Posts

Michael Powell: One Client’s Compassion in Action

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In the normally calm aisles of Harris Teeter, where everyday tasks often revolve around groceries and daily routines, one employee stood out recently for his extraordinary act of compassion and quick thinking. Meet Michael Powell, a familiar face at the Hanbury Road Harris Teeter in Chesapeake, whose passion for helping others extends beyond the supermarket shelves. Michael, a seven-year veteran of The Choice Group, brings a unique blend of dedication and community spirit to both his work at Harris Teeter and his personal pursuits. When he's not bagging groceries, collecting shopping carts, or delivering groceries to customers' vehicles, you might find him engaged in a strategic card game with friends or lending a hand at the Hickory Trading Company coffee shop. When news broke of the disappearance of 82-year-old Janice Hall , who had wandered away from a dental appointment, Michael's immediate response was to offer his assistance. Without hesitation, Michael began searchin

Breaking Barriers in the Hospitality Industry

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  Our Vocational counselor, Debby Henry, works in our Northwest area and is proud to have Alexander Marschall as a client. Debby and Alex embarked on their journey together in January of 2023, when Alex began working with his current employer. “Alex is outgoing and personable, he has such a charming personality!” said Debby. He is always willing to learn new tasks and different applications to accommodate some of his disabilities. It was evident to her that Alex's outgoing nature and adaptability would make him an excellent fit with his co-workers. So, they completed situational assessments to determine the ideal jobs for him to pursue. They focused on interview skills with DARS Placement Counselors to arm Alex with the confidence he would need to take on his first job with confidence, starting with the interview process. Since the beginning of the year, Alex has been working as a restaurant host. He welcomes customers, finds available tables to seat customers, provides menus, and

Exciting News: The WISA Team is Growing!

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At The Choice Group, we are delighted to bring you some exciting news – our Work Incentives Specialist team, also known as Benefits Counseling, is on the path of incredible growth! Recently, we've had the pleasure of welcoming new certified experts and the return of familiar faces to our ranks. They are committed to assisting our clients in navigating the complexities of Social Security and health benefits while pursuing their professional goals. Let's begin by introducing two exceptional individuals, Jamie Scott-Bryant and Terra Brubaker, both of whom are located in the Hampton Roads area. These remarkable professionals have successfully achieved their certification as Work Incentives Practitioners through Cornell University. Terra extends her services to clients in the Virginia Beach and Norfolk regions, while Jamie primarily focuses on assisting clients within The Choice Group's Ticket to Work program. With their expertise, we can be confident that our client’s benefits

Unmasking Moebius Syndrome: Katrina Donovan's Inspirational Journey

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At a recent staff meeting in Hampton Roads, we had the privilege of hosting a remarkable individual, Katrina Donovan, whose presence left a profound impact on all of us. Her inspiring story shed light on Moebius Syndrome, an infrequent neurological disorder that affects individuals in unique ways. As Katrina stood before us, her intelligence, kindness, confidence, and sense of humor were evident, making her advocacy work for Moebius Syndrome all the more remarkable. "My name is Katrina, and I have Moebius Syndrome," she began, introducing herself to the attentive audience. Hailing from Smithfield, Virginia, USA, Katrina shared that she is a proud mother of three beautiful and intelligent children unaffected by the syndrome. Thanks to early diagnosis, therapeutic interventions, and three eye surgeries before the age of eight, Katrina was able to receive crucial support to manage her condition. Moebius Syndrome is an incredibly rare congenital neurological disorder characterize

We'll Weather the Weather, Whatever the Weather

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Christian McBee, a current high school student, has long held a fascination with the field of meteorology. Recently he was given an opportunity that is sure to be remembered for years to come. In a virtual meeting facilitated by his counselor, Billy Kraus, Christian had the privilege of engaging with Ricky Matthews, a local meteorologist. In preparation for the meeting, Christian carefully prepared a set of questions, which he eagerly posed to Ricky. In return, Ricky provided Christian and Billy a virtual tour of the news station, giving a glimpse into their data collection equipment, including their weather radar. Ricky then showed Christian how he uses the data that they collect to make the infographics they use on air. The meeting proved to be an incredibly rewarding and enjoyable experience for everyone. As his time with WBLE drew to a close, Christian found himself drawn to meteorology so much that he is now exploring the prospect of pursuing meteorology as an academic path. It so