At our recent LBA meeting, we explored hiring from the disability's community. Individuals from this community can have more difficulty finding employment. With the current labor shortages, employers may be curious about connecting with this pool of potential employees.
Our speaker, Kimberle Monroe, M.S., CRC, Manager of Workforce Resources, and guest Julia Massey, Case Manager, Traditional Family Support with Bobby Dodd Institute, shared with us information on how businesses can connect with organizations to hire individuals with disabilities to create or expand an inclusive work environment. The Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency (GVRA) and associated providers, such as Bobby Dodd Institute (BDI), facilitate and support employment for individuals with disabilities, such as Intellectual or Developmental, Mental Health, Physical, Vision, or Hearing.
GVRA has several providers contracted with their agency to assist individuals in achieving employment goals through job training and placement supports, such as BDI, Tommy Nobis Center, and Goodwill Industries. BDI Institute provides many services, including Workforce Resources for job training and placement services. Other services offered at BDI include Family Support, Benefits Navigation, and Georgia Community Trust.
In addition to the services BDI provides, they also employ individuals with disabilities. BDI has several businesses that support contracts (some federal) in facilities management, call centers and switchboards, administrative services, supply chain, and logistics.
Where should you begin as a business open to hiring individuals with disabilities? Companies can get in touch with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency. Information specific to businesses wanting to hire individuals with disabilities can be found on their website at: https://gvs.georgia.gov/businesses. Companies can also contact non-profit agencies that provide placement support for individuals with disabilities, such as BDI. Companies can find information about BDI on their website: https://bobbydodd.org/ as well as obtain information on Disability Awareness: https://bobbydodd.org/empowers/disability-awareness-training/. For inquiries regarding services, call 678.365.0071 or send an email to empowers@bobbydodd.org.
For an individual who receives government benefits such as Social Security, where should they learn how employment could impact their benefits? Individuals receiving SSI or SSDI should speak with a Benefits Navigator Representative by calling the Social Security Administration Ticket to Work helpline at 1.866.968.7842 and request a referral to a Work Incentives Planning and Assistance Agency (WIPA). The helpline will prescreen and then connect the individual with an appropriate WIPA. BDI is an approved WIPA for the Social Security Administration. Additional information regarding employment support services for Social Security Disability Beneficiaries who want to work can be found on the Ticket to Work website’s page at: https://choosework.ssa.gov/.
-----Sandra Waldrop, PhD, LBA and Kimberle Monroe, M.S., CRC, Manager of Workforce Resources at BDI
LBA meets during the breakfast hour, 8-9 am, the first Friday of each month usually at the Lilburn IHOP. Donna Hill of E2E is bringing us business topics with new concepts and concepts worth a review.
Our Jan 7th meeting covered 10 Tips to Make the Most of a Networking event. Here is the list:
Many of our LBA members are enjoying their second careers. Bob Atwater is one of those. Previously an award winning executive in human resources recruiting and staffing, the circumstances of life, to include parent care, were leading him to step back from those endeavors.
He now runs Atwater Partners a residential repair and renovation LLC. The changing regulations to obtain a General Contractor license have become increasingly daunting, complex and costly. Bob has found that certification is not necessary to his trade effectiveness or career success.
Atwater Partners, LLC marketing is entirely word of mouth and referrals based on excellent service. He does not use paid advertising. The best way to contact him is via the company Facebook page, Atwater Partners, LLC. In fact, Bob’s use of Facebook to showcase the day-to-day activities of his crews is the best advertising strategy for his business sector I’ve seen. He ends each post with “Who’s next for a contractor crew or handyman for any interior or exterior project?”
As an avid entrepreneur, Bob is one who sees opportunities and solutions where others see problems or inconvenience. His journey to successful contractor began while caring for his aging father. Bob needed work with a more independent schedule and got creative offering small handyman jobs where he could bring dad along. Over the years, Bob had developed a large network of friends who knew him to be responsible and honest from as far back as elementary school. Bob was also an athlete at Lakeside HS, he is friendly and enjoys talking and listening to all he meets, he receives favor wherever he goes.
His two sons participated in sports and he further extended his friend network to include coaches who have access to much needed manpower in an industry that typically has a high turnover and is further impacted by the unionized film industry construction. Bob’s experience in recruiting and vetting has garnered him loyal employees that have worked with him for years. Bob starts recruits on cleanup/moving tasks and later as apprentices matched with seasoned tradesmen. These young people often continue working with Bob through their college years as well as recruiting their friends. He typically has up to 8 crews working at a given time, leaving a trail of satisfied clients in his wake.
So…“Who’s next for a contractor crew or handyman for any interior or exterior project?”
---- Sandra Waldrop and Nancy Tawes
When Anthony Manetta and Taylor Bennett of Brookside Stone Mountain Senior Living reached out to the LBA, we were very happy to accept an invitation to visit. As a business sector, senior living has been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and was the subject of a series of articles in the AJC at that time. The LBA is all about helping our local business community thrive and looked forward to our visit.
Brookside has been at its West Park Place location for many years and does not have the glitz and glamour you find at premier newer assisted living communities around Atlanta but that is not necessarily a bad thing. Brookside came under new ownership and management in 2018. What we found on our visit was a warm home-like environment including a beautiful garden area.
Brookside has 45 rooms including some that are for double occupancy such as for couples and even has a memory care unit They provide assisted living care at affordable all inclusive rates, rather than the more complicated fee structure found in many communities. For clients with VA benefits, they are able to facilitate access to those funds. There are no move-in fees or long-term contracts. Respite care is also available.
Because I had recently visited Brookside, it came to mind during a discussion with a friend on the increasing care needs of a family member. Her wish was to have her mother-in-law nearby rather than in Cumming which can be a long drive to help with doctor visits and errands. I suggested she look at Brookside, a short drive from her home.
Her family member had recently spent time for rehab in a newer community with a higher end environment. She is much happier in the smaller homey environment at Brookside and enjoys frequent visits with her family. She is relieved that the monthly cost of Brookside is mostly covered by her Social Security plus VA benefits.
I’m not sure if my friend would have thought to look at Brookside if I had not suggested it. The holidays are often a time to observe and discuss the care needs of loved ones. Should that be the case, consider a visit to nearby Brookside Stone Mountain Senior Living.
We had a great time at our Zoom LBA meeting yesterday interviewing Scott Mecredy of Music On Main Street or MOMS. The interview was recorded so you can enjoy the entire session (see link at the end of this post).
Scott pays tribute to his own late mother not only in the naming of his and his wife's business (MOMS) but also in the charity Gracenote Foundation. The foundation promotes the role of music in child development, throughout adult life, and within communities in a variety of ways. Foundation support projects have included instrument donations, camp and lesson funding and even a benefit concert to help someone from the music community fighting cancer.
In appreciation for being a positive influence on the business and extended Lilburn communities, LBA will be making a donation to the Gracenote Foundation in the amount of $100.
Link to full interview:
https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/play/QN5a3yDV17u4q1NLZ2uvHJlglcefMG2zGHAx9KpO1gjx9xvkJcy-ond2reo6yOh-G1mejnyh9CvMsXN-.05AxvutnQV6VN-aY
Brian Burchik, Community Development Administrator & PIO (Public Information Officer) for the City of Lilburn gave us lots of information on things happening behind the scenes at City Hall. It is always interesting to hear the thoughts and efforts involved that are driving the changes in and around Old Town. The City has enlisted the help of Retail Strategies in finding more upscale businesses to open locations in our area. A recent RFP involved development the Main Street property next to the Station Master's House. The DDA is reviewing the submitted projects. The Steel Building on Railroad Ave is to be vacated Oct 1st and is slated to become a brewery and food hall. Stay informed on further developments on the Old Town Lilburn website and on Brian's podcast, The Burn podcast on the City of Lilburn Facebook page.
Meet husband and wife Associate Broker John Seay and REALTOR Susan Seay of Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate Metro Brokers!
Susan was born in Atlanta, and John has lived here most of his life. Currently living in Lilburn, no one knows the neighborhoods like they do. Together, they have a wealth of real estate experience and knowledge of the metro area.
John and Susan love helping others through the process of buying and selling real estate. They enjoy meeting new people, many of whom become life-long friends.
John and Susan like working together, but they each have different strengths. John teaches the prelicense class which is a requirement toward becoming a real estate agent. Susan has an interior design background and is happy to give suggestions on staging your home to sell.
In their spare time, they love travel and college football. They also enjoy finding new parks, hiking trails, restaurants, and hidden gems around Atlanta.
Contact the Seay Team if you need some guidance selling your property or finding your next home. They would love to meet you!
Crescent Sun Gallery is a small, fine art gallery located in downtown Lilburn right next to the prestigious 1910 Restaurant and Taproom. We started with just two artists specializing in photography and oil painting, but hope to grow quickly and add additional artists!
Crescent moons are a fairly common occurrence, but a crescent sun comes along only once in a while, during a solar eclipse. Since Brittany Lunsford-Kurz and Kevin Kurz, the founders of the gallery, are avid eclipse chasers, this seemed like the perfect name for the new-found gallery.
Brittany is a world-renowned photographer, with over 20 years of experience. Her photography and post-production work has been exhibited all over the country. An avid eclipse chaser, she's always got her eye on the sun.
Kevin Kurz is a photographer and painter specializing in landscapes with a pop-culture twist.
We're always looking for new artists to spotlight at Crescent Sun Gallery!
You may have noticed the consignment store, Back by Popular Demand (BBPD) on Lawrenceville Hwy close to Main Street. BBPD has been around Lilburn for 41 years. The owner Melissa Baxter began working in consignment at age 15. She purchased BBPD located in Old Town, sight unseen, 19 years ago at the age of 20. She ultimately relocated the business to the building on Lawrenceville Hwy and expanded her Lilburn offerings to cover over 8000 sq ft of space. The clothing and accessory offerings focus on name brands. They also have small furniture and household décor. There is also a Marietta boutique location
Melissa is well known in the consignment world for being forward thinking and an innovator. She founded Atlanta Consignment Stores, a local directory of Atlanta area consignment stores in 2008 which hosts bus tours, is visible around town, and has a community map of local consignment stores. She was an early adopter of LIVE “Online Shopping” on Facebook and has been featured on the front cover of the financials for USA Today in 2017.
In addition to the daily LIVE Facebook offerings, the online store was a platform that really took off during the pandemic. They are always on the lookout for new employees that love clothes and love people. She has employed high school students that worked through their college years gaining valuable business experience. With the growth in the online business they are now looking to hire a shipping manager.
Melissa approaches her personal like with the same vigor as her business life. She is strong in her Christian faith, she has 2 elementary age children (one on the Autistic Spectrum) and she fosters senior dogs, particularly those under hospice care.
LBA congratulates Melissa on her business success which is the result of hard work, risk taking and innovation. A big thank you to Sherise Sherman, store manager of the Lilburn store who did an awesome job representing Melissa and BBPD at the June LBA lunch meeting.
Teresa Ingalls is an Old Town resident and archeologist employed by New South Associates as a Digital Data Manager. These days, much of an archeologists workflow is digital. They may be hired by a developer for above and underground work to fulfill Federal permitting requirements. This can get interesting if the development is near a historically significant site.
Teresa has a side project called Keep It Historic. Here she presents short videos of historical sites that catch her interest. Her Lilburn videos cover the antique shop in old town, Salem Missionary Church and the Wynne-Russell House.
Check out her website and purchase some of her cool merchandise.
Lilburn Business Association is a 501(c)6 non-profit organization.
Mailing Address: Lilburn Business Association, P.O. Box 1537, Lilburn, GA 30048
Email: LilburnBusinessAssoc@gmail.com
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