CBLN Spring Career Fair

People of all abilities including students, seniors and veterans are invited to attend the annual Career Fair to be held at the LCCC Center for Conferences Building. Bring your resume to share with local businesses and potenial employers. 

If your business or organization is interested in renting booth space at the

low cost of $75.00, please contcat Marla Lewis, BLN Director at (307) 631-8012
or email  www.wbln.vcn.com  

 7^th Annual Festival of Trees – Making Spirits Bright!

November 19 & 20 kicked off the 2009 holiday season with the 7tth Annual Festival of Trees – two nights of festive events in Cheyenne.

Family Night

Over 350 children and adults attended the family night Thursday night, to the delight of children young and old! Security First Bank employees served coffee, cocoa and cookies while the attendees wandered through the trees to vote for their favorite.

Santa and Mrs. Clause listened to wish lists, and families took Christmas photos among the trees. Santa’s elves also provided temporary tattoos for the girls and boys. Attendees were asked to bring an unwrapped game or toy to be displayed under a tree and then donated to the Salvation Army Toy Run. Hundreds of toys were collected to help Santa distribute this Christmas.

Gala and Auction Night

The Festival of Trees Gala night held at the Kiwanis Community House was absolutely an magical and festive evening! 135 guests were treated to an elegant holiday feast before nearly 40 wreaths, trees and Ultimate Christmas Packages were auctioned off to the highest bidder. There was a lively silent auction – with items that had been donated to raise money for the BLN’s MentorAbility Career Development Program. This Laramie County School District #1 partnership teaches career development skills to high school youth with disabilities so they are better prepared to apply for and get jobs when they transition from school into the working world.

CBLN Director Marla Lewis said,” We were very pleased with the results of the Festival this year, considering, how many businesses have not been able to contribute at the same levels they usually do. We relied upon more sponsors and engaged more new sponsors to bring our totals to the levels they have been in better economic times. But in the end, Cheyenne once again stepped up to provide the funding we need to keep our MentorAbility program running.”

The Festival of Trees relies upon hundreds of donations and in-kind contributions to reduce the costs of designing the trees, wreaths and silent auction items. In addition, over 50 volunteers donate their time for the evening and many months in advance to make this event possible. Hundreds of hours are spent planning, designing and executing this extravagant event.

One pre-purchased tree, donated by Reed Services, Inc., was designed in Red, White and Blue stars and stripes to be donated to the Cheyenne VA Center. The tree featured boxes items to be distributed to the VA Center residents. The stately tree reminds us all of the value of the veterans who have given their all so that we may live and work in a free country. A recent addition to the more traditional auction items, were the “Ultimate Christmas Gift” packages which are sold at auction.

They can be purchased for gifting to someone else, or kept for your own personal use! A new sponsor, Lowe’s Distribution Center of Cheyenne, donated a large Weber grill which was packaged with steaks, apron & oven mitt, spirits and beverages, and sold as the “Ultimate Super Bowl Package” It was decorated with football décor and was perfect for spending Super Bowl Sunday with family or friends right after the first of the year.

Volunteers and Sponsors needed for 2010 Festival of Trees

If you are interested in being a part of the 2010 Festival of Trees, please contact CBLN director, Marla Lewis at (307) 631-8012 or at you may also become a CBLN sponsor, pre-purchase a tree, or make a donation to the CBLN. For more information about the CBLN or the Festival of Trees, contact Marla for details. Trees, wreathes and other items can be pre-purchased and donated to your favorite organization or family for next year’s festival. Orders should be received before August 30th.

Kate Adamson Mesmerizes Symons Awards Audience With Her Message!!

The October Symon Award attendees were
treated to an unforgettable message by
locked-in syndrome survivor,  Kate Adamson.

Kate told the story of how at age 35 she found herself recovering from a stroke, and trapped in her body with no means of communication to her doctors, friends or family. She told of how she endured while surviving surgery without anesthesia, and how her husband stood by her and encouraged her, even when he did not know how or if recovery would come for her.

Kate’s message to everyone in the room was that we all cam become paralyzed in our lives, and that we each have the power to take charge of our own circumstances, and make the best out of what life throws at us. You can learn more about Kate’s journey or purchase her book by visiting her Web site at kateadamson.com

CBLN Disability Friendly
Business Award
Michelle McMahon, owner of Frontier Access and Mobility in Cheyenne was recently awarded the Disability Friendly Business recognition during the 2009 Symon Awards.

Michelle has contributed greatly over the past years to making the lives of people who live in Cheyenne with disabilities easier with her adaptive equipment and expert guidance and consulting. The store which offers multitudes of adaptive equipment for mobility and special needs, is very accessible and disability friendly for people with disabilities and their families.

Michelle is also very involved in community organizations that care for people with disabilities and other people first initiatives. Michelle loves her work, and is dedicated to making Cheyenne a better place to live and work – for people of all abilities!

2009 Symon Award Winners
Recipients of the 2009 Symon awards were honored in October at the 12th annual recognition breakfast. Mayor Rick Kaysen and Senator Michael Enzi greeted the winners and proclaimed the importance of their contributions in the Cheyenne community.

These were the winners for this year’s Symon Awards:

Employer of the Year:

 ~Salvation Army & Linda Curl~

Carl Wagenknecht Employee of the Year:

~Barb McKenzie, CRMC~

Outstanding Military/Veteran Employee:

~James Raskenen~

Spirit of the Cheyenne BLN: 

~Skils’Kin~

Thanks to all 2009 CBLN sponsors and partners!

Wyoming State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR)

The Wyoming State Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) works in partnership with people with disabilities and other stakeholders to provide services resulting in employment and equality of individuals with disabilities.

Vocational Rehabilitation Division can provide only those services which are necessary for eligible individuals to reach the employment goal agreed to in the Individualized Plan for Employment. These services may include, but are not limited to:

Eligibility Assessment 

Counseling and Guidance

Referral Services

Job Search and Placement Assistance

Job Retention and Career Follow-Up

Vocational and Other Training Services

Facilitation of diagnosis and treatment of physical/mental Impairments

Transportation Services

Personal Assistance Services

Deaf & Blind Interpretive Services

Rehabilitation Teaching Services

Occupational Licenses, Tools and Equipment

Self-Employment Opportunities

Rehabilitation Technology Services

Transition Services (from school-to-work)

Supported Employment Services 

To learn more about DVR and eligibility contact your local DVR office at 1510 E. Pershing Blvd or call 307-777-7364 for an appointment with a counselor.