The Society for disABILITIES plays a pivotal role in our communities by providing essential programs and services that make a positive impact on the lives of people. One of our successful programs includes providing people with disabilities, seniors, and the unemployed with opportunities to gain critical skills needed from today’s workforce. In some cases, participants have the opportunity to change the trajectory of their life and the lives of their families by breaking the cycle of generational poverty. The Society for disABILITIES plays a pivotal role in our communities by providing essential programs and services that make a positive impact on the lives of people. One of our successful programs includes providing people with disabilities, seniors, and the unemployed with opportunities to gain critical skills needed from today’s workforce. In some cases, participants have the opportunity to change the trajectory of their life and the lives of their families by breaking the cycle of generational poverty.
The Society for disABILITIES partners with multiple community agencies including (Alliance Worknet, Senior Community Service Employment Service Employment Program (SCSEP), Vocational Coaching & Development Institute (VCDI), Transition to Work, Re-Employability, and more) to increase the number of occupational skills training opportunities for people with disabilities, military veterans and low-income seniors. We are proud of our role to provide people with access to practical on-the-job training opportunities to develop their skills, gain confidence, and engage in real-life applications using skills learned.
Why our workforce development programs matter. Economic security impacts a person’s health and well-being. Economic security is directly linked to a person’s ability to access healthy food, medical care, education and safe environments. According to the State of California Employment Development Department, in 2016, the San Joaquin Valley’s unemployment rate nearly reached 8%. California’s unemployment rate in 2016 was 5.2%. The need for jobs that pay a living wage is important when seeking safe and affordable housing.
We provide individual employment plans that are developed upon the unique needs of each participant, with the goal of turning them into skilled job candidates. Job training opportunities include: retail, warehouse, equipment repair workshop and clerical. Participants become part of a team, engage in activities that build teamwork and organizational skills, and social interaction. Our goal is to help people with barriers to employment become more self-sufficient, gain skills that will expand their options to various job opportunities.
The Society for disABILITIES operates a thrift store, in Modesto, providing affordable housewares, furniture and clothing to the public.
Participants have opportunities to gain on-the-job-training skills in the following areas: