Friday, March 25, 2016

Win, Win: How Community Employment Benefits the Community and Individuals

When you walk into Anytime Fitness, you might spot Dan cleaning the equipment, rag and spray bottle in hand. He will greet you, making sure to get your whole name, and welcome you to Anytime Fitness. Dan is just one of the people that is employed in the Peoria community through EP!C's Community Employment Program.

Chris Brown helping to shelve books at the
Fondulac Library
Employment for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities has recently been making it into the news (see for example the story of Sam, the Starbucks barista known for dancing as he prepares drinks). Stories certainly have been highlighting the successes of individuals with disabilities finding employment and excelling at their jobs, but they have also drawn attention to the high unemployment rates, businesses' biases against employing individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, and poor State support. At EP!C we try to address these issues with both our Organizational Employment as well as Community Employment Programs.

EP!C's Community Employment Program in particular works with local businesses and individuals to find an arrangement that will be mutually beneficial.Though the businesses might initially worry about the individual's ability to perform the job duties, they soon find that they are often some of the most dedicated and diligent employees. (In case you missed it, Huffington Post highlighted the views of four companies who have adopted an inclusive stance on the topic.) EP!C even provides job coaching to ensure that the individual has the skills they need to carry out their responsibilities. Individuals that work with EP!C's Community Employment Program then have the opportunity to pursue employment in a variety of fields, depending on their interests and skills. Currently, individuals with EP!C's Community Employment Program are employed in diverse businesses and organizations from hotels to government institutions to gyms.

Mike Berkley sacking up a customer's groceries at Hy-Vee
The individuals are then also empowered through employment. Not only are they able to earn a pay check, they are also able to take pride in succeeding in their job and creating more connections with the community. Mike Berkley, for example, speaks with enthusiasm about his job at Hy-Vee and enjoys greeting and meeting new people in the store. He has also created lasting relationships with several of his coworkers, who speak warmly about Mike and his willingness to go above and beyond the scope of his job.

There is no doubt that having a job enriches the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Local companies and businesses also benefit from hiring such employees, as they not only fulfill but often exceed job expectations. It is up to us, as a community, now to work toward breaking the stigma of hiring individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and supporting efforts to do so.

If you are a business looking for qualified employees or someone with an intellectual or developmental disability looking for employment, contact Mike Ashford, the Community Employment Services Job Placement Coordinator, at (309) 689-3690 or mashford@epicpeoria.org.

This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Heart of Illinois United Way.



mike berkley

Chris brown

No comments:

Post a Comment