Welcome to Washington Vocational Services News and Events Page. You will find the latest and greatest information about our agency and our services. Please check our Upcoming Events, Current Events, News Letters and 2006 Annual Report below.

Upcoming Events:

Tea Bags ~n~ Rags: John Curly host of Evening Magazine will be hosting Washington Vocational Services second annual Fall fundraiser! Please plan to join us for another fabulous afternoon of tea and fashion!

Our tea room and fall fashion fund-raising event will held at Edmonds Community College, Triton Union Building, on September 6, 2008 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
WVS' Business Advisory Council’s goal is to help raise over $30,000 to continue and expand a job class for Edmonds School District’s transition students aged 18-21.  The job class is held at the Lynnwood WorkSource Center. Providing students with developmental disabilities a weekly course focused on the world of work, employment training and job seeker skills will help prepare these students to enter the working world. This early preparation is designed to be in an integrated location resulting in higher level of self-confidence to independently access resources, community integration, self-advocacy and will lead to successful community employment. 

Please contact Shelby Satko, Director of Development for more information and to learn how you can help. WVS will be seeking donations of fashionable new clothing from local vendors, items for the silent auction and corporate sponsorships.  A brief description of the event and sponsorship forms are below:
                                                                                               

Tea Bags n Rags Event Description

Tea Bags n Rags Sponsorship Form
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News:
January 2008:

WVS Purchased our second Auntie Anne’s Pretzel Franchise!

As of January 1, 2008, WVS is the proud owner of Auntie Anne’s Pretzel franchise located at Bellis Fair Mall in Bellingham Washington.

It’s a Pretzel Perfect day in Bellingham, WA!

Mountlake Terrace, WA – January 1, 2008 – Washington Vocational Services (WVS) expands their social enterprise operations with the acquisition of their second Auntie Anne’s Hand Rolled Soft Pretzel’s ™ located at Bellis Fair Mall, Bellingham, WA on January 1, 2008.

WVS is rolling out “Snack like you mean it!” © pretzels in Tulalip and Bellingham,  WA.  Now their second operation, WVS a non-profit provider of employment services to persons with disabilities, will provide employment & training to persons with disabilities in each of their stores.  Owning franchises allows WVS to expand employment services offered to persons with disabilities. 

Washington Vocational Services, is dedicated to providing outstanding quality services that result in successful community employment for persons with disabilities. Since 1976, WVS’s has provided employment assistance to over 4,000 persons within four Washington counties including; Snohomish, Skagit, Island and now Whatcom & Anchorage, Alaska.

Visit either of their store locations: Seattle Premium Outlet Mall, Tulalip and Bellis Fair Mall,  Bellingham WA to enjoy a pretzel perfect day!   For More information contact:  Lynn Van Vactor: 425-774-3338.

December 2007:

Wonderful News!
Washington & Alyeska Vocational Services’ employees continue to be blessed to work with dedicated colleagues in a variety of communities.  We are pleased to work side by side with local employers, persons with disabilities, community agencies, county staff, state employees and others to meet the needs of those seeking employment opportunities and those working to overcome barriers.  
WVS has recently been awarded 1 new contract which expand our services into Whidbey Island. 

• January 1st 2008, WVS will begin providing supported employment services to persons with disabilities living on Whidbey Island.  We are excited to be partnering with Island County Human Services staff to provide quality individualized employment services.  WVS will meet soon with individuals and their families to ensure a smooth and positive transition.  As well, we will work to maintain the on-going high quality service that has been provided to Island County residents. 

We at WVS & AVS are committed to the communities and people with whom we work. Thank you for your ongoing support and assistance which allows us to make meaningful contributions to our communities every day.

October 2007: WVS Co-Hosts the17th Annual Region 3 Supported Employment Conference

Washington Vocational Services partnered with Work Opportunities and Chinook Enterprises to host another wonderful conference! Over 270 people attended the 17th Annual Region 3 Supported Employment Conference. Our key- note speaker Dr. Violet Malone reflected on the value that each of us brings to our work and community. We want to ensure the opportunity of employment for everyone! The conference was attended by advocates, persons with disabilities currently working & those seeking employment, school districts, vocational rehabilitation staff, employment specialists, state and county employees. WVS thanks each of our presenters who volunteered their time to share their wisdom and experience with us. In addition, a huge thanks to our volunteer committee for their commitment to ensuring a tremendously successful event.

September 2007: Tea Bags ~n~ Rags: Washington Vocational Services first annual Fall fundraiser held at Edmonds Community College was a tremendous success! Past job class participants shared their stories of successful employment, including the benefits that our WVS job class provided to them.  Students from Edmonds School district modeled fashionable clothing which was then auctioned off and donated to YWCA working wardrobe in the donor’s name.  Over $20,000.00 was raised during this tremendously successful afternoon event.  Washington Vocational Services is very grateful to our sponsors including:

• Rags to Riches $5,000.00:  Tulalip Tribes

Thank you for making Tea Bags N Rags such a tremendous success!!   Please plan to join us next year for a fabulous afternoon of tea and fashion!
September 2007:

Snohomish County Business Journal -- Business Women 2007

http://www.scbj.com/archive/bw07/vanvactor-bw07.htm

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Current Events:

July 2007:

Fantastic News!

Washington & Alyeska Vocational Services’ employees are blessed to work within a variety of communities.  We are pleased to work side by side with local employers, persons with disabilities, community agencies, county staff, state employees and others to meet the needs of those seeking employment opportunities and those working to overcome barriers.  

WVS has recently been awarded 2 new contracts which expand our services into new communities and venues:

• July 1st 2007, WVS will begin providing supported employment services to persons with disabilities living on Camano Island.  We are excited to be partnering with Island County Human Services staff to provide quality individualized employment services.  WVS will begin meeting soon with individuals and their families to ensure a smooth and positive transition.  As well, we will work to maintain the on-going high quality service that has been provided to Island County residents. 
• June 2007, WVS was awarded a contract from Community Transit in Snohomish County to provide travel training throughout the county.  Travel training fits well within our vision that all people will be seen for their abilities.  Teaching persons within our community how to independently access public transportation and navigate safely between their home, work, shopping and health care can mean the difference between remaining home bound or gaining independence.  We have been impressed with the commitment to community that we have seen with the staff of Community Transit and we look forward to partnering with them to provide effective and efficient services to their customers.  

We at WVS & AVS are committed to the communities and peoplewith whom we work. Thank you for your ongoing support and assistance which allows us to make meaningful contributions to our communities every day.

June 2007:

WVS Featured in Wall Street Journal: Smart Money

Profits on the Side (To read the article, click on the link above)
Take a charity. Add a franchise outlet. The result: more money for the mission.

The Journal Report: Small Business Wall Street Journal
By COLLEEN DEBAISE
June 25, 2007; Page R3

As executive director of Washington Vocational Services, Lynn Van Vactor spends her days helping people with disabilities find jobs. Then, every so often, she really gets down to business: ....

April 2007:

WVS Spring Newsletter 2007

March 2007: Snohomish County Business Journal Article

Breakfast Cart Program Rolls into WorkPlace by John Wolcott

http://www.snohomishcountybusinessjournal.com/archive/mar07/wvs-mar07.htm

WVS Winter Newsletter 2007

January 2007:

Deb Russell, Director Customer Care Starbucks Corporation named Board President

At WVS' annual board meeting the full board voted in the slate of officers: Debra Russell is named President of the board for Washington Vocational Servcies and Alyeska Vocational Servcies. Vice President: Ken Eriksen, IAM Boeing; Treasurer: Bret Stewart, President of Centertwist Corporation. WVS is greatful for the wonderful volunteer spirit of our Board and Business Advisory Commitee. To see a complete list of committed community members who provide our agency support visit "About WVS" and click on Board ~ BAC Members.

WVS 2006 Annual Report : To view WVS 2006 Annual report in ADOBE format , click on the link below:

2006 Annual Report

Skagit Connections a Big Hit!

Skagit Connections, our successful social and recreational program in Skagit County has been re-authorized for an additional year. A wonderful board of volunteers planned and coordinated over 12 successful events in 2006. For 2007 due to the popularity of this program Skagit Connections Board has been asked to coordinate 14 events. On average 20-30 persons participate per event in a variety of integrated activities within our community. Keep an eye out for our 2006 annual report for pictures and stories about how folks are getting connected in Skagit County.

WVS awarded Skagit County Job Club Grant

Washington Vocational Services was awarded the opportunity to continue a successful job club in Skagit County. Job club's schedul has been re-designed to be more effecgtive. Classes are designed for supported employment customers looking for work and high school students that are graduating. Job club is a wonderful resource to learn more about interviewing, resume writing and positive worker characteristics. Thank you Skagit County for providing this opportunity.

Washington Vocational Servcies Alaska is renamed ~ Alyeska Vocational Servcies

Our Alaska office is now doing business as Alyeska Vocational Servcies. The name change for our Alaska office reflects a desire to be senstive to community identity. The Aleut word Alyeska meaning mainland is reflective of the area in which we provide service. Our staff are all residents of Alaska and have a strong desire to support their community. We look forward to contiuing our partnership with local agencies to enhance services to those in need in Alaska.

December 2006: WVS Expands Services in Alaska!

Washington Vocational Services has contracted with the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation Alaska to provide vocational rehabilitation services to customers living throuought the state. WVS has hired Sharon Miranda to lead the way. Sharon specializes in providing services to persons who are deaf or hard of hearing. She also teaches ASL at the University of Alaska Anchorage. WVS is excited to have Sharon join Lynne Sauve in expanding WVS services to persons in Alaska.

October 2006: WVS Co-Hosts the16th Annual Region 3 Supported Employment Conference

WVS partnered with Work Opportunities and Chinook Enterprises to host this wonderful event! Over 230 people attended the 16th Annual Region 3 Supported Employment Conference. Our key- note speaker John Evans reflected on the value that employment has in his life and how meaningful employment is for each of us. We want to ensure the opportunity of employment for everyone! The conference was attended by advocates, persons with disabilites currently working & those seeking employment, school districts, vocational rehabiliation staff, employment specialists, state and county employees. WVS thanks each of our presenters who volunteered their time to share their wisdom and experience with us. In addition, our volunteer committee for their committment to ensuring a tremendously successful event.

The conference agenda is attached:

2006 Region 3 Supported Employment Conference

June 2006:

Our Annual Report is completed you can view our report by downloading the attached Adobe file.

WVS 2005 Annual Report

Open House:

Washington Vocational Services will be having an Open House September 14th from 4:00 - 7:00 pm. Please come join us to learn more of our services and meet our staff!

Hold This Date:

Washington Vocational Services is collaborating with Chinook Industries and Work Opportunities to host the Region III Supported Employment Conference. The Conference will be held October 26th at the Skagit Valley Conference Center at Bow. Registrations will be sent later in July and linked to our web site.

February 2006: Information and Education Support

WVS is being supported by Snohomish County Developmental Disabilities to further develop and refine collaborative marketing activities with local businesses and develop partnerships with other vocational rehabilitation agencies within our community. Our desire is to develop many new jobs that will be open for application from all persons with disabilities within Snohomish County. Visit our news site in the future for updates on our success!

Thank you to our colleagues in Alaska for their warm welcome and vision of working together to create more employment opportunities for persons with disabilities!

January 2006: WVS awarded community grant

Washington Vocational Services was awarded a community grant to establish a job club in Skagit County. WVS will be collaborating with other local rehabilitation agencies to provide a monthly job club for supported employment clients looking for work and high school students graduating. Job club will be a wonderful resource for our clients to learn more about interviewing, resume writing and positive worker characteristics. Thank you Skagit County for providing this opportunity.

January 2006: Another year of Skagit Connections!

Skagit Connections, our successful social and recreational program in Skagit County has been re-authorized for an additional year. A wonderful board of volunteers planned and coordinated over 12 successful events. Over 100 persons participated in a variety of integrated activities within our community. Keep an eye out for our 2005 annual report for pictures and stories about how folks are getting connected in Skagit County.