Adults
Employment Options
Our Employment Options help adults with developmental disabilities to achieve the pride and independence that accompany successful employment. We offer a choice of opportunities to meet the needs of adults with varying abilities, vocational skills and workplace experience. Through our services, we encourage people with disabilities to imagine their dream job and succeed.
Employment Options include:
- Community Employment Services help adults prepare for and find rewarding employment in the community. We provide the support each individual needs to find a job that meets his/her strengths and interests and succeed as an employee working in the business world. To ensure a smooth transition, we provide pre-employment training to help equip adults with important job and workplace skills. Then our job coaches work right alongside each new employee helping them to master job skills and succeed.
- Aspire Industries provides vocational skills training in a thriving sheltered workshop setting. Aspire Industries subcontracts with many local and national manufacturers, providing regular earnings and a sense of accomplishment for participants. We offer job training and paid work with jobs tailored to the skills and abilities of each individual. Job opportunities at Aspire Industries include assembly, packaging, sorting, collating, and more. If you would like more information about Aspire Industries, email Margie Austin, Aspire Industries Administrator, or call 708.547.3560 x3602.
- Aspire’s Connections Center, in Bellwood, provides support to people making the transition to the working world. Participants engage in a variety of skill-building and learning activities, including academic classes, community outings and volunteering.
For more information about our Employment Options, email Lisa Dziergas, Director of Community Employment, or call 708.547.3955. x3955.
Denise worked at a sandwich shop. Then she bagged groceries at a major grocery chain for 10 years. About three years ago she told Lisa Dziergas, Director of Community Employment Services at Aspire, that she “didn’t want to be a bagger when she turned 50.” Denise just turned 50 in August and she’s moving up. She just celebrated her three year anniversary at Mike’s Market.