Your Student Is Graduating – Now What?

050514Wyman Sunflower Frame montage1Parents! Are you interested in helping your high school senior find a job after they graduate? Dale Rogers Training Center offers Supported Employment Services through DRS (Department of Rehabilitation Services). Skilled and knowledgeable job coaches can help your student fill out job applications, prepare for interviews, and provide on-the-job training. Assist your student in transitioning from high school to community employment by getting this service authorized by their DRS counselor. If you have questions or are in need of additional information, please contact Ty Beasley, Transition Coordinator, at (405) 946-4489 ext. 1504.

Lacy French, Transition Instructor

Julie’s story

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A huge smile grows on Julie’s face and her eyes light up when asked about her new job at Dale Rogers Training Center’s Papa Murphy’s store. Julie said, making the dough is my absolute favorite. It’s like science. I love science and you have to get the dough done just right.” The community job is a large transition from the DRTC in-house programs she has been a part of for six years. When Julie was asked why she wanted to work at Papa Murphy’s she said, “to better myself, to feel like I’ve accomplished something. It’s my first real job out in the community.”

Julie has grown confident in her work at Papa Murphy’s and learned a few lessons. Julie does the prep work in the mornings preparing the vegetables and the dough. Growing accustomed to prep charts and the fast pace of a retail establishment has taken Julie some time, but she is improving and constantly learning. Part of having a community job is transportation.

Julie rides the bus to work and loves it. Her first day of work she got off at the wrong stop, but Julie was not worried, rather she thought, “I can handle this.” Julie said the “sense of freedom [she] gets riding the bus is well worth it.”

With the money Julie is earning she plans to pay off her medical expenses and purchase her very own laptop and internet service. “DRTC trains you before you jump in on the big day,” said Julie. “I’m reaching my goal. I want to eventually own my own business, owning a bakery is a long-term goal.”

-featured in the United Way of Central Oklahoma Vital Signs Report, 2013

Rain, Rain, Go Away

connie_dustin_deborah_dusty_s

WHAT A CELEBRATION LOOKS LIKE


October 13th, 2013

A note from the Director:

Rain, Rain, Go Away

After a series of “no rain” dances and chanting, the moisture in the clouds stayed for 24 hours longer and did not rain on our day-long 60th anniversary event. Whew!

Over 1,000 people criss-crossed our campus at NW 23rd and Utah on October 13th (despite the OU-Texas game!). The morning consisted of a program by former Governor Nigh and Mrs. Nigh, Jane Jayroe Gamble, Dr. Bob Blackburn, and of course, Roy Rogers, Jr. (Dusty) and his son, Dustin.  Their stories were poignant and ended with the unveiling of the Robin’s Corner museum display from Branson, and a vintage Roy & Dale Rogers memorabilia collection (now open M-F, 8am-5pm). The 13th was also the opening day for Wyman Frame and its new retail showroom.

That afternoon, fans of all ages enjoyed viewing program displays, touring the new building and visiting with people with disabilities from the Tinker, FAA and GSA Work Projects showing off their different custodial jobs. You could hear the pride in their voices.

To end the day, about 450 cowboy and western fans went into the (really) Big Top Tent to hear Roy Rogers, Jr. and the High Riders play.  The fact that they were amazing musicians and singers was demonstrated by the two standing ovations they received.  The Rogers stayed after the show until every single person at the concert had the autograph and pictures they wanted as a memento.

Because of your support and advocacy, this celebratory day was made possible!

So thank you, from the 1,000 folks who joined the festivities for the 60th Anniversary of Dale Rogers, Blazing Trails and Promoting Abilities!  A 60th Anniversary Newsletter will go out next month (mid-November) with more stories and pictures.

Thank you from the Board of Directors and Management
of the Dale Rogers Training Center!

Connie

Rain, Rain, Go Away

connie_dustin_deborah_dusty_s

WHAT A CELEBRATION LOOKS LIKE


October 13th, 2013

A note from the Director:

Rain, Rain, Go Away

After a series of “no rain” dances and chanting, the moisture in the clouds stayed for 24 hours longer and did not rain on our day-long 60th anniversary event. Whew!

Over 1,000 people criss-crossed our campus at NW 23rd and Utah on October 13th (despite the OU-Texas game!). The morning consisted of a program by former Governor Nigh and Mrs. Nigh, Jane Jayroe Gamble, Dr. Bob Blackburn, and of course, Roy Rogers, Jr. (Dusty) and his son, Dustin.  Their stories were poignant and ended with the unveiling of the Robin’s Corner museum display from Branson, and a vintage Roy & Dale Rogers memorabilia collection (now open M-F, 8am-5pm). The 13th was also the opening day for Wyman Frame and its new retail showroom.

That afternoon, fans of all ages enjoyed viewing program displays, touring the new building and visiting with people with disabilities from the Tinker, FAA and GSA Work Projects showing off their different custodial jobs. You could hear the pride in their voices.

To end the day, about 450 cowboy and western fans went into the (really) Big Top Tent to hear Roy Rogers, Jr. and the High Riders play.  The fact that they were amazing musicians and singers was demonstrated by the two standing ovations they received.  The Rogers stayed after the show until every single person at the concert had the autograph and pictures they wanted as a memento.

Because of your support and advocacy, this celebratory day was made possible!

So thank you, from the 1,000 folks who joined the festivities for the 60th Anniversary of Dale Rogers, Blazing Trails and Promoting Abilities!  A 60th Anniversary Newsletter will go out next month (mid-November) with more stories and pictures.

Thank you from the Board of Directors and Management
of the Dale Rogers Training Center!

Connie

Honoring Robin Rogers on her birthday

Honoring Robin Rogers on her birthday

Robin was a bright light in Dale and Roy Rogers’ lives. She was born with Down syndrome and in her short life of 2 years, she inspired the beginning of great changes for people with disabilities. Upon the release of Angel Unaware, Dale’s popular book chronicling Robin’s short life, the support of people with disabilities grew exponentially as it reached millions who admired Dale and Roy Rogers for their candor and their devotion to their daughter.

At our 60th Anniversary celebration in October, the Rogers family will unveil the “Robin’s Corner” museum exhibit to be on display on campus. This exhibit will contain items mentioned in the book that were once owned by Robin, all items were generously donated by the Rogers family from their museum in Branson, MO. DRTC is honored to carry on the Rogers family legacy in their support of people with disabilities.

News Release: DRTC is first in the nation to own a Papa Murphy’s franchise

News Release: DRTC is first in the nation to own a Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise. Read more here: http://www.drtc.org/pr061013_papamurphys_go.htm #OKC #media #nonprofit

News Release: DRTC is first in the nation to own a Papa Murphy’s franchise

News Release: DRTC is first in the nation to own a Papa Murphy’s pizza franchise. Read more here: http://www.drtc.org/pr061013_papamurphys_go.htm #OKC #media #nonprofit

I’m graduating…now what?

MH900408912For those of you who are graduating this year, it is likely that you’re planning on getting a job. If you have a disability and are interested in employment, Oklahoma’s Department of Rehabilitation Services (DRS) can provide support to help you find and obtain a job. One type of support they offer is the Milestone Program, this program provides job coaching services where they can assist with finding jobs, filling out applications, preparing for interviews and provide on-the-job training. Dale Rogers Training Center (DRTC) offers this service through the Employment Services Department, but you must be authorized by your DRS counselor first.

If additional vocational training would benefit you, the DRTC in-house workforce program might be an option. This is funded through the Developmental Disabilities Services Division of DHS (DDSD), and a DRTC application is required.

For questions or information about either of these programs, or for a workshop application, please contact Ty Beasley, Transition Coordinator, at 946-4489 ext 504.

Helpful DRS link: http://www.okrehab.org/seekers/seekers-supported-emp.htm

DRTC celebrates 10 year partnership with Pelco Products Inc.

Dale Rogers client and Pelco employee Chris Howell assembles parts kits Friday at the Pelco facility in Edmond. Photo By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman
Dale Rogers client and Pelco employee Chris Howell assembles parts kits Friday at the Pelco facility in Edmond. Photo By Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Dale Rogers Training Center and Pelco Products have reached a milestone; they celebrated their 10 year partnership in October.

Pelco opened in 1985 and quickly became the largest manufacturer of traffic signal hardware in the United States, currently serving 50 states nationally and 14 countries worldwide. In an effort to both reduce costs and improve productivity, Pelco sought DRTC’s Mobile Workforce. Beginning with 5 different traffic and streetlight kits in 2002, the Mobile Workforce has now contributed to the construction of over 60 different types of hardware kits. Many of the lights you will see near the new Project 180 in downtown Oklahoma City, are products of Pelco.

Utilizing Pelco’s lean “just-in-time” assembly processes, the Mobile Workforce has provided around 108,000 operating man hours over the past 10 years and has been instrumental in improving product turnaround time and manufacturing efficiency.

Pelco has been a wonderful partner over the past 10 years, this summer they constructed two signs to recognize the contributions of the DRTC assembly team, making the workers feel appreciated as a part of Pelco. To show our gratitude for the wonderful 10 year anniversary milestone, DRTC presented Pelco with a plaque made by individuals at Prism Place, along with our new Boot Kickin’ BBQ set and our White Hat Southwest Dip mix.  The individuals who travel weekly to work at Pelco also prepared a signed card as part of the presentation.

Pelco also recently placed a large order of 175 of our new BBQ spice sets for their holiday gifts to their customers! DRTC is proud of our partnership with Pelco Products and looks forward to continuing to grow with them in the future.

The Oklahoman/NewsOK recently highlighted our partnership in this great article and video

Katy Miller’s Passion for Special Olympics

As you enter the Administration Building at Dale Rogers Training Center, one of the first people you will see is the Executive Secretary, Katy Miller. She may be right at home, but riding horseback through the scenic Kiamichi Mountains with her son, Collin, is her real comfort zone.  Since she was a little girl, Katy has always had a passion for horses. “I can’t count how many times I wore out my pant legs on my pajamas pretending I was a horse,” Katy said.

 Katy’s passion led her to give horse riding lessons in Edmond. As the school got more riders, they continued to grow and they recognized that they were gaining interest from people with disabilities.  Katy has always had a special place in her heart for people with disabilities, because her sister has a disability. So as the interest increased, Katy felt as if it was her calling to help them ride horses. She put together an individual program that met their needs.  Seeing all the work and effort she devoted to people with disabilities and horseback riding, other instructors encouraged Katy to get her riders involved with Special Olympics. Following the advice of those around her, Katy got involved.

Since taking the advice, Katy has been involved for more than eight years and a Special Olympics Certified Trainer for three years. As a coach of the OKC Dream Team, Katy currently has two active riders and four other who aspire to be riders. Katy finds it extremely rewarding to see athletes accomplish their goal.  “The athletes get anxious before the events and then they have a huge sense of pride and accomplishment when they finish,” Katy said. “Riding motivates these kids and it teaches many of them great life lessons.” Coaching Special Olympics has also had an impact on Katy’s life as well.   “Each rider I get is a blessing,” Katy said. “Public speaking is not something I enjoy, but if it has to do with my kids and horses, I can talk for hours in front of people.”

This year, Dale Rogers Training Center helped sponsor the OKC Dream Team on their trip to the Special Olympic Games in Stillwater. “Dale Rogers was very gracious in helping to sponsor the team,” Katy said.  “It takes a long time to transport the horses, get them comfortable in new surroundings and get them ready for competition.” 

“Katy can share her interest in people with disabilities both by working at Dale Rogers Training Center and by sharing her passion with people with disabilities,” says her “boss” Connie McGoodwin, Executive Director.  “Dale Rogers is proud of what Katy does at work and in the community.”