VABLN Member, Garth Larcen, Receives New Freedom Award

For Immediate Release
Contact: Katherine McCary
November 14, 2007
Phone: 804-343-9571
Katherine.McCary@suntrust.com

Richmond, VA (November 14, 2007) The Secretary of Labor´s New Freedom Initiative Award recognizes non-profits, small businesses, corporations and individuals that have demonstrated exemplary and innovative efforts in furthering the employment and workplace environment for people with disabilities, a goal of President Bush´s New Freedom Initiative. On October 24, the Secretary Elaine L. Chao presented the award to six honorees at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, DC.

VABLN member, Garth Larcen, owner of Richmond based Positive Vibe Cafè, was one of the winners of this prestigious award. The Positive Vibe Cafè is the first community-based effort to offer individuals with disabilities the opportunity to work in the restaurant industry. Since opening its doors in 2005, it has trained more than 150 students and garnered national and international praise for its innovative concepts.

The cafè was conceived by Larcen and his son Max, who has muscular dystrophy (MD) and had become frustrated searching for employment. To get started, Garth Larcen established the Get Lost MD Foundation and began fundraising. After a major retailer gave $10,000, other monetary and in-kind donations followed, including $30,000 in kitchen equipment and $75,000 for heating/air conditioning. The result was a totally accessible restaurant kitchen and serving floor. Local chefs and restaurant professionals helped create the menu and serve as instructors.

The Cafè´s Basic Food Skills curriculum addresses all aspects of restaurant operations, including communication with the public, kitchen safety, food preparation, dishwashing, and busing and setting tables. Job-search skills such as resume writing and interviewing techniques are also addressed. Based on the program´s success, an Advanced Food Skills course has also been added. Recent press coverage in The Wall Street Journal and on the CBS Morning Show prompted inquiries from entrepreneurs as far away as New Zealand wanting to start similar operations. Interested parties can now receive the Cafè´s business plan and training curriculum by donating $5,000 to the Get Lost MD foundation.

Learn more at www.vabln.org.

BLN Chapters are business organizations headed by a Lead Business who exemplifies these practices and shares experiences with other members-employers-within the state or region. These activities include career fairs, disability mentoring and internship programs, and training programs including disability business etiquette, accommodation, and other disability issues deemed significant to employers. Businesses join BLN chapters to learn how to expand their diversity recruiting efforts to include individuals with disabilities- not as a social model but as a business case to recruit talent and better serve their customers. BLN successes serve the workplace, the marketplace, the community and the economy.