Medical Mutual 2011 Pillar Award
for Community Service — Columbus
The ViaQuest Foundation focuses on improving the lives of a wide array of people who have been diagnosed with developmental, behavioral or emotional disabilities. Since its founding in January 2005, the foundation has impacted the lives of 640 youth and adults. Currently, more than 80 adults with developmental or physical disabilities are employed at locations throughout Ohio thanks to the foundation’s program assistance.
The biggest initiative for the foundation is its vocational program that provides work opportunities for those diagnosed with various disabilities. The services provided to those individuals include job skills and job readiness training. However, the services don’t stop at training the individual. Job coaches work with employers to keep an eye on employee progress, working with the employer to set realistic expectations and help the employee become a successful and productive worker.
Another vital part of the foundation’s work centers on its recreational programs. The “Golf and Life Skills” program is sponsored in conjunction with the PGA, the USGA and the National Alliance for Accessible Golf. In the program, youth and young adults learn life skills through golf. The program is the only USGA- and PGA-founded golf program in the country targeted at those on the autism spectrum, and is also taught in secured juvenile detention centers using adaptive golf equipment.
In addition, ViaQuest facilitates the “Paws with a Purpose” program, which takes shelter and rescue dogs, and trains them to be service dogs. The dogs are then placed in residential treatment homes, group homes, vocational centers and with hospice caregivers to provide support and comfort for those receiving services.
The ViaQuest Foundation was established by management services company ViaQuest Inc., led by President and CEO Richard Johnson, which provides leadership and management oversight to various companies throughout the United States. The company currently operates in Ohio, Arizona, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
How to reach: ViaQuest Inc., (800) 645-3267 or www.viaquestinc.com
