The look on Travis’ face summarizes exactly how he feels - he loves his job! Travis is hard at work today in the laundry department of the Airport Marriott Hotel. His daily duties include moving carts of linens throughout the space, loading industrial stainless steel washing machines, and manning the laundry chute, to name a few. As a Progress client, Travis has worked in the laundry facility of the Airport Marriott for 17 years, and was just recently hired on as a full time employee. This is a big deal for Travis and his support staff, as being hired on as a full time employee of the Marriott shows the level of trust and confidence his supervisors have in him. It’s clear he is a valued member of the team; people shout “Hey Travis” in the hallway, and one Marriott employee pushing a hospitality cart past the laundry room stops just to say how proud he is of Travis.

Travis has an intellectual disability, and his job coach Sharon has worked with him every day for 15 years. When asked about the early years of working together, she explained, “He had behavioral problems at first, but over time working here has helped him tremendously.” She assists an entire group of Progress clients who work at the Marriott. “When you work here so long, you can’t help but care about our employees,” she explained. Travis and Sharon have a special bond, and it’s obvious she’s proud of his achievements.

Working at the Marriott is only one aspect of services Travis receives through Progress. He also lives in a companion model home with another client. Karla Hall, Program Manager, has managed his care since she started at Progress over six years ago. “Travis a great guy and is always willing to pitch in and help others.  He works hard all day then comes home and helps keeps his house clean.  He always loves to go to any activity, especially things like WWA Wrestling, Predator and Titans games, Christmas Shows, ICE, and just about any other event going on around Nashville,” she explained. Travis is able to live independently and fully because of supports offered through Progress.

When asked what his favorite part of the job is, Travis smiles and exclaims, “The laundry chute!” Progress is able to assist Travis and others through generous community support. Donna Goodaker, Progress Executive Director notes that, “It is the contribution that people make when they work that makes a community thrive, and those lines should not be drawn around whether a person has a disability or not.”

Nashville, TN – The Frist Foundation recently awarded Progress Inc. a $100,000 grant in support of the agency’s capital campaign. The capital campaign seeks to raise $1 million dollars to fund a new building on Progress’s campus at 319 Ezell Pike. The capital campaign is now more than halfway to goal, with $564,612 raised.

The Frist Foundation’s generous donation to Progress, Inc., a non-profit serving people with disabilities and seniors for more than 43 years, will make a large impact on the realization of adding a new building to the current campus. “The Frist Foundation has been a leader in improving quality of life for Nashvillians. By supporting the capital campaign, they have given an incredible gift to the vulnerable population we serve.” said Progress Executive Director Donna Goodaker. “We are extremely fortunate to have their support, and the Frist Foundation’s commitment to our mission will help us expand services for people with disabilities and seniors, specifically employment training, which will be housed in the new building.”

"Progress Inc. has done a great job over the years of serving its clients, but it has also served as an example to other organizations of how to change with the times," said Pete Bird, president of The Frist Foundation.  "With a little more space, the agency can provide a lot more service with greater efficiency. That's something that we're pleased to invest in."

The capital campaign was launched in the fall of 2014 in order to address the growing need for more space at the agency’s current location. Progress provides a variety of services to people with disabilities and seniors, including a day program, respite services, residential support, supported employment, social enterprise Smart Supplies and others. The administrative offices at Progress are currently housing twice the number of people that the building was originally designed to hold.  The new building will also provide a space for the Ticket to Work Employment Network program, which will provide employment services to people with all types of disabilities.

Established in 1982, The Frist Foundation is dedicated to sustaining and improving the quality of life in Nashville, Tennessee. In 2015, the Foundation continues a special focus on agencies serving vulnerable people, and in supporting efforts by nonprofit organizations to develop new sources of earned revenue and improve their managerial and technological infrastructure. Progress is incredibly grateful for the support of the foundation.