Up and Coming Weekly is a weekly publication in Fayetteville, NC and Fort Bragg, NC area offering local news, views, arts, entertainment and community event and business information.
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/394096
OCTOBER 8-14, 2014 UCW 11 WWW.UPANDCOMINGWEEKLY.COM Kaleo Supports: Changing Lives One Person at a Time by ERINN CRIDER Kaleo Supports Inc. is a company dedicated to assisting people with intellectual or developmental disabilities through the often difficult process of receiving much-needed assistance and services. The idea behind this organization is simple — people matter. The results are incredible and life changing. One of the ways that they do this is through presentations on relevant challenges. On Oct. 14, Lisa Grafstein will present "Where Do You Work?" "Where Do You Work?" is a presentation focused on the facts and myths of how working may or may not impact Social Security and Medicaid. Grafstein, the keynote speaker, is an attorney with the Disability Rights Center of North Carolina and has abundant experience with these sorts of issues. Understanding the legal requirements with federal benefits can get tricky. It is often complicated and full of red tape. This doesn't mean that it is impossible however, and Grafstein will help to simplify the problems. This program will help to enable people to make well-informed decisions on how to handle and optimize their benefits options. Kaleo Supports began in 2007 as a project between Nancy Szymkowiak and Karen Cambell. The two worked tirelessly to successfully to get Szymkowiak's daughter into regular programs at school and church. Campbell, is no longer with the program, but the inspiration and passion that began with their teamwork is still very present within the company. The work that they do is life changing. They help to guide people to much-needed help and support that truly makes a difference in their quality of life. It all began with an incredibly personal case, so they are intimately familiar with the stress and challenges that families face with these problems. This personal experience allows them to treat every single client with the respect and compassion that they deserve and face each case with a zeal that can be found nowhere else. Kaleo Supports offers many different services, but each plan is tailored to the specific needs of the individual such as supported employment, personal care services and respite care. There are eligibility requirements and anyone interested in their services should make an appointment by calling 630-2255. The company also has a profound appreciation for the power of information. Dealing with governmental organizations doesn't need to be difficult or scary. Information places the power in the consumer's hand and makes a big difference when searching for support. In addition to hosting informational events such as "Where Do You Work?", the website also has a page full of links concerning common organizations used by people seeking help. This can be found at www.kaleosupports.com/index.php/links. "Where Do You Work?" is at Southview Baptist Church, 4089 Elk Road, Hope Mills. Dinner is at 5:30 p.m., reservations are required. No reservations are required for the presentation, which begins at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www. kaleosupports.com or call 630-2255. Hometown Credit Unions= Value+Savings a STAFF REPORT Every day you hear about people in Fayetteville struggling with their personal finances and becoming frustrated with banks and their lack of personal service, empathy or practical solutions to their personal financial problems. Well, there is a solution and it's very close by. If you haven't found that friendly, reliable, local down-home service or sound financial advice you've been looking for then maybe you have been "looking for love in all the wrong places." Consider your local neighborhood credit union. Sure, I once thought it was impossible not to have to deal with a traditional banking institution. However, that was before I discovered that my local credit union was a financial option. An option, I might add, that many Fayetteville residents never even think to consider. However, once discovered, it's difficult not to embrace the relationship. Here's why: With a credit union you are a valued member. And, as a valued member you have a say in how your credit union is operated. Your credit union is a not-for-profit financial institution where the profits are returned to you and the members in the form of member services and benefits like low fees, no fees and low interest rates on auto or personal loans. What's not to like about that? You are not just a number at the local credit union. Remember, you are a valued member. So step up and step in. There is a local credit union near you ready to extend you a warm welcome and a helping hand. ERINN CRIDER Contributing Writer. COMMENTS? Editor@upandcomin- gweekly.com.