Meet George

As an amputee, George believed there wasn’t a job that he could do. Several years ago due to an illness, George lost his leg and now utilizes a wheelchair.

In October 2020, George was referred to Eggleston’s Collaborative Community Connections (C3) program, which is dedicated to ensuring that vulnerable populations, specifically individuals experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness have the opportunity for viable employment.

During his initial intake meeting, George shared with Mary Clark, his Eggleston C3 coordinator, he only agreed to meet because his transitional housing agreement requires all occupants to work. “George seemed petulant and moody at first. I wasn’t sure how things would go with George, but then I got the right call from a local employer” said Mary.

Madison Hahn and George
Madison Hahn and George

On November 23, 2020, Mary received a call from Madison Hahn at CozyPure. They were looking to fill an entry-level position picking apart compressed natural latex LaNoodles used in many of their products.

One week later, George and Mary toured Cozy Pure, and George completed a working interview. During the tour, George was smiling and laughing; and when the owner asked if he had any questions, his reply was: “When can I start?” George was hired on the spot and started the very next day.

“I contacted Mary at Eggleston to see if she could assist us for a somewhat unconventional activity we needed someone to perform. She brought George to our shop, and we had him start the next day!” – Madison Hahn

After George’s first day of work, he appeared excited about his job and shared with Mary what a great day he had. On his second day, he talked about how nice it was to get out of his room, having something to do, and how nice all the staff were at work.

Today, George works five days-a-week. He is responsible for separating, by-hand, the natural latex LaNoodles used in organic pillows and organic mattress toppers.  He is also learning to sew so that he can jump in and help out in other parts of the business when they need him.

“Our ‘LaNoodler’ is a pretty important task because the quality of our product depends on this material being filtered, sifted, and properly loosened before we can use it; George understands this criteria and has such a great attitude! He gets in early, sets weekly goals, and completes the assignment on-time, every time. So far, it’s a big win for us and hopefully for him, as well.” Cheryl Hahn, Owner
Mary Clark (back left), Cheryl Hahn (right) and George (front)
Mary Clark (back left), Cheryl Hahn (right) and George (front)

Click to learn more about our Collaborative Community Connections (C3) program.

Eggleston Matters-- News that's powered by purpose

Eggleston is grateful to the many individual donors and family foundations whose financial gifts in 2020 and beyond are keeping adults with disabilities connected and supported during the pandemic.

Through philanthropy, Eggleston’s mission is able to weather difficult times like COVID-19 and can expand to create more opportunities, access, and support for adults with disabilities in Hampton Roads.


Gratitude for Gifts:

Independence Middle School Donation
Pictured above: A donation of toiletries from Independence Middle School which helped pack 30 personal care kits.

The board and staff would like to give special thanks and recognition to:

The staff of Vandeventer Black LLP,

E.T. Gresham Company, Inc., Langley Federal Credit Union, and to Langley for Families,  for empowering adults with disabilities in Hampton Roads through their charitable giving.

MANCON and F.C.I Towers, whose monetary donations put gifts under the tree and provided food donations for those in need over the holiday season.

Insperity for giving their time to wrap gifts for 103 Angel Tree recipients.

The National Junior Honor Society of Independence Middle School for collecting and donating 5 boxes of personal care items for those we serve.

 


Still Working for Alexandra:

AlexandraDespite wanting to work, people with disabilities are less likely to be hired than their peers without a disability. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, the unemployment rate of people with disabilities ages 16-64 was nearly twice the rate of unemployment for persons without a disability in 2019.

Eggleston is not only among the largest employers of people with disabilities in Hampton Roads, it’s Community Employment program also works with the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) to help create and find employment in the community for people with disabilities.

When local employer Jones Printing Inc. had an opening in their warehouse, they knew just who to call for the best possible candidate for their hiring needs.

“We toured and knew right away based on the conversation with Jones Printing who the right person for the job would be,” said Kimberly Heath, Eggleston’s Community Employment Program Manager. “Alexandra does not let anything stop her.” Click here to read the full story >>


A Place of His Own:

Drew Belote Image
Photo Credit: Virginian-Pilot article – Drew unpacking in his new apartment with the help of his mother, Pam Belote.

Drew Belote, at age 32, moved into his own apartment in December, finally making his parents empty nesters.

Drew has worked for Eggleston’s document shredding division for more than five years. His dad, Dave, eventually joined Eggleston’s board and has helped lead Eggleston’s strategic effort to expand residential opportunities for people with disabilities.

Thanks to a new partnership with Eggleston and The Breeden Company, Drew is able to live independently in his own apartment with the level of support he needs to make that possible.

Read more about Drew and Eggleston’s Independent Living Model in Inside Business

 

 


You can help adults with disabilities. 

There are so many ways you can support the programs and services that empower and enrich the lives of people with disabilities in Hampton Roads.

Please use this list as a guide for our Presidents’ Day Hours.
For questions or additional information please call our front desk team at 757-858-8011 or email them at Info@egglestonservices.org

Thank You!