Pick up The Tennessean TODAY: Progress Inc. Named Top 10 Workplace in Middle Tennessee

Progress is pleased to announce that it has been selected as one of The Tennessean Top Workplaces.

Progress Inc. was one of 45 Middle Tennessee companies honored by The Tennessean's Top Workplaces

Progress was named as the 9^th top midsize company in an awards ceremony on Wednesday, June 26, 2013 at Hilton Nashville Downtown. Forty-five small, midsized and large companies were honored for their dynamic workplace environements.

The more than 250 employees of Progress are committed to providing quality and personalized care to adults with intellectual disabilities and seniors. The 125 employees that responded to the survey expressed their fulfillment with the value of their work, communication with their managers and the direction that the agency as a whole is going in.

The Tennessean published the complete list of Top Workplaces in today's edition. For more information about the Top Workplaces lists and WorkplaceDynamics, please visit www.topworkplaces.com and www.workplacedynamics.com.

####

  About Progress Inc.Progress Inc., a non-profit organization in Nashville, Tenn., has helped Middle Tennesseans bridge the gap between limited independence and the realization of the best possible life since 1971. For more information about Progress’ developmental disabilities and senior care services, go to www.progress-inc.org or visit Progress Inc.’s Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/Progressinc2011.

VIDEO: Thanks for Supporting Progress' Festival on the Fairway

The Festival on the Fairway was a great way to lead into the summer! We had an array of support from Pinnacle Bank, Del Mar Pharmacy, Regions Bank, Bass Tires, RJ Young and many others.
Check out the video to get a glimpse of this wonderful event, which supported the day programs offered by Progress and Rochelle Center.

For more on our great corporate and food sponsors, visit http://eepurl.com/yVDRP .

Parents Praise Camp Progress in Tennessean article

Camper Ian and John playing around at Camp Progress. Credit:  Tennessean's  Samuel Simpkins

We're in Week 3 of Camp Progress, Progress Inc.'s new summer camp for youths ages 10-22. We have had such a great response from the community, parents and campers. 

We send out a huge thank you to The Tennessean & reporter Nancy DeVille & photojournalist Samuel Simpkins for their news story that published on June 12. In case you missed it, please read & share this wonderful story at this link.

Ms. Carreon, Camp Progress Camper Ian's mom, was included in the story. She gave Camp Progress much praise for the impact it has had on her son. 

“He’s happy to be there when he arrives and appears to be really having fun when I go to pick him up,” Carreon said. “That’s a good sign, especially for a kid that doesn’t have language. Just seeing the joy in his face and the counselors telling me how he’s interacting with other kids is really great.”

Camper Josh and Lanitta enjoying a moment at Camp Progress last week. Credit: Samuel Simpkins

Ian watering his plant at West End Middle. Credit: Samuel Simpkins

SMART! Appearance on NewChannel5: Repurposed Jewelry

Life Style with Denise Simons has featured Six pieces of SMART! Scrap made Art. This is a  repurposed necklace created by Sally Mills, Local Jeweler/Progress Director of Fiscal Services.

Life Style with Denise Simons will once again feature a beautiful piece of repurposed art provided by SMART! Scrap Made Art tonight! The NewsChannel5 program, which is available on Comcast Channel 250, will air a short segment  at 9 p.m. tonight on how to create the beautiful necklace above with everyday items. The show will re-air Tuesday afternoon, so check your local listings.

Progress' Director of Fiscal Services Sally Mills created the artisan jewelry above with upcycled copperwire, coins and other items.
Denise & NewsChannel 5 have been so supportive of Progress' social enterprise, which will be a retail store for recycled art supplies. SMART! will also eventually serve as a space where students and everyday people can learn how to create upcycled art pieces. SMART!'s goal is to provide a revenue stream to Progress, which supports seniors and adults with intellectual disabilities. The retail store will also provide job opportunities for individuals Progress supports.

  We're working on an exciting project that will help raise funds for this new venture. Check back here to learn more about this big news for SMART! And don't forget to check the SMART! tab on the blog to find out what you can donate to help our mission.

Camp Progress - Full-Day Summer Camp for kids with disabilities - in June!

Camp Progress will be a pilot summer camp that offers Middle Tennessee children with intellectual disabilities a  wonderful summer!

Do you know a child with autism or other intellectual disabilities? Camp Progress, which will begin its inaugural summer on June 3, will be a nurturing and educational place for them this summer! 

Progress Inc. will offer the only 6-week full-day camp for children with intellectual disabilities available in Nashville from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. June 3-July 13th at West End Middle, 3529 West End Avenue. 

Metro Nashville Public Schools has been a great partner by welcoming MNPS students who would benefit from the innovative and engaging camp spearheaded by Progress Director of Programs Meika McClendon. 

Camp Progress will be a natural extension of what Progress provides to dozens of adults with intellectual disabilities. We aim to keep those youths not only "healthy, happy and safe," as our mission says, but also enlightened, entertained & engaged!

We hope to have much more to share about some of the exciting plans for this summer. Please share this information with families that may be interested in the camp.

Register here: http://www.innovation.mnps.org/Page107013.aspx.

SMART! Featured on NewsChannel 5+ Life Style with Denise Simons TONIGHT!

Handmade coasters designed with broken glass scraps, wall tiles and grout by SMART Scrap Made Art's Kelli Monday.

SMART! Scrap Made Art  , Progress' social enterprise that will offer recycled art supplies and materials, will be featured in a series of Repurpose segments on Life Style with Denise Simons, which will air TONIGHT, Monday, April 22 and 9 p.m. on NewsChannel5+ (Comcast 250, Charter 150 and Digital 5.2) and re-air Tuesday, April 23 at 12:30 p.m.

The above stylish coasters will be featured in tonight's episode. Last week, the beautiful stepping stone crafted by Progress Executive Director Donna Goodaker was featured in the Repurpose segment last week. Life Style, hosted by Denise Simons, a local interior decorator,  is an hour show that gives insight on design ideas and features interviews with home decor and art experts every Monday night. 

Denise has been kind enough to feature items made from our stash of recycled materials from SMART! on her show over the next few weeks. Other SMART! Scrap Made Art creations will be featured for the next 4-5 Mondays, so if you miss this week's segment, please plan your DVR for the Repurpose segment of Life Style with Denise Simons over the next few weeks.

We greatly appreciate NewsChannel5+ and Denise for giving our upcycled creations a platform to be viewed by the community. 

Please Watch & DVR the segments to show your support for our social enterprise, which will open soon.

Steffan's Birthday @ Dave & Buster's

Steffan @ His Birthday Party

Progress folks recently came out to support Steffan on his 27th Birthday! Staff and the folks we support showed up in great numbers to the celebration. Steffan always has a smile and pointed opinion about the world of sports! 

Here's a few photos from the night of fun at Dave & Buster's at Opry Mills Mall!