BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JACK T. PARKER
Chairman

MARTHA OWEN
Vice Chairman

DONALD CRANE

LLOYD FISHER

CARSON GRIFFIN

DEBORAH HALL

LINDA NEUMANN

WILL SAGAR

STEVE SEELINGER

JERRY STONE

NANCY STRICKER
Secretary

DAVID NEUMANN
Ex-Officio

Message from the Director....

Dear Friends,

In 1967 a few young men who were members of the Brevard Jaycees had a vision. It was inspired by the parents of a young woman with a developmental disability who believed that their daughter should have an opportunity to be included in the community. That vision led the Brevard Jaycees to start a “sheltered workshop” that would provide activities and work for adults with disabilities. Most of the first participants
in the “workshop” program had little or no public school education or vocational training and there were no other services available for them and their families. The idea that people with developmental disabilities, such as mental retardation, could work was a new idea. We have come far in our knowledge and expectations in the past forty years.

The forward thinking and hard work of those young Jaycees began a venture that would far surpass their initial vision. No one could have imagined the “sheltered workshop” would evolve into the business TVS is today. While the mission of serving people with disabilities remains basically the same, the impact TVS has made in this community has been amazing. Literally thousands of individuals have benefited from the
programs and work opportunities at TVS over the past forty years. We’ve seen first hand that “ability” rather that “disability” should be our primary focus.

I am grateful for visionary people who dare to believe that the unthinkable can happen. They leave a legacy to be admired.

Nancy B. Stricker

Outstanding Citizenship Award

Jeff Benjamin is the winner of the Outstanding Citizenship Award for 2007. He is in the Adult Development Vocational Program and has been a part-time employee of the City of Brevard through a supported employment program since 1998. The people who’ve met Jeff have come to realize that even though someone has a disability, they still know how to laugh, enjoy life, and make the best of what you have.
The appearance of the streets and sidewalks is very important to the city and the Chamber of Commerce. Brevard has lots of tourists who are in downtown all through the year. Jeff knows that the area looks good because of his hard work. The Mayor of Brevard knows Jeff by name as do most of his staff. Jeff is a valued city employee and he attends all the events for employees.
Not only does Jeff know most of the owners and workers in each business but he knows their customers as well. Jeff will ask most people how they are doing, ask about their family, and in a lot of cases how their pets are doing. On occasion, some folks bring their pets to see Jeff when they are in town.
Jeff’s attitude and friendliness have endeared him to many downtown merchants. They know when it’s his birthday and often have a birthday present waiting for him. Most have fruit or candy but some actually wrap a package and present him with a gift, often a hat or shirt from his favorite sports team.

In The Press

"Rice pudding: It's a treat." - The Charlotte Observer

read the story

Read The Most Recent Newsletter

News Letter Summer 2007

(456 K PDF file)

Employee News

Our 2006 Employee of the Year Nominee is James Crane. Congratulations, James!

more employee news

Thanks to...

the following employers who recently hired some of the best employees in the county:- K-Mart, Ingles, The Square Root, Bi-Lo, Falls Landing

Lesley Smith earns CDL
18-Wheeler