Rhonda's Success with The Choice Group

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Rhonda from Charlottesville loves the new found independence she gained from being employed! 

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Building Confidence, Skills, and Independence: Dexter’s Journey

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By: Billy Kraus, Employment Counselor Service Area: Virtual PEERS courses throughout Virginia When I first began working with Dexter in December 2024, he was a bright, kind, and creative young man with a goal that so many of our students share. He wanted meaningful work, real independence, and a chance to contribute in a workplace where he could thrive. What he needed most was support building his confidence and strengthening his communication skills so he could feel prepared stepping into competitive employment. Through several months of Pre-Employment Transition Services and Situational Assessments, we were able to better understand Dexter’s strengths, interests, and needs. From there, he participated in our PEERS Social Skills course. This turned out to be a truly pivotal experience for him. During the program, Dexter practiced social awareness, communication strategies, and real world interaction skills. Over time, I watched him gain confidence, find his voice, and begin to truly b...
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Frances’ Success Story

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Source: Ticket to Work Program, Social Security Administration . “Frances’ Success Story” , choosework.ssa.gov./library A Healing Journey Back to Work While at a local restaurant having lunch with her husband, Frances noticed a group of nurses in crisp white scrubs enjoying their lunch break together. It sounded like they were reflecting on something amusing from work or sharing an experience they had with a kind patient that day. They looked so happy, and it was this moment that sparked her desire to go further in her medical career and become a registered nurse. Frances was already a respiratory therapist and enjoyed a rewarding career, but becoming a nurse was her true goal. A few years later, Frances enrolled in school to pursue her dream. She became a registered nurse in 2004. At that time, Frances could have never imagined that in 2018, a medical crisis would pause everything… but only temporarily. “I think I’m having a stroke!” Frances said as she sat in her car alone with horri...
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Paper Social Security Checks Ending September 30th, 2025

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If you currently receive your Social Security or SSI benefits by paper check, it’s important to know that after September 30, 2025, paper checks will no longer be issued. From that date forward, all benefits will only be delivered electronically, either through direct deposit to a bank account or onto a prepaid Direct Express debit card. While the Social Security Administration (SSA) points to cost savings and fraud prevention as reasons for this change, many advocates are raising serious concerns about how it will affect people with disabilities, older adults, and others who rely on paper checks. For many, paper checks are not just a payment method — they are a trusted, accessible, and familiar lifeline. Here are some of the biggest concerns experts have raised: Loss of Access: Not everyone has a bank account, smartphone, or internet connection. Without those, electronic-only payments can be very difficult to manage. Digital Divide: People living with disabilities or without stable ho...
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Claire Adams- Counselor Feature

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Claire Adams has been with The Choice Group for over a year now and works the South Hampton Roads area, mainly the Oceanfront and Norfolk. Her most memorable experience with The Choice Group was the day that one of her most challenging clients transitioned from struggling to maintain jobs to “one of the most treasured employees who brings joy to the entire kitchen”. This client found a job, with the help of Claire, at Chick-fil-A where his manager raves about him and it has been one of her proudest and most memorable experiences.  Claire says she has learned so much  about the value of persistence and patience, the power of advocating for client needs, the importance of educating client co-workers and developing a strong relationship with client managers, and the impact of team work. Claire loves getting to know her clients and watching them achieve their goals which she finds incredibly rewarding. She says that she loves people and that this job has opene...
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