Announcing the 2011 Advocate of the Year, Employer of the Year, and Personal Achievement Award Winners!

Advocate of the Year: Gary Grundy, volunteer consultant

Gary Grundy came to Lifeworks as a volunteer consultant with over 30 years of experience in management in multiple facets of large corporations. Gary has developed a Business Execution Advancement Model, which focuses on process improvement. In the past year, Gary has offered his vast understanding of business practices and experience for over 300 hours of volunteer consulting at Lifeworks. In this time, he has worked closely with staff at Lifeworks Administration on how to identify, standardize, and improve our processes. He has been a close mentor for staff, making himself available on a weekly basis throughout the year. The improvements that Gary has helped Lifeworks achieve have allowed more time to be spent with clients and interacting directly with families. The goal of his work is not only to improve efficiency of Lifeworks processes, but to maximize the service provided to clients and families.

Despite his physical disability, he upheld his commitment to Lifeworks by driving to Administration and putting in more volunteer hours than any other volunteer in 2011. Gary inspires others with a message of living life to the fullest. His generous hospitality, patient teaching style, and great use of real life situations have helped to translate his wisdom and experience into a more efficient Lifeworks. His global advocacy for Lifeworks as an organization led him to be chosen unanimously for 2011 Advocate of the Year.

Employer of the Year: Unitron

Lifeworks and Unitron have had a partnership since 2007. In this time, there has been exponential growth in both working and social relationships. In the past year, Unitron has moved to employing clients five days per week. They have adopted a culture which asks the question, how can we incorporate Lifeworks? When new projects come up, Unitron actively seeks out new tasks to accompany the already vast array of jobs performed by clients, including: marketing projects, kitting production, retrieving stock, delivering carts, counting springs, taping hearing aid shells, rolling lanyards, recycling returned hearing aid products, and retrieving and delivering folders to specific areas. Unitron understands the value that Lifeworks brings to their workforce, and they have advocated on behalf of Lifeworks to other businesses.

In addition to growing their partnership and advocating for Lifeworks in the business world, Unitron takes the effort and time to include clients in many ways outside of work. Unitron employees take Lifeworks clients out for lunch once a month, they instituted a picnic lunch called Picnic with the Presidents, where both the Unitron and Lifeworks presidents attended, and the crew is included in potlucks, lunches catered in, and holiday contests. Unitron employees routinely stop by the Lifeworks team area to catch up and chat about current events. As one client who works at Unitron said, "Unitron employees go out of their way to make Lifeworks feel welcome." To further illustrate Unitron's inclusion of Lifeworks, they involved clients in a recent marketing campaign which asked, "What is your favorite sound?" It is because of Unitron's dedication to their partnership with Lifeworks, their eagerness to expand client work, and their above and beyond efforts to include clients in all aspects of Unitron culture, they have been awarded the 2011 Employer of the Year.

Personal Achievement

Larry Olding, Lifeworks client employed at Christopher & Banks

Larry has been called personable, cooperative, and hard-working by everyone he with whom he comes into contact. Larry has traveled a long road - switching careers and working through lay-offs to finding his perfect fit at Christopher & Banks, but he has maintained a high level of integrity and increased his determination to improve throughout. One trait that Larry's co-workers at Christopher & Banks all appreciate and admire about him is that he shows the same genuine level of respect to everyone and is supportive to all. He lives by the unwavering rule of treating others how you would like to be treated. Not only is a he a nice guy, but Larry's productivity is above and beyond the standard. If you are a good employee in Larry's field, your production numbers are around 1,500 items per hour. Larry's numbers are at 2,000 per hour! Each day, Larry tries to outdo his past days productivity. His will to achieve is contagious and shines a positive light throughout the entire department.

Because of Larry's hard work at Christopher & Banks, and the stability of his job, he was able to buy a home with his wife in St. Louis Park. Larry understands that in order to reach our goals in life, regardless of ability, we have to work hard. Larry had another goal of becoming his own guardian, which he achieved in the spring of 2011 by tirelessly developing his independence and proving his ability for self-reliance. Larry was chosen for this award because he demonstrates a level of commitment and focus that transcends his disability. He has shown that anyone can achieve his or her goals with hard work and determination.

David Spragg, Lifeworks client employed at Unitron

David brings his passion for independence and empowerment to everything he does. When David was unsatisfied with having his job coach at Unitron get his supplies for him, he found a way to do it himself by incorporating the use of his walker as a cart. David not only advocates for his own independence and productivity, but also set a precedent for encouragement at work. In an effort to support his coworkers, David routinely gives vocal praise. This positive reinforcement has caught on and David's coworkers have begun to support one another in this way. His work ethic and friendly demeanor have served to empower those around him.

Another aspect of David's life is one of a tireless desire to better himself and his community. He does so by volunteering for numerous charities, including Feed My Starving Children, where he serves meals to homeless individuals at the Union Gospel Mission. He is an official delegate of the DFL party in his district. He has become a strong advocate for mandatory seatbelt use in school busses and has had an article about the subject published in the Golden Valley Sun Post. He was also invited to share his feelings about school bus seatbelt usage in front of the Golden Valley City Council. David keeps up with current legislation, and when he does not agree with a law, he writes a formal letter to his representatives. If he doesn't receive an answer, he will go to the capitol and demand to speak to his representatives. If David sees things that could improve at Lifeworks, he has been known to contact the Executive Team to have his ideas heard. David was instrumental in the planning and implementation of a recent technology conference for "Advocating Change Together." David has received this award for his strong conviction and character, as well as his commitment to empower himself and those around him.

Be sure to SAVE THE DATE for the Lifeworks Annual Celebration, taking place on Thursday, April 19, where all the winners will receive their awards.

Find out more about the Lifeworks Annual Celebration here.