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| TRC Dyersburg's Client of the Year Randall Burrow takes a few moments to tell his story and thank the center for helping him find a job that he loves. |
Tennessee Rehabilitation Center hosted its 2009 Disability Awareness Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16, in the workshop of its Dyersburg center.
The afternoon was a celebration of the clients served at the center and the many volunteers whose hard work allows the staff to reach clients on an individual basis.
"Our staff provides opportunities for our clients to help them work toward their goals," said TRC Manager Ronda Baker. "The focus of our entire staff is on each individual client. To help them to meet their goals from the first time they walk in our door and see our secretary until they leave through their VR (vocational rehabilitation) counselor. We support each other and work as a team to get the job done. I sincerely appreciate each one of them and the job they do here. We hope that 2009-2010 will be our best year yet."
 Randall Burrow, Tennessee Rehabilitation Center at Dyersburg's Client of the Year, was recently honored at the facility's Disability Awareness Luncheon on Friday, Oct. 16. Burrow is pictured with his VR Counselor Chris McClimans after the luncheon. [Click to enlarge] |
Arnold credited both United Way and the Dyer County and Dyersburg City governments for donations used to keep the center in service to the community.
VR Counselor Chris McClimans introduced the TRC Client of the Year, Randall Burrow, who first completed seasonal work with the 2010 Census, before being placed quite successfully as a van driver.
"I would really like to thank the VR services for helping me," said Burrow.
State Rep. Judy Barker was the featured speaker for the luncheon.
"I am proud to be state representative for Northwest Tennessee," said Barker. "I consider myself a public servant. As I look out (and) see the loyal staff and dedicated volunteers (of this center), I see a room full of public servants."
Barker told members of the audience of her personal experience with the TRC through the successful vocational rehabilitation of a member of her extended family and of the value of federal stimulus funding to help continue similar programs for residents throughout the state.
"(My cousin) is independently living with a buddy and is a productive member of the work force," said Barker. "My heart was heavy in Nashville when I saw where the budget cuts were going to be. The stimulus money has salvaged (many programs). However you feel about it personally, it has brought (programs) back into the budget that would have been slashed."
The Tennessee Rehabilitation Center Board of Directors includes Chairman Mark Bowers, Vice Chair Tyles Davenport, Marianna Williams, Darlene Bacigalupo Burks, Nancy Hurt, Henry Lewis, Emma Reynolds, Katie Winchester, LaMar Bartlett, Don Crews, Jerry Ray, Ray Lowrance, Ex-Officio Richard Hill and Ex-Officio John Holden, State Advisory Board Chair Kerrie Heckethorn and State Advisory Board Vice Chair Eddie Brunswick.
TRC staff includes Regional Supervisor Kenneth Arnold, TRC Manager Ronda Baker, Rehabilitation Assistant James Murphy, Vocational Evaluator Ellen Jackson, Placement Specialist Beverly Tipton, TRC Secretary Tammy Boxx, VR Counselor Chris McClimans, VR Counselor Tara Stover, VR Counselor Ashley Roberts, VR Secretary Sheila Weatherford, Transition School to Work Counselor Sherry Hill and TSW Secretary Mandy Pierce.
Sponsors of the 2009 Disability Awareness Luncheon included First Citizens National Bank, First South Bank, First State Bank and Security Bank. Prater Catering Service prepared the meal, with Tennessee Technology Center at Newbern providing the sound system for the event.