News/Updates
ABILITY NATION SCENTSATIONS™ CREATES EMPLOYMENT
FOR DISADVANTAGED WORKFORCE
PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES HAND CRAFT POTPOURRI PRODUCTS/ AVAILABLE AT GIANT STORES NOW
Springfield, VA – December 22, 2011 – In 2011 MVLE, Inc. has created its own successful brand of scented floral products called Ability Nation Scentsations™. The product line includes potpourri cubes, shoe fresheners and sachets. MVLE, a metro area non-profit provider of supported employment and program services for people with disabilities, has been able to put 160 people to work daily with this start-up. This number rises to 300 on very busy days. The brand is now available at hundreds of area Giant stores.
“We began with this project three years ago because MVLE was having trouble finding employment for people with disabilities. Ability Nation allows MVLE to create that employment itself”, explains MVLE President April Pinch-Keeler.
Quote from the President’s year-end letter: “We always had the vision that this line of business would become a significant source of our revenues and a great platform for meaningful jobs as well. Our hopes have been confirmed by our newly forged partnership with Royal Ahold USA, the parent company of Giant stores and other grocery retailers in the East. Ability Nation potpourri products are now on display in hundreds of grocery stores along the Mid-Atlantic and the North East.”
Today, Americans with disabilities suffer from 75 percent unemployment on average. Ability Nation Scentsations™ is modeled to grow and become a viable employment option for people around the United States.
Press Contact: Robert Peres, (571) 339-1324 or (202) 290-6119, robert@mvle.org
MVLE CELEBRATES OCTOBER 2011 AS
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
MVLE is an AbilityOne Partner since 1994
Springfield, VA – October 28, 2011 – President Barack Obama has proclaimed October to be “National Disability Employment Awareness Month” (NDEAM). MVLE fully supports the initiative and joins in the celebration which coincides with our 40th anniversary of providing job opportunities to people with disabilities.
NDEAM is the month to highlight the good work of the AbilityOne Program and all of the participating agencies and partners for their efforts that take place all year long, each and every day. AbilityOne is a federal initiative that helps persons who are blind or severely disabled find employment with non-profit organizations that provide products and/or services to government agencies. MVLE is one of 600 community-based organizations in the AbilityOne nationwide network.
MVLE's partnership with AbilityOne began in 1994, when we were awarded the custodial services contract for the M.V. Bostetter Federal Bankruptcy Courthouse in Alexandria, Virginia. Since then, our partnership has expanded and is now providing employment for more than 60 people with disabilities.
Press Contact: Robert Peres
(571) 339-1324, (202) 290-6119
robert@mvle.org
APRIL PINCH-KEELER HONORED AS NAPW PROFESSIONAL WOMAN OF THE YEAR
Springfield, VA - September, 16, 2011 - April Pinch-Keeler, President and CEO of MVLE, Inc., is being honored as a 2010/2011 Professional Woman of the Year in Human Services by the National Association of Professional Women, a prestigious distinction awarded by the 200,000-strong membership of NAPW who joins together to develop innovative business and social relationships.
For the full text of NAPW's press release please click on this link:
http://www.napw.com/profile/10141100/April-PinchKeeler/
Press Contact: Robert Peres
(571) 339-1324 (202) 290-6119
robert@mvle.org
MVLE SUPPORTS PRESIDENT OBAMA’S PUSH FOR
WOUNDED WARRIORS TAX CREDIT
Springfield, VA – August 5, 2011 – MVLE, Inc., a non-profit job development agency helping disabled veterans rejoin the workforce, welcomes and strongly supports President Obama’s proposal to extend the “Wounded Warriors” tax credit. This tax credit gives companies that hire veterans with service-related disabilities a $ 4,800 credit. At a minimum the president's proposal includes a $2,400 credit for hiring a short-term unemployed veteran while a $9,600 credit would be available for hiring a long-term unemployed and disabled veteran.
“Our Working Warriors Program helps veterans find a well-deserved path for their next career. And to employers I can only say: you are hiring America’s finest. The President’s tax credit proposal should give a terrific boost to the cause and we urge Congress to swiftly implement this legislation”, says MVLE President and CEO, April Pinch-Keeler.
MVLE currently helps and assists service men and women through their program “Working Warriors” to re-enter the job force and find gainful employment. MVLE’s program supports the most severely wounded troops and veterans who suffer from injuries or illness incurred in the line of duty. These troops and veterans must receive or expect to receive a rating of 30% or greater in one or more specific categories, such as:
• Blindness/Loss of Vision
• Deafness/Hearing Loss
• Fatal/Incurable Disease
• Loss of Limb
• Permanent Disfigurement
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
• Severe Burns
• Spinal Cord Injury/Paralysis
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Other conditions requiring extensive hospitalizations or multiple surgeries
Press Contact: Robert Peres
(571) 339-1324 (202) 290-6119
THE WELLS FARGO FOUNDATION FUNDS
THE EMPLOYMENT OF WOUNDED WARRIORS
Springfield, VA – August 2, 2011 – The Wells Fargo Foundation has contributed $10,000 to MVLE, Inc. in support of the Employing Wounded Warriors Program. This program provides job development and placement to military members disabled in the line of duty.
“The Wells Fargo Foundation does wonderful work and truly makes a difference in the lives of so many people who need our support on a daily basis. We are extremely grateful for the generosity and support the Wounded Warriors are experiencing through this grant. The funds will directly impact the lives of several of our heroes by enabling them to re-enter the workforce,” stated April Pinch-Keeler, President and CEO of MVLE, Inc., a non-profit job development organization headquartered in Springfield, Virginia.
Statistics show why programs like Employment for Wounded Warriors are so vital: with the national unemployment rate hovering at 9.2 percent, veterans who have been wounded while serving our country are having a much harder time finding their way back into the private work sector. Their national unemployment rate is over 20 percent, even without a service-connected disability. However, 2.8 million veterans (13 percent of all veterans) are permanently disabled due to war-related injuries and their job outlook is even bleaker.
"Wells Fargo is committed to promoting long-term economic prosperity and quality of life for everyone in our communities," said Ravi Chandra, Wells Fargo community banking president. "We hope this grant allows MVLE to put even more veterans back to work and helps refuel the economic recovery."
Press Contact: Robert Peres
(571) 339-1324 (202) 290-6119
robert@mvle.org
Northrop Grumman Recognizes Suppliers, Employees for Continued Support of Its Socio-Economic Business Programs
LOS ANGELES -- Dec. 13, 2010 – Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) recognized 42 employees and 23 suppliers at its annual Socio-Economic Business Programs (SEBP) awards luncheon in Manhattan Beach, Calif. The award recipients were acknowledged for their outstanding performance and support of SEBP, which expands subcontracting opportunities for all classes of small business concerns, including small disadvantaged, women-owned, historically underutilized business zones, veteran, service-disabled veteran-owned, historically black colleges, universities and minority institutions.
A photo accompanying this release is available at:
World Class Team awards recognize suppliers and employees who have demonstrated exceptional support and commitment to the SEBP goals and objectives. The awards luncheon featured April Pinch-Keeler, president of MVLE, a non-profit organization that provides assistance to over 630 individuals with intellectual disabilities and emphasizes the importance of working and providing mentoring opportunities for them.
“These corporate awards recognize suppliers and employees for their outstanding efforts and continued contributions in support to the many corporate initiatives including Mentor-Protégé, Small Business Innovation Research and AbilityOne programs,” said Susan Cote, vice president, corporate contracts, pricing and supply chain. “It’s a win-win situation where the innovation and creativity of our suppliers allow Northrop Grumman to deliver the highest quality products and services to our customers.”
SEBP programs play a key role in connecting small businesses capabilities with Northrop Grumman government programs in the supply chain and technical organizations leading to significant business opportunities. In fiscal year 2010, Northrop Grumman awarded $11.5 billion in subcontracts, with small businesses receiving more than $4.2 billion (36.7 percent) of these awards. Employees were recognized for consistently going above and beyond customary work requirements to help Northrop Grumman’s small business office meet or exceed its goals.
The suppliers recognized with World Class Supplier awards consistently demonstrated responsiveness and flexibility to help meet Northrop Grumman production needs. Suppliers honored with recognition awards were Arrowhead Engineering; Convergent Solutions, Inc.; Dfuse Technologies, Inc.; Diamond Mold, Inc.; EIC Solutions, Inc.; Embark Software Development; Eptam Plastics, Ltd.; Far West Contractors Corporation; Graphic Research, Inc.; McCallie Associates, Inc.; Meadowgate Technologies LLC; MSM Industries, Inc.; MVLE; North Shore Components, Inc.; PFG Precision Optics; PLANIT Technology Group; Rincon Research Corporation; SEAKR Engineering, Inc.; Shield Consulting Solutions, Inc.; APG Technologies, LLC; Systems Engineering & Management Company (SEMCO); The Baer Group; and VPI Engineering.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.
Contact: Gus Gulmert
gus.gulmert@ngc.com
County of Fairfax, Virginia Appoints April Pinch-Keeler
Congratulations April Pinch-Keeler was appointed as the Long Term Care Providers #13 Representative to the Fairfax Community Long Term Care Coordinaating Council.
http://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/hd/ltccc/
Greater Springfield Chamber
MVLE received the Chamber's 2010 Corporate Citizen Award. April Pinch-Keeler, MVLE president, accepted the award from emcee Eric Williams.
Named Woman of The Year by NAPW
April Pinch-Keeler
President
April Pinch-Keeler has been President of MVLE since November 2003. April, an MVLE veteran since 1994, advocated for the rights of the disabled since she was 12 years old. Pinch-Keeler has more than 20 years of experience in managing and directing services for people with disabilities. April has provided overall supervision and direction of the agency’s services and programs. She is responsible for the development of marketing materials to promote both the agency and the generation of jobs for individuals. She has effectively managed MVLE`s contract procurement programs, contract negotiations, contract development, as well as contract monitoring and evaluation. On the individual side, Pinch-Keeler often makes public presentations concerning program information and individual advocacy issues and has developed an extensive school graduate transition program. Her roles within MVLE often require the ability to work effectively with a diversity of personnel and establish effective liaison roles with contract agencies, other community agencies and individual groups. She excels at creating innovative solutions to the challenges that face not-for-profit organizations.
http://www.napw.com/profile/10141100/April-PinchKeeler/
Northrop Grumman, MVLE Sign Mentor-Protégé Agreement Enhancing Programs That Provide Jobs for Persons with Disabilities
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) announced it has signed a U.S. Department of Defense mentor-protégé agreement with MVLE, a nonprofit group that provides jobs and job training for persons with disabilities. Northrop Grumman developed the mentor-protégé relationship with MVLE to assist in its development of federal contracting opportunities, as well as infrastructure development that will help provide more employment opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities.
MVLE, located in Springfield, Va., was founded in 1971 by parents of young adults with disabilities looking to create opportunities for their children after they finished attending school. MVLE provides daily work opportunities and intensive rehabilitation services to over 630 adults with disabilities. It is an internationally accredited agency and a qualified AbilityOne service provider. MVLE provides custodial, food service, outbound mail, digital mail, and secure document management services. MVLE recently announced plans for a work and rehabilitation program for Wounded Warriors to become part of the workforce.
"This mentor-protégé agreement allows Northrop Grumman the opportunity to assist an AbilityOne agency in transitioning into the realm of federal contracting. This program goes beyond the development of contracting activities by allowing people with severe disabilities the opportunity to become gainfully employed." said Susan Cote, Northrop Grumman corporate vice president of contracts and pricing.
Northrop Grumman will provide engineering and technical training to MVLE. This includes formal training at Northrop Grumman facilities and in partnership with the George Mason Technical Assistance Center.
"MVLE is excited to work with Northrop Grumman to make it possible to provide more training and jobs for persons with disabilities. MVLE appreciates that Northrop Grumman is willing to share its expertise and knowledge to help create a better life for people with intellectual challenges who often are unable to find employment," said MVLE President April Pinch-Keeler.
Since 1992, Northrop Grumman has mentored approximately 100 small businesses, and currently has 20 active mentor-protégé agreements. The MVLE-Northrop Grumman agreement is the first of its kind where an AbilityOne firm has entered into the mentor-protégé program. Northrop Grumman has received 20 Nunn-Perry Awards from the Defense Department since 1995 for its work with protégé companies.
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Mentor Protégé Program
The Mentor-Protégé Program was established under Public Law 101-510, Section 831, and the National Defense Authorization Act of 1991. The program has three goals:
Provide incentives to major contractors, performing under at least one active approved
subcontracting plan negotiated with Department of Defense or other federal agency,
to assist SDBs, Hubzone, SDVOSBs, and qualified organizations that employ the
severely disabled and women-owned small businesses in enhancing their capabilities
to satisfy DoD and other contract and subcontract requirements.
Increase the participation of SDBs, HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified
organizations that employ the severely disabled as subcontractors and suppliers
under DoD, federal agency and commercial contrMentor Protégé Program
acts.
Foster the establishment of long-term business relationships between SDBs,
HUBZone, SDVOSBs, WOSBs and other qualified organizations that employ the
severely disabled and such contractors.
