“To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities  of persons with severe disabilities.”
EEO/AA/M/F/D/V

SEASONS GREETINGS FROM........
It has been a wonderful year and we have all been very blessed.  Our mission and vision for the future are of great importance to people with disabilities and all of you play a significant part.  I wish all of you the very best for the season.  May God bless you and keep enriching your lives.
Phil Taylor, Executive Director

May the blessings of this holiday season be in abundance for you and your family.  Please remember how remarkable you are for sharing so much with those we serve.  I look forward to the wonderful possibilities of the New Year and count my blessings because I get to experience it with such amazing people such as yourself.  Thank you for being part of our “family.”
Cheryl Heskett, Director of Consumer Services

Seasons Greetings!  Words cannot express the love that I feel for each and every individual that is a part of our AU family.  It is my wish that all of you have a blessed and wonderful holiday.  May God continue to grace you with a generous and loving heart.  Thanks for all the wonderful things that you continually do to enhance the lives of our consumers.
Janet Gregory, Case Manager

There are many things to be thankful for as I reflect back on this year:  health, happiness, and prosperity in an abundance of non-monetary ways.  For instance, we are prosperous to have such a cohesive group of staff and workers at AU.  The combined work effort brought to the programs provides for, and makes the consumer’s lives, in turn, healthier, happier and more prosperous.  Your contributions are so important in accomplishing our mission: “To improve the living and working conditions and opportunities of people with severe disabilities.”  I can’t thank you enough for the dedication shown in your individual areas of responsibility.  Each of you is a very special and necessary “spoke” that supports this “wheel of success” called Abilities Unlimited.  Happiest of holidays to you and yours and I look forward to working with you again in the new year.
Lorene Gibson, Assistant Director
 
 

I want to thank my family here at AU for your continued hard work, support and dedication to our consumers.  I am truly in awe of how Blessed we are with wonderful employees who go way beyond the call of duty.  I am so thankful to be in a place that is home to so many.  I wish all of you peace, joy and hope this holiday season and always.  God Bless You All.
Vicky Goodwin, Waiver Coordinator

Another year has passed here at AU and the spirit of giving and caring continues.  All of you have the great fortune to look back on this wonderful year 2001 and know that your gift of love has been shared every day of the year.  Many people do not have a job in which they can so clearly see the value they have to the lives of others.  So, be sure to recognize the lights of happiness you bring to our consumers and know your value exceeds mere words.  You are truly a gift to us all.  God bless you during this holiday season and the coming year 2002 as you continue to help those who need you.  Best Wishes!
Stephanie Gotay, Case Manager

Happy Holidays to you and your family!   I feel blessed to work with so many wonderful people I can truly call family.  Thanks to each of you who continue to give of yourselves daily to our mission.   You are all so special!
DeeDee Holland, HRM
 
 
 

WELCOME TO A.U.

Melanie Barber    WAC/AD Aide
Ronnie Boling    Flex Employee
Kathy Branscum   Flex Employee
Karen Burleson   Job Coach
Felicia Collins    Flex Employee
Amber Corder    Flex Employee
Veronica Gamboa   Flex Employee
Randy Graham    Flex Employee
Kimberly Gramling   Flex Employee
Carolyn Johnson   Flex Employee
Archie Mays    ACS Implementor
Janie Nierstheimer   Flex Employee
Samantha O’Guinn   Job Coach
Chasity Pate    Flex Employee
Valarie Qualls    E-bay Sales
Corry Riggs    ACS Implementor
Charles Simmons   ACS Implementor
Carlus Smith    ACS Implementor
Melonie Sullivan   ACS Implementor
Marshall Sutterfield   ACS Implementor
Christine Tate    ACS Implementor
Brandy Taylor    ACS Implementor
Latricia Thompson   Flex Employee
Pierre Williams   Flex Employee
Stairan Williams   ACS Implementor
 

NOVEMBER SERVICE AWARD

For the month of November, Service Awards were given to Lynda Dillon and Brenda Garner for one year of service with Abilities Unlimited.  They each received a certificate and pin.  Also, Sylvia Hester celebrated her five year anniversary with us in November and will receive a plaque and pin and have the opportunity to have lunch with the Board.  Congratulations!
 

FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE ACT INFO.

Abilities Unlimited offers our employees family medical leave under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA).  FMLA offers employees up to 12 weeks (84 days) of unpaid time off in the event of: birth of the employee’s child; the adoption or foster care of a child by the employee; the caring for a child, spouse, or parent of the employee who has a “serious health condition” which makes the employee unable to work.  Those that qualify for this benefit are employees who have worked with AU for a minimum of one year prior to the request for leave, and who have worked a minimum of 1,250 hours during the prior year and works within 75 miles of AU.  If you need more information, please contact DeeDee.
 

Happy
   December
       Birthdays
 
 

Christenia Jackson   1st
Kimberly Head   2nd
Felicia Collins   3rd
Corry Riggs    7th
Brian Crayton    8th
Sean Greene    8th
David Ladd    13th
Angela Millner   14th
Jennifer Broadway   17th
Cheryl Heskett   17th
Michelle Pitts    17th
Pearlie Purnell   17th
Patricia Stokes   22nd
Joanie Wilhite   23rd
Joan Gilmore    25th
Valarie Qualls   28th
Trevor Nicholas   29th
Angela Hogan   31st
Jan Parker    31st  HOLIDAY SCHEDULE

The Business Office, Wood Shop, Production Center, and Paragould Work Center will be closed for the following holidays:

Christmas: December 24th  (Monday)
  December 25th  (Tuesday)
New Years: January 1st  (Tuesday)
 

The Retail Stores in Jonesboro and Paragould will be closed for the following holidays.  Other days off will need to be coordinated by the Sales Manager for Jonesboro or Paragould:

Christmas: December 24th (Monday)
  December 25th  (Tuesday)
New Years: January 1st (Tuesday)

The Personal Adjustment Center will be open all days.  Regular work schedules will be observed with any time off approved by Paul.