News

Gateway Clubhouse Hosts Grand Opening Event

Gateway Clubhouse, a member-driven program for individuals with a brain injury, hosted members and community leaders during their recent Grand Opening event, held in March 2011. Approximately 70 people attended to celebrate the opening of North Carolina’s only Clubhouse of its kind dedicated to supporting individuals who have sustained a brain injury.

The Grand Opening, held at the American Legion lodge in Fuquay-Varina, featured a catered dinner by Papa Jack’s Catering and entertainment by Steve “Sole Man” Silverman. Attendees enjoyed meeting Clubhouse members, received door prizes, and heard about the opening of the Clubhouse.

“We are thrilled to know that leaders within our community understand the needs of this population and are interested in learning how they can help” stated Denise Johnson, Gateway Clubhouse Coordinator. “The Grand Opening event was a huge success, and we look forward to many more opportunities to create awareness about brain injuries and Gateway Clubhouse.”

Gateway Clubhouse, a program of Community Workforce Solutions, opened in December 2010 and currently serves ten individuals by providing a productive and structured day where members are actively involved in every aspect of day-to-day operations, with guidance from trained staff. The members invite the community to become a partner in supporting individuals with a brain injury through volunteerism, the donation of wish list items, or by offering financial support.

First Edition of the Gateway Clubhouse Newsletter

Please click link to view: March Newsletter

Advisory Committee Members Announced

Gateway Clubhouse has announced the creation of its Advisory Council. The inaugural members of the Advisory Council include: Tom Barwick, attorney from Martin and Jones; Wes Cole, neuropsychologist; Sandra Farmer, President of BIANC; Betty Lilyquist, parent of a survivor of brain injury; Maura Silverman, Executive Director of Triangle Aphasia Project, Randy Vanderhoff, EMC; Monica McGrath and Marcus Twisdale, survivors of brain injury.

The Advisory Council is charged with supporting Gateway Clubhouse leadership and furthering its mission through accountability, development, advocacy, and vision. Gateway Clubhouse, a division of Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., provides individuals with a Brain Injury the opportunity to participate in satisfying, purposeful activities in a supportive community environment.

Gateway Clubhouse Continues to Grow

Gateway Clubhouse is now fully staffed, with Denise Johnson as Clubhouse Coordinator and Lauren Cox as Clubhouse Specialist. Clubhouse membership has reached 8 members and has several more individuals who have expressed interest in joining. In January, Gateway Clubhouse held an Open House, where members hosted daily tours and provided guests with the opportunity to learn more about this unique program. A Grand Opening event will be held within the coming weeks. The staff and members of Gateway Clubhouse invite the community to stop by for a tour. Tours can be scheduled by calling 919-662-0940.

Leslie Johnson Named Employee of the Year

Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. proudly announces that Leslie Johnson has been selected as the Employee of the Year for 2010. Leslie has been a dedicated member of the CWS team for over 15 years. Along with her credentials as a Certified Brain Injury Specialist, Certified Vocational Evaluator, and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor, Leslie brings much enthusiasm, creativity, and passion to her position of Community Re-Entry Manager.

Leslie was nominated for this honor by multiple peers, who stated she is a leader within CWS and an advocate for individuals with disabilities. Roger McGee, President/Executive Director presented Leslie with the award and stated, “Our agency is fortunate to have Leslie on our staff. Not only does she provide a positive impact in the lives of the individuals we serve, but Leslie looks for ways we can grow to meet additional needs within the community. Our newest program, Gateway Clubhouse, was born out of Leslie’s passion for helping individuals with a brain injury. We appreciate her dedication, and are proud to bestow the honor of Employee of the Year to Leslie.”

CWS Announces Location of Brain Injury Clubhouse

The facility, dedicated to serving adults with brain injury, will be located at 1805 Garner Station Boulevard in Raleigh. The location was chosen for its proximity to bus lines and local community recreation opportunities.

Gateway Clubhouse is a non-residential day program that gives individuals living with brain injury the opportunity to participate in meaningful, purposeful activities. As a member-driven program, participants will work together with trained staff to achieve the goals they set for themselves.

“We are thrilled to be one step closer to the grand opening,” said Roger McGee, President and Executive Director of CWS. “Selecting the location of the clubhouse was important. Among the goals of the program is to promote independence among members through access to community resources and public transportation.”

To make a donation, refer an individual for membership, or to receive more information about Gateway Clubhouse, contact Denise Johnson at 919-662-0940.

“With the launch of our site, we are able to communicate the importance of Gateway Clubhouse to the community,” said Roger McGee, President and Executive Director of Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., the nonprofit that administers the program. “There are many families in North Carolina who have been impacted by brain injuries. Our site lets us share the news about the opening of the first clubhouse for those with brain injury of its kind in North Carolina as well as give interested volunteers information on how they can support our mission.”

Strategic Guru Launches Website for Gateway Clubhouse

Strategic Guru, a Triangle-based strategic marketing firm, announced today that it has launched the website for Gateway Clubhouse (http://gatewayclubhouse.org/), a clubhouse for adults with brain injury in North Carolina. The website communicates the mission, goals and purpose of the only clubhouse for adults with brain injury of its kind in the area.

Built on a content management system (CMS), the new site gives Gateway Clubhouse program managers the power to refresh content frequently and provide improved web communications for clubhouse members. The site will allow the organization to add additional functionality as their program grows. The site was also optimized for search engines.

“We take great pride in working with clients to enhance their online presence,” said Carolyn Rhinebarger, Chief Brainstormer with Strategic Guru. “We are pleased to assist Community Workforce Solutions to launch this valuable new community resource.”

About Strategic Guru: Strategic Guru is a strategic marketing consulting firm that provides full service support for the planning and execution of marketing tactics. They assist businesses to better establish brand identity and name recognition through image and message consistency. Through powerful, targeted marketing messages, Strategic Guru is able to create interest and stimulate inquiry. For more information, contact Carolyn Rhinebarger at 919-459-4200 or email carolyn@strategicguru.com or visit http://www.strategicguru.com.

Community Workforce Solutions Launches Brain Injury Program

Community Workforce Solutions, Inc., (CWS) a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals with disabilities or other barriers to employment, has announced their plans to launch a program to support individuals living with a Brain Injury. The program, to be called Gateway Clubhouse, will open its doors in fall 2010.

Gateway Clubhouse will be a non-residential day program that gives individuals living with a Brain Injury the opportunity to participate in meaningful, purposeful activities. A member-driven program, participants will work together with specially-trained staff to achieve the goals they set for themselves. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 1.4 million people sustain a Traumatic Brain Injury each year in the United States.

“We are very excited about the opening of the Gateway Clubhouse for individuals with a Brain Injury,” said Roger McGee, President/Executive Director of CWS. “With the help of the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of MH/DD/SAS, and Wake LME, we are able to offer a much needed service to our community. Our goal is to provide the next step in reintegrating clubhouse members back into the community or workplace and to create services focusing on private citizens and returning Veterans from the Iraq and Afghan wars.”

To make a donation to help launch the program, refer an individual for membership, or to receive more information about Gateway Clubhouse, contact Denise Johnson at 919-662-0940.

Leslie Johnson Receives Brain Injury Specialist Certification

Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. is proud to announce that Leslie Johnson, Evaluation Services Manager, has completed qualifications to become a Certified Brain Injury Specialist.

Leslie acquired Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS) credentials after attending a two-day intensive training workshop. After the training, Leslie was required to pass an assessment to determine eligibility through The American Academy for the Certification of Brain Injury Specialists.

During the certification process, Leslie learned the basics of brain injury including how parts of the brain work to initiate thinking, movement, memory, and emotions. When asked how Leslie wanted to use her new skills, she responded, “I hope to help individuals with brain injuries return to their community and work in a vocational setting where they can feel productive, confident, and happy.”

In addition to her newest certification as a Brain Injury Specialist, Leslie is also credentialed as a Certified Vocational Evaluator and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor. Leslie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology along with a Master’s Degree in Rehabilitation Counseling and Vocational Evaluation. She has served as Co-Leader of the Cary Brain Injury Support Group since 2007.

Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. currently provides comprehensive vocational services to adults with brain injury, developmental disabilities, or other barriers to employment. Our nationally accredited programs include Job Development, Job Supports, Job-Site Training, Comprehensive Vocational Evaluation Services, Employee Development Services, and Community Services – Community Integration. Leslie has been a valued member of Community Workforce Solutions, Inc. for over thirteen years.