> NEWSLETTER - SUMMER/FALL 2024
RCS empowers individuals with disabilities and special needs so that they may work, live, and function with dignity and respect.
Hope you all had a wonderful summer; we are all looking forward to enjoying the beautiful fall months ahead.
RCS Empowers, Inc. continues to move forward with new opportunities and enhancements to our programs. In Day Services, we have added on a regular basis, community outings and special events. We have collaborated with other Sheboygan County organizations to add expertise to our day programs. We have enjoyed a performance by Elvis, poetry readings from Sheboygan Christian School students, and our own drama class performing famous actors/actresses parodies for their RCS friends and staff. Our annual picnic was held on June 18th and the sock hop themed event was enjoyed by all. I want to give a shout out to the great staff we have in Day Services program, our volunteers and all of the families that pull together each and every day to make a difference in the lives of individuals we serve.
As you all know, we have a very strong art program at RCS. This year again, we participated in the John Michael Kohler Art Center Mid-Summer Festival of the Arts. We displayed art that was created throughout the year in our therapeutic art classes. We sold RCS art items (i.e. canvas bags, coasters, note cards, etc.) created from collaborative art projects. Our art show is on September 12, 13 and 14th at RCS showcasing creative and amazing art. In addition, we will be adding a “Craft Fair & Brat Fry” day on Saturday with community vendors selling their arts and crafts. Please join us for a brat or burger on Saturday, September 14th, while you browse the RCS art and the vendor booths.
In our prevocational services program our Production staff, along with the Case Managers, have identified continual training programs to create opportunities for improving and learning new skills on the production floor, in the classroom and in the community. I am so very proud of the staff for pushing for continual learning.
Our Business Services team continues to remain busy as we work and develop new opportunities within our community. We are very proud of everyone who works in our production areas and the staffing team as they continue to combine efforts making sure we meet our customer’s deadlines. The business services department continues to exceed all expectations.
The RCS Employment Services staff create and maintain great matches in the community, which really helps our Sheboygan County businesses continue to stay strong. We honored the businesses who employ and support individuals with disabilities at our annual Employer Luncheon in early June. We could not do what we do without the great employers that work with us as we place many people in various positions. We are beyond excited that we were named in July “The Official Community’s Choice Award in 2024”as the “BEST of Sheboygan County’s Employment/Staffing Agency”.
RCS has worked with Sheboygan County Health & Human Services, through the IPS program, which earned “Exemplary Fidelity” status in 2024. I announced last year that we started a new life skills program working with youth. We can now celebrate our one-year anniversary of this new program. Most recently, we added an apartment to teach daily life skills in a real-life setting. This apartment opened and was ready for use mid-July. We plan to expand these services to adults in the near future. We continue to be very proud of our staff and the impact on the Sheboygan County community.
Our second annual golf outing was held on July 29th and was a great success. Thanks for all who supported this event to make it a fun day for all attending and supporting our mission.
Mark your calendars for our seventh annual “Shine On” VIP night. This is a holiday fundraising event that will be held on Wednesday, December 4, 2024. Hope to see you there.
Thank you and hope you all have a great rest of the year!
Martha VandeLeest
Special Events
14
Save The Date
Art Show
September 12-13 | 9AM-3PM
Art Show/Craft Fair/Brat Fry September 14 | 9AM-3PM
Participant Thanksgiving Meal
November 27
Agency Closure for Thanksgiving November 28 & 29
Shine On VIP Event
December 4 | 6:30PM
Participant Holiday Party
December 23
Agency Closure for Christmas & New Years
December 24, 25, 31 & January 1
Employee Spotlight:
Ben Vojtech
Partner Charity of the Month
RCS FORWARDS Apartment Gets
a “Face
Lift” Thanks to Some Dedicated Board Members!
The RCS FORWARDS apartment located above the old Charcoal Inn property at the corner of Calumet Drive and Geele Avenue has been undergoing some remodeling thanks to some very dedicated RCS Board members. The apartment has gotten a “face lift” and will be used as a teaching environment for youth in Sheboygan County. The RCS FORWARDS program helps youth transition to adulthood by teaching independent living skills. The remodeled apartment is a great enhancement to this needed program in our community. .
Ben Vojtech has been a vital RCS staff member for the past two years. In his role as a Day Services Instructor, he assists our participants with continuing to develop their life and social skills. He does a wonderful job of being supportive to participants and fellow employees by demonstrating patience and understanding in all situations. He uses his passions in history and technology to grow the knowledge of our participants by teaching many classes on these subjects as well as providing opportunities for individuals to learn about these interests in the community. Ben is a dependable employee and will go above and beyond by helping to develop activities for large groups and participating on different committees. Thank you Ben! Check out our RCS Employers of
