Orion's December 2017 eNewsletter
 
 





Wanda, former Orion Program Participant, with her CNA Certificate.

Wanda    

"If there is one thing that I can say about Wanda," said Wanda's job developer Tamie, "it is that she ALWAYS has a smile on her face!"

Wanda came to Orion Industries through The Department of Vocational Rehabilitation. Not having had success at her first try at a job, the travel time to and from work was too long, Wanda came back to Orion to try again. Determined to find a new job, Wanda searched for positions she felt she could do and brought in new leads each week. She even called employers to find out the details of positions she was interested in. While Wanda was doing this, she would always talk to the employer about Orion. She would let them know that even if she wasn't the right fit, that someone else from Orion might be, and she would bring the lead back to her job developer. 

Wanda had some limitations: she was not going to be the fastest, nor the quickest to pick up on a task, but she was strong-minded, motivated and had the will to succeed!

Determined to go back to her previous job as a CNA, Wanda worked diligently with her job developer to complete the requirements for having her certification reinstated. Wanda stayed on task, and everything started to fall into place.  Within just a few short weeks of returning to Orion, she was successful.

"Wanda started out a little insecure about her abilities and stamina. But after talking about the opportunity, she was willing to give it a shot," stated Tamie. "Wanda always said, 'I will give it my best,' and she always did. I knew she could, and would be great at whatever she put her mind to."

Currently, Wanda has her CNA certification and is working in a private home with a family that has special needs children. She loves the children she is working with. "I am staying busy, and helping with the children doing cleaning and preparing meals. I am trying to keep the home safe and clean, but it gets messy quick."

Whatever job needed to be done at Orion, Wanda never balked. Tamie stated, "It was because of this trait that I knew she could go forward and would be successful with someone that would give her an opportunity."

Wanda is very happy and looks at the good in everyone and everything. She loves her new position as a caregiver. Although the commute was hard at first, and she needed to adjust to the standing and sore feet, Wanda continues to have a positive attitude which shows in her work.

When asked what Wanda's advice would be to those back at Orion who are just starting their job search, she said, "Do your best and try hard!" 

Congratulations Wanda! Your smile and positive energy made us happy to have you here at Orion.



 
Kevin is December's featured Job Seeker.
Kevin came to Orion two years ago in search of employment. He currently receives long term support and will have job coaching support on his new job. 

Kevin has worked at several places in the past, both paid and volunteer, and gained a variety of skills in the retail industry. He currently has a volunteer position at the Marysville Food Bank. Kevin strives to be hardworking and dependable at each job he works at. While at the food bank you can find him packaging different items including tea, coffee, and sugar.

Currently, Kevin is working with his employment consultant on updating his resume, assessing and building on his strengths, gifts and talents, so Orion can find the perfect job match. Kevin would love to work around people and is open and flexible to which industry he ends up working in. He would like to work around his community of Maryville but is also open to working in Everett and surrounding cities. Having routine tasks and work shifts is also important as is a job that is flexible to sitting and occasionally standing. Kevin is hoping to find a job where he can work between 10-15 hours per week. He is a great self-advocate and communicates well. He has a friendly demeanor and is easy going. He is looking forward to working for The Salvation Army, as a Bell Ringer, during the holiday season. Kevin has a kind spirit and does not like to see people go without. This is demonstrated by his smile, and his love for life and interactions with his community.

In Kevin's spare time he likes to watch football (the Seahawks being his favorite team). He enjoys drawing, painting faces and knitting pom pom's. Kevin also likes being social and staying busy and active. If your business has a need, or if you have an employment lead for Kevin, please contact Zandra Leitch at 425-355-1253 x256 or email her at zandra.leitch@orionworks.org.

Orion partnering with United Way's Free Tax Campaign


 
Orion Industries is partnering with United Way's Free Tax Campaign to offer free tax preparation for low-income families in our community. 

United Way's Free Tax Campaign is looking for volunteers. As a volunteer with this program, you'll make a direct impact on a family's life by getting them all the refund and credits they're eligible for, at absolutely no cost to them.

There are two ways to get involved. Volunteers can sign up to be a Volunteer Tax Preparer or a Volunteer Intake and Benefits Specialist.  No prior tax law or benefits experience is required. Comprehensive training and support will be provided at the tax sites. 
 
Volunteers can choose to serve at the location that is most convenient for them as well as select a 3-4 hour shift that works with their schedule. Weekday evening, afternoon, and weekend hours are available.  With 29 sites across King County, one is sure to be near your home, work, or school, including one location here at Orion Industries! 

Learn how to get involved and register for a shift by following the link below:

Program tours are available!

Orion Industries, Auburn, currently has openings available in all of our training programs:
If you are working with someone who would benefit from this training program, please have them attend our weekly tour - Monday at 9am!
  • Our Office Skills & Customer Service Program offers students exposure to computer training, customer service training and keyboarding / 10-key skills training. It utilizes a self-directed model, in a small classroom setting, with instructor support. Each Friday, interactive group customer service discussions are led by the instructor. Students are offered a daily stipend of $10 for class attendance.
Orion has multiple open spots for direct job placement support services to individuals not in our training programs. If you are interested in direct job placement services, please contact a Job Developer at 253-661-7805.



Orion classes available!

Orion contracts with companies around the King and Pierce County area to provide classes, such as blueprint reading. Companies can send their staff to Orion for classes at our facility, or we can send our instructors on-site. If you're interested in finding out more about how this can benefit your staff, please contact Orion's Training Program Manager, Cynthia Kim, at 253-661-7805.

 
Special Olympics Unified Robotics Championship

Jeff Black (left) and Kristina Pressley (right) at the Unified Robotics Championship.
 
Orion Industries attended the Unified Robotics Championship held at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle on November 12th. Unified Robotics is a first-of-its-kind Special Olympics program that brings robotics to high school students with and without disabilities, uniting students with diverse abilities as teammates.

Students design, build and program robots using LEGO® MINDSTORMS® kits. Forty teams from 14 area high schools participated in the tournament. The tournament promotes creativity and adaptation while building communities of acceptance and inclusion.

Congratulations to all who participated!

For more information, or to find out how you can participate and support future events, please visit the Unified Robotics website:

http://unifiedrobotics.org/

PNAA Luncheon

PNAA members learning about Orion Industries at the PNAA Luncheon.
 
Orion Industries hosted a Pacific Northwest Aerospace Alliance (PNAA) Lunch Forum On Tuesday, November 14th. The event provided an occasion for PNAA members to network, and gave all who attended a great opportunity to learn more about Orion. For more information about PNAA visit their website:

http://www.pnaa.net/

Orion Riders Childhaven Donation

From left to right: Jeff Black, Tracy DeBruler, Randy Gilleland, Laura Haman, Rick Pudmaroff, Tricia Cleavelin, Mary Valle, Jeff Boyer (Childhaven), Matt Foster, Victor Molstad, Miley Molstad and Nathan King.

The Orion Riders collected funds for a charitable donation to Childhaven, a local organization that provides support for children in need. The Orion Riders achieved their goal and were able to add a company match from Orion Industries to the donation. The Orion Riders actively look for ways to have a positive impact on our community.

If you'd like to learn more about Childhaven or support the good work that they do in the community please visit their website:
 


Orion Links
 
Orion Industries, Auburn
1590 A Street NE
Auburn, WA 98002
Orion Industries, Mukilteo
13008 Beverly Park Rd
Mukilteo, WA 98275