Guest guest Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 I will again be forwarding this to those in charge in district 99 Downers Grove, this is what we all want. We did have 5 kids finish transition and all are employed which I think is a pretty good place to be but still hiring our own in district would be super!! H. Sent from my iPhone On May 4, 2011, at 6:21 AM, " Jerue Family " <jeruefamily@...> wrote: > Some of you will remember previous posts about the two Naperville school districts who decided to be good corporate citizens and affirmatively hire significant numbers of their own transition students into meaningful, regular part-time positions. I know that in my district, Indian Prairie, the intent is for the students to remain in these jobs beyond transition, provided of course they are doing the work satisfactorily and they want to continue working. In other words, these are not job-training or short-term assignments that will end when the student turns 22. The idea is that we learn how to nurture natural supports or transition to DRS/agency based employment supports for those who need additional job coaching services beyond 22. My guess is that we’ll all be learning a LOT in the next few months and years from this pilot project about the challenges and, hopefully, the rewards employers experience when they hire our individuals. > > Now for the part that will really make you smile – and which brought a tear to my eye when I heard about it yesterday – one of the new employees, who happens to have autism, works in the central administration building. Ready? He has his own cubicle with his own nameplate on it. That’s right. Just like any other employee working there. > > My fervent hope is that one day, during my lifetime, a story like this will seem unremarkable. That all of our kids who want to work are able to find jobs where they are valued, contributing members of their communities. Working full-time if that is what they want; and in careers that lead to greater opportunities if that is what they are inclined to pursue. > > In the meantime, I’ll smile thinking about that young man reporting to work each day, walking to his cubicle and seeing his nameplate. He may not think it’s a big deal. But we know. > > Please take a moment to reflect today on the doors opened to us as a result of someone else’s advocacy, say a private note of thanks to them, and then publicly pay it forward by getting involved in making all of our communities better places to live – for our own kids but also for all the other kids growing up behind ours. We’ll all be better for it. > > Laurie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 , A 100% employment rate is tough to beat!! Good for you guys! L. From: Hill Sent: Wednesday, May 04, 2011 6:46 AM IPADDUnite Subject: Re: Pay it Forward Please I will again be forwarding this to those in charge in district 99 Downers Grove, this is what we all want. We did have 5 kids finish transition and all are employed which I think is a pretty good place to be but still hiring our own in district would be super!! H. Sent from my iPhone On May 4, 2011, at 6:21 AM, " Jerue Family " <mailto:jeruefamily%40comcast.net> wrote: > Some of you will remember previous posts about the two Naperville school districts who decided to be good corporate citizens and affirmatively hire significant numbers of their own transition students into meaningful, regular part-time positions. I know that in my district, Indian Prairie, the intent is for the students to remain in these jobs beyond transition, provided of course they are doing the work satisfactorily and they want to continue working. In other words, these are not job-training or short-term assignments that will end when the student turns 22. The idea is that we learn how to nurture natural supports or transition to DRS/agency based employment supports for those who need additional job coaching services beyond 22. My guess is that we’ll all be learning a LOT in the next few months and years from this pilot project about the challenges and, hopefully, the rewards employers experience when they hire our individuals. > > Now for the part that will really make you smile – and which brought a tear to my eye when I heard about it yesterday – one of the new employees, who happens to have autism, works in the central administration building. Ready? He has his own cubicle with his own nameplate on it. That’s right. Just like any other employee working there. > > My fervent hope is that one day, during my lifetime, a story like this will seem unremarkable. That all of our kids who want to work are able to find jobs where they are valued, contributing members of their communities. Working full-time if that is what they want; and in careers that lead to greater opportunities if that is what they are inclined to pursue. > > In the meantime, I’ll smile thinking about that young man reporting to work each day, walking to his cubicle and seeing his nameplate. He may not think it’s a big deal. But we know. > > Please take a moment to reflect today on the doors opened to us as a result of someone else’s advocacy, say a private note of thanks to them, and then publicly pay it forward by getting involved in making all of our communities better places to live – for our own kids but also for all the other kids growing up behind ours. We’ll all be better for it. > > Laurie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 Laurie, what a very sweet story! > > Some of you will remember previous posts about the two Naperville school districts who decided to be good corporate citizens and affirmatively hire significant numbers of their own transition students into meaningful, regular part-time positions. I know that in my district, Indian Prairie, the intent is for the students to remain in these jobs beyond transition, provided of course they are doing the work satisfactorily and they want to continue working. In other words, these are not job-training or short-term assignments that will end when the student turns 22. The idea is that we learn how to nurture natural supports or transition to DRS/agency based employment supports for those who need additional job coaching services beyond 22. My guess is that we’ll all be learning a LOT in the next few months and years from this pilot project about the challenges and, hopefully, the rewards employers experience when they hire our individuals. > > Now for the part that will really make you smile †" and which brought a tear to my eye when I heard about it yesterday †" one of the new employees, who happens to have autism, works in the central administration building. Ready? He has his own cubicle with his own nameplate on it. That’s right. Just like any other employee working there. > > My fervent hope is that one day, during my lifetime, a story like this will seem unremarkable. That all of our kids who want to work are able to find jobs where they are valued, contributing members of their communities. Working full-time if that is what they want; and in careers that lead to greater opportunities if that is what they are inclined to pursue. > > In the meantime, I’ll smile thinking about that young man reporting to work each day, walking to his cubicle and seeing his nameplate. He may not think it’s a big deal. But we know. > > Please take a moment to reflect today on the doors opened to us as a result of someone else’s advocacy, say a private note of thanks to them, and then publicly pay it forward by getting involved in making all of our communities better places to live †" for our own kids but also for all the other kids growing up behind ours. We’ll all be better for it. > > Laurie > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 I wake up every morning saying Thank you to all who have worked so hard, and then start making my Todo list of what still needs doing today. A personal thank you goes out to you, Laurie. My son is the lucky beneficiary of all your advocacy and has gotten one of the district jobs. Jake is the new part-time greeter at the junior high he attended. While that sounds impressive as it is, to those who don't know Jake he has Down Syndrome, is considered on the spectrum -- and is non-verbal. How great is that? Lori On May 4, 2011, at 6:21:59 AM, " Jerue Family " <jeruefamily@...> wrote: From: " Jerue Family " <jeruefamily@...> Subject: Pay it Forward Please Date: May 4, 2011 6:21:59 AM CDT IPADDUnite Some of you will remember previous posts about the two Naperville school districts who decided to be good corporate citizens and affirmatively hire significant numbers of their own transition students into meaningful, regular part-time positions. I know that in my district, Indian Prairie, the intent is for the students to remain in these jobs beyond transition, provided of course they are doing the work satisfactorily and they want to continue working. In other words, these are not job-training or short-term assignments that will end when the student turns 22. The idea is that we learn how to nurture natural supports or transition to DRS/agency based employment supports for those who need additional job coaching services beyond 22. My guess is that we’ll all be learning a LOT in the next few months and years from this pilot project about the challenges and, hopefully, the rewards employers experience when they hire our individuals. Now for the part that will really make you smile – and which brought a tear to my eye when I heard about it yesterday – one of the new employees, who happens to have autism, works in the central administration building. Ready? He has his own cubicle with his own nameplate on it. That’s right. Just like any other employee working there. My fervent hope is that one day, during my lifetime, a story like this will seem unremarkable. That all of our kids who want to work are able to find jobs where they are valued, contributing members of their communities. Working full-time if that is what they want; and in careers that lead to greater opportunities if that is what they are inclined to pursue. In the meantime, I’ll smile thinking about that young man reporting to work each day, walking to his cubicle and seeing his nameplate. He may not think it’s a big deal. But we know. Please take a moment to reflect today on the doors opened to us as a result of someone else’s advocacy, say a private note of thanks to them, and then publicly pay it forward by getting involved in making all of our communities better places to live – for our own kids but also for all the other kids growing up behind ours. We’ll all be better for it. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 4, 2011 Report Share Posted May 4, 2011 I didn't know that, Lori. Hoorah for Jake! You must be very proud. And you're a fine example of paying it forward, my dear, and we are lucky to have you in Naperville. Thanks for letting us know. Keep us posted on how it goes. L. Pay it Forward Please Date: May 4, 2011 6:21:59 AM CDT IPADDUnite Some of you will remember previous posts about the two Naperville school districts who decided to be good corporate citizens and affirmatively hire significant numbers of their own transition students into meaningful, regular part-time positions. I know that in my district, Indian Prairie, the intent is for the students to remain in these jobs beyond transition, provided of course they are doing the work satisfactorily and they want to continue working. In other words, these are not job-training or short-term assignments that will end when the student turns 22. The idea is that we learn how to nurture natural supports or transition to DRS/agency based employment supports for those who need additional job coaching services beyond 22. My guess is that we’ll all be learning a LOT in the next few months and years from this pilot project about the challenges and, hopefully, the rewards employers experience when they hire our individuals. Now for the part that will really make you smile – and which brought a tear to my eye when I heard about it yesterday – one of the new employees, who happens to have autism, works in the central administration building. Ready? He has his own cubicle with his own nameplate on it. That’s right. Just like any other employee working there. My fervent hope is that one day, during my lifetime, a story like this will seem unremarkable. That all of our kids who want to work are able to find jobs where they are valued, contributing members of their communities. Working full-time if that is what they want; and in careers that lead to greater opportunities if that is what they are inclined to pursue. In the meantime, I’ll smile thinking about that young man reporting to work each day, walking to his cubicle and seeing his nameplate. He may not think it’s a big deal. But we know. Please take a moment to reflect today on the doors opened to us as a result of someone else’s advocacy, say a private note of thanks to them, and then publicly pay it forward by getting involved in making all of our communities better places to live – for our own kids but also for all the other kids growing up behind ours. We’ll all be better for it. Laurie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 5, 2011 Report Share Posted May 5, 2011 Laurie has done so much outstanding work in her community in terms of job development...wish we could clone her! Also want to mention that one way to build good community relationships is to go to www.jj'slist.com and post reviews of local businesses...If your review is positive, copy it and bring it in to the business you are praising...especially if they are disability friendly...you may create some inroads toward job development in new and unexpected ways! Ellen Ellen Garber Bronfeld egskb@... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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