The mission of AWS Foundation is to support individuals with enduring intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities to live as independently as possible. To that end, sometimes, our major initiatives feel daunting. Housing…Transportation…Employment.
As discussed in this issue, people with disabilities are both underemployed and unemployed at higher rates than those without disabilities. So, what IS the Foundation’s connection to employment for those we serve? I thought this might be a good opportunity to share some of the grants and initiatives that we have been involved in the last year or so in the area of employment.
Many of our Vantage Grant recipients had some component of community integrated employment in their plan. Arc of Wabash purchased a coffee house, ramped up their shredding business, and expanded their pre-employment transition services for high school students. Carey Services opened the Empower Academy, which is designed to teach specific skills for high need areas of employment (manufacturing, hospitality, culinary, and more).
Blue Jacket continues to run its Blue Jacket Academy, designed to teach basic employability skills and place underserved students in jobs, both internally and in the community.
Ivy Tech, Indiana Wesleyan, and Huntington University all run active postsecondary programs for students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The end goal – independence, socialization, and employment.
The Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo has been working to build a strong workforce, including those with disabilities. They are creating a more user-friendly application process and to carve jobs that fit the needs of those who want to work.
These are just a few of the grantees we support who are making an impact in the employment arena in NE Indiana. The Foundation has also been working to survey, convene, and educate our community employers on ways to include individuals with disabilities in their workforce. We continue to work with our local service providers to align supports to their needs. We are even working with the NE Indiana Regional Partnership, looking at the potential intersect with AI and the application/interview process.
As we all know, there is no easy fix for some of the greatest challenges that disabled people face. Our goal is to continue to convene and be at the table with employers, providers, related organizations, and those we serve to increase employment opportunities and outcomes.
Have an idea? Own a business who would like to be a part of this mission? If so, please reach out and let us know…it will take us all to break down the barriers and build equitable systems and supports!