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CAROLINA TROPHIES 12/24/24
“Awards for All Occasions” www.shelbyinfo.com Our 41st Year • Issue No. 15 • April 11, 2024
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CVII serves vital community need - with a smile By Alan Hodge Busy hands, happy hearts, and loving souls. That triad of virtues is a good way to describe the work that goes on every day at Cleveland Vocational Industries, Inc. (CVII) located at 650 N. Post Rd., Shelby. CVII’s motto “We believe that all people with intellectual and developmental disabilities are defined by their own strengths, abilities and inherent value...not their disability”, defines the work that goes on there and serves as a guidepost for its mission of CVII executive director Will Mabry and long-time associate Phillip Associates Melanie Davis, Rachel Williams, and Christina Rogers uplifting, educating, and employ- Wright sharing a humorous recollection. enjoy fellowship at CVII. (Photos by Alan Hodge) ing folks with a wide range of physical and mental challenges to be the best they can be. Will Mabry has been CVII executive director for over two years but his involvement there goes back to 2012 when he joined the board of directors. He is passionate about CVII and his work. “I have always been interested in people with intellectual and developmental challenges,” Mabry said. Mabry explained exactly what goes The CVII campus is located at 650 N. Post Rd., Shelby. on at CVII. “We offer a variety of services to abled community who face barriers to on-one worker address the needs of adults in the employment,” he said. “Our mission is to be successintellectually and developmentally disto provide training and employ- ful in their new Associate Ann Payne says CVII is a good place to earn money ment opportunities, as well as role. Supported and learn. assistance with social, coping, e m p l o y m e n t and daily living skills. includes activBased on individual needs ities needed to sustain paid and desires, associates may be work including supervision and provided with classroom train- training and is a paid position at ing emphasizing personal and minimum wage or higher. social adjustment, job seeking We teach how to work, how and maintenance skills, personal to communicate with others, grooming and hygiene, and com- how to take care of your permunication skills. sonal needs, and how to get Supported employment ser- along in your community more vices are offered when an indi- independently. Associates vidual shows the aptitude for will determine goals to work “Big Moe” has been a CVII associate for 16 CVII employees Verna Graham and Lisa Howell outside competitive employment towards while participating in years. He also assists in football coaching at working on a project. but needs the support of a oneSee CVII, Page 10 Shelby High.
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