Ambassador Nikki Haley to Receive Community Options’ Betty Pendler Award at National Conference

PRWeb

September 25, 2017, Princeton, NJ – Community Options, Inc. will present its prestigious Betty Pendler Award to Ambassador Nikki Haley at the organization’s 11^th annual iMatter Conference, which will be held in Ambassador Haley’s home state of South Carolina from September 24^th to September 27th.

The award is named in honor of Betty Pendler who was reknowned for her tireless efforts in helping those with disabilities. Each year the award is given to those who exemplify the mission of Community Options and demonstrate their commitment to ensuring that people with disabilities live their best lives in communities of their choosing. Recent recipients of this award include Governor Tom Kean, Elaine Katz of Kessler Foundation, Senator Joe Kyrillos, and Gail B. and Senator Robert Gordon.

Ambassador Haley is being recognized for her contributions to individuals with disabilities and programs that provide homes and employment to people with disabilities throughout her career as a public servant. As governor, she signed numerous proclamations in support of the rights of disabled persons and signed the ABLE Act into law in South Carolina, allowing people with disabilities the opportunity to contribute to a tax-exempt savings account without losing necessary benefits. Community Options had the good fortune of hosting then-governor Haley at a tour of one of its homes for disabled individuals in Columbia, SC in late 2013. At the time of her visit, she said, “It was an honor to tour the Community Options’ home in Columbia. They offer quality care and provide adults with special needs the opportunity to live an independent life style. We will continue to support these kinds of services for individuals with disabilities.”

Robert Stack, president and CEO of Community Options said, “Ambassador Haley’s visit to one of our homes for people with disabilities had a tremendous impact on the public perception of people with disabilities living side by side in a neighborhood, just like anyone else. She has been relentless in her advocacy of helping people with disabilities. We are excited to honor her support with this award.”

On Tuesday, September 26, 2017, Stack, along with Community Options’ board chair, Phil Lian, of Princeton, NJ, will present the award to Ambassador Haley. It will be accepted on her behalf by her former chief of staff, Swati Patel, at the Community Options iMatter Conference on Supported Employment held at the Francis Marion Hotel in downtown Charleston.

About Community Options, Inc.:

For 28 years, Community Options has developed housing and employment programs for people with disabilities – serving thousands of people through more than 40 offices across 11 states. Community Options provides advocacy assistance to empower people with disabilities because all people – regardless of ability level – should live and work in the community with dignity, choice and self-determination. For more information please visit our website: www.comop.org and to follow along with the ComOpCares campaign, search #ComOpCares on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

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Community Options to Hold National Conference in South Carolina to Celebrate 10 Years of Service

September 24, 2017 | Charleston Regional Business Journal online article | Article.pdf

Charleston Regional Business Journal

PRINCETON, NJ — To celebrate 10 years of providing housing and employment support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Carolina, Community Options will hold its 11th Annual iMatter Conference at the Francis Marion Hotel from September 24-27.

Each year, Community Options focuses on a current issue, trend or development that impacts the lives of people with disabilities worldwide. At this juncture, no issue could be more relevant than unemployment within the disability community. Embracing the philosophy that all people who want to work can and should be able to work, Community Options will delve into the pathways that government, private industry and non-profits together can forge to create opportunities for employment for all.

This year’s iMatter conference, titled “A Meaningful Life: An iMatter Conference on Supported Employment,” will offer a program that challenges attendees to rethink, even re-imagine, traditional approaches to employment. An array of distinguished experts and honored guests will share their experience and knowledge with conference attendees. Featured speakers include Dr. Beverly A. Buscemi, South Carolina’s Department of Disabilities and Special Needs; Michael Callahan, Marc Gold & Associates; Chris DeVany, Pinnacle Performance Improvement Worldwide; Bonnie Jean Smith, Parent, Member of the Minnesota Governor’s Council; and Tim Riesen, Ph.D., Utah State University, Dept. of Special Education and Rehabilitation .

“Community Options has been an invaluable asset to our community,” said Charleston Mayor John Teckleburg, who will open the conference events on Monday morning with the Reading of the Proclamation. “Charleston is happy to be a part of Community Options’ national efforts, and we look forward to working with them to focus on inclusion for all of our citizens.”

The Betty Pendler Award, which is presented to the person who exemplifies the mission of Community Options, will be presented to United States Ambassador to the United Nations, Nikki Haley. This prestigious award, named in honor of Betty Pendler who gave tireless effort to promoting the interests of those with disabilities, has been presented to Governor Tom Kean, Elaine Katz of Kessler Foundation and Senator Joe Kyrillos, all of whom have made extraordinary contributions to advancing equality, belonging and opportunity for people with disabilities

Dorothy Goodwin, the State Director of South Carolina for Community, looks forward to hosting the event in the Palmetto State.

“We are beyond excited to be hosting Community Options’ 2017 National Conference in beautiful Charleston South Carolina on the 10th Anniversary of the agency’s opening in our great state. Plans are underway to ensure an action-packed event both during conference hours and in the evenings with many activities and events available within walking distance. We experienced one of our largest growth periods during the 2016-2017 fiscal year, are now offering Supported Employment services in all three regions of the state as well as making plans to expand into the Pee Dee Region of the state. So, there’s much to celebrate during our 10th Anniversary!”

The Community Options iMatter Conference will be held at the Francis Marion Hotel,located at 387 King St, Charleston, SC 29403. For more information or to register to attend, visit www.comop.org

Today’s Bell Ringer, CNBC August 17, 2018

August 17, 2018 | CNBC

Today’s bell ringers are Phil Lian, Board Member, of Community Options, Inc. at the NYSE, and Mike Massimino, Discovery Communications, at the Nasdaq.

CNBC Opening Bell, August 17, 2017

August 17, 2017 | CNBC

Keith Young of Community Options, Inc., at the NYSE, and Mike Massimino, Discovery Communications at the Nasdaq, ring today's opening bells.

Phil Lian, Board Member, of Community Options, Inc., at the NYSE, and Mike Massimino, Discovery Communications at the Nasdaq, ring today’s opening bells.

Phil Lian, Board Member, of Community Options, Inc., at the NYSE, and Mike Massimino, Discovery Communications at the Nasdaq, ring today’s opening bells. Squawk on the Street.

Community Options, Inc. Rings The NYSE Opening Bell®

August 17, 2017 | NYSE

The New York Stock Exchange welcomes executives and guests of Community Options, Inc. to celebrate 10 years of providing housing and employment support to individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in South Carolina, Community Options will hold its 11th Annual iMatter Conference at the Francis Marion Hotel from September 24-27. To honor the occasion, Phil Lian, Board Member, of Community Options, Inc. will ring the NYSE Opening Bell®.

Nonprofit partnership gets adults with disabilities engaged in community

August 10, 2017 | Latrobe Bulletin online | Article.pdf

Marc Boyle and Kevin McElhinny volunteer for the Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce stuffing envelopes as part of the Community Integration program. Assisting are Ryan Browne, direct support professional, and Jeff Minkovich, Comm.unity Integration counselor at the Chantber. Photo by Ernie Sistek

Area adults with developmental disabilities are able to get out and get active in their communities with help from Community Options Inc. and its collaboration with the Greater Latrobe- Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Community Options is a nonprofit agency operating in 11 states. The company opened its first Westmoreland County location in 2012 and now runs 17 group homes in the county. Its staff of more than 140 in Westmoreland County serves 36 clients, executive director Lacie Parker said.

“Our mission is very simple. We support adults with developmental disabilities to maintain employment and community residences within their own community,” she said.

In addition to operating group homes, Community Options also provides a community-based day program called Option Quest, which gets clients out in their communities volunteering and doing other activities.

“It’s a nontraditional community-based day program,” Parker said of Option Quest. “It really focuses on getting the individuals we support integrated into their communities and to establish some social connections and build up social capital so they can be productive members of their own community.”

Community Options has been working closely With the Greater Latrobe Laurel Valley Chamber of Commerce to coordinate.volunteer opportunities for adults with developmental disabilities.

“It’s been fantastic. Ever since Community Options has become a member, the Chamber has taken a very active role in the development of our clients and helping us out,” said Jeff Minkovich, a community integration counselor with Community Options and a member of the GLLV Chamber board. “We’ve been volunteering here (at the GLLV Chamber’s Neighborhood Visitor and Information Center in Unity Township), and a couple other places like Gutchess Hardwoods have been utilizing our clients for volunteer work. We’re reaching out to any local b~1siness that wants to save on payroll and utilize our clients, who are very self-functioning and they can get the job done. They really enjoy it because they feel more a part of the community in which they live.”

Parker said Community Options clients also volunteer with Meals on Wheels, animal shelters and senior centers in addition to working with the GLLV Chamber and other businesses.

“Volunteerism is one aspect. Another aspect would be just building up their social capital and their social networks,” Parker said. “They may go to the park and go fishing or go walking with different social groups~ Some of our individuals go to Idlewild during the summer. They maybe play some sports or do different craft activities in the community.”

Parker and Minkovich said getting adults with developmental disabilities out and involved in their own communities is a rewarding and important role.

“It’s just as much their community as it is ours and they have every right to be a part of it. They feel a sense of belonging,”

Minkovich said. “We have clients that are going to be volunteering for the upcoming (Great American) Banana Split Celebration, they’re very excited to be a part of that and we’re excited to have them there to help us. Just seeing their growth is a pretty rewarding experience.”

GLLV Chamber President Allen Martello said working with Community Options has been a benefit to all parties involved.

“It is a joy to work with the staff and clients at Community Options,” Martello said. “As a nonprofit ourselves, the Chamber is always looking for volunteers to help be a part of our mission. Community Options staff and volunteers have helped make events like the Great American Banana Split Celebration and Steelers Fest at Latrobe better by being a part of our team.”

Mannino has been appointed a talent scout for Allentown for Community Options

The Morning Call

August 06, 2017 | The Morning Call | Article.pdf

Mannino has been appointed a talent scout for Allentown for Community Options. Actively recruiting talented and motivated Direct Support Professionals has been vital to Community Options’ success of housing and employment support for individuals with disabilities across the state. Mannino has already begun the process of seeking out the most-qualified people.

Mannino has a bachelor’s degree in education from Kutztown University and was a radio personality for iHeart Media for 17 years. She also has experience with direct sales and merchandising.