Friendship's The Pyramid Vol 2, Issue 2

The PyramidPartneringWith YouFor TheFuture

Volume 2, Issue 2 Spring 2007

Message from the President — Dave Flick

What Is CARF?

CARF is an international, independent not-for-profit organization that certifies each Employment Services Organization (ESO) is following Best Business Practices. Friendship is voluntarily accredited under CARF. We are proud that we have been awarded two successive three-year accreditations and we have once again invited surveyors to evaluate how well our services meet international standards for quality later this year. Friendship hopes to continue accreditation for another three-year period.

As part of the survey, CARF auditors will spend two days, June 7 and 8, in our facility interviewing people who use our services, their families, our staff, Board members, Aides, and other Stakeholders. They will ask questions, review documents and evaluate how well Friendship serves the community. CARF will look at Friendship’s:

• effectiveness and efficiency of services

• business plans and finances

• commercial operations

• safety and training records

• legal and regulatory requirements

• accessibility and assistance plans

• personnel records

• fundraising practices

• and scrutinize how we address and meet our mission

Once the CARF survey is complete:• auditors make recommendations for improvements or changes in

our practices, policies or record-keeping

• Friendship writes and implements a Quality Improvement Plan, and then

• we commit to a date of completion and for reporting on the prog-ress of meeting these self-imposed deadlines

Friendship’s stakeholders can have the highest possible confidence in programs and services that carry CARF accreditation — the standard for performance excellence.

Meet Gary BillingsleyGary Billingsley has worked at

Friendship Industries for over three years. Colleen Mullen, Employment Specialist noted, “Gary is the quint-essential employee—hard-working and dedicated. His cheerful, can-do personality brightens everyone’s day.”

“I like to work and do my best,” stated Gary about working at Friend-ship. “The people are nice, and they are understanding.” An outgoing man, he enjoys conversing with his coworkers, and he quickly makes new friends.

In his free time, Gary enjoys tracking his investments and watch-ing television. A seasoned traveler, he has visited several states and Germany. One of his favorite trips was an Alaskan cruise he took with his parents.

Gary chose to come to Friend-ship because he wanted to work. He stated that if he didn’t work here, he would probably watch television and walk around the retirement community where he resides. As he remarked, he’s not old enough to retire; he would much rather be working at Friendship!

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Paul McFarland, Director of Rehabilitative Services, Paul [email protected]; 540-434-9586

h o w l   t o l   d o n a t e l   t o l   f r i e n d s h i p l   i n d u s t r i e s

o  Yes, I would like to support Friendship’s mission of providing employment and training opportunities to disabled persons with a gift of:

o $25 o $50 o $100     other.

Name

Address

City State Zip

Phone # Email

Employer Job Title

o  My employer will match my gift!

Pay by Credit Card

Card Number:

Expiration Date in Month/Year:

Security Code (3-4 digit number on back of card):

Amount: $

If you prefer to provide your credit card information over the phone, please call: Missy Stover, Director of Development at 540-434-9137

The Friendship Vans: A Way to WorkFor most of us, a typical workday involves jumping in the car and driving

to work. But what if you were unable to drive? How would you get to work?

This is a challenge many of Friendship’s client-employees face on a daily basis. Over half of the clients we serve are unable to drive and have no de-pendable way to work. Friendship provides transportation for those people who reside in Rockingham County and need a way to access Friendship’s services. Our four vans travel all over Rockingham County, cover-ing Elkton to Bergton and Timberville to Bridgewater.

In 2006, approximately 75 of our clients rode the Friendship vans. Our vans traveled 121,500 miles last year and spent almost 100 hours a week on the road! Although Friendship receives some funding from the United Way and other local entities, transportation is a major—but necessary —expense. If we didn’t provide transportation, our clients wouldn’t have a way to work. As one client expressed, “If I couldn’t come here and work, I would be at home staring at the walls or watching television.” Missy Stover, Director of [email protected]; 540-434-9137 .

State Tax Credits and the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP)

What is the NAP? Administered through Virginia’s Department of Social Services, the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) was established by the General Assembly to alleviate pov-erty in Virginia. This program encourag-es local support of qualified non-profits that serve impoverished people.

How can it benefit you?The Neighborhood Assistance Program allows individuals and married couples who make cash contributions of at least $500 to a qualified organization to count 45% of the donation as a state tax credit. Businesses that contribute $889 or more in services, cash, or stock may also take advantage of this wonderful opportunity! For example, a business or individual making a $1000 gift to Friendship may claim $450 as a state tax credit, reducing the amount owed to the state by $450.

The 2006-2007 program year ends on June 30, 2007. For additional informa-tion on state tax credits, please contact Missy Stover in the Development Office at 540-434-9137.

t h e l   f u e l l   o f l   f r i e n d s h i pthe l  fire l  of l  friendship

North Pointe Corporate Center801 Friendship DriveHarrisonburg, VA 22802540-434-9586800-777-9586 Toll [email protected]

NON-PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT 161

HARRISONBURG, VA

We’re on the Webwww.Friendship-Industries.com

Friendship Industries develops and maintains employment and

training opportunities for persons with disabilities in integrated work

environments.

m i s s i o n l  s t a t e m e n t

You can make a pledge or gift today with your credit card and start making a difference...one life at a time.

Now make your gift to Friendship online, too!

We participate on GuideStar, the on-line standard for nonprofit accountability.Take a look at our listing:

“Friendship Industries is changing the lives of disabled –one person at a time”.