Life’s WORC: Employing the disabled

Life’s WORC recently held its first walk-a-thon. By all counts, the “Building for Their Tomorrow” Walk was a success. Held at Eisenhower PNY, the event drew an amiable crowd of walkers all ready to do their part to help raise awareness and funds in support of Life’s WORC and its mission on behalf of individuals with developmental disabilities.

Courtesy Life's WORC

Life’s WORC (www.lifesworc.org), a private, not-for-profit organization providing comprehensive support for individuals with developmental disabilities, knows the importance of gaining employment especially in today’s economy. The organization’s Customized Employment Program is doing its part to not just fill jobs, but create and customize them for individuals with developmental disabilities.

For many individuals living with a developmental disability, having a job is of the utmost importance. The Customized Employment Department at Life’s WORC is focused on supporting each of these individuals, helping them to navigate the often challenging path to employment and then providing on the job training and support for as long as each person needs.

For local employers, Life’s WORC Customized Employment Program affords them an opportunity to participate in the betterment of a person’s life, while simultaneously improving their own operations. Coordinate of Job Development Adam Walsh works personally with potential employers to identify a need, develop an employment position, or customize an existing position, and then fill that position with the right candidate. This is an efficient way to enhance operations and contribute to the region’s workforce development. Walsh also facilitates the paperwork that allows the employer to earn federal income tax credits through The Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) Solution. The WOTC is intended to reduce employers’ costs of doing business in return for their helping individuals in need find and retain good jobs and gain on-the-job experience, as well as increase America’s economic growth and productivity.