News

Vocational Solutions opens 'clean room' for sterile packing

By Miranda McFalls, Published: December 30, 2013

Vocational Solutions received touch-screen computers that will help its workforce of handicapped adults use the digital devise for the first time.

The organization also announced that it had used a $25,000 grant from Henderson County to add a printing press and said that in early 2014 it would open its "clean room" to package and ship 80,000 sterile surgical washcloths a week for Arden-based Medical Action. The agency will add between six to eight new workers for the job.
"With that grant money, we've been able to open up our new printing business," said Allen Combs, executive director of Vocational Solutions, "and we've been able to get our clean room operational and ready for work."
The new work is part of a year of expansion for Vocational Solutions, which has improved its finances by adding new contracts.
"Today is a big deal. It's like the culmination of our year," Combs said. "A year and a half ago, we didn't know we would be this far. We're moving forward. There is a positive feeling in the building and it's because of my staff."
The touch-screen computers, which were bought with a $6,423 grant from the Community Foundation of Western North Carolina, will help clients who have trouble using a keyboard or mouse.
The screens are "going to help everyone because it's so much easier to touch the screen," Combs said. "Our clients who don't have the dexterity to use a mouse can touch the screen."
Clients will play games that teach life skills and math on the new computers.
"I have two computer classes and you have no idea how wonderful it is to find someone who finally gets the curser to move to the right place," said Tammy Krikendal, Vocational Solutions staff member. "These are going to be a tremendous lesson. They're not a tool, they're a blessing."
The party featured singing by the Innovation Music Class, which is made up of clients who work at Vocational Solutions. The music class hosted a program called the M&M Christmas celebration featuring a medley of carols including "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." Client Sandy Zimmer sang two solos and Jacob Jones, another client, read a story. Two clients were dressed up as Mary and Joseph as the Innovation Music Class sang.
To close out the program, the clients performed a skit to explain why they used M&Ms as the focal point of the program. If you manipulate the "M", you can make an "E," which stands for the East where Jesus was born. You can almost make an "M," which stands for the manger he lay in. You can make a "3," for the Three Wise Men. Last, you can make a "W," which stands for Worship.
Clients, staff members and family enjoyed a meal provided by Outback Steakhouse.
The event "was a celebration of life here at Vocational Solutions," Krikendal said. "It's not about me or anything else except the life that we enjoy here. It's about the clients, it's about the services and the things that enhance our community."

For more information about Vocational Solutions or to learn more about the printing press, call (828) 692-9626.