Iron and String honors four employees

Iron and String honors four employees

YOUNGSTOWN — Iron and String Life Enhancement Inc., 12 S. Phelps St., honored four employees during its first Employee of the Year luncheon held Jan. 18 in the social hall at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church.

Recognized for excellence in performance during 2007 were Michael Byrd, Sylvia Edwards, Vickie McCormick and Adrienne Mowry.

U Byrd, who has been an associate of ISLE since 2003, received the highest honor of Employee of the Year and was given a plaque and monetary gift. He is part of the direct-care staff and works one-on-one with individuals with autism and those with multiple physical and mental disabilities who attend the Purple Cat adult day habilitative program.

U Sylvia Edwards, assistant business manager since 2005, received the Associate of the Year award for her exceptional handling of all aspects of the company’s operations.

U Vickie McCormick, human-resource director since 2003, was honored as Administrator of the Year for excellence in employee relations and employment for all four of the ISLE organizations.

U Adrienne Mowry, a Purple Cat adult day habilitative instructor since 2005 and activities coordinator for Golden String Inc., was honored as Purple Cat Employee of the Year for her fundraising efforts and exceptional client relations.

Iron and String Life Enhancement Inc. provides residential, respite, advocacy, transportation and vocational services to individuals with disabilities in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. It is the parent company to three additional organizations: Golden String Inc., The Purple Cat and Touch the Moon Candy Saloon.

Golden String, a nonprofit agency helps adults and children with disabilities to realize their fullest potential by offering community-based activities, recreation and socialization.

The Purple Cat provides creative day programming services to adults with disabilities by providing education and employment by offering practical learning experience, daily living skills and activities.

Touch the Moon Candy Saloon on South Phelps Street offers functional employment to individuals with disabilities and helps them participate in vocational job opportunities.