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| Dear Guido, | |
As reported by, MetaMatrix Consulting Group, LLC., over the past three years, Sam, a manager who heads a 240-person business unit in a successful North American company has seen a steady decline in staff morale, where team members seem increasingly indifferent to meeting organizational goals, even though the organization is hitting sales marks and doing more with less. People aren't engaged and it's possible that they've simply lost hope that anything they do will improve their condition.
Why is Bobby Hanna, CON 100 graduate, different? Bobby's daily activities in the contracting department are tied to a desirable destination. "Due to LAHH and the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Education Program, I am able to continue my education and be well on my way to becoming a productive citizen in society even with my disability. I thank God for their assistance!" - Bobby Hanna, U.S. Air Force Veteran, Post Vietman War.
Bobby's testimony and his experience are a clear sign of the change and hope that the CON100 training offered by LAHH, coupled with work experience, has begun to generate.
Please read Bobby's story below.
We want to thank each CON 100 graduate for engaging with passion and enthusiasm, while remaining positive and patient for CMS to start. We are grateful to know each of you. We are grateful to learn from you. We are grateful to journey together; a journey of work and hope.
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LAHH is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation in need of support to keep developing its services to create and maintain employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
LAHH operates because of the generosity of many private individuals. 24% of our operating budget comes from private individuals.
Thank you for this support!
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Bobby Hanna's Story
| "While being in a regional opportunity center called New Directions for 20 months, I was due to exit soon. I needed additional income to be able to afford subsidized housing and had completed all other requirements except I wasn't financially stable. I discussed my situation with my counselor at Vocational Rehabilitation and she had me come into her office and asked me with my administrative background and experience would I be willing to work in the department of vocational rehab office at the federal building as a Non-Paid Work Experience (NPWE)? This is a person that works and gets on the job training and receives a subsistence allowance.
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Bobby (1st from left) and other Veterans.
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I started out working with the program specialists and learning the different governmental computer systems and filing systems. Within the department of voc rehab, they have a contract specialist/officer and after talking with the chief of our division he thought it would be a good idea for me to work directly with the contract specialist which would give me on hands experience within the contracting field that I am pursuing. In addition to gaining knowledge dealing with contracts, I am also able to pursue more education from the Defense Acquisition University (DAU), when the workload is slow. I am able to complete my Level I Federal Acquisition Certification (FAC) training. I have the CON120 course which I intend to complete with the next month or so and I will have all of the governmental technical training required to obtain this goal. Due to LAHH and the Department of Veterans Affairs Vocational Rehabilitation & Education program, I am able to continue my education and well on my way to becoming a productive citizen in society even with my disability. I thank God for their assistance!" - quotation from Bobby Hanna
From an interview with Bobby:
Why are you interested in the Contracting field? I am interested in the Contracting field because I always wanted to be in a position to make a difference and with becoming a Contract Specialist, in dealing with government contracts, I will able to make sure that the Federal Government as well as tax payers get the most for the money.
How have you changed by taking the CON series?
I have a better understanding as to how the government works and the private sector as well as small business companies in the solicitation of bids, contracts and other matter pertaining to contracts. Almost in every endeavor that you do dealing with purchasing, you will need some type of contract from either the users of the supplier and the individuals/companies that order the services.
 | | CON100 participants during LA Times interview at LAHH office. |
How have you changed by participating in the Non-Paid Work Experience program?
I have my confidence back and am getting use to being in a working environment with other employees at the federal building. While in the program I am able to gain valuable knowledge and since I have chosen to be a contract specialist the Voc Reh department has provided me with a laptop which I will need in my future endeavors of contracting to keep my certifications up. I could not afford this on my own so through the department I am able to continue my goal as to becoming a Contract Officer/Specialist also known as an 1102.
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LAHH and The Bakers Dozen, by Nancy Albin
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On March 24th, Guido, gave the March Bakers Dozen on the Science of Cleaning. The Bakers Dozen are monthly classes that LAHH offers to its employees on several topics related to the cleaning profession.
 | | Bakers Dozen March 2011, Patrick, Justin and Guido. |
 | | Bakers Dozen February 2011, Bryan, Steve and Guido. |
The day following the Bakers Dozen, I was at Los Angeles International Airport to fly to Illinois. I was waiting to board when a janitor came by to remove the discarded cups and newspapers. I asked myself; do I experience a sense of well being now that he has come through? Yes was my clear answer and it is true what I learned from the Science of Cleaning. I became more grateful for the method we are given through the Bakers Dozen and following the (OS1) cleaning program. I am certain that as an organization we are taking a step in becoming more professional.
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Bakers Dozen, February 2011. Learning PPE
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The best part of all is that we are gaining knowledge as to the meaning of what it is that we do. We not merely vacuuming or taking out the trash; we are creating a sense of well being in the lives of over 700 people who work in the buildings we clean. And this is no small feat.
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Thank you to the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation | |
 LAHH would like to extend a special thank you to the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation for their recent donation.
The Foundation has provided financial support at a critical moment in LAHH's history. Thank you to the Board of Directors at the Grace Helen Spearman Foundation.
 | | LAHH Crew at Torrance Facility. |
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Thank you for your continuos support.
Sincerely, |
Nancy Albin
Los Angeles Habilitation House, Inc.
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