New Horizons Open House

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Marva Dale Greenwood
New Horizons Corporation
(615) 360-8595
mdgreenwood@newhorizonscorp.com

NASHVILLE--New Horizons Corporation will host an open house on Friday, May
9 to introduce the community to its programs benefiting persons with
developmental disabilities. Service recipients will showcase their talents at the
organization's production facility at 5221 Harding between 1 and 3 pm.

"We have invited business leaders, mental health professionals and political
leaders," said Marva Dale Greenwood, executive director of the non-profit
program. "We want everyone to meet some of the hardest working, most
conscientious and enthusiastic workers in Middle Tennessee."

On New Horizons' production floor 79 service recipients perform simple hand
assembly, shrink wrapping, and custom packaging for 19 Middle Tennessee
companies. All employees are individually trained for their tasks and are paid for
their output. Twenty staff members ensure the work is completed on time, on
budget and without error.

New Horizons supervises 30 other service recipients who perform janitorial and
landscaping services for contractors such as the Army National Guard, the Air
National Guard, Metro Water Works and TDOT at interstate highway rest areas.

New Horizons is currently seeking additional commercial work to offset
reductions in government funding. Reimbursement from the State of Tennessee
Division of Mental Retardation has recently been reduced by more than 6% and
has placed an extraordinary strain on New Horizons' financial stability.

"We also want everyone to be aware of the full range of opportunities our service
recipients have," Ms. Greenwood said.

An increasing number of service recipients are being integrated into the
community through assisted living programs under New Horizons management,
while others live in group settings where they receive round the clock care from
New Horizons staff.

"New Horizons has served our community since 1971," said New Horizons board
chair Joyce Watts. "We were the first organization of our kind. We are proud of
our service recipients and the value they add to community life. It's wonderful to
share this with the community."

BACKGROUND

Before 1971 no organization served the needs of some of Middle Tennessee's most
vulnerable citizens--adults with developmental disabilities. That year a group of family
members and others began New Horizons Corporation. Over 27 years the
organization's work has been validated time and again. Today New Horizons serves
more than 100 people with a staff of 90.

We've collected some of the questions we hear most frequently and hope the answers
provide a full picture of our work.

What is New Horizons Corporation?
New Horizons is an agency providing employment and residential support services for
developmentally disabled adults with 90 staff members. It was incorporated on May 14,
1971, and is governed by a Board of Directors. New Horizons qualifies as a 501-c-3
corporation under the IRS Code.

Who does New Horizons serve?
The individuals at New Horizons have diverse disabilities such as Down syndrome,
cerebral palsy, autism and epilepsy. Many have additional physical disabilities.
Programs are for men and women aged 18 and over with no upper age limit.

How is New Horizons funded?
About 62% of New Horizons' $4-million annual budget comes from the Tennessee
Department of Mental Retardation. New Horizons also receives support from the United
Way and other community organizations. The families of some service recipients pay
New Horizons directly for client services. A growing portion of New Horizons' income is
the result of work employees perform for commercial clients.

What programs does New Horizons offer?
In New Horizons' production center, employees receive training to perform supervised
work. Each workday morning about 90 employees take their places assembling
computer component boxes, correlating informational packets, shrink-wrapping
products and completing other piece work for which they are paid. Other employees
work similar jobs at companies such as Wright Conso. An additional 75 employees work
outside in the community performing janitorial and landscaping work in locations such
as the Army National Guard and TDOT rest areas.

Does New Horizons stand behind employees' work?
Job coaches assist each employee in developing the skill set each task requires and
then they provide ongoing onsite support. Employees take great pride in completing
tasks on time and to specification. The result is satisfied customers--in fact some
current customers have maintained contracts with New Horizons for ten years or more.

Who are some of New Horizons' commercial customers?
Among companies currently utilizing the services of New Horizons employees are
Wilson Sporting Goods, Austin Foam Plastics, Gideons International, International
Paper and National Envelope.

What residential programs does New Horizons have?
New Horizons concentrates on supported living programs, in which two or three service
recipients rent homes or apartments and hire support personnel. New Horizons also
maintains group homes, in which up to eight service recipients live with 24-hour staff
supervision and support.

How do I enroll a family member or acquaintance?
Call or e-mail your request for a meeting with the New Horizons Administrative Director.
The agency will schedule an initial meeting with you and help you through the
application and enrollment process. Most programs qualify for funding from the
Tennessee Department of Mental Retardation Services.

Does New Horizons accept donations?
New Horizons gratefully accepts support from the public.

How does New Horizons use contributions?
Gifts can be earmarked either for a specific program or project, or for the general fund.
General funds are used where needed most.

Are contributions tax-deductible?
Gifts to New Horizons are tax deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Can I volunteer my time?
New Horizons welcomes volunteer involvement. You'll need to complete an application
and attend an orientation.