Shore's Community Employment Partnerships Provide Jobs for Individuals With Disabilities via Small Business

Shore Community Services, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that serves children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities, is expanding its efforts to assist individuals with securing employment and help small businesses succeed.

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

The organization maintains partnerships with companies and small businesses throughout the Northshore area of Chicago to employ individuals who participate in Shore’s programs. This year, Shore also began offering its commercial kitchen space to food-based businesses and entered its first ‘in-house’ partnership with the Skokie-based company, Elle’s Marshmallows.

“I had been looking for a commercial kitchen space in the area since 2018 when I started the company,” said Lissa Levy, Owner.

“A big part of Elle’s Marshmallow’s mission is to give back to and partner with the community, so I was excited when I was connected with Erin Ryan (CEO of Shore) and learned about the partnership opportunity.”

In exchange for utilizing Shore’s kitchen to prepare gourmet marshmallows, Levy, who also serves as Village Trustee for District 3 in Skokie, hired three individuals served by Shore to complete product packaging. The individuals received on-the-job training from Levy and Marta Depczynska, Shore’s Community Employment Manager, and work in rotating one-hour shifts.

“It’s wonderful to see individuals who want job experience have an opportunity to gain that and earn a paycheck,” said Depczynska. “It makes them feel like they have a purpose and, it’s great when our employment partners value them and have faith in their skills.”

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.

“I could complete the [marshmallow] packaging myself, but it’s nice to give the opportunity to individuals Shore serves and train them on proper food handling to help prepare for future work in the food service industry,” Levy said.

Through Shore’s Community Employment Services, participants receive job readiness and placement support from start to finish. The program places individuals with disabilities into employment in community businesses and ensures a careful match of employee abilities and job requirements. A professional job coach provides on-site training to enhance the employee’s skills. Follow-up consultation is available to both employee and employer to ensure quality performance. Services are provided at no cost to the companies.

“We really keep our feet on the ground with them,” Depczynska describes. “From the initial referral from the Department of Rehabilitation Services, we follow through with resume help, skills development, interview prep, to assisting with job selection and offer acceptance.”

Since 1951, the mission of Shore Community Services has been 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. Nearly 400 individuals receive services annually throughout the North Shore and Chicagoland area.

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

“Employment partnerships like Elle’s Marshmallows are a ‘win-win’ for the individuals and communities we serve.”

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 intellectual and other developmental disabilities. To learn more about Shore’s programs and services, or to become a community employment partner, go to shoreservices.org.