really big thing,” Suzanne says. was the first time in his life that he left a room—we “It were in a cabin—and he was able to open the door, wheel outside, go to an entirely different part of the campground, attend a meeting, and stay as long as he wanted without his mother or dad having to escort him.” The weekend retreat was just a beginning, Suzanne adds. had lost hope, and “Josh Full Life Ahead helped him adjust his attitude and get his hope back. It helped to rescue him from what was turning into depression.” The next breakthrough occurred when a job coach mentioned to Josh that he had connected someone else with a job working at a local VA hospital. planted a “That seed in Josh, and he knew he wanted that,” Suzanne says. Josh had worked for a local grocery store, but the weekend at Children’s Harbor helped him realize his many gifts, and he knew he wanted a career—not just a job. He applied and was hired at the VA, initially to greet people as they entered; later, he visited people in the various hospital clinics. Soon he was promoted to working with veterans on computer-software programs. “I feel like I’m appreciated here,” says Josh, who radiates confidence, arrives at work impeccably dressed in a suit. He has become an integral member of the hospital staff. As Josh puts it, believe that the more I can do, the better off my life is to be.” “I Article taken from www.seethegood.com/article/11/19/2010/Life-to-the-Fullest. Photograph of Josh Echols. Image of VA Seal ODI on the Internet The mission of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is to foster a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment that ensures equal opportunity—through national policy development, workforce analysis, outreach, retention, and best serve our Nation’s Veterans. Here’s a sampling of online tools available at www.diversity.hr.va.gov that can help leverage diversity and build inclusion: * National African American History Month and other special observance resources. * Training resources, guides, and reports. * Links to professional and community organizations. * Best practices for diversity management.
really big thing,” Suzanne says. “It was the first time in his life that he left a room—we were in a cabin—and he was able to open the door, wheel outside, go to an entirely different part of the campground, attend a meeting, and stay as long as he wanted without his mother or dad having to escort him.” The weekend retreat was just a beginning, Suzanne adds. “Josh had lost hope, and Full Life Ahead helped him adjust his attitude and get his hope back. It helped to rescue him from what was turning into depression.” The next breakthrough occurred when a job coach mentioned to Josh that he had connected someone else with a job working at a local VA hospital. “That planted a seed in Josh, and he knew he wanted that,” Suzanne says. Josh had worked for a local grocery store, but the weekend at Children’s Harbor helped him realize his many gifts, and he knew he wanted a career—not just a job. He applied and was hired at the VA, initially to greet people as they entered; later, he visited people in the various hospital clinics. Soon he was promoted to working with veterans on computer-software programs. “I feel like I’m appreciated here,” says Josh, who radiates confidence, arrives at work impeccably dressed in a suit. He has become an integral member of the hospital staff. As Josh puts it, “I believe that the more I can do, the better off my life is to be.” Article taken from www.seethegood.com/article/11/19/2010/Life-to-the-Fullest. Photograph of Josh Echols. Image of VA Seal ODI on the Internet The mission of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) is to foster a diverse workforce and an inclusive work environment that ensures equal opportunity—through national policy development, workforce analysis, outreach, retention, and best serve our Nation’s Veterans. Here’s a sampling of online tools available at www.diversity.hr.va.gov that can help leverage diversity and build inclusion: * National African American History Month and other special observance resources. * Training resources, guides, and reports. * Links to professional and community organizations. * Best practices for diversity management.
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