The Choice Group

“All my life I have had to prove people wrong… but I am not easily intimidated.” Alberto Gamboa shares about the career he has built, in spite of expectations from a young age that he would not accomplish much because of his disability.  Alberto was born in Columbia with Cerebral Palsy. Doctors feared he would not live, much less lead a successful life. He defied all expectations by making a life for himself and building a meaningful career that has lasted decades.   As a teenager, Alberto came to the United States and worked his way through college as a dishwasher in Florida. He began his professional career working with the children of migrant families through the Palm Beach County School Board and received a Masters of Science in Organizational Leadership.  For twenty years, Alberto worked full time in spite of the physical limitations he experienced as a result of Cerebral Palsy. He began as a community resource facilitator for migrant families and grew wit...

Have questions about Ticket to Work? Join our group orientation and Q & A session every 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month in our Richmond office location. Please call our office at (804) 278-9151 and provide your name and phone number to reserve a seat as seating is limited! No cost and no obligation.

We'd like to welcome our newest members of The Choice Group Richmond team!  Alexandra Thomas   Vocational Counselor Cliff Carter   Vocational Counselor Lakeshia Ward   Vocational Counselor Mary Chris Warner   Vocational Technician Nolan Speichinger Vocational Counselor

Next Round of the National Beneficiary Survey Begins in February 2017 ( http://www.ssa.gov/disabilityresearch/nbs.html ) The Social Security Administration will launch the next round of the National Beneficiary Survey (NBS) in February 2017. The NBS is an important survey sponsored by the Social Security Administration to collect information about beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities. We need your help! If a beneficiary asks you about the NBS, please encourage them to participate in this very important survey. The NBS collects information on the programs and services used by beneficiaries and recipients with disabilities, their health, and any employment goals they may have. SSA will use this information to gain a better understanding of the characteristics of beneficiaries that are not available from our administrative records. We use the information to assess how well our programs are meeting the needs of disability beneficiaries and developing policy. The ...

Warren “Buddy” Blatz started with The Choice Group over three years ago as a Vocational Counselor in the Charlottesville and Culpeper areas. Buddy has “mad” skills on the golf green and has supported TCG in many VRA sponsored events, playing golf with collaborative agencies across the state. Buddy began as both a Vocational Counselor and as a Work Incentive Specialist and has since supported hundreds of clients in determining their needs regarding benefits from the SSA and gaining employment. This month, Buddy has obtained the promotion to a Lead Vocational Counselor and he will continue to grow in his leadership and training of staff within the Central Region. Buddy is irreplaceable and we are appreciative of his wit and humor, his laidback attitude, and his adept problem-solving skills. Way to go Buddy!

When Jeff and I started working together in October of 2015, he really wanted a job.  He had work experience but was not happy at his previous place of employment.  While we were looking for a job together, he was volunteering at the non-profit organization, Hanover Humane Society.  He’s an animal lover and wanted to work for them, however, at the time,  there was not an open position that would be a good fit for Jeff , so he kept volunteering  and working with me to apply for other positions.     Jeff is very personable and well spoken— interviewing is one of his strengths!  As we looked for employment, nothing seemed to fit as well as his love of working with animals.  Finally, after  keeping a close eye out for an opening , the Hanover Humane Society  needed to hire a person  and brought him on the team! Some of Jeff’s duties include maintenance like cleaning the kennels, sweeping, and using the power wash...