2009 MVLE Annual Report

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RespectSuccess

Inte rity

IntegrityDiversitySuccess

RespectOpportunit

y

Diversity


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Letter from the President and Chairman

We are excited to share with you the many achievements and strategic accomplishments

realized during Fiscal Year 2009 (FY 2009). Since MVLEs beginnings in 1971, ourmission to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities has remained constant. Our

board and staff members are guided by our ve organizational values: Respect,

Opportunity, Success, Diversity, and Integrity. These guiding principles are responsible

for MVLEs many stories of success.

During 2009, we focused on growing community and business partnerships to diversify

our nancial foundation and insure MVLEs future in a period of economic turmoil. As

a result, MVLE grew during one of the most difcult scal times in recent history. For

persons with disabilities, our growth is providing employment and support service options

that create futures one person at a time.

Our principles of opportunity and success were evident as we established Good Scents

potpourri, expanded our Walter Reed Army Medical Center Federal janitorial contract,

and developed a new Guest Services restaurant enclave. Our other line of business,

DigitalStream, is providing jobs in the technology eld for individuals with disabilities,

while helping local businesses streamline their ofce procedures. In 2009, 68 new

full-time jobs were created and we served 630 individuals with disabilities, including 24

school graduates.

There is no single formula that denes the journey to personal achievement.

Acknowledging and respecting that diversity requires providing diverse yet individualized

services. During FY 2009, MVLE developed a wealth of supported therapiesart, music,

horticulture, pet-assistive technology, and physical therapy. The resulting achievements of

individuals provide inspiring stories of enhanced ability and personal growth. Success for

individuals with disabilities is not uncommon. Rather, with strong support and services, it

is predictable. Ensuring that adequate services are available to Virginians with disabilities

requires a sustaining commitment from each of us. It requires integrity and maintenance

of a vision in which each individual with disabilities achieves the dream to have a life

like yours.

However, having a life like yours is not yet a reality in Virginia. For years, Virginia has

lagged behind all but three other states in funding community services for individualswith disabilities. Progress can occur in response to advocacy efforts by individuals with

disabilities and their families. In the past year, advocacy efforts resulted in Virginia

eliminating the R word from the state code, increased access to Medicaid waiver

services, and a needed reimbursement increase for those services. But we still have a

long way to go. Further advocacy is needed to address the more than 5,000 individuals

statewide who remain on the waiting list for services.

Whether we are individuals with disabilities, family members, or interested advocates, it

is vital that we carry such stories of success to local, regional and state elected ofcials.

Seek out your representatives and tellyour story.

As you will see in this report, our community and business partnerships demonstrate a

solid foundation and sustaining support for our mission. Our guiding principles of

Respect, Opportunity, Success, Diversity, and Integrity form the cornerstone of MVLEs

economic and strategic decisions; decisions that help individuals with disabilities to

win a valued place in our communities.

April Pinch-Keeler

President

Joe Apa

Chairmen of the Board


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MVLE 2008 Annual Report 1

1 MVLE 2009 Annual Report

Our Mission

To create futures one person at a time for people with

disabilities through employment and support services.

Our Vision

Utilizing best business practices, MVLE will encourage

personal and professional growth for people living with

disabilities.

Our Values

MVLEs values are: Respect, Opportunity, Success,

Diversity, and Integrity.


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2MVLE 2008 Annual Report

Accomplishments

Expanding Employment Options for Individualswith Disabilities:

Beginning in early 2009, and still in its infancy, MVLEs new Good Scents potpourri

line of business has increased sales distribution to over 20 Whole Foods Market stores. In

order to sustain increased sales growth, our production process is now being completed at

two of MVLEs three locations, which will provide a new employment option for 29

individuals with severe disabilities.

The Walter Reed Army Medical Center contract doubled in annual revenues and added

33 positions for individuals with disabilities who are working full-time and earning an

average of $11.82 per hour with benets.

NISH, MVLEs largest bulk mail warehouse and fulllment services customer, renewed

their contract with MVLE.

In FY 2009, individuals with disabilities who were employed by MVLE earned

$1,112,474. in remunerative wages.

A new branding image was created for DigitalStream, MVLEs secure digital document

management service. DigitalStream is a division of MVLE that is leading in the

development of a national consortium of community rehabilitation programs in secure

document management services.

Rehabilitation Program Accomplishments

In June 2008, MVLE transitioned 24 school graduates from school to the workplace

and to community support options at MVLE.

Access to supported therapies grew dramatically at MVLE during FY 2009, as a

result of grants, community partnerships, and MVLEs volunteer programs. More

than 1,133 hours of art, music, horticulture, pet-assistive technology, and physical

therapy were provided to MVLE participants at our Springeld and Chantilly

locations. Supported therapies are creating personal successes that enable

individuals with disabilities to become all they are capable of becoming.

MVLE staff received more than 52,180 hours of training. Training is the key to

sustaining and building the knowledge, skill, and sensitivity of staff that result inhigh quality services, and in staff commitment to the value of rights and personal

freedoms, choice, self-determination, dignity, respect, safety, health, relationships,

and community inclusion. Ingrained throughout staff training, these values are

directly linked to the

quality of life of the people they serve.

MVLE received a total of $65,000 in grant funding. Grant money provided art,

music, physical therapy, and assistive technology services, and purchased $17,764

in needed program equipment.

In FY 2009, 630 individuals with disabilities were served through MVLEs day

support, production, community access community employment, individual

supported employment, or Federal contract programs.



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Organizational Recognition

MVLE was a Top Five nalist in the 2009 Washington PostAwardcompetition in the

category of Excellence in Non-Prot Management.

MVLE developed two commercial lines of business that will provide funding

diversication and increased employment options for individuals with disabilities.

MVLEs Human Resources department undertook the recruiting and hiring of 33

individuals with disabilities to support the expansion of the Walter Reed Army Medical

Center janitorial contract.

In collaboration with the Northern Virginia Training Consortium, MVLE contributed to

the development of a training curriculum for front-line supervisors.

MVLEs Volunteer program logged 189 volunteers,who provided 2,022 hours of

volunteer service in support of MVLEs mission.

Accomplishments3 MVLE 2009 Annual Report


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Diversity

John Healy Learns Art as a Language

In January 2009, John Healy was introduced to art therapy as a group participant in

MVLEs Art Therapy program. The program was created by joining a United Way grantand George Washington Universitys art therapy internship program.

When John was rst introduced to the art therapy environment, he was hesitant to engage

with the art materials. He would sit for the rst few minutes of a session contemplating

the paper in front of him before reaching for the oil paint and grabbing the yellow tube.

He quickly produced seven pieces of artwork, using circular and linear sweeping motions,

recorded rst in yellow, then in black, then in two shades of blue. John was

communicating by using art as a language. Johns intellectual and developmental

disability, coupled with his physical handicaps, compel him to use a wheelchair leaving

him with limited ne motor skills. In addition, a hearing impairment severely limits hisexpressive verbal communication.

In the weeks that followed, John explored many new media. As weeks went by, a

markedly personal style began to emerge and it came to light most clearly in his sixth

week of work. John now possessed a clear artistic voice. At this time, John began intense

work on a similar representation in his artwork, using a diagonally sweeping motion from

the upper right area of his paper to the bottom left.

Johns artistic voice continued to develop. When arriving at art therapy, he would sit at

the table and immediately begin to work with no prompts from the art therapist. Alongwith self-initiation, a critical milestone in his progress, John slowed down to produce one

highly developed piece of artwork during each session. He created layer upon layer of oil

pastel. Although John is verbally mute, his abstract art representations conveyed deep and

complex emotions, evoking high acclaim from viewers who attended MVLEs June art

therapy showcase. Viewers enthusiastically connected to Johns art.

As a result of Johns success, MVLE is researching and evaluating program resources and

options for John and other individuals to create works of art as their livelihood. Such a

program would support artistic ventures by individuals with intellectual

developmental disabilities, aiding them in selling their artwork to the local community.

Art therapy allowed John to develop the unique ability to produce artwork to which

viewer response provided him with a voice and language he had never enjoyed.


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Michael Buycks

Michael Buycks has become a valued and respected employee. His new job changed

his life. Michael, who is 23, has Aspergers syndrome (AS). AS is considered a formof autism; however, unlike individuals aficted with autism, those with AS are verbal

but encounter difculties in social and communicative interactions.

When, at age 18, Michael graduated from school without critical transition services,

he simply stayed at home. Although he was intelligent, he had no social skills and

couldnt understand how to match his abilities to employment options. As a result,

Michaels series of work experiences was frustrating. These disappointments almost

led him to not ever want to work. He was offered employment at the AAFEX food

court, but

transportation was problematic, and he could not accept the job. He then tried the JobCorps, a Federally-sponsored career technical training and education program for

young people ages 16 to 24. He left Job Corps when he encountered

Opportunity

difculties in getting along with others. Upon Michaels return from the Job Corps, his

MVLE Employment Consultant and the Virginia Department of Rehabilitative Services

(DRS) placed Michael in a recycling position, and he seemed to be succeeding at

recycling work; but, within 15 months, the recycling business closed. Michael was again

unemployed. Michaels sense of ambition was diminishing. He was locking himself in his

room, and shutting out the world around him.

The MVLE Employment Consultant and DRS aggressively searched for a position that

would suit Michaels preferences, and would also accommodate him and his disabilities.

A custodian job at Impressions Marketing Group, Inc., in Lorton, VA, was located.

Michael, a weightlifting enthusiast who is almost six feet tall and very muscular, now

empties 50-gallon drums, cleans up lumber scraps, shovels sawdust, and helps with

loading and unloading shipments in the Impressions production-fabrication warehouse. In

April 2008, on Michaels second day on the job, Joe Holland, Impressions Maintenance

Supervisor, told the MVLE Employment Consultant, we love him; hes just what we

need! Michael now works 32 hours a week, and his mother provides support and training

for Michael to sustain his living independently in his own apartment.

Michael enjoys the autonomy he has on the job, and being treated with respect. Knowing

that he is valued for his good performance is giving him a sense of self worth and social

validation. Based on Michaels performance, Impressions is expanding his job duties to

include collecting the recycling materials from the ofce areas.

This year has been a very successful one for Michael with respect to his work and his

personal life. He now has his own apartment in Lorton, VA. He enjoys living

independently and has become more social at work. He is very friendly with the people

he knows, and loves the opportunity to discuss sports such as basketball and baseball.

Michael thinks his dream job would be car detailing or auto body work, but, for now, this

brown-haired, brown-eyed young man feels respected and loves his job.



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Respect

The Road to Opportunity Creates a FutureJoyce McCall

Opportunity by denition is a good chance for advancement or progress. AtMVLE, our focus is on providing opportunities in the community for people with

intellectual disabilities.

People must know the past in order to understand the present and face the future.Prior to 1989, Joyce McCalls life consisted of little to no opportunity. From an ear-ly age, she resided at Central Virginia Training Center (CVTC), a state institution.

As a mature woman in her late 40s, Joyce was de-institutionalized and moved

from CVTC to Northern Virginia to receive community-based services. Personal

choice was not the hallmark of services for individuals institutionalized at CVTC.Rather, CVTC services presupposed that individuals with disabilities needed

protection and sheltering from society.

Joyces institutional life offered no room for choices or self-determination. How-

ever, once assimilated in the Northern Virginia community, despite many medical

troubles and, yes, some disruptive behaviors, Joyce gradually became a uniqueindividual with support and opportunities to make choices based on her personalpreferences.

For several years, MVLE has been part of Joyces community network of support

and services. But in this past year, Joyce has blossomed beyond everyones expecta-

tions. Music activities at MVLE have given Joyce a new sense of self-fulllment.

She is now described as outgoing and happy. Incidents of verbal aggression and

refusal to participate in program activities are a rare occurrence. Joyce is hooked onMVLE Zumba classes, using her walker to dance to upbeat Zumba Latin rhythms.

She is enjoying a diverse array of MVLE classes and activities, such as yoga, music

appreciation events, and art activities. She can lead group discussions of books, and

can be heard singing gospel hymns in tune.

Despite so many formidable barriers, concepts of self-determination and individual-

ized support for Joyce have successfully replaced destructive misconceptions and

practices of the past. The present is providing Joyce with a rich life and future based

on her own personal choices. At MVLE, our goal to continually improve services

assures a future in which people with disabilities are viewed as equals.



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Integrity

Integrity in Action

Several international leaders are credited with saying, integrity is something that

happens when there are no witnesses. Looking back over this past year, wenoticed that, of all our volunteers committed to MVLE, one person stood out. This

person was exceptionally committed, not because her actions spoke louder or her

donations were greater, but because her volunteer efforts enabled MVLE to offer new

and stimulating activities that expanded the quality of MVLE services to individuals

with disabilities.

Each Tuesday, volunteer Laura Stimmell quietly enters MVLEs front door. The time

is 9:55 a.m. sharp. There is no fanfare, no recognition, or glory. Every week, she

faithfully arrives to share her time with others. As Laura dons her MVLE volunteer

nametag, she says a quick hello to the receptionist and then eagerly walks to the

Personal Social Service Group (PSSG) area.

Laura is a member of MVLEs volunteer Book Club. On her own, she seeks books that

include pictures that clearly illustrate the storys message. The individuals in PSSG enjoy

listening to her voice and seeing her face as they connect with a story or poem. Although

Laura seldom receives a verbal thank you from the individuals, she values deeply the

smiles and nods of understanding she receives while she reads to them. Holding steadfast

to her volunteer commitment, Laura demonstrates integrity in action.

As one of MVLEs corps of volunteers, Laura is committed to making a difference in the

lives of PSSG participants and in her own life while also supporting MVLEs mission.

Since the inception of the volunteer program in 2005, MVLE volunteers have provided

5,189 service hours, which benet individuals with disabilities. Each volunteers

donation of time is priceless, and MVLE is thankful for the time, skills, and talents that

each volunteer shares with us. It is exciting and rewarding to see the gratitude on the faces

of the individuals served. Their experiences are more enjoyable, and their lives

are positively inuenced by the activities and social interaction that our volunteers

provide to them.



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Accomplishments

When asked to describe Larry, Becky said of the red-haired, red-bearded employee,

hes a very interesting character. Larry has a lot of company pride and participates in

company events. He works between 30 to 45 hours per week, walking an average of 8

to 10 dogs per day. He provides each pets owner with a Pet Report Card about the

animals activities and behavior before concluding his time with the pet.

Beckys Pet Care is committed to Larrys success as an employee. This is an

exceptional example of corporate social responsibility. When Larry requires more

work hours to maintain his eligibility for company health insurance, Becky nds

additional work for Larry to complete, such as delivering yers. Beckys Pet Cares

social commitment to Larry is supporting Larrys full employment and economic

independence. Larry lives in his own apartment, and has a close bond with his sister

and her family who also live in the area. His parents, who live out-of-state, also

provide additional support that Larry needs; however, Larry prefers to be self-suf-

cient. He drives his own car, enjoys bike riding, and studies the Kabbalah in his

spare time.

Employing Larry resulted in a win-win solution for both Beckys Pet Care and for

Larry. Larry gained the support and direction to sustain long-term employment in a

job he likes, while Beckys Pet Care has a dedicated and enthusiastic employee to meet

customer demand. Additionally, MVLE provides Becky with mailroom services that

save her time and money. This business solution relieves her of the hassle of putting

together business mailings, while also providing individuals in MVLEs production

program with the opportunity to work and earn money. Partnering with Beckys Pet

Care is a great example of how success can result from looking at the possibilities and

not just the challenges.

Creating a Win-Win for Employers andEmployees

Success is a journey, not a destination. Larry is a 44 year-old man who has AspergersSyndrome (AS). His story of success did not come early in life, or easily. In fact, if it

werent for the support of Larrys community employer, Beckys Pet Care, an MVLE

Employment Consultant, and Larrys sister and parents, Larrys life would still be as

frustrating and unfullling as it was before 2005.

Although trained and qualied as a medical lab technician, Larry worked in a different

eld. His early career was stocking and le clerking. Poor social skills, typical of indi-

viduals with Aspergers, made interaction with co-workers difcult and resulted in Larry

losing his job. In 2005, after yet another job separation associated with interpersonal

difculties, Larry indicated he preferred a job requiring less social interaction.

One day, when the MVLE Employment Consultant discussed job development options

with Larrys sister, she suggested a dog walking job. The Consultant met the owner of

Beckys Pet Care at a business networking function. Founded in 1998, the company is a

recognized leader in the pet care industry with 4,000 customers. Their success is based

on commitment to high quality service delivered to clients by more than 60 competent

employees.

Becky, the proprietor of Beckys Pet Care, hired Larry. This was her rst time employing

a person with a disability, and it was not an immediate win-win situation. Although a

kind person who shows a great deal of love for animals, Larry lacked adequate

communication skills.

One of Beckys Pet Care clients withdrew business with Becky after observing Larry

make a verbal outburst to a parking lot attendant. At this point, Becky considered letting

Larry go, but she decided to give Larry a second chance. As his supervisor advised him,

he learned how to improve his behavior and grow from his past experience. He has also

learned to lter his verbal communication, and he now knows what is acceptable to say

when talking to people. Although Larry could obtain higher paying jobs, he says of his

pet walking position, I am getting just what I need, as does his employer, Beckys Pet

Care.



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Success9 MVLE 2009 Annual Report


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Modernizing Ofce Routines

DigitalStream is modernizing ofce routines, leaving more time for customer service

and sales, says Jeffrey Pennington, owner of Kingstowne Insurance Agency.Kingstowne is an independent, full-service insurance agency that takes pride in

delivering good, old-fashioned end-to-end customer service that focuses on looking

out for their clients best interests.

This year, Kingstowne focused on improving customer service. To achieve that goal,

Jeffrey chose to use MVLEs DigitalStream, a secure digital mail and document

management service as a strategy to streamline ofce processes. DigitalSteam allows each

customer to customize the service and outcomes they want to achieve. Kingstownes

postal mail is now delivered to MVLEs Secure Digital Document Center where eachenvelope is security checked, opened, scanned, and then loaded into a secure, Web-based

system where it is archived. An e-mail is then sent to Pennington using a password-

protected digital mailbox. Kingstowne can now manage their postal mail digitally, fromanywhere via the Internet. They can then forward, le, delete, save, and print postal mail

documentsjust as with e-mail.

DigitalStreams secured mail and document management service reduces the need for

Kingstowne Insurance Agency to maintain paper ling systems. Studies have shown that

employees spend twenty percent of their day searching for information, not to mention

that, in paper ling systems, documents are very susceptible to being misplaced or lost.

Digital mail services reduce costs associated with ling, archiving and long-term storageof paper records. Scanned documents can easily be accessed from a computer in seconds,

and, once scanned, are easily backed up and protected on servers or storage devices.

Pennington says, I dont have to touch les or nd paper documents anymore since the

ofce mail is automated. This new process leaves me more time to spend with custom-

ers and prospects. Thats the bottom line impact. In addition, Kingstowne is now able to

provide its customers with digital documents.

DigitalStream is also opening technology career paths for MVLE employees with

disabilities who perform the secured digital mail and document management services

using state-of-the-art equipment and methods. Historically, ofce and technical career

paths for individuals with disabilities have been limited. DigitalStream targets a specicbusiness need and is fostering success for businesses such as Kingstowne Insurance

Agency, as well as dening new employment options for individuals with disabilities.

espect Opportun10 MVLE 2009 Annual Report


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Accomplishments

Potpourri Project

Beginning in early 2009 with just a few employees, Good Scents, a new line of business

developed by MVLE, now provides jobs for more than thirty individuals with disabilities

at our Chantilly and Boston locations. The scented oral products production process

accommodates people with varying severity of disability. As a result, there is great

potential for developing new skills and, thus, generating new employment opportunities

for the MVLE workforce, who are involved in every aspect of production. The process

starts with the sorting and drying of owers donated by Whole Foods Market, Trader

Joes, and other supermarkets. Then the botanical blends are scented and carefully packed

into cellophane bags and various sachets. To achieve the right look, the potpourri blends

in the bags are carefully arranged according to a prescribed pattern. Finally, labels are

afxed and the product is packed into boxes for delivery to participating retailers.

Although MVLEs Good Scents line of business is still in its infancy, our potpourri

product line is now sold in over 20 Whole Foods Market stores, as well as other retail

outlets in the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan area. MVLE has successfully built a sales

network within this region. In addition to commercial store sales, MVLE is also reaching

out to supportive businesses, churches, and other organizations that can use our products

as a fundraising tool. Our future goal is for individuals with disabilities to extend their

work from producing the potpourri to selling potpourri products. It just makes good

sense to create futures for individuals with disabilities in ways that encourage their

personal and professional growth.



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12MVLE 2008 Annual Report12 MVLE 2009 Annual Report

Source of Funds

Use of Funds


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MVLE 2008 Annual Report 1313 MVLE 2009 Annual Report

Expenses

Revenue


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Opportunities

MVLE Lines of Business

Comprehensive Mailroom Services & Web-based Fulllment

Secure Document Management Scanning & Document Destruction Janitorial-Custodial

Rehabilitation Services-Vocational Employment-Day Support

Good Scents Potpourri-scented Floral Products

Employment Solutions to the Community Businesses

Car Detailing

Food Service

Flyer & Neighborhood Newsletter Delivery

Fulllment

Housekeeping Services

Property MonitorWarehouse Services



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Demographic Statistics2008-2009

GenderMale 61%

Female 39%

EthnicityAfrican American 30%

Caucasian 47%

Asian/Middle Eastern 9%

Hispanic 5%

Other 9%

Type of Disability

Intellectually Disabled 82%Mental Health 7 %

Learning Disabled 5%

Deaf 1%

Unspecied disability 5%

Historical Perspectives of People served2008-2009 630

2007-2008 546

2006-2007 480

2005-2006 421

2004-2005 396


Includes all served active, inactive * terminated during the scal year

prior years represented static capacity at the end of the reporting period


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Board OfDirectorsMember List

FY 200916 MVLE 2009 Annual Report

April Pinch-KeelerPresident, CEO

Kenan AdenSenior Vice President

Program Services

Ken RushVice President

Business Contracts and Development

Paul KoepngerVice PresidentBusiness Operations and Development

Samantha DiColaVice President

HR and Administration

Executive Staff


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MVLE 2008 Annual Report 117 MVLE 2009 Annual Report

Ofcers Directors

Karen RobersonRealtor/Parent, Coldwell BankerCommittees: Legislative, Business DevelopmentScott Mendelson,Principal,Edge CommercialCommittees: Business Development

Paul SeigleMarket Risk Analyst-PESCommittees: Performance Development, Board Governance

James E. SmithPrincipal Consultant, JS AssociatesCommittee: Business DevelopmentCarmen JonesPresident, Solution Marketing GroupCommittee : Marketing and Business Development

Ken HansenSpecial Assistant for Manufacturing Programs,U.S. Census Bureau, RetiredCommittees: Audit

Robert A. JamesAttorneyBryant Miller Olive

Committee: Finance

Carl E. J. EricsonCommunications ConsultantCommittee: Legislative

Joseph Apa, ChairpersonSenior Partner, The Capital Group Committees:Executive, Finance, Business Development

Gay Shane, Chairperson-ElectDirector, Global Security/FSONES Associates, LLC

Gary Bojes, PhD, TreasurerSenior Program & Policy Advisor,Rural Development Utilities Program,

U.S. Department of AgricultureCommittees: Executive, Finance

Mark Beerthuis, SecretaryU.S. Army-RetiredCommittees: Executive, Board GovernanceB. Frank Doe, Past ChairpersonFinancial Planner, Frank & Darby DoeCommittees: Finance, Audit


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#8257

MVLE is an equal opportunity employer.MVLE is a 501(c)3 not-for-prot organization.

Rehab Center7405 Boston BoulevardSpringeld, Virginia 22153

(703) 569-3900

(703) 569-3932 Fax

(703) 569-1690 TTY

Corporate Headquarters7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110Springeld, Virginia 22153

(703) 569-3900

(703) 569-3932 Fax

(703) 569-1690 TTY

Rehab Center3855 Centerview Drive, Suite 100Chantilly, Virginia 20151

(703) 796-9602

(703) 796-9615 Fax

(703) 569-1690 TTY

Documents

2009 MVLE Annual Report