Member Spotlight
Patti Fazekas
Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs
Contact information: 1308 Griffin Mill Rd., Easley, SC 29640,
Phone: 815-861-3398
Email: pattifazekas0427@gmail.com
Website: www.pickenscountyboard.org
What do you and your business do?
The Pickens County Board of Disabilities and Special Needs was first established in 1972 by a group of parents who wanted a place that would provide support and work skills for their children. With two staff members serving five clients, Better Skills, Inc. began as a sheltered workshop with the purpose of highlighting abilities. Today, we provide many enjoyable and rewarding activities to over 200 people in Pickens County with intellectual disabilities, autism, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and related conditions. All costs for the Day Program Services are generally covered through Medicaid waivers or state funded community support.
If applicable, what products and/or services does your business offer and do you have any specials or promotions to share?
As the Director of Day Services, I lead a team of professional staff who are dedicated to enhancing the lives of others. We provide adults with special needs a place outside their residence for socialization, community involvement, Career Preparation, Employment Services, and personal care assistance. We also enjoy volunteering in our community by delivering Meals on Wheels and working at the Pickens County Animal Shelter. Currently, we have program openings and would be happy to give interested families a tour of our facilities!
I am also president-elect for the Foothills Civitan Club. The worldwide mission of Civitan International is to build good citizenship by providing a volunteer organization of clubs dedicated to serving individual and community needs, with an emphasis on helping people with developmental disabilities. The Foothills Civitan Club co-sponsored the first annual Upstate Field of Honor this past September at the Dacusville Community Center. We honored personal and military heroes with a field of 200 American flags. I was drawn to being a Civitan because of their mission and patriotic values!
How long have you been a BPW member?
My family moved to Clemson from the Chicago area one year ago. I was fortunate to discover BPW this past summer when I was awarded a BPW scholarship to help with the dissertation phase of my PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology. I am very appreciative of this award and the friendships I am making!
What is a fun, surprising, or unique fact about you?
My husband and I met in Wales in 1988 while both serving in the US Navy. I was trained as an electronic computer repair technician for the Integrated Undersea Surveillance System equipment used to detect Soviet submarines. When we are not spending time with our four children, I can be found at Clemson Jazzercise, watching my favorite Columbo episodes, or slalom skiing on Lake Keowee!