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Unleashing Potential: Drew Clemens' Rise to Success

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  At the core of every triumph lies a narrative of perseverance, evolution, and the steadfast guidance of committed experts. For Drew Clemens, his path to professional satisfaction has been shaped by the unwavering aid of Meredith Brickhouse, his counselor here at The Choice Group. Since 2020, Meredith has been working closely with Drew, providing personalized support to help him thrive in his employment journey. Drew, a valued member of our program, found meaningful employment at a local hospital, where he excelled in his role as a mentor to interns. Drew's strengths have played a pivotal role in his success in his position. Known for his patience, focus, and dedication, Drew embodies the qualities of an exemplary mentor. His ability to guide and support interns through their professional development has earned him recognition and respect within the hospital community. Since starting his position, Drew has achieved notable milestones, including being awarded Employee of the Year—a

Navigating Medicaid Benefits While Working - Colin’s Journey with The Choice Group

The world of employment can often bring challenges, especially when it comes to maintaining essential benefits while pursuing work opportunities. Colin's experience with The Choice Group sheds light on how dedicated support can help individuals overcome these obstacles with practical guidance and assistance. Colin's connection with The Choice Group began in 2019, as he started his journey towards a fulfilling career with support from services provided by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services (DARS). Amidst the intricacies of securing and maintaining employment, Colin encountered the need to navigate his Medicaid benefits while actively working—a task that can be overwhelming without proper guidance. A crucial part of Colin's journey was working with a Benefits Counselor from The Choice Group. They helped him understand how his job wouldn't affect his Medicaid coverage, which was vital for his medical needs. As Colin moved from being a cashier to an IT app

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