Adults with Disabilities Live Independently with the Help of Victory Living Programs' Supported Living and Supported Employment Programs
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 29, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Wanda "Wendy" Wall and Joel Jacobs are two vivacious characters who are roommates and co-workers and have shared a two-bedroom, third floor apartment at Colonial Park Apartments in Margate, FL, for the past four years. Both Wendy and Joel balance their time between working, socializing and pursing their independent interests, and both are clients in Victory Living Programs' (VLP) Supported Living and Supported Employment Programs – Programs that make the dream of living independently a reality for many adults with disabilities.
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"I learned a lot in this program," said Wendy. "I love it – I'll never leave it."
Wendy has been a VLP client since 1995. She has lived in supported living for 15 years and has been employed with Publix Supermarket for 19 years with support and assistance from her living and employment coaches from VLP. She loves her supported living coach, Viola, and stated - "She's the best! She helps me with everything." Wendy also participates in VLP's Social and Recreational program.
Joel too had been a client of Victory Living before venturing out on his own with the help of VLP's Supported Living Program. Having taken advantage of all that VLP's Social and Recreational Program has to offer for a number of years, including participating in sports such as bowling, basketball, track and field, and soft ball, and social events such as dances, Joel made the jump to independent living after his father became ill. He has been able to make the transition to life on his own with training and guidance from VLP's Supported Living Program.
"My coach Debbie is so so wonderful," said Joel. "She helps me with laundry, groceries, grooming, monthly budgeting and paying bills."
Joel is also a member of VLP's Supported Employment program, and, with the support of his job coach who makes on-the-job visits and communicates with his manager, he has been a faithful Publix employee for almost 27 years.
"Wendy and Joel are great associates - they strive to do a good job and they're an asset to our team," said Manny Pelaez, Manager at Publix Supermarket at Midway Plaza. "The VLP job coach, who visits weekly, is also a great asset. VLP really cares about their proteges and it shows."
Victory Living maintains partnerships with businesses in the community seeking dependable, hard-working employees in order to assist their clients with disabilities with job placement. Individuals who are employed through VLP's Supported Employment Program and their Employment Services Program are assigned a certified employment specialist or job coach who helps them maintain employment. For more information on partnering with VLP to employ individuals with disabilities, contact Anna at Victory Living Programs at (954) 616-1074.
In addition to maintaining employment, both Joel and Wendy are active participants in the social activities that are offered at Victory Living Programs, including the reported favorite – Monday Night Karaoke, as well as in the Clubhouse activities offered at their apartment. They also enjoy independent activities such as visiting Temple or eating at their favorite restaurants.
"Wendy and Joel epitomize what it means for persons with disabilities to live independently with the support of our programs," said Bobbi Wigand, Executive Director of Victory Living Programs. "They serve as great motivation for any other adults with disabilities who are ready to make the transition to life on their own."
For more information on the Supported Living Program, Supported Employment Program, Social and Recreational Program, or any other Victory Living Programs offerings or to learn how you can support or partner with Victory Living Programs, visit www.victoryliving.org.
About Victory Living Programs
For the past four decades, Victory Living Programs has created independent environments for thousands of people with disabilities. Based in warm, beautiful Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, Victory Living Programs offers a premier supported living program that places clients in their own individual, luxurious apartments. In addition, Victory Living Programs also offers an extensive array of programming to assist clients with securing and maintaining employment, learning new skills, volunteering in the community and socializing with their peers - all of which make it possible to infuse independence and transform the lives of people with disabilities. To learn more, visit www.victoryliving.org.
Contact: Laurie Menekou, (954) 732-0754 (or) [email protected]
SOURCE Victory Living Programs
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