People with Disabilities Shine with Easterseals Supported Employment

New Castle, DE – Anthony Northan, Nicole Jones, and Kyle Stevenson love their jobs at ShopRite in Newark. They also love the paycheck they earn for a job well done. What started as a work-based learning experience through Easterseals Pre-Vocational services blossomed into paid employment due to the tenacity and hard work of the individuals involved.

Anthony, Nicole, and Kyle originally began their employment journey as part of Easterseals Pre-Vocational Services, a program ideal for adults who need to build individual skills to gradually work toward supported employment. Individuals in pre-vocational training take part in integrated community activities which are designed to promote employment readiness. This allows them to experience work-based learning, volunteer opportunities, and recreation & leisure activities which can help them identify the job that’s right for them.

“Individuals can reach for the same stars if that’s their goal. That’s the ideal goal for Pre-Vocational Services, to prepare them so they can get the right job, or it can turn into group employment,” Angie Ganges, Easterseals Pre-Vocational Program Supervisor, says.

Being included and paid as part of the ShopRite team means a lot to the supported employees, according to their on-site Easterseals Employment Specialist, Isis Jackson: “Just being able to work and get paid like the rest of the employees at ShopRite means a lot to them. They come in every day, smiling and happy to clock in and work. I love that ShopRite is giving individuals with disabilities a chance to shine. Employers need to give a chance to people with disabilities to experience this – to find joy in receiving a paycheck.”

Kyle, Anthony, and Nicole all bring a positive work attitude to their jobs at ShopRite where Anthony works in the dairy department, Nicole works in the deli and Kyle works in the produce department.

“It is about making others happy,” Anthony says. “It makes me happy to help the customer with what they want, to help them become happy. To earn a paycheck means that you work for a company you like, and you work hard. Hard work pays off and you should get money for that. This is my first time ever getting paychecks. It’s cool. I’m saving up to get some Eagles jerseys.”

Kyle’s ShopRite supervisor enjoys having him as part of the team.

“Kyle is a great worker. He listens very well. Once you show him something one time, he knows what to do. Every day he comes in and he knows his job,” Tony Coburn, ShopRite Produce Manager, says. “He’s very reliable. Kyle has always shown up to work on time. I wish I had four Kyles.”

In addition to pre-vocational job training, Easterseals helps businesses hire workers with disabilities through Individual or Group Supported Employment Services. Employment Specialists provide ongoing individualized