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Day of Caring 2020 – FOR VOLUNTEERS

Day of Caring 2020 – FOR VOLUNTEERS

We need multiple types of volunteers.  Sign up now – this is a rolling (ongoing) event.

What do our Volunteers do?  Here are just a few of our opportunities. We’re always in need of kind and talented individuals.  Tell us what opportunity appeals to you most and how you are qualified.  If you have an interest not listed here, please let us know!

  • R2W Level A MENTORS might be called upon to participate in an Employer Panel and/or to conduct ½ hour one-on-one sessions with applicants to review their resumes and talk about requirements for careers in your industry.   (The A Team).  Ask about all R2W mentorship levels from 1 hour to 5 years.
  • CALL BANK VOLUNTEERS can call from home anytime that’s convenient.  Little training is needed for volunteers with good to excellent computer/internet skills.
  • STEM INTERNS drive our donated technologies and make a large impact improving the lives of others.  These opportunities are just for Advanced Program students in high school and college and require about 70 hours/semester.  Note: high performing students can earn a medal from the President of the United States of America!

Watch Video:

Day of Caring 2020 | Return to Work

Megan Stone

Megan Stone

R2W Administrative Assistant

720-359-1541
Contact me

Jon Voigtmann

Jon Voigtmann

R2W Mentor

720-359-1541
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Fern Ballou

Fern Ballou

R2W Executive Secretary & Area Coordinator

720-359-1541
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Jordan Cole

Jordan Cole

R2W Volunteer Mentor & Former STEM Intern

720-359-1541
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Day of Caring 2020 – FOR EMPLOYERS

Day of Caring 2020 – for EMPLOYERS

Post your jobs for free. We need very little information. We’ll screen applicants prior to our event on August 28th and send you good matches as they arise. Then two days prior to our event on August 28th we’ll forward all your applicants and advocate the top 5 candidates. At the event, we will spin off a private room(s) for you to interview any candidates you desire.

We only need:

  • O*Net code (optional)
  • Job Title (required)
  • Job Description (optional if O*Net code)
  • Job Requirements (optional if O*Net code)
  • Pay (optional if O*Net code)
  • Benefits (required)
  • Part-time / full-time (required)
  • Temporary / permanent (required)

Use our contact form to tell us about your job(s)!

There is no cost to employers for this valuable service. In return, we simply ask our partners to tell us who they interview and hire.

Beat COVID-19 – sign up now!

Watch Video:

Day of Caring 2020 | Return to Work

Sign Up as an Employer Now!
Scarlett Joy

Scarlett Joy

R2W Administrative Assistant

720-359-1541
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Scott Reeves

Scott Reeves

R2W Job Developer

720-359-1541
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Megan Stone

Megan Stone

R2W Administrative Assistant

Ask about R2W’s elite Employers Corps!
720-359-1541
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Day of Caring 2020 – for JOB SEEKERS

Day of Caring 2020 – for JOB SEEKERS

Join one of our weekly online workshops  to leap ahead (click here).  Engage caring professionals who will help you get good interviews at our online event on August 28.  Fast.  Free!

Join Zoom Meeting for Day of Caring event, August 28 at 12 noon MT.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83603563115

Meeting ID: 836 0356 3115

One tap mobile

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Dial by your location

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Meeting ID: 836 0356 3115

Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kd4caz6d5d

Ask about our Tier 1&2 Direct Recruiting services.

Watch Video:

Day of Caring 2020 | Return to Work

Sign Up as a Job Seeker Now!
Troy Kaplan

Troy Kaplan

R2W Administrative Assistant

720-359-1541
Contact Us

Megan Stone

Megan Stone

R2W Administrative Assistant

720-359-1541
Contact Us

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Target Circle Results Are In

 

Thank you  for your support. It was gratifying to see the energy around the program and outpouring of community engagement. It was a great way to highlight our mission with Target guests.

We are excited to share that guests at Target stores cast 14,694 votes to Project Return To Work, Inc., awarding Target funds in the amount of $2,324.12 to our organization. Most importantly, you voted for our mission and its impact on our community. Full results are now posted for members of Target Circle at https://circle.target.com/cr/results.

While the GoodCoin Foundation helped facilitate the process and will be issuing the checks, the funds came from Target. As a company, Target works to empower communities to thrive and grow and is proud to have been able to support you in this campaign. Should you wish to acknowledge them, please email partners@goodcoinfoundation.org.

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Community Leaders

By Rob Ray Brazell

“Good neighbors are community leaders. I am grateful for those who have demonstrated so much loving support over the decades. Thank you!”
— Call 720-359-1541 or use our CONTACT page for links to our last set of blogs about community leaders.

Camp Williams

 

 

 

 

 

Camp Williams – Rob Brazell, R2W Founder, Sergeant Logan Jubeck and Sergeant “Bulldog” Dellinger

Return weekly for new blogs about community leaders including Fern Ballou – Model Employee, and StaffCV – The Long HaulAnd other blogs about events, and other interesting news.

 

Ashley King, Angel Flight Central

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Community Leaders – Karen Bordner & Don Ellis

For decades, Karen and Don have made time in their busy schedules to pick up and forward the mail, water plants, and care for my home when I was traveling.  They have also conducted multiple home repairs for me over the decades, and cared for me when I was too ill to take care of myself.  Even after they moved several miles away.  Over the decades, they have also given a loving home to several elderly dogs including greyhounds rescued from racing tracks.  Hearts of gold!

Don was an award winning radio personality who broadcast nationwide for years.  Karen was a highly successful marketing executive for years — you should see their wall of Platinum records!  Today, they own and operate KD Residential Investments, Inc.

Karen served on R2W Board of Directors.  She is also a Life Member of the Board of Directors, Colorado State University Alumni Association, and has served as R2W’s principal Point Of Contact with multiple organizations.  Both Don and Karen advise R2W about R2W House (R2W Village) and our Service Learning Internships program for Home Restoration.  Soul restoration.

More than once, my father said, “They are a rare breed”. Karen and Don renew my faith in humanity.  They make me aware of how wonderful our community is and I am deeply grateful.

Good neighbors = community leaders.

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Fran Nixon Award 2018

Octogenarian Earns Lifetime Achievement Award

Updated Jun 20, 2020

ENGLEWOOD, FLORIDA— Jenna Lonsdale didn’t let her disability define her. She proudly worked at Nielsen Market Research Company in Venice. She did great there until she lost her job when the office closed.

Jeanna, R2W client

The 28-year-old Englewood resident was one of 396 workers laid off in April. In five years, she had only missed one day of work. She was told to file for unemployment. There were several setbacks for Lonsdale. She doesn’t drive and there’s no public transportation from her neighborhood to areas where she could apply for work at area pet stores, day care centers or libraries.

“The problem is unemployment tells you to apply for five jobs a week,” she said. “It’s very hard to do when you don’t drive.”

Another challenge with her disability is she fidgets when she’s nervous and believes it sometimes doesn’t make for a good first impression. A little frustrated, Lonsdale needed help but wasn’t sure where to turn.

Her life changed after learning about the Return To Work program in Punta Gorda. It helps job seekers engage with employers. It also matches client interests, abilities and aptitudes that helps get them a long-lasting job they enjoy and find rewarding.

It’s where she met Fran Nixon, the Missions Operations Manager, and her team. They worked to help Lonsdale connect with local employers and transition back to work.

In time, Lonsdale had the training she needed to go to work at a preschool a short distance from her home.

Lonsdale recently shared her testimony as an honored guest at a special awards ceremony for Nixon at Boca Royale Golf & Country Club in Englewood.

Fran Nixon Award 2018

Pastor Hosea Cannon Jr present Fran Nixon with a gold medal, coin, and lifetime achievement award from President Trump.

Nixon was bestowed the Lifetime Achievement Award signed by President Donald Trump.

The Charlotte County resident, who is in her 80s, was lauded for volunteering more than 1,000 hours in a year and given a gold medal and 4,000 accumulative hours.

Nixon, who helped her own son Rob Brazell, found Return To Work 20 years ago in Colorado, is considered a “tough as nails, but always a lady.”

Nixon expanded the program in Florida and managed the contract with Florida’s Vocational Rehabilitation agency. She also provided services to newly enabled job seekers, a job that caused her to travel statewide to meet them and their families and the employers. She periodically attends White House teleconferences, advocates the Return To Work program throughout the region and recruits new applicants, works with mentors and other volunteers in the Service Learning Internship mission.

“Part of Mom’s daily task is to pray for Return To Work clients and all of the people that it touches,” Brazell said.

Rob Brazell, R2W Founder, received a gold medal from President Obama.

Brazell told the crowd his mother exceeded the requirements for the President’s Volunteer Service award. She was given an official pin, medallion and a framed certificate. The award is an initiative of the Corporation for National and Community Service and administered through the Points of Light organization. It celebrates the impact people can make in their community and the world.

Nixon credits her success in helping touch the lives of 8,500 applicants and others throughout the year to God. She is a member of the First Church of Christ Scientists in Englewood and the mother church in Boston.

“We have a very diverse organization with no limits to make a difference for abled to disabled clients,” she said. “We work with a hodgepodge of people who will fit in regardless of their background. It takes a nation to help.”

Nixon said she had to learn the software for the system. With the help of Brazell, she said, it made a difference in advancing their program and even more people find jobs.

Nixon shared several success stories. She also thanked Nikki D’Agostino, the client services specialist at Return to Work for her drive in positive outcomes and lasting placements for local employees. She also thanked her son and close friends who never let her down. She said local companies including Weiler Engineering Corp. in Punta Gorda and several others have been instrumental in helping provide meaningful jobs to Return to Work clients.

Shortly after meeting Hosea Cannon, a pastor and chaplain at the Denver Sheriff’s Department, Nixon joked she loved him and wanted to adopt him as her own. Cannon flew in to give an inspirational speech at Nixon’s ceremony.

Cannon reinforced Nixon’s lifelong choices in helping others. He explained there’s simple keys to success in life.

“God is in control,” he said. “Don’t sweat the small stuff. Appreciate your family and learn to love them. Forgive immediately your sister, mother, brother. Focus on what’s good. Be kind.Volunteer often. Look down on others to only help them up. Love your neighbors as you love yourself.”

For more information about Nixon’s program, visit www.return2work.org.

 

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Testimonials

CLIENT TESTIMONIALS

“…Thank you so much for being such a great support to Jamie. She loves her job and it warms our heart to see her so happy and feeling like she is part of the community. We have you and your agency to thank for that.

Many Blessings to you.

Tama [Jamie’s mom]”

 

 

STEM INTERN TESTIMONIALS

Carly, R2W STEM Intern

I very much enjoyed working for R2W. Not only was everyone very kind, supportive, and patient with me while I was learning the ropes, but they all love working for R2W. The enthusiasm everyone has for what they do comes through clearly and makes for a pleasant, passionate community and work environment. While I was broadening my skillset, I got a perspective of the struggles the veterans and their families face when it comes to finding work: something I hadn’t had any insight or experience with at all previously. I worked hard and enjoyed working hard. Overall it was a very meaningful experience to me, and one I would recommend to others without hesitation. 

MOM – My daughter had the opportunity this year to intern with R2W and I felt that she gained invaluable insights into the struggles that veterans and the disabled encounter when trying to secure meaningful employment.  Working an honest day’s work and the sense of identity that it brings for someone who has had many challenges was eye opening for her.  Having heard me talk about the struggles my own brother helped bring this experience full circle.  [Rob Brazell, Founder] and the R2W team displayed a passion and drive to help everyone possible, including making may daughter’s experience as impactful as possible.  I would absolutely recommend R2W to anyone looking to help out in this difficult area.

Carly conducted a special 2 week STEM internship for her Senior project in May 2017-  80 hours. She continues to volunteer, helping train new STEM Interns and supporting R2W professionals placing injured veterans into lasting careers.

 

Kim Anderson, R2W Employment Specialist

Kim Anderson trained Carly how to use StaffCV– advanced technology donated to R2W for many years.  It distinguishes R2W from others and enables STEM Interns to make a significant contribution to society.  We all serve.

StaffCV is an amazing company!  They’re from New Zealand and don’t have a stake in our wars but they’ve given and given and given for years.  They’ve demonstrated not only the American spirit but also the human spirit that heals wounds and restores families.  Everyone at R2W is tremendously grateful.

ReadyTalk is also a key donated technology.  Only blocks from R2W’s headquarters, they too have demonstrated great patriotism for years.


Mary Ellen, Volunteer

A number of fellow residents of Anthem Ranch and I were tasked with calling veterans re being part of a data base to test potential products that might help veterans return to work after their service.  While many of us were reluctant to be part of such a calling effort, it turned out to be fine as most of the time we just left a message which was provided for us to work with.  When I reached people, they were able to say they had work, were grateful for the information and in one case were still in service but actually pulled over out of traffic to talk to me because he considered “Return2Work” an important organization.

 

 

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Happy New Year – Community Leaders

Community Leaders

by Rob Brazell

I’d like to thank Steve Zimmermann and Howard Foster, my pilot and Mission Assistant on a recent Angel Flight West mission to serve R2W clients.  They made a material sacrifice that enabled me to realize R2W’s mission and I am deeply grateful.

I’ve taken many Angel Flights over the years.  10 years ago, I remember taking three small planes from my hometown airport in Boulder, Colorado to a military base in Montana where I gave a motivational speech to injured soldiers and their families.  Talk about a group of caring people who just give and give and give!  Each leg was a compelling story about the American spirit and I felt tremendously privileged to be part of something so good.

Steve, Howard, and I had perfect weather as we flew over the Rocky Mountains.  It was exhilarating.  I felt renewed as I always do on Angel Flights.  There’s just something about flying 10,000 to 20,000 feet above the earth.  So Angel Flights are a double benefit for me.

Steve Zimmerman says, “Volunteering my aircraft and piloting experience for Angel Flight missions is a joy: everyone gets something out of the deal. My passengers get to where they need to go for their medical treatments, and I get to share my love of flying. If the beauty of flight can take a patient’s mind off their illness for an hour or two, so much the better.”

The following pictures are from Steve.

Thank you again and again, Steve and Howard.  You are good people doing good things.

 

More stories:

 

www.return2work.org

 

http://www.return2work.org/2017/r2ws-20th-annual-gala-january-13-2018

http://www.return2work.org/2017/testimonials

 

http://www.return2work.org/contact-us