The PLUS Company » Featured http://www.pluscompany.org Providing quality support for people with disabilities Tue, 31 Jan 2012 15:43:45 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1.2 Wild Irish Breakfast Coming Soon http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/wild-irish-breakfast-coming-soon http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/wild-irish-breakfast-coming-soon#comments Mon, 30 Jan 2012 13:17:37 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1070 Laughs, good food, and a whole lot of green are on the menu for The PLUS Company’s Wild Irish Breakfast, scheduled for March 16th!  Planning for this yearly festivity of politicians and pundits trading barbs is well underway.  Proceeds from the event benefit The PLUS Company’s Adult Education program.  Can’t make the breakfast, but still want to get involved?  Try your luck at winning a fabulous prize by purchasing a Wild Irish Breakfast raffle ticket! Tickets are $5 each or 3 for $10. You can buy your tickets from any Special Olympics’ PLUS Pride athlete, a Wild Irish Breakfast committee member, or just stop by The PLUS Company. Tickets will also be available at the breakfast. Top prize is a Trip for 2 to Ireland. Other prizes include 2 round-trip Southwest Airline tickets and a Men’s Jango Hybrid Bike donated by Goodale’s Bike Shop. Buy your ticket today and may the luck o’ the Irish be with you!

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/wild-irish-breakfast-coming-soon/feed 0 Giving the Gift of Warmth http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/giving-the-gift-of-warmth http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/giving-the-gift-of-warmth#comments Tue, 24 Jan 2012 00:57:51 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1066 The Wednesday RELAX Group has been hard at work learning to make fleece hooded scarves.  Once the scarves are complete, they will be donated to the homeless to help keep them warm during these cold weather months.  This is just one of the many projects that PLUS Company Clients work on throughout the year to help those in need.  Other classes have made quilts for Bridges House, collected toys during the holiday season, rang bells for the Salvation Army, and cleaned the rail trail and other public areas within Nashua.

 

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/giving-the-gift-of-warmth/feed 0 Cooking Class Powers Up http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/cooking-class-powers-up http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/cooking-class-powers-up#comments Sun, 08 Jan 2012 21:13:22 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1059 The PLUS Company Cooking class started off the year right by making healthy and nutritious power bars during their first class of the year.  The snacks were made from all natural ingredients and everyone agreed that they smelled and tasted great.  As an added bonus, the power bars were fat-free, making it a little easier for everyone to keep those New Year’s Resolutions to become healthier and more active.  The PLUS Company Cooking class meets regularly with the goal of assisting individuals to become more independent by cooking simple, healthy meals with a minimum of assistance.

 

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2012/01/cooking-class-powers-up/feed 0 Rotary of Nashua West Helps Supply The PLUS Company’s New Kitchen http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/rotary-of-nashua-west-helps-supply-the-plus-companys-new-kitchen http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/rotary-of-nashua-west-helps-supply-the-plus-companys-new-kitchen#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:10:20 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1054 The PLUS Company is proud to announce a grant of $750 from The Rotary Club of Nashua West!  The funds will be used to purchase new supplies for the organization’s recently renovated kitchen facilities.  Samantha Freeman, a graduate of The PLUS Company’s Public Speaking Class, gave a speech accepting the grant on behalf of everyone at The PLUS Company.  The Rotary Club of Nashua West provides financial assistance to local 501(c) 3 community organizations in the greater Nashua area to aid them in providing the necessary services and programs that meet the community’s needs.  The Rotary provides assistance for many reasons including:  a specific project or program, purchase of equipment or supplies, or to assist in repairs and maintenance of facilities.

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/rotary-of-nashua-west-helps-supply-the-plus-companys-new-kitchen/feed 0 Making STRIDEs to Graduation http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/making-strides-to-graduation http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/making-strides-to-graduation#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:51:09 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1042 STRIDE Graduation is approaching quickly for the interns at Lowell General Hospital!  The second class will be celebrating their graduation from this employment training program on December 16th at 2:00.  Following the ceremony, refreshments will be served and potential employers will have the opportunity to meet the graduates.  STRIDE  is a 20-week  on-the-job training program for adults with disabilities, based completely on the needs and workflows of Sodexo managers. The program is comprised of 3 internships, allowing participants to learn skills necessary for competitive employment once they graduate from the program.  The graduates will now be looking for employment using the skills they have learned.  STRIDE is a unique collaboration between The PLUS Company, Lowell General Hospital, Sodexo, and LinkAbilities.

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/12/making-strides-to-graduation/feed 0 St. Joseph Hospital Named 2011 Corporate Citizen http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/st-joseph-hospital-named-2011-corporate-citizen http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/st-joseph-hospital-named-2011-corporate-citizen#comments Tue, 29 Nov 2011 15:43:46 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1038 The PLUS Company is pleased to announce that St. Joseph Hospital has been named the 2011 Corporate Citizen of the Year.  The award was handed out at  The PLUS Company’s 14th Annual Silent Auction and Dinner  on Saturday,  November 19, at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua. According to Director Kim Shottes, “The PLUS Company’s partnership with St. Joseph Hospital is one that truly exemplifies our mission of empowering individuals with developmental disabilities to maximize their independence.  St. Joseph Hospital has shown incredible
dedication and leadership as the first hospital in New  England to host Project SEARCH, a 9-month employment training program for individuals with disabilities set entirely within the hospital.  Thanks to their leadership, young adults are not only learning the skills they need to become employed, but are also learning that anything can be achieved with the proper training and support. We would like to thank St. Joseph Hospital for all they have done for our clients and the community of Nashua.”

Funds from the Silent Auction and Dinner Dance are used to support The PLUS Company’s Adult Education programs.  Last year’s auction raised approximately $60,000, which was used to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through classes such as art and music therapy, adult literacy, life skills, and self-advocacy training.  These programs and many others that encourage independence for people with developmental disabilities are made possible by the money raised through donations. Thanks to event sponsors, USI and Gate City
Electric, along with numerous other businesses who support The PLUS Company’s mission of “Empowering Individuals, Maximizing Independence.”

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/st-joseph-hospital-named-2011-corporate-citizen/feed 0 Getting Crafty For A Cause http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/getting-crafty-for-a-cause http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/getting-crafty-for-a-cause#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:39:22 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1033 The PLUS Company’s Art Therapy students are hard at work, creating beautiful and unique pieces to be auctioned off at the 14th Annual Silent Auction and Dinner Dance.    This year’s event, which raises money for The PLUS Company’s Adult Education program, will be held on November 19, at the Crowne Plaza in Nashua.  Last year’s auction raised approximately $60,000, which was used to enhance the lives of individuals with disabilities through classes such as art and music therapy, adult literacy, life skills, and self-advocacy training.  These programs and many others that encourage independence for people with developmental disabilities are made possible by the money raised through donations. Thank you to event sponsors, USI and Gate City Electric, along with numerous other businesses who support The PLUS Company’s mission of “Empowering Individuals, Maximizing Independence.”

The night includes complimentary wine, good food, dancing to a live band, and great silent and live auction items, including vacations, sports tickets, airline tickets, and various other priceless items.

If you would like to donate an item or service, become a sponsor, place an ad in our program booklet, or buy tickets for the event, please contact Maryse Tanguay at 889-0652.  Tickets cost $75 each.  Tables of 8 are available.

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/getting-crafty-for-a-cause/feed 0 Breaking Ground To Build A Portico http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/breaking-ground-to-build-a-portico http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/breaking-ground-to-build-a-portico#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 17:29:35 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1031 If you visit The PLUS Company is the next few weeks, you will see a whole lot of building going on!  Thanks to hard work by the Board of Directors, the Building Dreams Committee, and especially Don Gingras, President of Gate City Electric, a new portico is currently under construction at the entrance of 19 Chestnut Street.  The portico has been identified as a priority of the Building Dreams: Creating the Reality Campaign, which seeks to update and improve the space currently occupied by The PLUS Company.  The portico, which will shield clients, staff, and visitors from the bad weather, will be completed in two phases.  The first, which is going on now, will ensure a basic structure is in place before the winter weather hits.  The second phase will seek to improve the overall look of the portico and front of the building, and will be completed in 2012.

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/11/breaking-ground-to-build-a-portico/feed 0 Crowds Want To Know “Where Are They Now?” http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/crowds-come-out-to-find-out-where-are-they-now http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/crowds-come-out-to-find-out-where-are-they-now#comments Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:13:23 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1012 St. Joseph Hospital Cafeteria was the scene of many mini-reunions, as Project SEARCH graduates returned to the hospital where they spent months learning the skills they needed to become employed.  Hugs were exchanged and candy was handed out, as hospital staff and community members caught up with the graduates and heard all about their employment successes.  St. Joseph Hospital Project SEARCH is a school-to-work program for young adults with disabilities.  The participants spend nine months interning in various deparments within the hospital to learn skills that will assist them as they become employed in the community.  The fourth Project SEARCH class started their program in September.  The event was well-time to coincide with Disability Employment Awareness Month.

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/crowds-come-out-to-find-out-where-are-they-now/feed 0 Moving Mountains for Her Clients http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/moving-mountains-for-her-clients http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/moving-mountains-for-her-clients#comments Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:15:32 +0000 Jennifer http://www.pluscompany.org/?p=1008 Laura Horowitz was honored with The PLUS Company’s 2011 Moving Mountains award at the Annual Meeting on September 27th.  The following is the speech read by Executive Director, Kim Shottes, when surprising Laura with this award.

“Every year I have the privilege of honoring a PLUS Company employee with the Moving Mountains Award.  In thinking about who to honor this year, I looked to our theme of the past year:  Building Dreams.  It wasn’t too difficult to determine that Laura Horowitz should be this year’s Moving Mountains recipient.  In the 8 years that Laura has been at PLUS she has assisted so many people in Building their Dreams.   To have a dream you must be inspired.  Laura’s passion for helping others has inspired many people at PLUS and in the Nashua community.  Whether its helping Nancy access  singing lessons, advocating for Gloria to continue to live with her homecare provider when everyone thought she should stay in the nursing home, assisting a parent in navigating the medical world when their adult child is inflicted with serious illness, or spending time with caregivers and families during the loss of a loved one , Laura is there.   And don’t let Laura fool you….she looks like a quiet and demure woman….But let me tell you she is a strong advocate when it comes to making things happen.  I believe one of the residential coordinators at PLUS referred to her as a bulldog!  She is driven by all that is good and will not stop until she has achieved the results which are best for her clients. 

The other thing you may not realize about Laura is how much energy she has.  Whatever the need which may arise, Laura is the first to volunteer her services whether its using her incredible talent in the kitchen catering a PLUS event, or decorating the lobby of our new building, brainstorming with job developers about possible company leads, or  just spending time with someone who is in need, Laura graciously accepts all these roles.  Despite her own medical struggles Laura preservers until the job is done. Laura embodies all that the PLUS Company represents—She truly believes in empowering individuals and maximizing independence.

Laura you have taught us well we are all better people because of our association and friendship with you.  Thank you Laura for being a part of The PLUS Company team, we are a better organization today because of you.   And remember Laura a dreamer lives forever….”

]]> http://www.pluscompany.org/2011/10/moving-mountains-for-her-clients/feed 1