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New Community Outreach program builds partnerships; employment opportunities
Entering the workforce assumes certain skills – technical
knowledge, marketable services and communication and social interactions.
At Devereux Pennsylvania’s Adult Services center, our team
is focused on providing individuals with intellectual and developmental
disabilities the opportunity to become productive and socially-connected
members of society.
Through the center’s new Community Outreach program, Devereux is partnering
with local businesses to provide employment and training programs to the
individuals we serve every day. These partnerships help our clients build the
necessary skills to prepare for competitive employment in today’s workforce.
Serving
the community
Launched
in January 2017, the Community Outreach program is beginning to gain recognition across the Philadelphia region. Look
below to find out where our individuals are making an impact:
- Food
Harvest Program – Our individuals work with restaurants and
retailers including Wawa, Outback and Starbucks to deliver food to nearly 20
churches and shelters in Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties. Food from each
of these establishments is donated directly to the program, never having been
for sale or stored.
- Chester County Food Bank (CCFB) – Our Community Outreach Program
supports CCFB members, including the Salvation Army, Home of the Sparrow and Laurel House. The CCFB relies on
our individuals to help deliver donated food to more than 200 people on a monthly
basis.
- Surrey Services in Devon – Our
individuals are enrolled in Surrey’s “Future Chefs” program where they learn
skills such as: food handling, clean-up, serving and teamwork.
- Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals of Brandywine – Our individuals learn to care for
animals up for adoption by walking, interacting with and cleaning animal
habitats.
- The Devon Horse Show – In
2017, our individuals managed a vending area at this prestigious event, giving them
a chance to operate as a small business for the day.
“A
supportive environment is critical, so with each of our business partners, we review
the tasks that need to be handled, along with the ability of our individuals to
complete the work successfully and the possibility for longer-term employment,”
said Devereux Pennsylvania Adult Services Program Director Kirk Smith. “Helping our individuals become more
involved in community life fosters new experiences and interests, the potential
to develop friendships, and the ability to give back to the community.”
Want to get involved?
The
Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services Community Outreach program is always looking
for new business partnerships!
If your business needs help or wants to get involved,
Devereux can assist! To learn more, contact Kirk Smith.
About Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services
Devereux Pennsylvania – Adult Services
provides personal growth opportunities for adults, ages 21 through life span,
with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorder,
emotional and/or behavioral differences, and brain injuries. The organization
serves nearly 400 adults living in homes and apartments throughout southeast
Pennsylvania. Click here to learn more.
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