Ohio Valley Goodwill Thrilled for Team Member, Matt Burnheimer and CILO at 2015 SWORA Awards!

At the 2015 Southwest Ohio Rehabilitation Association awards event held on Friday, December 4th at the DiStasi’s Banquet Center, Ohio Valley Goodwill was elated to present Employment Services Supervisor, Matt Burnheimer with the “Rehabilitation Practitioner of the Year” award as well as the Center for Independent Living Options (CILO) with the 2015 Advocacy Award. While the Advocacy Award presentation was an expected part of this year’s event, the recipient of the Rehabilitation Practitioner was a big surprise to both Matt Burnheimer as well as the assembled guests.

Nominated by Aimee Rittner, Assistant Director of Community-Based Services, Matt was nominated for the Rehabilitation Practitioner award due to his dedication to helping the individuals he and team serve to reach their employment goals. Regarded as a mentor to new staff, an advocate for those served, a systems change agent as well as a reasoned facilitator, Matt is well respected by his staff team, the individuals he serves and supports as well as the employers that he and his team work with to help people to obtain employment. As a result of Matt’s leadership, the Employment Services department has increased its ability to meet placement outcome goals. In addition, Matt’s hard work and on-going integrity in all of his responsibilities were noted as additional reasons for the well-deserved recognition of Matt’s work. To find out more about Ohio Valley Goodwill’s Employment Services department, visit www.goodwillemploymentservices.com. Our most sincere congratulations to Matt Burnheimer, Employment Services Supervisor, on being selected for the 2015 “Rehabilitation Practitioner of the Year” award.

In addition, Goodwill was pleased to present the Center for Independent Living Options (CILO) with the 2015 Advocacy Award. The Advocacy award is presented to an individual or group that has significantly increased public awareness of the concerns of people with disabilities and as the lead planning agency for the Greater Cincinnati ADA 25th Anniversary Celebration which took place in July 2015, CILO certainly achieved this goal. Assistant Director of Employment Services, Kelly Manns, was pleased to present the 2015 SWORA Advocacy award to CILO at the awards ceremony.

CILO was nominated by Goodwill in recognition of its leadership in planning and executing a celebratory event for the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act in July. CILO’s leadership and advocacy efforts guided the year-long planning and implementation of what was called the Cincinnati ADA25 event which began with a Disability Pride March from City Hall and on to Fountain Square in downtown Cincinnati for a day-long event. The purpose of the event was to promote a call to action to the people of Cincinnati to inspire, empower and include one another and create equal opportunities for people with disabilities in our community. CILO invited public officials, business leaders and a variety of advocates from across South West Ohio to the stage where the overall message was how the ADA has changed the lives of so many; means so much more than curb cuts, and yet still has work to be accomplished. It is estimated that over 1,000 people visited the 25 vendors and exhibitors who provided information and resources related to all types of disabilities.

Ohio Valley Goodwill congratulates both Matt Burnheimer, Employment Services Supervisor, as well as the Center for Independent Living Options, on their recognition at the 2015 South West Ohio Rehabilitation Association Awards in celebration of their outstanding advocacy efforts in support of people with disabilities on South West Ohio.