ECHO

Today, we're excited to recognize Charla Muffley, our dedicated LIFE Program Services Manager!

Charla’s strong commitment to our participants, staff, and the entire ECHO mission shines through every day. With years of experience and a proactive approach, Charla brings a compelling vision to our LIFE Program and consistently finds new ways to help our participants thrive.

Charla is not only compassionate and caring, but she's also a joy to work with and extremely supportive of her team. Her unwavering dedication and creative ideas continue to enrich our program, making a positive impact on everyone involved.

Thank you, Charla, for your leadership and passion!

To learn more about ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/about-us/mission/

Both our supported employment and day support programs have been experiencing growth with new participants. It’s wonderful to welcome new individuals into the ECHO family and I’m grateful to our staff that ensure their transition is smooth, safe, and successful.

We are still building our ECHO Helping Hands (EHH) volunteer team. EHH will assist our LIFE Day Support program on field trips and activities, and it is a wonderful opportunity for people to get closer to our mission. It involves some training and a background check, so it is best suited for people interested in volunteering with ECHO on a regular basis. To learn more, please email [email protected]​rg.

ECHO is seeking to develop additional worksites in the community for our Group Supported Employment program. If your business, or someone you know, has production or service needs, ECHO might be a solution. We’re happy to have exploratory meetings to discover if one of our teams is a good fit for the work opportunity. Many thanks to View of Heaven Farm for inviting ECHO to provide an employment team in their bakery operations!

Thank you for your support of ECHO,

Paul Donohue, Jr.

Chief Executive Director

ECHO

🚗 ECHO Services Spotlight: Transportation 🚗

At ECHO, we believe in breaking down barriers. Our transportation services have been helping individuals with disabilities get to work and participate in the community since day one!

With 31 vehicles, many of which are wheelchair accessible, we transport 160 program participants each month, covering an incredible 34,000 miles. ⭐

As a Logisticare provider, we now offer Medicaid Home and Community-based waiver transportation, and we proudly partner with Loudoun County Department of Family Services for VIEW transportation and on-demand services. Empowering lives, one ride at a time. ⭐

To learn more about ECHO Transportation Services, visit https://echoworks.org/services/ or contact [email protected] or (703) 779-2100.

Stay in the loop with all things ECHO Barkery! 🐾 Subscribe to our newsletter for first access to special promos, limited-edition dog biscuits, and exclusive offers.

Plus, get inspired by the stories of the adults with disabilities who handcraft our treats—and see how your support makes a real difference!

From new product launches to heartwarming success stories, our newsletter has it all. Head to the bottom of our website to sign up and join our ECHO Barkery family!
Barkery

To learn more about ECHO Barkery, visit: https://echobarkery.org/

⭐ Empowering individuals with disabilities since 1974, ECHO provides lifelong support through skill-building, job placement, day support, and transportation.

⭐ Our mission is to help each person achieve their highest level of personal, social, and economic success as active members of the community.

To learn more about ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/about-us/mission/

To donate to ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/donate/

Empowering individuals while supporting your business goals – that’s the power of Inclusive Solutions! When you partner with us, you’re not only gaining a reliable team to manage a variety of administrative tasks but also helping create meaningful employment opportunities for ECHO participants. 🌟

Inclusive Solutions specializes in essential tasks like kitting, packaging, sorting, and collating, allowing your team to focus on core business needs while promoting an inclusive work environment. By choosing our services, you’re strengthening your brand and contributing to a community that values diversity and inclusion.

Join us in making a positive impact! Together, we can create meaningful work, support local businesses, and build a stronger, more inclusive community. 💙

To learn more about Inclusive Solutions, visit: https://www.echoinclusivesolutions.org/

Welcome to the heartwarming environment of The ECHO Barkery, where compassion meets craftsmanship. 🐾

At ECHO Barkery, we are committed to providing employment, opportunity, and community to adults with disabilities. Every handcrafted dog biscuit not only brings joy to our four-legged friends but also transforms lives. Through the love of dogs and the joy of baking, our team fosters a supportive community where friendships are formed, self-esteem is nurtured, and dreams are realized.

Support our mission to change lives, one biscuit at a time. 💛 🦴

To learn more about ECHO Barkery, visit: https://echobarkery.org/

To purchase from ECHO Barkery, visit: https://echobarkery.org/collections/current-active

Looking for impactful ways to support ECHO? Here’s how you can make a difference:

Outsource part of your business output: Consider using ECHO crews for tasks like box folding, kitting, and light assembly, boosting efficiency while supporting our mission. 🤝

Support our social enterprises: Shop purposefully at Blue Elegance, ECHO Barkery, and Inclusive Solutions—perfect for gifts and fundraising opportunities. 🎁

Donate a vehicle: Cars, boats, motorcycles—all are welcome, and the process is simple. 🚗

Sponsor an event: Partner with us for ECHO’s Big Day Out or ECHO’s Sip & Swing Events to support our mission while promoting your business. 🎉

Planned giving: Include ECHO in your will to help secure our future and empower the next generation. 📝

Sign up for our newsletter: Stay informed about our work and events. 📧

Stock donations: A donation of appreciated assets can benefit both you and ECHO. 📈

Monetary donations: Every contribution, big or small, helps us continue empowering individuals. 💸

Together, we can create a lasting impact!

To learn more about how you can support ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/employers/

To donate to ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/donate/

October has come and gone, bringing vibrant colors and cozy fall vibes!

At Blue Elegance, we’re celebrating the season with handcrafted jewelry in warm fall hues, perfect for adding a touch of seasonal charm to your style. Our artisans have been busy creating beautiful, one-of-a-kind pieces to enjoy for the remainder of fall.

Plus, explore our comforting, fall-scented products such as our wax melts —all crafted with care and purpose. Every purchase supports individuals with disabilities, making each piece unique and meaningful.

And as the holidays approach, start thinking about your Christmas gifts! Shop with us at Blue Elegance for thoughtful, handcrafted presents that make a difference.



To learn more about Blue Elegance, visit: https://blueelegance.org/

On October 23rd, We had our 3rd Annual Sip & Swing Event at TopGolf Loudoun! We wanted to take a minute to thank all of our sponsors for their contributions to making our event a success! We could not have done it without you!

⛳ Thank you to our Banner Sponsors: Janelia Research Campus and Toth Financial.

⛳ Thank you to our Bay Sponsors: TTM Technologies, LLC. , Ryan and Mindi Haywood, Backflow Technology LLC., Paisano's Pizza and First Citizens Bank.

⛳ Thank you to our Friends of Echo Sponsors: Varela Contracting LLC, CEO Consulting Group LLC, View of Heaven Farm, Fortessa Tableware Solutions, You've Got Maids of Northern Virginia, Raymond James, Stephen Gould, Bank of Clarke, and Insperity

We are looking forward to next year’s event already!

To learn more about ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/about-us/mission/

A huge thank you to everyone who made our 2024 Sip & Swing event a fantastic success! 🥂⛳

Your support, energy, and generosity made the night unforgettable.

We couldn’t have done it without you—cheers to many more! 💙✨

To learn more about ECHO, visit: https://echoworks.org/

Today is the last day of October and the last day of National Disability Employment Awareness Month! ✨💙

At ECHO, we’re proud to celebrate the value and talent that individuals with disabilities bring to the workplace and economy.

Through programs like Blue Elegance, ECHO Barkery, and Inclusive Solutions, we empower our participants to showcase their incredible skills and achieve meaningful, community-based employment. 💪💙

✨To learn more about NDEAM, visit: https://www.dol.gov/agencies/odep/initiatives/ndeam

📿 To learn more about Blue Elegance, visit: https://blueelegance.org/pages/about-us

🦴 To learn more about ECHO Barkery, visit: https://echobarkery.org/

⚙️ To learn more about Inclusive Solutions, visit: https://www.echoinclusivesolutions.org/

Wishing you a spook-tacular, boo-tiful, and fang-tastic Halloween! 🎃👻🕷️

Visit: https://echoworks.org/about-us/mission/ to learn more about ECHO today!

There are so many ways to support ECHO! 🌟

Whether you’re partnering with our dedicated ECHO Crew for your business needs or shopping from our social enterprises, every contribution helps create positive change.

You can also get involved by sponsoring an event 🎉, donating a vehicle 🚗, or including ECHO in your planned giving 🤝. Together, we can continue to uplift our community and make a lasting impact!

💙 To learn more about ways to support ECHO, visit: https://bit.ly/3ZV82zW

This month our Ambassador of the Month is Stacey Metcalfe and Morven Park!

Stacey serves as the CEO of Morven Park and has been a generous supporter of ECHO for several years. In the Spring of this year, Morven Park became a worksite for our Group Supported Employment program and we couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such great people.

Thank you to Stacey and to Morven Park for being such devoted partners in our mission to Empower Individuals for Life.

Today, we’re excited to highlight Bobby, the Program Manager for our Supported Employment Services at ECHO. Bobby leads a skilled team of over 20 employees dedicated to helping our participants thrive in the community and achieve their personal and professional goals.

With his unwavering commitment to our mission, Bobby oversees programs that support 140+ participants on their employment journeys. His role is no small feat—he manages 17 contracts, all while ensuring his team has the guidance and resources they need to succeed.

Thank you, Bobby, for your dedication, leadership, and the positive impact you make every day!

This month, we're excited to recognize Sophia for her dedication and progress in building leadership skills! Sophia has been working on becoming more assertive in a leadership role, and her daily actions show just how committed she is to this goal.

Each morning, Sophia steps up to volunteer for cleaning duties after lunch. She enthusiastically puts on her gloves and lets the team know she’s ready to dive in! Sophia chooses her tasks in the kitchen, often focusing on keeping the countertops and microwaves sparkling clean. She approaches her role with a smile, and her hard work has not gone unnoticed—her attention to detail and pride in her efforts shine through every day.

Sophia’s dedication and positive attitude have made her a standout in our community, and her willingness to advocate for her goals serves as a wonderful example for everyone at ECHO.

Great job, Sophia! Keep leading the way!

We’re excited to highlight Lauren, a wonderful member of our LIFE Day Support program! Since joining us this year, Lauren has brought so much joy and creativity to our community.

Her love for karaoke and crafting shines through in every session—whether she’s painting a masterpiece or creating beautiful bracelets, her talent knows no bounds! Lauren also kicks off our mornings with her infectious enthusiasm, reminding everyone that it’s going to be a great day!

On Just Dance mornings, you can find her leading the way with her amazing moves, and she never misses a chance to enjoy music therapy. Outside of ECHO, Lauren loves spending quality time with her mom making delicious dumplings and dining at her favorite spot, the Silver Diner.

We’re so grateful to have Lauren in our ECHO family, sharing her positivity and creativity with us all! Keep shining, Lauren!