Shore Helps Individuals with Disabilities Secure Employment, Succeed

Shore Community Services, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, is celebrating its recent successes in helping individuals secure employment.

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month and this year’s theme is “Access to Good Jobs for All.” Shore is joining the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy in recognizing the annual month-long observance, which celebrates the value and contributions of America’s workers with disabilities in the workforce and economy, and acknowledges the importance of increasing inclusion.

Since 1951, Shore’s mission is to improve the quality of life for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities through educational, residential, vocational and other related programs provided with community integrated supports and services.

Through their True North – Find Your Path vocational training program, Shore helps prepare participants to secure employment and become contributing members of the communities in which they live. The program offers job exploration, skills training, and supported job placement.

One individual among the hundreds that the organization serves, Hepolito Delarosa, recently celebrated a significant milestone of being employed by Jewel-Osco for 35 years.

Shore has been entrusted to care for and help guide Hepolito’s individual abilities and independence for the past 14 years. He is a resident at one of the townhomes the organization manages and receives Home-Based Services, which include budgeting, cooking, navigating community involvement, and maintaining his employment as a bagger at Jewel-Osco in Evanston.

According to National Core Indicators® (NCI®), although a majority of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities want to work in the community, only 17% have paid jobs.

“Shore is helping to address the gap in employment for individuals with disabilities through our proven Ready For Work vocational certificate program, as well as actively developing new job opportunities in the community with partner employers,” said Erin Ryan, Chief Executive Officer.

“We are proud of our accomplishments to date, yet we know there is more work to be done and we are committed to expanding support to help more people like Hepolito find meaningful work, maximize earning potential, and improve their quality of life.”

Shore has established partnerships with various businesses and job sites in the Skokie, Evanston, and Morton Grove communities who serve as employment partners for placing individuals served with quality jobs including: Club Demonstration Services at Costco, Portillo’s, Potbelly, Mariano’s, and Jewel-Osco (among others).

“I am so proud to celebrate my 35th anniversary at Jewel-Osco. I have a large group of friends and like making money,” Hepolito shared. “I am thankful to my family and Shore for helping me be independent.”

Shore’s vision is to be the organization of choice by families and community partners in their service area that promotes dignity, opportunity, and the highest quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities. To learn more, go to shoreservices.org.