Blazing Trails & Promoting Abilities

Dale Rogers

ANNIVERSARY

Honoring our Legacy Commemorative Report 60th Anniversary * October 13, 2013 Honoring our Legacy

his 60th Anniversary Commemorative Report is dedicated to the brief life of Robin Elizabeth Rogers. Her short T life inspired parents to create organizations like Dale Rog- ers Training Center where people with disabilities can learn, grow and work so they can become productive citizens.*

2 Presidential Roll Call

y name is Rebecca Cook, • Over 82% of its programs are located and it is my honor to serve in the communities of 7 Oklahoma M Dale Rogers as President locations. of the Board of Directors during 2013, our 60th Anniversary year. • And, it does all this with a low 3% tHANK YOU FROM overhead cost. I speak for the entire Board when I Board of Directors say how proud we are to be part of this I worked in disability services in Okla- rEBECCA Cook, President amazing organization that is commit- homa for 40 years, most recently for the ted to excellence in serving the needs of Cheryl Moore, 1st vp University of Oklahoma. In the course of Carl Hamilton, 2nd vp individuals with disabilities. Dale Rog- my work I first crossed paths with Connie ers holds a unique status in the state Bob Hale, Secretary Thrash McGoodwin in the early 1980s Frank Stone, Treasurer of Oklahoma. The oldest agency of its when she came to Dale Rogers Train- Allen Brown kind, Dale Rogers is also one of the larg- ing Center as the new director. I have Ann Knutson est in the Southwest, providing training never ceased to be amazed at her vision Barbara Hahn and jobs to over 1,200 people with dis- and talents as the Center has grown and Fred Henderson abilities each year. Over 150 people with flourished under her leadership. Together, Gene Binning disabilities per year are placed and sup- the Dale Rogers staff, Board, the many mARc EDWARDS ported in jobs in community businesses people with disabilities served and their Helen Stakem in the Oklahoma City metro area. Dale families have accomplished great things Jerry Hocker Rogers Training Center has the widest over the past 60 years. Kathy Reed array of program choices for families Lavonne Hutchison supporting people with disabilities in On behalf of the Board of Directors, we Martha Knight Mike Jones Oklahoma, bar none. The individuals thank all of you for joining our celebra- Tom Spencer placed in our in-house and work pro- tion and invite you to visit our newly ren- grams earn between 5.4 and 5.9 million ovated campus, the new Workforce Skills dollars in wages per year. Training center, the Robins Corner Mu- Here are some facts: seum Exhibit and Dale & Roy memora- bilia collection. • Dale Rogers Training Center is 83% financially self-sufficient due to its di- Rebecca Cook versified array of con- President tracts, services and Past Presidents businesses. Jerry Hocker & Marc Edwards

Honoring The Memory of Lavonne Hutchison, Past President

3 ave eviews for R R DRTC Table of Contents * Dale Rogers introduces you, not to disabilities, but Oklahoma Impact...... 5 “to possibilities * Supports a very special niche of our population * Entrepreneurial spirit * Hand up rath- Shop For A Cause...... 6 er than hand out * Exceptionally professional staff * * People With Treats everyone with dignity and respect Outstand- Disabilities Find Jobs!...... 7 ing service to the troops at Tinker Air Force Base * Renovated campus’s a symbol of beauty and Everyone Wins When You Hire...... 8 energy * Outstanding example of a forward 60 thinking sustainable, non-profit organization You Have Work, YEARS " We have Workers...... 9 10 From A Barn 30 YEARS To Businesses ...... 10 & 11 YEARS Opened 7 in It’s How You April 4 2 Ride The Trail...... 12 20 4 YEARS 1 7 Continuing The Legacy....13 18 3 12 3 From The Director...... 14

Happy Trails...... 15 Online Store US Marshals Custodial FAA Custodial AFRC Norman & Mustang Dale Rogers Training Center Prism Place Tinker Food Service Altus Food Service Tinker Custodial GSA Downtown Tinker Admin Custodial Lockheed Martin Wyman Frame & Supply Prairie Spices Papa Murphy’s Connect With DRTC...... 16

1953 1983 1993 1995 2001 2003 2006 2009 2009 2010 2010 2011 2012 2013

4 Oklahoma Impact At A Glance TRAINING CENTER

35

At a Glance 81 • Award-winning, entrepreneurial 44 non-profit serving individuals with 20 8 2 disabilities since 1953. 29 24 10 9 31 6 19 13 12 40 40 • Named in honor of Dale Evans Rogers, 15 14 27 23 377 18 wife of Roy Rogers and “Queen of the 17 16 25 22 Cowboys”. 21 5 3 30 177 283 • Oldest, largest and most innovative 44 82 community vocational training and 1 11 employment center in the Southwest. 26 4 81 Locations Served 7 183 35 DRTC Offices • Trains, serves or employs more than 28 1200 teens and adults each year.

• Self-generates 83% of its total revenue.

• Individuals placed in the community or in-house programs earned more than $5.5 million in wages last year. Serving Oklahomans In 29 Locations! 1. Altus 6. Choctaw 11. Lawton 16. Newcastle 21. Purcell 26. Tipton • Through programs offered at DRTC, 2. Bethany 7. Duncan 12. McCloud 17. Noble 22. Seminole 27. Tuttle individuals gain confidence to become 3. Blanchard 8. Edmond 13. Midwest City 18. Norman 23. Shawnee 28. Walters working, taxpaying citizens – 82% 4. Chandler 9. El Reno 14. Moore 19. Oklahoma City 24. Spencer 29. Warr Acres 5. Chickasha 10. Harrah 15. Mustang 20. Piedmont 25. Tecumseh 30. Washington of programs and services are in the 31. Yukon community.

• Businesses include: Prism Place, Wyman Frame & Supply, Prairie Spices, and Papa Murphy’s Pizza franchise.

5 Shop For A Cause At Dale Rogers Training Center’s Campus Gift Shop

ow you can SHOP at Dale retail showroom and speak to our Rogers Training Center. Certified Professional Framer. Our new gift shop features N Prism Place, the one-stop award all the advantages of one- stop shopping for your framing, tro- shop, provides top of the line gifts, phies, acrylic awards and Oklahoma plaques and awards. Custom-made themed Prairie Spice gifts, includ- acrylic awards, manufactured by ing our Boot Kickin’ BBQ Set and Prism Place, provide rewarding jobs White Hat Southwest Dip Mix Set. for individuals at Dale Rogers Train- ing Center. In business for 30 years, New ‘Fast Framing’ at our Wyman Prism Place is also located in our new Frame business gives you the option retail area. to pick your price and get quality, local framing in Give the gift of meaningful work for 5 days. Custom framing, people with disabilities with beauti- shadow boxes, engraving fully packaged gift sets, made in the and other specialty framing heart of Oklahoma. Custom blend- options are also available at ed by Cedar Hill Seasonings and this innovative retail frame packaged by individuals at DRTC, shop. See our these MIO spice products are sure to beautifully please. Other items in our new gift designed shop include, “Embracing the Differ- ence” note cards, featuring artwork by 11 of our own individuals, and holiday cards with original art. *

DRTC Gift Shop * 405-813-9998 * www.DRTC.org/commerce

6 People With Disabilities Find Jobs! Service Work Projects

erek doesn’t take anything Many employees are hired at the Ser- for granted. He is one of the vice Work Projects with little or no D 400 employees working at resources for transportation, sustain- the Service Work Projects. able living arrangements, clothing, A wide range of jobs are provided at medical care and/or insurance for a variety of high-profile locations in- themselves and their family. Because cluding, Tinker AFB, Altus AFB, of their employment in the program, the Oklahoma City Federal Building, employees are able to purchase cars, Lockheed Martin, the Armed Forc- rent apartments, buy homes and build es Reserve Centers in Mustang and their savings. By providing the train- Norman and the Mike Monroney ing and services necessary for people Aeronautical Center (Federal Avia- with severe disabilities to remain in tion Administration). These jobs offer stable employment, they are able to highly competitive pay and benefits access many of the things that others while providing the opportunity to im- take for granted. * prove hard and soft work skills. People with all types of disabilities are em- Derek B., Tinker Food Service Derek is wearing a colorful vest ployed including those who are hear- that has over 100 military patch- ing impaired, individuals with autism, es on it. Some service men and women give him their patch when mental illness, intellectual disabilities, “It was very frustrating when I was they retire. physical and medical disabilities. turned away because these were jobs I was qualified for and I knew I could Derek has always said he was working do it, but they wouldn’t give me a hard to make sure his two boys went to chance,” said Derek. college. Derek, who has Cerbral Palsy has been a cashier since 1992 at the Today, Derek beams with pride be- Tinker AFB Vanwey Dining Facility; cause both of his sons are attending he recalls it was not always easy. After the University of Oklahoma. “One being laid off from his cashiering job wants to be a pharmacist and the oth- at Sears with 10 years of experience, er a doctor. That sounds just fine to it took more than three years for him me,” he said with a smile. to find employment.

7 Everyone Wins When You Hire A Person With A Disability - Employment Services

klahoma employers partner support for success, including addi- with Dale Rogers Training tional training when needed. Center to meet staffing O or diversity goals, gain tax Last year more than 168 employ- incentives and practice strong cor- ees found jobs in the community porate citizenship. Employing mo- through this successful program, tivated people with a track record where matching jobs with skills is for longevity and dependability is a what Dale Rogers Training Center win-win situation for everyone. does best. DRTC clients have suc- cessfully maintained jobs in a myr- Our award-winning program pro- iad of industries including security, vides your business with a trained food service, janitorial, retail, child care, gaming and many more.*

Kayla G., Taco Bell job coach to assist you in matching your position to an employee. The job coach will also provide train- ing for your new employee, giving them the smoothest transition pos- sible into your workplace. From the start, people with disabilities in the DRTC program receive on going

Hire a person with a disabil- ity and find out what this untapped employee resource can do for your business. Anthony L., Superior Security, Inc. Luke S., Grand Casino

8 You Have Work. We Have Workers Done When You Need It. DALE ROGERS TRAINING CENTER DALE ROGERS TRAINING CENTER ork can be completed by MOBILE WORKFORCE “We never make a mistake, and we’re MOBILEYOU HAVE WORK. WORKFORCEWE HAVE WORKERS! our skilled workforce of YOU HAVE WORK. WE HAVE WORKERS! cautious with our work. We make our more than 90 trained as- work right everytime,” says Chris with W semblers, packagers and YOUR a proud smile. shrink wrappers at our main location. YOURCOMPANY 4-8 COMPANYIt’s all about YOUR WORKERS If you need a reliable, dependable and Jobs can also be fulfilled by our Mo- needs! YOUR product, 4-8 It’sassembled all about atYOUR YOUR WithWORKERS our trained needs! YOUR product, SUPERVISOR & motivated workforce to complete as- bile Workforce at your worksite by location, with OUR With our trained assembledworkers. at YOUR TRANSPORTATION sembly, packaging, fulfillment, 4-8 workers accompanied by a trained location, with OUR SUPERVISORat YOUR location. & workers. TRANSPORTATION shrink wrapping, kit assembly or DRTC supervisor and transporta- at YOUR location. tion. Either way, Dale Rogers Train- YOUR sub-assembly work, consider mak- YOURWORK ing Dale Rogers Training Center a ing Center can meet your contract WORKDone the way you need! or sub-contracting needs with great Done the way you need! business partner. Contact us for a free, workers like Chris. 5DAYS no obligation quote at (405) 946- A WEEK 2113 x403.* PER PIECE 5DAYS ACommitment WEEK to PERRATE PIECE always be there! Special Services & CommitmentWe NEVER to RATEGuaranteed product alwayscall in sick! be there! Programs Supported QUALITY with a We NEVER Guaranteedcompetitive productper piece rate! call in sick! By United Way QUALITYWorkers’ compensation with a competitivebenefits provided per piece at rate! Workers’no cost to compensation YOU! benefits provided at SAVE no cost to YOU! SAVETIME & 405-946-2113 x403 TIMEMONEY & $ 405-946-2113 x403 MONEY $ For ten years, Chris has worked on the Mobile Workforce team at Pelco Products, an Edmond-based compa- * Camp Tumbleweed ny, assembling kits that are sent to * Special Needs Program 50 states and 14 countries. The Pel- * Transportation co Mobile Workforce crew is credited * Adult After Care with an astoundingly low error rate * Rehabilitation and are valued members of the Pelco team, according to Phil Parduhn, the Chris H., Pelco co-founder of Pelco Products.

9 1981 by 1985 by 1989

• Post-its invented • Sally Ride becomes 1st US American • “Black Monday” market crash • Ronald Reagan is President woman astronaut in space • CDs outsell vinyl records • Launch of the Columbia shuttle • Apple introduces the “Mac” • Challenger Shuttle explodes • Sandra Day O’ Connor becomes • Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” • Nintendo games hit U.S. Supreme Court Justice • First artificial heart transplant • Oliver North scandal • Prince Charles and Diana marry • “Smurfs” the cartoon debuts • Milli Vanilli caught lip syncing • Pac-Man craze • Fights for Cabbage Patch dolls • Oprah Winfrey show national • FDA approves Nutrasweet • VCRs are introduced • Cosby Show rules • First season of Miami Vice • “We are the World” is recorded • Movies: “Fatal Attraction” and • Movies: “Flashdance” and • Movies: “Top Gun” and “Aliens” “Lethal Weapon” “Big Chill” usinesses B • 54 clients/students served • 90 clients/students served • 135 clients served/employed • 3 public school special education • Staff of 21 • Staff of 30 to

classes • Prism Place is born • Subcontracts greatly expanded • Staff of 8 + 3 teachers • Utah Drive is paved • Supported Employment programs • No state funding for people with • Lawn maintenance contracts begin expanded disabilities with OSBI • Yard Crew program includes arn • Some daycare and 2 vans • A new wing and dock are added landscaping • Utah/Meek a dirt road onto the workshop • School-to-Work Transition with B • Remains of old Meek buildings at • SBA loan for equipment five public schools a

23rd and Utah • Executive Director chairs committee • Time capsule buried at Dale Rogers’ • 3 subcontracts for first legislative money to 33rd anniversary • Clients earn 90¢/day workshops • School-age classes return to public schools • $90,000 in services provided • Sally Goldman donates cookbook proceeds • $775,900 in services provided rom • Supported Employment concept

F introduced • $592,385 in services provided

10 By end of 1990s By end of 2006 2007-2012

• Murrah Building bombed • Y2K scare • Obama vs. Romney for President • Dolly the sheep cloned • September 11 tragedy/War on Terror • Black Monday, Economic Crisis, Take Back Wallstreet • Princess Diana dies • Enron scandal • iPhone, iPad, Facebook, Amazon

• Clinton and Lewinsky affair • Martha Stewart goes to prison F • Haiti & Japan hit by tsunamis & • MTV’s “Real World” is first • Space Shuttle disintegrates earthquake reality program rom • Saddam Hussein captured • Oprah signs off, Joe Pa fired & • Columbine school shooting • Internet usage surpasses TV OKC THUNDER ROARS • Category-5 tornado in OKC • TV: “Survivor” and “Apprentice” • Goodbye Michael, Whitney, • TV: “Friends” and “Seinfeld” Steve & Osama

• Movies: “Harry Potter” and “Lord • TV: Reality Shows, Showtime, • Movies: “Sleepless in Seattle” and of the Rings” a HBO, Sci Fi, A&E, FX, AMC

“Jurassic Park” B • Movies: Harry Potter, Twilight & Hunger Games series

• Will & Kate wed and start a family arn

• 340 clients served/employed • 929 clients served/employed • 1300 people with disabilities served by 200 support staff • Staff and non-disabled: 85 • Staff and non-disabled: 178 to • NISH Food Service contract begins • 2003 – 50th anniversary • Custodial contract for FAA (50 Jobs) – 2012 at Tinker AFB • Awarded industrial custodial • Tinker wins two Gold Plate awards contracts at Tinker • Custodial at Armed Forces Reserve B Centers Norman/Mustang – 2011 for Food Services • Waivered services expanded • NEW: Job Readiness Classes, usinesses • Awarded Federal Food Service • Employment Services office contract at Altus AFB Support Services, Job Placement & opened in Lawton Ticket to Work Programs • Special Needs Program is created • Camp Tumbleweed built for multi-handicapped • NEW: Wyman Framing, Online Store • Custodial contracts at new Federal & Prairie Spices, Papa Murphy’s • Old Meek house and garage Building, Post Office and demolished • Nationally accredited by CARF Courthouse in OKC and completion of Standards • New building at 23rd and Utah • Award winning OETA video for Excellence • Prism Place sells nationally • 2800 sq. ft. warehouse built • Added: Workforce Skills Training • Enclaves of 6 individuals work in 3 • Individuals earn $3.4 million Building, purchase of building on community companies • $14 million in services provided corner, Serenity Court & new wing • Individuals earn $1 million in wages for Fiscal • $4.1 million in services provided • Awarded Admin Custodial • Individuals’ earnings grew from $3 (170 buildings) contract at million to $5.9 million over 4 years Tinker - January 2006 • $16 million dollar budget • Contract with Lockheed Martin begins – April 2006

11 It’s How You Ride the Trail That Counts The Legacy

nce upon a time, long before pieces of fan mail a week, his huge gave them perspective on life as well Twitter, paintball or video merchandising empire, second only as peace and solace. In her book, O games, a Saturday meant to Walt Disney, or may have seen Dale was able to share this positive using your hard earned Roy and his trusty palomino horse, perception with families around the nickels and dimes to go downtown Trigger, on the front page of Life globe. for the Saturday matinées. magazine in 1943. In 1953, DRTC was established by If you were going to see one of the What many of you may not know Oklahoma City parents as a school 29 Roy Rogers westerns featuring about Roy and Dale is the many for children with Down syndrome Dale Evans, you knew you were civic and humanitarian awards they and other developmental disabili- going to leave that theatre with the received for their commitment to ties. Dale Rogers book, Angel Un- sense that good always trumps evil sick and handicapped children. In aware, was one of the driving forces and that even cowboys liked a good fact, four of the nine Rogers chil- for the development of the agency sing along. A few years later, you dren were adopted. Most of their and created the programs and ser- could see them on TV every single tour stops and performances includ- vices that were not yet available to week on Sunday evenings, and you’d ed visits to children in hospitals or young Robin or children like her.* sing along at the end of the show as orphanages. They walked the walk as they wished you “Happy Trails”. well. Their visits included the fledg- ling Dale Rogers Training Center in After trying out a couple of differ- Oklahoma City. ent stage names, Roy settled on the last name Rogers, after his hero In 1953, Dale’s first book Angel Will Rogers, and Roy, which meant Unaware hit the bookshelves. It was “king”. This new “King of the Cow- a national bestseller and was later boys” star was ready to stand boot to translated into dozens of languages. boot with Oklahoma’s Gene Autry, The book was her story of the short, who was America’s most watched but meaningful life of Dale and singing cowboy. Roy’s daughter, Robin Elizabeth, who was born with Down syndrome Most people who remember Roy and in 1950. In two short years, Rob- Dale might remember his 20,000 in influenced the Rogers family and

12 Continuing the Legacy Reality Exceeds Expectations

hen the Roy Rogers and “because that’s what my mother would iconic horses Trigger and Buttermilk, Dale Evans Museum have wanted”. original Dale Evans comic books and a closed and most of the col- vintage Roy Rogers and Trigger, child- W lection was auctioned, we This exhibit and the additional Schmitz size guitar. sent a “Hail Mary” letter collection features more than 50 items, to Roy Rogers Jr. (Dusty). In June 2009, such as a satin coverlet from Robin’s * The exhibit will be open to the public at the trustees of the museum crated up and layette, the original oil pastel painting 2501 N. Utah, Mon- sent the artifacts from Robin’s Corner, of Robin and the red miniature pia- Fri 8am-5pm. the museum display of Robin Rogers, no mentioned in Dale Rogers’ popular and our legacy came full circle. book, Angel Unaware. The memorabilia When Dusty was asked why collection displays vintage figurines of they chose our the “King of the Cowboys and agency, he said the Queen of the West” on their

13 If It Was Easy Everyone Would Do It From The Director

t took us two and a half We knew nothing about food service DRTC has struggled because we years to finally reach our and had almost no financial resourc- never take the beaten path. We do, Grand Opening for our first es, but our start-up team and Board however, need better marketing and I Papa Murphy’s pizza fran- were determined. General Richard MORE CUSTOMERS so we can chise. By the fourth time we Burpee (Ret.) was the Post Com- continue to increase our self-suffi- had to move the opening date back, mander at the time. He has a family ciency! As this population continues staff and I were frustrated. We had member with a disability and was will- to age, more geriatric and specialized been doing full food service at Tin- ing to let agencies like DRTC com- programs will be needed. ker Air Force Base for over twenty pete for contracts and prove that we years; how hard could making pizza could be competitive. DRTC won an Connie Thrash McGoodwin, M.Ed. be?!@# The answer was, if you are award our very first year; next came Executive Director going to do it right, it’s “HARD”! In custodial contracts at Tinker AFB a stroke of brilliance someone said to and more food service at Altus AFB. me, “Connie, if it were easy, everyone The real victory though was the in- would do it”! Light bulb! Of course crease in dignity and self-worth for they were right! Dale Rogers is the the folks who were newly employed first non-profit to own a Papa Mur- with these great jobs and benefits. phy’s franchise in the United States, and we have a history of being inno- Dale Rogers first business started in vative and willing to go out-of-the- the eighties, Prism Place, our awards box to try new ideas that meet our and trophy business; others include mission to train and employ people our Gift Shop, featuring our Prairie with disabilities. We do it to allow our Spice Line, Wyman, our framing folks to be more independent and to company, and Papa Murphy’s. The become tax-paying Oklahomans, re- challenge is integrating these differ- gardless of how challenging or incon- ent business models into our cul- “Thanks to dedicated parents, satisfied customers, community venient a new program may be for us ture; all these business models have advocates and a trusting part- as staff and management. different regulations and a myriad of nership between DRTC’s profes- different licensing, software, payrolls, sional staff and the Board of Di- Our first federal contact at Tinker training requirements, surveys, dif- rectors, there are no limitations Air Force Base started back in 1993. ferent contract years, etc. to how far we can evolve.”

14 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. - Hebrews 13:2

f Robin was born today, she watch the pride and sense of accom- Dale Rogers Training Center and and her family would have so plishment earned the old fashioned our pledge to be caring stewards of I many choices and options for way and best of all, to know the good their gifts as we continue the legacy her future. What a joy it is to guy still wins at DRTC. of Robin Elizabeth Rogers and the see the opportunities for training and impact of Dale Evans Rogers’ book jobs this agency provides for people We thank the Rogers family and Angel Unaware.* with disabilities and their families, to Schmitz for the trust they have in Happy Trails To You!

15 Connect with DRTC

a

Shop For a Cause Gift Shop Hours: Monday - Friday from 8am to 5pm * 405-813-9998 * www.DRTC.org/commerce Prism Place * 405-946-1079 * www.PrismPlace.org Wyman Frame * 405-437-5659 * www.WymanFrame.org Papa Murphy’s Pizza u 405-601-6869 u www.facebook.com/PapaMurphysDRTC 23rd & Flynn (Between May & Penn) u Mon-Thur: 11am-8pm u Fri-Sat: 11am-9pm u Sun: 11am-8pm Tell a friend, neighbor or relative about all of our programs, services and businesses! Training Services Find Us! Like Us! Follow Us! Programs Assembly Camp Tumbleweed Packaging Special Needs Fulfillment Visit us at www.drtc.org for updates on our Transportation Shrink Wrapping mission or to shop for our products online! Adult After Hours Kit Assembly Your support is appreciated! Transition Sub Assembly Rehabilitation

2501 N. Utah • Oklahoma City, OK 73107 • 405-946-4489 • www.DRTC.org