in the spring to nurtur-ing poinsettias in the winter. In addition, participants purchased and sorted small items to fill shoeboxes that were donated to the Santa in a Shoebox Project to help local people in need and to spread Christmas Cheer. A

total of 10 filled shoeboxes were donated to the project.

Submitted by: Angel Markiewicz, Vocational Director and Alison Hoffman, LCS Explore Manager

Purchasing and packing gifts for

Santa in a Shoebox Project

Wrapping and filling the LCS Sleigh

for delivery to Santa in a Shoebox Project

Serving lunch at HALO.

Mixing up baked goods for Literacy Council

Packing gift bags

at Skatetown

Repacking at Shalom Center

Page 5

LCS Explore

Community employment continues to be the topic of conversation for most participants in the LCS Explore program. Many participants have had assistance from LCS with applying for DVR services, so that they can begin to work with an Employ-ment Specialist and Vocational Counselor to aide them in obtaining integrated employment opportunities. In addition to gaining training through subcontract work performed at LCS, participants continue to engage in community experiences to

increase awareness of employment options. LCS Explore successes have included: Thirteen participants were recognized and congratulated for reaching their ultimate goal of community employment. Approximately 25 participants were actively working with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) to obtain inte-

grated employment opportunities. Volunteering at a local thrift store on a weekly basis to gain retail/customer service skills. Participating in 16 job tours of local businesses in the community. Engaging in employment skills classes on a bi-weekly basis at the Racine Public Library. Partaking in 33 employment-focused workshops at the Workforce Development Center. At year-end, a new staff position was added to increase community exploration and skill building activities for all of LCS Explore participants

WIOA

On July 22, 2014, President Barack Obama signed the Workforce Innovation and Op-portunity Act (WIOA) into law. Formerly known as WIA (Workforce Investment Act), WIOA is designed to help job seekers (LCS specifically assists youth with disabilities and other disadvantages) access employment, education, training, and support ser-vices to succeed in the labor market and to match employers with the skilled workers

they need to compete in the global economy. Outcomes for this service include:

55 youth received WIOA services.

46 youth obtained competitive employment.

Recruitment of new youth was increased by 93%.

Participants had an opportunity to tour the Milwaukee Job Corps during two differ-

ent tours.

Eleven out-of-school youth increased their Educational Functional Levels.

Seven youth obtained forklift certifications through classes taught by

LCS’ WIA Coordinator.

Volunteering

Classroom work

Pathway to employment

This years' Christmas party was held

on December 5.

Several service awards were given out, as well as horticulture certifi-cates. We also celebrated numerous participants who have reached their goal of community employment with a slide show showcasing each person in their new work environment. All of us at LCS are very proud of them and

wish them continued success.

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Employee Christmas Party

20 14 A NNU AL R E PORT

2503 Lincolnwood Ct.

Racine, WI 53403

www.lcsracine.org