NASL Rochester Rhinos

Rhinos Announce Heritage Christian Services Partnership

Published on March 11, 2010 under North American Soccer League (NASL)
Rochester Rhinos News Release


ROCHESTER, NY - The Rochester Rhinos announced today the addition of a new team support staff member thanks to a state program that matches people with developmental disabilities to prospective employers.

Chris Brown, who is supported by Heritage Christian Services, started work Monday as the assistant equipment manager. He washes and folds team uniforms, cleans equipment and takes care of a variety of other tasks on a daily basis for the club.

"I enjoy working with the team and the management," said Brown, whose grandfather played club soccer in Buffalo for years and whose brother-in-law played professionally in Rochester. "They keep you real busy, which is nice."

Brown, 47, has been working since high school at a variety of hospitals, retirement homes and restaurants. Every employer has written Chris a letter of recommendation praising his work ethic. "I'm never late, and I always do the best I can, which is important," Brown said.

His first day on the job, he met all of the players and staff members because the Rhinos wanted Brown to feel welcome. The Rhinos also are hoping to add more employees with disabilities, so more people can have a chance to enter the workforce.

"We are honored at the Rhinos to have Chris with us and we will support his efforts each and every day. He is part of our family now and has already made a positive impression with Coach Lilley and I, the players and office staff with his work ethic and genuine character. I feel blessed to have been introduced to Drew Bielemeier of Heritage Christian Services by our team chiropractor Donald Dudley and been made aware this program exits. We could not have asked for a better win-win situation."

"The Rhinos and their management are really models of how this can work," said Bob Pieters, president and founder of Heritage Christian Services, an agency that strives to find employment and volunteer work for the people it supports. "People want to feel that their life has meaning and that they are contributing to society - whether they have a disability or not. It's great that employers like the Rhinos see the value in including people with developmental disabilities."

BIO: CHRIS BROWN

Chris Brown moved into an apartment operated by Heritage Christian Services in January. His parents, siblings and other family members - including nephews who play soccer and lacrosse - are active in his life. He has a large stack of work references, including one from the head of a college where he worked. All of them praise his work ethic and his politeness.

BACKGROUND: STATE INTERNSHIP

The State of New York Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities sponsors an 18-month internship program for people with developmental disabilities to gain on-the-job experience. The internships are paid for by OMRDD in the hope that internships lead to long-term employment.

ABOUT HERITAGE CHRISTIAN

Heritage Christian Services is a thriving nonsectarian human services organization that opened its first neighborhood home in 1984, and now supports more than 1,500 children and adults with developmental disabilities through the operation of 57 neighborhood homes, service coordination, respite and day programs. HCS is known for innovative programs like the Pieters Family Life Center in Henrietta, Springdale Farm in Ogden, Heritage Christian Stables in Webster and Heritage Hollow on Sixth Lake in Inlet.

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North American Soccer League Stories from March 11, 2010


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