The Gorilla Blog
Frederick Native Honored by Goodwill Industries International
Joanna McVicker is used to proving people wrong.
When a brain injury she sustained as a child affected her cognitive functioning, McVicker admits she was met with a bit of skepticism. “Some people thought I would never be able to graduate from school or get good grades like the As and Bs on my report card and go to college,” she says. When others gave up hope, McVicker and her family turned to hope in the form of the Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) program at Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley in Frederick.
McVicker’s instructor, who also struggled with a brain injury of her own, taught her skills for coping with her injury in her work and personal lives. “She understood my issues,” McVicker says. “For the first time, I feel empowered in my life.”
In recognition of her spirit of determination and a desire to impact the lives of others, Goodwill Industries International selected McVicker as the 2012 Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year. “Disabilities like Joanna’s are often invisible to the public,” says Jim Gibbons, president and CEO of Goodwill Industries International. “She proves to others with similar disabilities that there are ways to be successful in the workplace.”
Drawing from the support and encouragement she received from Goodwill, McVicker was able to land a job with the Frederick Visitors Center where she performs clerical duties and answers visitors’ questions.
“When Joanna comes to work, we never think, ‘Here comes our Goodwill trainee employee.’ We think, ‘Oh, good! Joanna’s here and we need here to fulfill these 80 mailings that must go out,’” says Robyn Hildebrand, the center’s manager.
In addition to the Frederick Visitors Center, McVicker also volunteers at an assisted living facility and is attending a local community college where she studies gerontology.
The Kenneth Shaw Graduate of the Year Award honors an outstanding individual who has completed a Goodwill Industries career program and has become employed by a non-Goodwill employer in his or her community.
To learn more about Goodwill Industries of Monocacy Valley, call 301-662-0662 or visit www.goodwillmv.org.
Frederick County Convoy of Hope
By Frederick GorillaThousands of residents across Frederick County will be recipients of hope on Saturday, June 2 at the Frederick Fairgrounds during the Frederick County Convoy of Hope event.
More than 100 businesses; churches, city, state and county governments; and dozens of nonprofit organizations will come together to reach out to underprivileged individuals in our area.
Services provided include:
- Donations of groceries
- Free hot lunch
- Free family portraits
- Free medical and dental exams
- Hundreds of free haircuts
- Assistance with job training skills, career counseling and interview skills training
- Children’s activities
- Translation services for non-English speakers
Volunteers are needed to participate in Convoy for Hope. To volunteer, go to Convoy of Hope Frederick County’s website. Donations are also being accepted on the website.
Participating business sponsors for the event include Frederick County Bank, Home Care Services by Edenton, Ceresville Mansion, New York Life and the Emergency Water Removal Flood Department.
For more information on this event, call 301-401-2456.
For Aunt Jackie
Aunt Jackie is a primary colored thread in the tapestry that is my life. I have never bothered to imagine a world without her in it, and this weekend, much to my devastation, I had to face her departure from this earth. This weekend I had to accept that mortality has finally touched our little clan – Aunt Jackie is gone.
A primary color in my tapestry has been extinguished.
The Education of Pattee Brown Continues
I like to think of my life as an ongoing film. Each scene derived from the many adventures I embark upon throughout my (hopefully long) years on this planet. The name of the film – because, yes, I did title my life – would be The Education of Pattee Brown. Catchy, no?
For someone who prides themselves on having had many adventures, it’s always a surprise to discover how many very normal things I have never done. For example—I recently told my friends that I had never been to a live football game nor had I ever been “tailgating” and wasn’t really sure what exactly that meant. Of course, most of my friends, being college football fans and followers of the Maryland Terps, were appalled at this. But to be honest, when I learned that “tailgating” is when you hang out in a parking lot and eat out of your car, I was a bit appalled myself. “Why not just go to a nice restaurant after the game?” I asked honestly perplexed by the concept. Luckily, my friends at the Rotary who were organizing the group trip and tailgate still welcomed me to join them despite my clearly novice status. (more…)
City Mouse
I live and work in downtown Frederick and there isn’t a day that goes by that I am not thankful for that pleasure. There aren’t too many people who can say their commute is 2 city blocks. Mine is, and I love it. Now, keep in mind, I have a true appreciation for my situation.
I spent my younger professional life in New York City…eww. The traffic in New York is as repulsive as everyone thinks—no exaggeration necessary when telling the commuter tales of the E train from Queens to Midtown at 7am during the work week. And of course, I lived in Frederick and worked down the road in Gaithersburg for a number of years, and then I lived in Gaithersburg and commuted to Alexandria for a couple more years. So, I am no stranger to a horrific commute to and from work. Therefore, when I say I count my blessings about living and working in downtown Frederick, I mean every word of it.
Finger Painting with Michelangelo
Listen, there are many people who, when speaking with me, assume I have traveled the world, been on great adventures, accomplished amazing things, and done things most people don’t’ get to dream about.
Okay, chalk it up to a “BIG” personality I guess, because while I can’t say I have led a sheltered life, I can tell you my travels are limited, and I haven’t ever been on safari or really to many places outside these great states.
But, I am a New Yorker, and we do have exposure to many cultures over the course of our lives, so maybe that contributes to my seemingly worldly sophistication? I don’t know. I think it’s all crap really. What makes a person sophisticated? I don’t put too much stock into things like that.
The Gorilla at the Frederick Chamber Business Expo
Last week the Gorilla joined approximately 100 other businesses in Frederick County at the chamber business expo. I have to tell you that the Stealers Wheel song, “Stuck in the middle with you” was in my head almost the entire day.
Let me explain. (more…)
Doers
When I re-opened my advertising and marketing consulting firm a few years ago, Jenn Finley was my neighbor. Her office was right next to mine; often times she would come in and sit on the couch. She would talk about her dreams, such as her desire to become a part of the artist community in Frederick.
She knows there is incredible talent in this town. Much of it is undiscovered or artists just don’t know how to get onto the scene and she wants to be their guide. Jenn wanted to bridge the gap between local businesses and local artists and bring them together in some way. She has so many dreams, so many magnificent visions.
But the one thing I know about Jenn — she isn’t a dreamer. (more…)
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