The 10th annual Vocational Services, Inc., Community Awards Night May 27 saw honors awarded to Northlanders who have made dramatic contributions to improve conditions for those with developmental disabilities, including a man who has overcome his own challenges to become one of the most widely recognized ambassadors for his cause in Missouri.

Jack Smith of Liberty was named VSI Consumer of the Year in recognition of his efforts extending nearly three decades. Most widely known for his work with high school football teams, he has also gone before the Missouri legislature, local classrooms and other groups where his explanation of living with a disability has broken countless barriers. He was also presented the first annual Working for the Public Good Community Award.

Other honorees included First Bank of Missouri as Vendor of the Year, Data Source, Inc. as Customer of the Year, and Missouri Representative Ryan Silvey as Legislator of the Year. The Robert F. and Clair Sevier Parent/Guardian of the Year honor went to Daisy Tweeddale. Parent of a VSI consumer, Tweeddale has volunteered countless hours to drive a van for special events and other activities.

The law firm of Kuhlman, Reddoch and Sullivan was recognized with the VSI Director’s Award for their assistance in a successful clarification of funding authority for VSI and workshops across the state.

Fins and Foliage of Gladstone owners Kaye Caylor was honored as Employer of the Year for her work providing a supported employment job to a VSI consumer. The Platte Council Employer of the Year honor was presented to Shane Deas, manager of Hy-Vee.

VSI staff member Jerry Crabtree earned the Volunteer of the Year Award for his many hours of unpaid time working with consumers. Crabtree was also recognized as Employee of the Year and received the Margaret Hylton Award. Board member Andrea Bolstad, a Liberty attorney, was recognized as Board Member of the Year.

Also recognized upon their retirement were Mike Justus and Frank Locasio.

Held at Finnegan’s Banquet Hall in North Kansas City, the event drew nearly 300 people and also included a silent auction that raised funds for VSI programs. Executive Director Randy Hylton opened the event by noting the organization has grown both in numbers of people served and in terms of the range of programs since it was founded in 1966.

“We have employed literally thousands of individuals in our Sheltered Workshops and have found hundreds of jobs through our Supported Employment Program,” Hyton said. “But none of this would have been accomplished were it not for the outstanding community that we have here in the Northland

VSI programs receive strong support from individual donations. It is our goal to help you make well-informed donations and that is why we have made an in-depth organizational profile available to you at the highly respected Greater Kansas City Community Foundation. You can make a credit card donation to Vocat

 
Vocational Services, Inc. is recognized by the Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities (CARF). The Arizona-based organization is considered the nation's leading accreditation agency for rehabilitation services. VSI has earned CARF's highest rating, a three-year accreditation.

Vocational Services, Inc. 935 Kent St Liberty MO 64068 816.781.6292
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