Pirates Partner with STRIVE U

Published on December 27, 2004 under American Hockey League (AHL)
Portland Pirates News Release


PORTLAND, ME – The Portland Pirates President/COO Brian Williams announced today that the Pirates have added Noel Thompson, a student from STRIVE U, as an Account Executive. The program is part of STRIVE U which provides opportunities for young adults with developmental disabilities to make an impact in the community by performing jobs with local employers to gain real world skills.

"STRIVE U students are having an incredible experience through the employment component of our program. In addition to learning how to be successful in the classroom, students are also gaining real world, hands-on business experience which will be very beneficial to them as they pursue careers after STRIVE U," said Peter Brown, STRIVE Program Manager.

Twenty-two-year-old Noel Thompson, who has Down syndrome, has joined the Pirates as a ticket sales account executive for the Portland Pirates of the American Hockey League (AHL), the minor league affiliate of the National Hockey League's (NHL) Washington Capitals.

"I love it- it's a lot of fun, with a lot of nice people. They really show me the way to understand business. They've taught me what to say when calling someone. I'm really learning a lot," said Thompson.

Thompson is helping coordinate STRIVE Night with the Pirates on January 16, 2005 when the Pirates will host the Manchester Monarchs at 4:05 p.m. His goal is to sell 2,000 tickets through direct mail, telephone sales and presentations. A portion of the proceeds from the tickets that Noel sells for this game will directly benefit STRIVE. Pirates President/COO Brian Williams is pleased with the relationship the Pirates have established with STRIVE U as well as Noel's accomplishments to date.

"We're excited to have partnered with STRIVE U on such a worthwhile endeavor. Everyone connected with our company recognizes the importance of STRIVE U, what the program means to Noel and his fellow-students. Noel's progress has been fantastic and we anticipate great results from his sales efforts. We're thrilled to be partnering with STRIVE U and look forward to a long term relationship," said Williams.

A partnership between the University of Southern Maine and nonprofit organization STRIVE, STRIVE U is a two-year, post-secondary education and training program offered to young adults with developmental disabilities. The curriculum aims to build residential, employment, and community skills with the goal of enabling graduates to live and work as fully functioning members of society with maximum independence, productivity, and dignity.

Started in September, 2004, one component of the program is on-the-job experience which is made possible by STRIVE U's employment partner, Talent Tree – a company that engages in the temporary and direct hire staffing of professional, technical, and office personnel in Southern Maine. So far, all six of the STRIVE U students are in various positions with Emery Waterhouse, Dirigo Property Management, Atlantic Title Company, Boy Scouts of America and Maine Employees Mutual Insurance Company.

Fellow STRIVE U students are filling administrative, purchasing, mailroom and print shop positions. Working eight to 12 hours a week, they earn an average of $8 an hour performing various duties from filing, faxing and copying to processing mail, creating pamphlets and distributing marketing materials, and in Noel Thomson's case, selling Pirates tickets.

"Noel and each of the students are benefiting tremendously by the experience they are gaining in their job placements. We are pleased that Talent Tree, the Pirates, and our business partners have recognized the significant contributions that people with disabilities can make to a business and to our community," said Brown.

Other businesses throughout the community are supportive of the objectives of the program. Norway Savings Bank is working with students and their families to provide financing and loan assistance, as well as assisting the students in setting up checking and savings accounts and with money management skills.

STRIVE U is a complete program not offered anywhere else. It is inclusive, comprehensive, and groundbreaking. For more information, call (207) 774-6278 or visit www.pslstrive.org.

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American Hockey League Stories from December 27, 2004


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