CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More
Add To Favorites

Local organization helps people with disabilities find jobs

Hometown News: Martin County - 4/13/2018

TREASURE COAST ? One local organization is going all-out for people with disabilities. EmployU, a nonprofit organization working throughout Florida, helps people with disabilities find gainful employment in whatever capacities they can excel in and attain good jobs that highlight their skills.

EmployU staff members help clients with resumes, job applications and meet with businesses to find jobs suited to their strengths.

Many businesses, such as Publix employ people with disabilities, but are not in the position to hire more profoundly disabled people. They typically offer bagger positions to the disabled, in many cases, although those are much-appreciated by EmployU staff.

But Employment Specialist Susan Marino said there are many businesses in the community that have made a difference by taking a chance and investing in other clients. Many of these are privately owned businesses and not necessarily big corporations, she said.

"I felt that if we give some positive attention to these businesses, then other local businesses might also be encouraged and motivated to give people with disabilities a chance," Ms. Marino said. "I personally work within four counties on the Treasure Coast ? Indian River, St. Lucie, Okeechobee and Martin counties ? and have helped hundreds of folks find meaningful employment. I feel passionate about helping people find purpose through employment."

What many people don't realize is that a disability can occur from birth to death, Ms. Marino added, and some are born with developmental disabilities while others are injured when they experience things like strokes, macular degeneration or accidents that render them unable to do their previous jobs.

"Vocational rehabilitation has a team of engineers that they can provide to the employers to make accommodations to employees," Ms. Marino said. "In some cases, there are devices they can use to overcome their disabilities."

For all of these clients, employment provides a sense of community and is a great source of socialization, according to a press release. While many people with disabilities live in isolation, employment increases self-esteem and leaves them with a profound sense of gratitude to these companies and long-term commitment to their jobs.

"Employers are not typically eager to accommodate people with disabilities and we all know what the law is: The Americans With Disabilities Act states that they have to offer opportunities equally, but we all know that is not always the case."

Ms. Marino cited a number of clients she has been able to help along the way, including Austin Beers. He's a 21-year-old young man with dwarfism, high-frequency deafness as well as developmental disabilities. He is not able to read, write or communicate verbally. He's survived both brain and open-heart surgeries during his short life, but had a big dream: to be a chef. But due to his small stature, issues with dexterity and communication problems, his options were limited at best.

Ms. Marino worked with Mr. Beers and helped him develop skills for an eight-week training course that was paid by EmployU at Longhorn Steakhouse in Jensen Beach. He worked with Job Coach Michelle Hansen to develop learning skills that could be applied in future employment, and Longhorn has been a long-time partner, working with thousands of students with disabilities.

But Kyle Greene of Kyle G's Prime Seafood & Steaks on Hutchinson Island, who opened his business in late 2017 has hired a high-functioning client named Willie, who is still working there.

"I approached Kyle again in February to challenge him with helping Austin with his dream. I was completely transparent and said, ?Listen Kyle, this is going to be tough, I'm not going to lie,'" Ms. Marino said. "And Mr. Greene agreed to meet with Austin and offered him a job on the spot. Mr. Greene also agreed to let me personally provide job coaching for Austin since I have a background in culinary training."

In the meantime, Mr. Greene and his entire staff have welcomed Mr. Beers with open arms. He works three days a week, peeling potatoes, wrapping baked potatoes and cleaning scallops, and is a tireless worker. The staff at EmployU is developing visual-aids to help the staff at Kyle G's with communication, since speaking is difficult and vocabulary is limited for him.

"We'll make a picture-book of things Austin will need ? food, utensils, etc. ? when a job coach is not available," Ms. Marino added. "People with disabilities have ambitions and dreams, too, and everybody with a disability has the ability to do something and it might be something very small, but through working with Austin I discovered there was a lot he could do and ways that we could teach him and fight for his opportunity there."

Mr. Beers's mother, Toni, said he is "one excited boy, because he loves to work," and he appreciates the chance to shine in the kitchen.

"It's really benefited him, because he had attended a culinary class in high school and then went to Orlando for a program and was able to get his license to work in the kitchen for disabled children and was able to follow his dreams," Ms. Beers said. "It's a chance he would not have gotten were it not for this program."

For more information about EmployU and its programs, visit www.employu.org or call 407-598-0202.

Nationwide News