October 10, 2025 • 11 mins
In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kevin Paluszak, CEO of Pleasant View Inc., a nonprofit organization based in Harrisonburg, Virginia, that has been supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities since 1971. Kevin shares how Pleasant View’s mission—to help individuals live with purpose through meaningful work, relationships, and spiritual development—comes to life through their residential services, day support programs, and community engagement initiatives.
We also highlight Pleasant View’s upcoming Fall Banquet, a milestone event kicking off their 55th Anniversary Celebration:
📅 Pleasant View’s Fall Banquet
📍 Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, VA
🕠 Saturday, November 1, 2025
📞 RSVP to Pam Miller at 540-560-1134
📧 Or email pmiller@pleasantviewinc.org
Interested in helping plan the event? Reach out using the same contact info!
🔗 Learn more: pleasantviewinc.org/events/pleasant-views-fall-banquet
We also highlight Pleasant View’s upcoming Fall Banquet, a milestone event kicking off their 55th Anniversary Celebration:
📅 Pleasant View’s Fall Banquet
📍 Hotel Madison, Harrisonburg, VA
🕠 Saturday, November 1, 2025
- Socializing & Drinks: 5:30 PM
- Dinner: 6:00 PM
📞 RSVP to Pam Miller at 540-560-1134
📧 Or email pmiller@pleasantviewinc.org
Interested in helping plan the event? Reach out using the same contact info!
🔗 Learn more: pleasantviewinc.org/events/pleasant-views-fall-banquet
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Shanado A Valley. Business Break is a podcast about local
business and community happenings and around the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
I'm Chris Carmik, or guest today is Kevin Palouzak. Kevin
is the CEO of Pleasant View Incorporated, and Kevin, it's
good to see it and it's exciting to hear about
everything that's happening at Pleasant Few. You're getting ready to
(00:21):
enter your fifty fifth year of business. Is that correct?
You started way back when in Broadway.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Yes, sir, thank you Chris for having me today. Yeah,
we started in nineteen seventy one in Broadway, our services
to provide supports and services for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.
And we started out of the local church in Broadway, Virginia,
and have expanded over the years and we fit fifty
five years now and we serve the Harrisonburg and Rockingham
County region.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And boy have you expanded. You've got a lot more
than just the original the original footprint of what Pleasant
Few was back in seventy one.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yes, we have very much. So we have six group
homes and we also have a day program which provide
activities and services for folks to engage in during the day.
We have employment services, community engagements, in home independent living programs.
So expand it quite a bit with about one hundred
employees and serve about fifty individuals in the community today.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Oh wow, that's exciting. So tell me a little bit
about you know, when you first meet someone and they say, Kevin,
what do you do? Tell me that speech you give them,
tell us exactly what you want people to know about
pleasant view.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Absolutely, you know, try to keep it simple. It's you know,
our job is to empower people to live life to
the fullest. That's it. And every single one of us
wants to have increased opportunities, increase life experiences, not to
just be and exist, but to truly live and be vibrant.
And that's our goal, that's our heart, that's our mission.
(01:50):
Is to help and support individuals so they can foster
greater levels of independence and enjoy the fullness of life.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I would imagine that each individual has their own set
of needs and demands, and it requires a lot of
specialty training for your staff.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Absolutely, we have a diverse need range with our individuals.
We have some individuals that drive their own cars and
work out in the community. We have some individuals that
require twenty four to seven three sixty five supports with
medical assistance and health and hygiene and assistant living programs.
So we kind of have all the above.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So would I be wrong to say that you're working
on trying to care for individuals more than like training
them for a job or something like that.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Actually, we do all the above, Chris. We have some
folks like I mentioned, that may need perpetual care, and
we have others where we're fostering independence in them so
they can have jobs in the community. So we have
a supportive employment program that helps people have jobs. We
have some folks that work at sharp Shoppers, some that
work at a local factory down the road, some individuals
that work at Walmarts. We have a diverse range of
(02:58):
services we provide.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
This was years ago. I had a friend whose sister
in law lived at Pleasant View and they said that
her I'm going to brag of it, the only way
they could get her started in the day was if
she heard me on the radio, and so they treated
me as part of the care team. And because she
(03:20):
would just refuse to get out of bed if not.
And I think you know, if you ever had, you know,
a stubborn teenager, someone who's like, you know, I'm not
going to do that, and you're thinking, how do you've
got to find those really unique ways to reach a
person and help the individual you know shine in their moment.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yes, oh absolutely, And to your point, every persons different.
So what motivates them, what inspires them, what gets me
out of bed in the morning, what gets you out
of bed in the morning. It's a different things.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Well, I can tell you my wife would say if
I just shut up, it would be better. So each
individual has their own unique point of view on that.
I guess. It is not cheap. I'm guessing to run
an operation as large as yours. You said one hundred
employees fifty individuals being treated.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
That that's correct. We have about a seven million dollars
a year budget and all of our funding comes from medicaid,
and in today's world, in today's complexities and society and
the government and things of that nature, it's pretty complicated.
We receive services throw what's called a waiver program, and
in Virginia that's funded basically fifty to fifty half federal
government half commonwealth government funds so at this point in time,
(04:34):
while that hasn't been cut because of the needs of
our individuals, there is a ripple effect of when other
programs get cut funding and reinforsement rates won't increase in
the future. So we're navigating the same complexities everybody else
does as we go forward.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
We're talking with Kevin Paluzak. He is the CEO of
pleasant Few Incorporated, celebrating fifty five years of operation. And
you've got your annual banquet coming. This is a big
event for you all, and from what I understand, it's
a little different this year than in years past. Very
much so, Chris, thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Every fall we do an annual banquet and it's one
of our biggest fundraising events. It's been hard to describe
in years past. It's just a small, intimate gathering and
celebration and it was hard to put into words. When
I first got hired, I was asking questions about it,
trying to understand it, and finally I was like, I
need to go experience it. And when I did it,
(05:26):
it just really spoke to me and it really hit
for what we do as an organization. But this year
we're moving it out of the school Cafeteria. We're going
to have it at the Hotel Madison this year, and
for the first time ever, we're doing sponsorships for this program.
It's a free event to the community. However, we do
a free will offering a donation at the end and
we do an ask at the end. But this year
(05:48):
we're excited to have Everance be our program sponsor. Then
we're also happy to have some hospitality sponsors. So this
year for hospitality sponsors, we have Edward Jones, we have Warden,
Aldheiser and Weaver Attorneys. We have Sustainable Solutions and the
Heischman Family. It's supporting right now in these hospitality ssessments.
(06:10):
So the event is November first at the Hotel Madison.
At five point thirty. We're going to have a cash
bar open up and that'll run for two hours, and
then from six to about seven point thirty we'll have
a program celebrating the history of pleasant View, celebrating the
direction of pleasant View, and the theme is life to
the Fullest and it's about embracing the abundance of life
(06:32):
and achieving the dreams and having ambitions for a brighter
and more powerful future.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Do we just show up or do we need to
register let you know we're coming.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
There's an RSVP process. You can contact us at pleasantviewink
dot org for more information on that. But like I said,
it's free. It's an RSVP process, and you know, you
can bring up to six, seven, eight people if you'd like.
Obviously we average about one hundred to one hundred and
fifty and with the new venue, in the new expect
(07:00):
we're hoping to bring in some different audience and to
expand our relationships in the community. We don't just want
to be seen as a nonprofit or as an organization
that takes. We want people to see our value and
see that we give back to you and our goal
on this isn't always about money. It's about relationship, it's
about opportunities, it's about reciprocation, because that's what really matters
(07:22):
in life.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
As CEO, you're not just going to go out and
brag about everything you've done. You've got some plans about
the future. I'm guessing, what's like your five year, ten
year plan for pleasant View?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, fifty five years in. I started almost five
years ago and we were very solid financially and had
a great base and a great foundation as a long
standing nonprofit. But we're in right now for the next
eighteen twenty four months and even longer. We're going through
some renovation projects. So we own all of our properties,
all of our homes, we have no debt on those,
(07:55):
but we're doing extensive renovation projects to enhance the accessibility,
to improve the environment of care, to create a safer environment,
and to just update things. You know, when you've had
a house for thirty plus years, much like you and
I were going to update and renovate. Yeah, So Sustainable
Solutions is one of our partners in this process. Just
signed off on a project that's that's going to be
(08:17):
probably two hundred fifty thousand dollars when it's all said
and done, and we're probably looking at one point five
million dollars in renovations over the next twenty four months.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Like I say, well, my wife and I are getting
ready to put a new roof and siding on the house.
I can tell you it's not cheap. And so yeah,
if you're you're listening right now thinking how can I
help Pleasant View number one come out to the banquet,
I'm sure in addition to having a great time, you're
going to get to talk to some people that are
going to be able to share some more intimate stories
(08:44):
about their experiences with pleasant view and then maybe give
some money. That would be nice.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Absolutely, yeah, and Everance as our program sponsor, they're going
to offer a plan giving opportunity to help folks understand
how they can plan giving in the future. So it works.
About this, we have a lot going on. We've done
a lot to enhance the supports for our employees and
part of that is also enhancing the environment of care
and environment where our individuals live so they can feel
good about where they live as well.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
What's the biggest misconception when you talk to people about
PLUS and V you what would you like to make
sure you change in people's mind about what you do?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
You know, there's a stereotype and stigma still associated with
people with disabilities where it's all that poor person, and
these are fully equipped and capable individuals. They give more
than we often give to them. And the joy, the reciprocation,
the pure innocence in life satisfaction they bring is something
(09:42):
that models and speaks to us every day. And their
ability to do things and embrace things is often underestimated
and I don't ever want to be viewed as that
organization that helps those people, because the individuals we support
are often more so adept and polite and kind than
we are in today's society. And it's it's a great
(10:04):
thing to see and their gift things and their abilities
often are not seen visibly, but when you see them,
they speak volumes to your heart and soul.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
The annual Fall banquets coming up on November first. You
said five point thirty at Hotel Madison. That's correct, and
if you want more information you can go to pleasantviewink
dot org. This is a great event, a great way
to help an organization that is I would go so
far as say, not just helping the fifty five individuals
(10:34):
that are immediately connected with pleasant View now, but their
families and individuals in the future. And you know, I
mentioned a friend that was that was back in the
late nineties. She is unfortunately passed. Since you know, there
are lots of families that I'm sure treat you like
family because you've treated their family like family.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Very much.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
So, yeah, very much so Well, I love what you're doing, Kevin.
It's you know, I've had a connection with Buzz and
few for a while, so it's exciting to actually get
to sit down and talk with you about your vision
for pleasant Few and the dedication of all your employees.
You're doing great work for our community. We appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Thank you so much, Christ and thanks for having me today.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Kevin Polouzac is the CEO of pleasant Few Incorporated. Again.
Their annual banquet is coming up on November first at
Hotel Madison. If you'd like more information, if you like
to RSVP if you plan on attending, go to pleasant
fewank dot org. This has been Shenandoah Valley Business Break.
If you have an idea for a future show, reach
us at the contact tab at NewsRadio WKCY dot com.
(11:37):
Find all past episodes by searching business Break on the
iHeartRadio app
Shanado A Valley. Business Break is a podcast about local
business and community happenings and around the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia.
I'm Chris Carmik, or guest today is Kevin Palouzak. Kevin
is the CEO of Pleasant View Incorporated, and Kevin, it's
good to see it and it's exciting to hear about
everything that's happening at Pleasant Few. You're getting ready to
(00:21):
enter your fifty fifth year of business. Is that correct?
You started way back when in Broadway.
Speaker 2 (00:26):
Yes, sir, thank you Chris for having me today. Yeah,
we started in nineteen seventy one in Broadway, our services
to provide supports and services for individuals with intellectual developmental disabilities.
And we started out of the local church in Broadway, Virginia,
and have expanded over the years and we fit fifty
five years now and we serve the Harrisonburg and Rockingham
County region.
Speaker 1 (00:46):
And boy have you expanded. You've got a lot more
than just the original the original footprint of what Pleasant
Few was back in seventy one.
Speaker 2 (00:54):
Yes, we have very much. So we have six group
homes and we also have a day program which provide
activities and services for folks to engage in during the day.
We have employment services, community engagements, in home independent living programs.
So expand it quite a bit with about one hundred
employees and serve about fifty individuals in the community today.
Speaker 1 (01:13):
Oh wow, that's exciting. So tell me a little bit
about you know, when you first meet someone and they say, Kevin,
what do you do? Tell me that speech you give them,
tell us exactly what you want people to know about
pleasant view.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
Absolutely, you know, try to keep it simple. It's you know,
our job is to empower people to live life to
the fullest. That's it. And every single one of us
wants to have increased opportunities, increase life experiences, not to
just be and exist, but to truly live and be vibrant.
And that's our goal, that's our heart, that's our mission.
(01:50):
Is to help and support individuals so they can foster
greater levels of independence and enjoy the fullness of life.
Speaker 1 (01:56):
I would imagine that each individual has their own set
of needs and demands, and it requires a lot of
specialty training for your staff.
Speaker 2 (02:06):
Absolutely, we have a diverse need range with our individuals.
We have some individuals that drive their own cars and
work out in the community. We have some individuals that
require twenty four to seven three sixty five supports with
medical assistance and health and hygiene and assistant living programs.
So we kind of have all the above.
Speaker 1 (02:25):
So would I be wrong to say that you're working
on trying to care for individuals more than like training
them for a job or something like that.
Speaker 2 (02:36):
Actually, we do all the above, Chris. We have some
folks like I mentioned, that may need perpetual care, and
we have others where we're fostering independence in them so
they can have jobs in the community. So we have
a supportive employment program that helps people have jobs. We
have some folks that work at sharp Shoppers, some that
work at a local factory down the road, some individuals
that work at Walmarts. We have a diverse range of
(02:58):
services we provide.
Speaker 1 (02:59):
This was years ago. I had a friend whose sister
in law lived at Pleasant View and they said that
her I'm going to brag of it, the only way
they could get her started in the day was if
she heard me on the radio, and so they treated
me as part of the care team. And because she
(03:20):
would just refuse to get out of bed if not.
And I think you know, if you ever had, you know,
a stubborn teenager, someone who's like, you know, I'm not
going to do that, and you're thinking, how do you've
got to find those really unique ways to reach a
person and help the individual you know shine in their moment.
Speaker 2 (03:40):
Yes, oh absolutely, And to your point, every persons different.
So what motivates them, what inspires them, what gets me
out of bed in the morning, what gets you out
of bed in the morning. It's a different things.
Speaker 1 (03:51):
Well, I can tell you my wife would say if
I just shut up, it would be better. So each
individual has their own unique point of view on that.
I guess. It is not cheap. I'm guessing to run
an operation as large as yours. You said one hundred
employees fifty individuals being treated.
Speaker 2 (04:10):
That that's correct. We have about a seven million dollars
a year budget and all of our funding comes from medicaid,
and in today's world, in today's complexities and society and
the government and things of that nature, it's pretty complicated.
We receive services throw what's called a waiver program, and
in Virginia that's funded basically fifty to fifty half federal
government half commonwealth government funds so at this point in time,
(04:34):
while that hasn't been cut because of the needs of
our individuals, there is a ripple effect of when other
programs get cut funding and reinforsement rates won't increase in
the future. So we're navigating the same complexities everybody else
does as we go forward.
Speaker 1 (04:48):
We're talking with Kevin Paluzak. He is the CEO of
pleasant Few Incorporated, celebrating fifty five years of operation. And
you've got your annual banquet coming. This is a big
event for you all, and from what I understand, it's
a little different this year than in years past. Very
much so, Chris, thank you.
Speaker 2 (05:06):
Every fall we do an annual banquet and it's one
of our biggest fundraising events. It's been hard to describe
in years past. It's just a small, intimate gathering and
celebration and it was hard to put into words. When
I first got hired, I was asking questions about it,
trying to understand it, and finally I was like, I
need to go experience it. And when I did it,
(05:26):
it just really spoke to me and it really hit
for what we do as an organization. But this year
we're moving it out of the school Cafeteria. We're going
to have it at the Hotel Madison this year, and
for the first time ever, we're doing sponsorships for this program.
It's a free event to the community. However, we do
a free will offering a donation at the end and
we do an ask at the end. But this year
(05:48):
we're excited to have Everance be our program sponsor. Then
we're also happy to have some hospitality sponsors. So this
year for hospitality sponsors, we have Edward Jones, we have Warden,
Aldheiser and Weaver Attorneys. We have Sustainable Solutions and the
Heischman Family. It's supporting right now in these hospitality ssessments.
(06:10):
So the event is November first at the Hotel Madison.
At five point thirty. We're going to have a cash
bar open up and that'll run for two hours, and
then from six to about seven point thirty we'll have
a program celebrating the history of pleasant View, celebrating the
direction of pleasant View, and the theme is life to
the Fullest and it's about embracing the abundance of life
(06:32):
and achieving the dreams and having ambitions for a brighter
and more powerful future.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Do we just show up or do we need to
register let you know we're coming.
Speaker 2 (06:39):
There's an RSVP process. You can contact us at pleasantviewink
dot org for more information on that. But like I said,
it's free. It's an RSVP process, and you know, you
can bring up to six, seven, eight people if you'd like.
Obviously we average about one hundred to one hundred and
fifty and with the new venue, in the new expect
(07:00):
we're hoping to bring in some different audience and to
expand our relationships in the community. We don't just want
to be seen as a nonprofit or as an organization
that takes. We want people to see our value and
see that we give back to you and our goal
on this isn't always about money. It's about relationship, it's
about opportunities, it's about reciprocation, because that's what really matters
(07:22):
in life.
Speaker 1 (07:23):
As CEO, you're not just going to go out and
brag about everything you've done. You've got some plans about
the future. I'm guessing, what's like your five year, ten
year plan for pleasant View?
Speaker 2 (07:33):
You know, fifty five years in. I started almost five
years ago and we were very solid financially and had
a great base and a great foundation as a long
standing nonprofit. But we're in right now for the next
eighteen twenty four months and even longer. We're going through
some renovation projects. So we own all of our properties,
all of our homes, we have no debt on those,
(07:55):
but we're doing extensive renovation projects to enhance the accessibility,
to improve the environment of care, to create a safer environment,
and to just update things. You know, when you've had
a house for thirty plus years, much like you and
I were going to update and renovate. Yeah, So Sustainable
Solutions is one of our partners in this process. Just
signed off on a project that's that's going to be
(08:17):
probably two hundred fifty thousand dollars when it's all said
and done, and we're probably looking at one point five
million dollars in renovations over the next twenty four months.
Speaker 1 (08:24):
Like I say, well, my wife and I are getting
ready to put a new roof and siding on the house.
I can tell you it's not cheap. And so yeah,
if you're you're listening right now thinking how can I
help Pleasant View number one come out to the banquet,
I'm sure in addition to having a great time, you're
going to get to talk to some people that are
going to be able to share some more intimate stories
(08:44):
about their experiences with pleasant view and then maybe give
some money. That would be nice.
Speaker 2 (08:50):
Absolutely, yeah, and Everance as our program sponsor, they're going
to offer a plan giving opportunity to help folks understand
how they can plan giving in the future. So it works.
About this, we have a lot going on. We've done
a lot to enhance the supports for our employees and
part of that is also enhancing the environment of care
and environment where our individuals live so they can feel
good about where they live as well.
Speaker 1 (09:11):
What's the biggest misconception when you talk to people about
PLUS and V you what would you like to make
sure you change in people's mind about what you do?
Speaker 2 (09:20):
You know, there's a stereotype and stigma still associated with
people with disabilities where it's all that poor person, and
these are fully equipped and capable individuals. They give more
than we often give to them. And the joy, the reciprocation,
the pure innocence in life satisfaction they bring is something
(09:42):
that models and speaks to us every day. And their
ability to do things and embrace things is often underestimated
and I don't ever want to be viewed as that
organization that helps those people, because the individuals we support
are often more so adept and polite and kind than
we are in today's society. And it's it's a great
(10:04):
thing to see and their gift things and their abilities
often are not seen visibly, but when you see them,
they speak volumes to your heart and soul.
Speaker 1 (10:13):
The annual Fall banquets coming up on November first. You
said five point thirty at Hotel Madison. That's correct, and
if you want more information you can go to pleasantviewink
dot org. This is a great event, a great way
to help an organization that is I would go so
far as say, not just helping the fifty five individuals
(10:34):
that are immediately connected with pleasant View now, but their
families and individuals in the future. And you know, I
mentioned a friend that was that was back in the
late nineties. She is unfortunately passed. Since you know, there
are lots of families that I'm sure treat you like
family because you've treated their family like family.
Speaker 2 (10:55):
Very much.
Speaker 1 (10:56):
So, yeah, very much so Well, I love what you're doing, Kevin.
It's you know, I've had a connection with Buzz and
few for a while, so it's exciting to actually get
to sit down and talk with you about your vision
for pleasant Few and the dedication of all your employees.
You're doing great work for our community. We appreciate that.
Speaker 2 (11:13):
Thank you so much, Christ and thanks for having me today.
Speaker 1 (11:15):
Kevin Polouzac is the CEO of pleasant Few Incorporated. Again.
Their annual banquet is coming up on November first at
Hotel Madison. If you'd like more information, if you like
to RSVP if you plan on attending, go to pleasant
fewank dot org. This has been Shenandoah Valley Business Break.
If you have an idea for a future show, reach
us at the contact tab at NewsRadio WKCY dot com.
(11:37):
Find all past episodes by searching business Break on the
iHeartRadio app
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