Robert S. Taubman, chairman, president and CEO of Taubman Centers, Inc., headlined the twelfth annual JVS Strictly Business Awards and Networking Luncheon at the Ritz Carlton in Dearborn on May 12. Before an audience of nearly 600 business and community leaders, Taubman spoke about the current economic crisis and offered winning strategies businesses execute to emerge as stronger, more competitive companies. The event raised $255,000 to support JVS employment programs and services.
     Plum Market and four employees of local companies were also honored. Marc Jonna, Co-founder of Plum Market accepted the JVS Business Leadership Award for bringing 150 new jobs to Oakland County. Jonna attributes his company’s success to its ability to offer natural, organic, local, and specialty items, superior guest relations and its diverse workforce of people from all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. 2008 Business Leadership honoree Joshua Linker, Founder and CEO of ePrize presented the Award to Plum Market.
     The four individuals who received the JVS Employee of the Year Awards were Detroit residents Melony Colvin and Samuel Farmer, Gila Gelfond of Beverly Hills, and Milford resident Tina Rusas. The honorees were recognized for overcoming obstacles to employment and becoming exemplary employees.
     Honoree Gila Gelfond, who has a learning disability, worked hard to finish high school. The summer before she was supposed to start college, however, she was struck down by a truck. She suffered a double skull fracture and was in a coma for three weeks. When she woke up, she had to learn to speak and move again.
     Although Gila never made a full recovery, she has been able to work independently with the help of the JVS Supported Employment program which helps people with disabilities successfully obtain and maintain employment.
     Today, Gila is a dining room attendant at Jewish Home & Aging Services’ Fleishman Residence, where she rolls silverware and helps before the daily meal services. She also serves as a goodwill ambassador to the seniors who live at the residence. 
     According to her supervisor, Lanny LeBlanc, Gila is an excellent work. “She’s dependable, loyal and thorough. She really cares about the people who live here and that makes a huge difference to the residents.”
     Samuel Farmer was living the good life in a nice house on a lake when his wife and step daughter were killed in a car accident. To cope, Samuel began drinking and stopped taking his medication for bipolar disorder.
     When his employer told him to take all the time he needed, Samuel took it too literally and lost his job. He also lost his house after he stopped paying his bills. Samuel was forced to live in his car, but still continued to drink and received three drunk driving tickets and a jail sentence.
     When he was release from prison, Samuel was ordered to receive inpatient treatment at Operation Get Down in Detroit. It was there that he heard about JVS and reached out for help. Through the JVS Career Initiative Center, Samuel landed some internship positions and began putting his life back together.
     With newfound confidence, Samuel asked Operation Get Down for a chance to volunteer as a job developer to help others find employment. Samuel excelled at the job and was offered a full time position. Today he’s proud of how far he has come. “I love being able to do something that affects people’s lives in such a positive way. It’s a new beginning for me.”
     Yellow Book Media Consultant Tina Rusas sought help from the JVS Women to Work program after separating from her husband. “I was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years and suddenly I was getting divorced,” explained Rusas. “I had a degree in Information Technology, but my skills were no longer applicable. I felt like a dinosaur.”
     With help from JVS, Tina evaluated her skills and interests and discovered she would be well suited for sales. After pursuing this new avenue, she landed a sales position at Yellow Book. “Tina was very eager to learn,” said Yellow Book District Sales Manager Kristen Henson. “During her first year, she exceeded her sales objectives by 106%, which is pretty remarkable for a first-year sales rep.”
     According to Tina, her success has also taught her kids the value of hard work. “Being back in the workforce has helped my kids see what they need to strive for themselves. I hope they are proud of me.”
     Melony Colvin is a Dressing Room Attendant at A.J. Wright in Southgate where she monitors the fitting rooms and places sensors on clothes. She was honored for her being a reliable worker with excellent customer service skills.
     Colvin has excelled in the workplace with help from the JVS Supported Employment Program, which provides the necessary assistance to ensure that individuals with disabilities succeed on the job.
     “Melony is an excellent employee. I can count on her to get the job done,” said Store Manager James Glister. “I wish I had 100 Melony’s!”
     Strictly Business is an annual fundraising event for JVS, a nonprofit human service organization. The organization is a leading provider of career placement, counseling and training to individuals with disabilities, breadwinners seeking a job or career change, at-risk students, frail seniors and metro Detroit employers. From its four locations in Detroit, Roseville, Southfield and West Bloomfield, JVS serves over 10,000 people annually to help them realize their life’s potential.