A-Team Wisconsin honored State Assembly Representative Don Vruwink with All-Star award at KANDU Barberry

KANDU was honored to host A-Team Wisconsin as they awarded State Representative Don Vruwink with the “Champions for Choice” All-Star award on April 7 at the Barberry Drive location. KANDU Board Member and A-Team parent advocate Rick Wilson explained, “Anybody who has visited has seen how much these individuals enjoy working. They don’t want to go to daycare, they don’t want to stay home, they want to feel like they’re contributing to society.” Regarding the choice to award Rep. Vruwink, he went on to say, “Rep. Vruwink has been a particularly strong supporter of individuals who choose to work in prevocational programs. He always listens closely to our concerns and expresses his full support.”

A-Team USA unites individuals with diverse abilities and their family members to advocate in a grassroots effort, create awareness in the community, and advise those who care for citizens with special needs to ensure service choices and opportunities. Originally starting in Wisconsin with a special focus on education and empowerment related to issues that include meaningful life choices in employment for adults with disabilities, A-Team has now expanded to 19 other states. Recipients of the A-Team All-Star award are recognized for their unyielding support and leadership to ensure a full array of work, home, and life choice are upheld for people with diverse disabilities.

Since being elected in 2016, Rep. Don Vruwink represents Wisconsin’s 43rd assembly district, which includes Rock County as well as parts of surrounding counties. He has become familiar with many KANDU clients through his support of A-Team and touring KANDU facilities, including client Kelly Yoss. “As an A-Team member, I always feel like Representative Vruwink is on our side. He makes our visits to the capital memorable. We visited his office and he even let me sit in his chair,” said Kelly.

The presentation of the All-Star award comes after Rep. Don Vruwink’s support of A-Team’s successful effort in advocating for a full array of work choices for people with diverse abilities specifically regarding the Employment Choice First resolution bill. Former Wisconsin State Assembly representative Joel Kleefisch, who has worked with A-Team Wisconsin in the past, was also in attendance showing his support. To view video coverage of the event, CLICK HERE.