2020 Annual Meeting

2020 ANNUAL MEETING

On February 27th, 2020 Easterseals West Alabama hosted their Annual Awards Meeting. Several employees were recognized for their years of service with Service Pins. It is because of the excellent work of these people, ESWA has continued to give quality services throughout the years. Together these employees represent 125 years of service to our community.

Tim Didyoung has been with Easterseals West Alabama for 5 years in the transportation department as a van driver. Tim is a faithful worker who works any shift from 3 a.m. to 6 pm. He has logged thousands of miles taking people to and from work.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Tim Didyoung

5 YEAR PINS

Through a 2014 grant from the Alabama Department of Early Childhood Education, the Parents As Teacher program was established. Parent Educators work with children ages birth to 5 and their parent(s) to make sure the child reaches developmental milestones, they make proper referrals when needed, resolve parenting issues, and in general help to prepare the child to enter school. Five years later, ESWA recognized several of the parent educators who have been part of the program since its inception. This department serves 240 families in 10 counties.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Akeylia Holifield. Akeylia serves Bibb and Perry counties

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Katrina Lockett. Katrina serves Sumter and Greene Counties.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Mary Norwood. Mary is the Unit Supervisor.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Leslie Scott. Leslie serves Tuscaloosa County

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Lakeshia Spencer. Lakeshia serves both Greene and Tuscaloosa Counties.

20 YEAR PIN

Renee McMullen is the supervisor of our at-risk youth program, Future Promise. 20 years ago, Renee started with us as a job coach and has always shown dedication to her consumers.

Responsible for leading the Future Promise team, Renee ensures that goals set out by the Governors Local Workforce Board and the Alabama Department of Commerce are consistently met.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Renee McMullen

30 YEAR PINS

Bettye Cleveland has been with ESWA for 30 years serving as a vocational evaluator and later developed the Supported Employment Program. Bettye now serves as the director of both programs while serving clients in 8 West Alabama counties.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Bettye Cleveland

Alvin Hawthorne - Alvin is our Chief Financial Officer and computer guru. For 30 years he has assisted 3 different administrators in managing the affairs of the center, Alvin works late every day and is excellent at managing our budgets and keeping us in compliance with all our state and federal grants. Thank you, Alvin, for all you do.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Alvin Hawthorne

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Gwen Stewart

Gwen Stewart has been an integral part of the Easterseals team for 15 years and recently retired. Gwen's story is inspiring as she is a
former consumer of Vocational Rehabilitation and Easterseals services. Having lived through pain and numerous surgeries, Gwen continued to give back to her community. We appreciate Gwen’s dedication to our mission and her servants heart.

SPECIAL SERVICE
RETIREMENT

EASTER SEALS BUSINESS AWARD

Since 1985, this award has been presented to a company or business
that has supported our programs at Easterseals West Alabama. These businesses believe the ESWA mission contributing to our success.

Business Partner of the year, Penny Profit Cleaners has a long history of supporting ESWA. Since the partnership began, many consumers have had their vocational assessments at Penny Profit and gained employment there. The environment is conducive to learning good work habits and finding and keeping the motivation needed to stay employed.

The Alabama Department of Rehabilitation Services is ESWA’s longest-running partner. Working together for over 50 years and helping thousands of people prepare for and find employment. The counselors who make referrals to us are crucial to our mission.

Paul Pedrum made the most referrals to our adult job development department with a total of 59. Paul is also our liaison counselor to Vocational Rehabilitation,

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Paul Pedrum

Margaret Coons made 115 referrals of school students in the
Pre-Employment program for special education students.

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Margaret Coons

STAFF EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR

Sandra Ray, ESWA Board Chairman with Sherri Presley-Dumas

The Staff Member of the Year is a special award because it is voted on by the ESWA staff. This year’s recipient Sherri Presley-Dumas. Supervising two separate departments, Sherri’s dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.

Some comments from her co-workers include:

"She works as hard as any staff member I know."
”...most nights she is still here when I leave work. I often see her car here on weekends too.”
"She works on many committees, both at the center and in the community."

Congratulations Sherri!

Ronny Johnston, ESWA Executive Director with Parents As Teacher program members

Ronny Johnston, ESWA Executive Director with Renee McMullen

Ronnie Johnston, ESWA Executive Director with Alvin Hawthorne and Betttye Cleveland

Ronny Johnston, ESWA Executive Director with Gwen Stewart

Ronny Johnston, ESWA Executive Director with Sherri Presley-Dumas