Nobis Works, the Marietta-based nonprofit dedicated to training and supporting individuals with disabilities in community-based jobs, is becoming Tommy Nobis Center and today unveiled its new name and brand.
“Tommy Nobis, along with co-founders Bobbie Knopf and Joyce Slaughter, created an innovative organization to help people with disabilities enter or return to employement and enjoy productive and independent lifestyles,” said Dave Ward, President and CEO of Tommy Nobis Center. “Tommy’s dedication and generosity have been and always will be the heart of our organization. As a result, we decided to name the organization in his honor as Tommy Nobis Center”.
Tommy Nobis Center was founded in 1977, and at the time, Bobbie Knopf, a special education teacher, and Joyce Slaughter, a concerned parent, set out to fill the vocational training and placement service needs for students with disabilities as they transitioned from high school. They recruited Tommy Nobis, Mr. Falcon himself, who had been involved with the Special Olympics. Tommy Nobis not only lent his name, but also his support and personal involvement for more than 40 years to further the mission of empowering people through employment.
“Tommy was an extraordinarily talented football player,” said Ward. “He was also an extraordinarily good man whose service off the field has had an immeasurable impact on the lives of so many individuals with disabilities. We are very excited about honoring the man who helped found our organization with our new name and brand”.
As part of the rebranding, the logo was updated by Marietta-based branding firm id8. Tommy Nobis Center’s logo includes a distinctive and stylized “N” for Nobis. The symbol embodies momentum, and the bold stroke of colors leans forward to symbolize pushing ahead. The yellow side of the logo stands for enthusiasm, fun and joy, which encourages optimism and greater confidence. The central blue color symbolizes loyalty, strength and wisdom. Green, the combination of yellow and blue, denotes the uplifting energy that is provided by Tommy Nobis Center to individuals and their families.
About Tommy Nobis Center
Since 1977, Tommy Nobis Center has helped more than 25,000 individuals find independence and workplace success by empowering people through employment. It envisions supportive communities where people with disabilities are afforded the opportunity to work. For more information, please visit www.tommynobiscenter.org or follow Tommy Nobis Center on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.
