October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), which celebrates the positive contributions of workers with disabilities and inclusive employment policies and practices. Keshet is proud to be a leader in supporting people with disabilities in meaningful employment as well as offering vocational training and skill-building across our programs.
This summer, one of our residents celebrated a pretty incredible milestone: 10 years at his job at Home Depot. Ethan, a Keshet MY Life resident, works twice a week at Home Depot with guidance from a Keshet job coach. His responsibilities include restocking shelves, putting returns away and providing general customer service.
At a recent staff meeting, Ethan’s coworkers, who know firsthand how much dedication he brings to the team, presented him with an anniversary certificate, a new badge for his work uniform and a pen. Ten years on the job is something worth celebrating for anyone. For Ethan, it’s also a testament to what can happen when someone has the opportunity, support and an inclusive workplace environment to build a career and become a valued member of a team.
Ethan’s story is just one example of what meaningful work can look like. At Keshet, we meet people where they are and help each person find opportunities that match their strengths, interests and goals. Sometimes that means preparing for a job or building a career. Sometimes it means developing vocational skills, volunteering or finding other meaningful ways to contribute.
There are many ways Keshet helps people build these skills, explore interests and prepare for meaningful employment. Here are a few examples:
- High School & Transition Programs: Students gain hands-on experience at community job training sites, building workplace skills and exploring different types of work before they graduate.
- Avodah Corps: Teens and young adults take on real responsibilities at Camp Chi, from sorting mail and doing laundry to helping with other camp operations. For many, a familiar camp environment provides a comfortable place to try new responsibilities and build vocational skills.
- Camp Work Program: In addition to Avodah, Keshet supports a group of adults who hold paid jobs up at Camp Chi. They are true staff members, working across camp in athletics, photography, the art center and more.
- GADOL: Adults at Keshet’s adult day program have opportunities to practice workplace skills through vocational training, community-based experiences and volunteer opportunities, while exploring their interests and building greater independence.
- Job Coaching: Keshet job coaches work alongside adults at community workplaces like Home Depot, synagogues and more, providing individualized support with transportation, job responsibilities and workplace routines.
- Bright Apron Academy: Adults build culinary and hospitality skills through hands-on experiences in cooking, serving, cleaning and working as part of a team, while exploring potential career paths in these fields.
- Employment at Keshet: Eight current and former Keshet participants with intellectual and developmental disabilities work across Keshet’s business office, schools, GADOL, recreation programs and summer camps. They are valued colleagues and contributors, bringing their skills, experiences and perspectives to the work we do every day.
- Consulting & Training: Keshet not only models inclusive workplace practices, but also offers training to nonprofits and businesses so they can implement inclusive employment practices of their own.
There’s no single path to meaningful work, and there’s no one definition of success. For one person, it might mean celebrating 10 years with the same employer. For another, it might mean discovering a career interest, building confidence in a workplace or learning the skills needed to take on a new responsibility. Yes, the breadth of our work in this area is extensive, but it does not take away the level of care and commitment we have for each of our participants.
What matters is creating opportunities that make sense for each person and providing the support they need to take their next step. Whether that means building job skills, finding meaningful work, volunteering, gaining independence or stepping into a leadership role, Keshet is here to help each person find their path.
