Tree of Life Celebrates 10-Year Partnership with GVRA

Since 2015, Tree of Life Incorporated, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has partnered with GVRA to bring workplace readiness initiatives to individuals with disabilities in the West-Central Georgia area.  

Jennifer Grier, the founder, says Tree of Life is grateful to GVRA for fostering a collaborative relationship. “I began my non-profit in 2014, and we became a provider for GVRA a year later. It’s a relationship that has thrived thanks to my organization’s commitment to ensuring individuals with disabilities have access to vocational services.  In fact, we provide a link to GVRA’s referral form on our website,” she explained.   

Tree of Life students participate in GVRA Day at Fort Valley State University 

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Tree of Life high school students tour the campus of Fort Valley State University during GVRA Day at FVSU in March.

Tree of Life’s most recent collaboration with GVRA occurred during GVRA Day at Fort Valley State University (FVSU) in March.  The purpose of the event, geared toward 11th and 12th graders with disabilities, was to facilitate workshops and interactive exercises surrounding workplace readiness.  

Grier brought a group of high school students from the West-Central Georgia area to FVSU.  The students enjoyed participating in the career pathway workshops and touring the college campus. The event highlighted the benefits of pursuing higher education through GVRA’s Pre-Employment Transition Services. Workshops emphasized self-advocacy, workplace readiness, and work-based learning.  

Scheduling tours for pre-ETS students is a significant aspect of Tree of Life’s operations. Over the past year, high school students have had an opportunity to tour area businesses across the state, including State Farm Arena, the City of West Point government offices, Callaway Gardens, Chick-fil-A headquarters, and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. 

“The tours allow students to see for themselves what kinds of jobs are out there, and to shape their ideas about what kind of work they want to pursue as adults.  We sincerely thank everyone who offers our students a tour of their workplace,” Grier shared.  

Other initiatives include supported employment, charity events 

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Jennifer Grier, founder of Tree of Life, guided these high school students during GVRA Day at Fort Valley State University in March.

In addition to tours, Grier’s organization also provides supported employment services to clients, which means a job counselor will give additional supports to an individual with disabilities who secured employment but who also may need a helping hand to succeed.  

Additionally, to give back to the West-Central Georgia community, Tree of Life hosts “Community Distribution” events, which Grier routinely publicizes on her organization’s Facebook page. During those events, Tree of Life staffers distribute free household items to needy members of the community. “We are grateful to our corporate partners, Wal-Mart and Burlington. They make it possible for us to conduct our “Community Distribution” charity events throughout the year,” Grier concluded.  
 

For additional information about Tree of Life, visit Employment Training for Individuals With Disabilities, Vocational Training and Community Resources - Tree of Life Incorporated - West Point, Georgia
 

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• Success Story