Progress Asks: Who wants to walk/run with us WEDNESDAYS to battle obesity?

Step-by-Step: Progress' new walking/running initiative to get us Lean in 2013!

 

Walk, run and just get moving to beat the odds in Tennessee!

In Tennessee, 3 in 10 people are considered obese. At best, there are only 11 states that rank lower than we do in overall health.

Progress is responding to these challenging numbers by taking part in the state's Healthier Nashville Wellness initiative. We have partnered with Governor Bill Haslam's office and launched Working for a Healthier Tennessee. This is a companion initiative dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our employees. 

We welcome ALL of Progress supporters, friends and family to join us in our new walking challenge Step-by-Step: Path to the East Nash Dash. The weekly walk/run challenge will gradually get participants to the distance of 4 miles, which is the same distance of Progress' Oct. 19 benefit run East Nash Dash at Five Points.

Every Wednesday, a team of Progress employees will begin walking/running at the Metro Parks Soccer Field track (across from our campus at 319 Ezell Pike) at 8:15 a.m. and 4 p.m. 

We're encouraging everyone to attempt some walking or running  three times per week. If you'd like to know more about our Step-By-Step Walk/Run program, contact Bonnie Sanders at 615-429-5014.

To sign up for the East Nash Dash, visit www.eastnashdash.org/register. 

Progress' Robert Page to be featured in The Tennessean

Robert being interviewed by Tennessean reporter Dawn Wyatt as his dad Les listens.

Robert Page's Employment Idol success has led right into the summer. He will be featured in The Tennessean's Davidson A.M. on July 4th! Please pick up a copy of Wednesday's paper and check the story out online.

His endearing story of being a dedicated, hardworking teacher's aide at Harris-Hillman for 15 years garnered the attention of reporter Dawn Wyatt. His Employment Idol video, which now has nearly 400 views on YouTube, was a fan favorite, but it also inspired some of the other contestants in the Tennessee Disability MegaConference video contest.

One of the competing videographers Walter Dodd from the Hilltoppers agency in Crossville shared this message on YouTube: "Congrats, guys. Robert won first place. We all were there and Brian (another contestant) and our group voted for Robert as well. He really Deserves it please tell him CONGRATS from everyone at our agency."

We appreciate the support from other agencies and the coverage by The Tennessean.

 Sharing the Progress' Story

Robert could not have become Tennessee's Employment Idol without social media outlets like Facebook and Youtube. Many Progress supporters shared links to the videos, Facebook posts and told their friends about the competition.

Just as that support helped Robert, it would help Progress if all our readers, Facebook fans and others shared the stories posted here at Pressing Forward With Progress and on our Facebook Page. According to a recent research provided by Facebook, 92 percent of people on social media sites shared and read stories that their online friends talked about or shared online.

Invite your friends to like and read our blog posts and like our Facebook page. There are so many great stories, photos and videos that give a glimpse into Progress' story.

Thanks for all the support!

Progress Inc. client's artwork on display at Vanderbilt

Ebony in Ivory Pool by Jerry Adams Courtesy of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center

Happy midweek everyone.

Wanted to share some exciting news about one of Progress Inc.'s longtime and talented clients Jerry Adams.
Jerry's oil painting "Ebony in Ivory Pool" will be featured in the Creative Expressions XVI exhibit at Vanderbilt University's Kennedy Center for the next week as a part of the center and the Mayor's Advisory Committee for People with Disabilities annual exhibit. The exhibition features a variety of media by artists with a wide range of disabilities and a wealth of talent. Check out a slideshow of all the artists work here.

Vanderbilt has put the display on since 1976, promoting public education and awareness and advocacy for artists with disabilities. The Kennedy Center will also feature 12 of Jerry's works, including a portrait of him, in a exhibition beginning next month, which will run until May.

Jerry, a Cheatham County resident and Tennessee native, has been painting for more than 30 years, and in that time he has been named Disabled Artist of the Year by the city and been featured in galleries at the Frist Center, TPAC and other venues across the area.

We hope that everyone can go out and support Jerry's work, and we hope to share some photos of his work for next month's exhibition soon.



Jerry Adams

 To view more of Jerry's work, please visit his website http://midtnads.com/Adams.shtml .

Goodwill Industries recognizes Progress Inc. as "Employer Partner of the Year"

David Lifsey, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries, Anita Spatz, Progress Inc. Director of Development, Crystal Martin, Progress Inc. Associate Director of Senior Services, and Arnold Roach, Goodwill Health Care Initiatives trainer. 

Goodwill Industries of Middle Tennessee recognized Progress Inc. Thursday as an Employer Partner of the Year at the 2011 Impact Awards Luncheon. Kudos to Progress staff who made an effort to connect with Goodwill's Career Solutions Training Center earlier this year.

Progress staff hired workers through Goodwill's Career Solutions Training Center, provided recommendations on how the training program could be improved and took part in CPR and First Aid training during the healthcare class. Progress Inc.'s Anita Spatz and Crystal Martin were instrumental in creating this partnership.



Here's what Matt Gloster, Senior Director of Career Solutions at Goodwill, had to say about Progress at the luncheon last week.



"It takes teamwork to make a partnership work...and that is what happened between our health care initiatives trainer, Arnold Roach, and the staff at Progress Inc...Arnold was contacted by the staff at Progress, who wanted to plan an interview session for our trainees. Not only did the interview session take place, but three candidates were hired...This has been a tremendous partnership."

Progress holds the Employer Partner of The Year title along with SMS Holdings this year. The Impact Awards luncheon also honored other recipients for their work to help adults with disabilities receive job opportunities and career sustaining skills.

Progress' goal daily is to bridge the gap between those with limited abilities and the realization of the best life possible. We hope we've helped Goodwill's clients accomplish that.