• (12/18/07)Lumbee vocational center opens
• (12/18/07)Banquet held for Tribal Elders

Lumbee vocational center opens

The Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina is proud to announce the opening of the Lumbee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services (LTVR) program in the old Piggly Wiggly building next to HealthKeeperz in Pembroke. 

The Tribe held a blessing and ribbon ceremony to mark the opening on Tuesday, December 11.  The Lumbee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services program will provide vocational rehabilitation to tribal members with a disability living in the Lumbee tribal territory, with the objective to prepare for, obtain or retain gainful employment.

“Today, I can truly announce to the tribal membership,” said Tribal Chairman Jimmy Goins, “that the Lumbee Tribe is moving in the health care area, with the opening of this office.”  It is the goal of the Lumbee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services program to improve the quality of life for Lumbee tribal members with disabilities. 

On hand for the ribbon cutting ceremony was the first consumer, Mrs. Sandra Locklear of Hoke County.  Mrs. Locklear taught public school for over 20 and has a master’s degree.  However, her employment stopped after she suffered from a stroke that left her unable to talk or communicate with her family, friends or her students.

“This is really emotional for me to see her cut the ribbon today,” says LTVR Manager, Celeste Hunt. “I am so excited for her and all the other tribal members with disabilities who want to go back into the workforce.

The tribe through the program will provide counseling, medical and psychological services, job training and other services to more than 250 disabled Lumbee tribal members in Cumberland, Hoke, Robeson and Scotland counties.  Tribal members with a mental or physical disability will have to apply for services and provide a copy of their medical record.

Tribal members with disabilities are encouraged to stop by the new office in Pembroke or to contact Lumbee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services at 910-521-4220 or toll free at 877-586-2338 for an appointment or visit thier website at Lumbee Tribal Vocational Rehabilitation Services.