Unemployment among adults with disabilities across the US is double that of those without a disability, according to the Department of Labor. Despite desire, ability, and willingness to work, individuals with disabilities face many barriers to securing gainful employment. However, through The Arc of Calhoun County's Employment Services program, participants are finding the support they need to secure and thrive in meaningful community employment.
The Arc’s Employment Services program empowers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) to develop, showcase, and enhance their professional skills within the local community. The program offers comprehensive support, guiding participants through every step of their career journey.
A prime example of this program’s impact are two of The Arc’s Employment Services Participants Annie and Charlie Gale who are currently employed at a local Dollar Tree. Before securing their roles, the siblings worked closely with The Arc to prepare to enter the workforce.
"The Arc helped me make a resume and apply for jobs," said Annie, who is also a member of the Self-Advocates Group and previous participant in The Arc’s Skill Building Program.
For Charlie, the preparation gave him the confidence to open up during interviews and talk about himself.
Supporting participants to move from job exploration into paid employment is a lengthy, highly individualized process. Depending on a client's past history, The Arc provides training on resume building, job searching, interviewing, workplace skills, and arranging transportation.
Once they are on the job, the personal growth can be remarkable. In the case of Annie and Charlie, their growth has exceeded their goals and expectations and allowed them to take on additional tasks in their roles.
"It is very rewarding to see where they started from to where they are now and seeing them have long term success," said Trevor Hardy, Employment Services Coordinator at The Arc. “Their confidence as employees has grown over the course of their employment.”
That newfound confidence shines through in how much they both genuinely enjoy their work and their community. For Annie, the best part of the day is connecting with people.
"I like my coworkers and helping customers," said Annie. "I like seeing customers in my community smile when they have a good experience in our store."
Charlie is just as enthusiastic, noting he enjoys all aspects of his job, especially helping people. 
"I feel like I’m helping community members in a positive way,” said Charlie.
Securing paid employment is a huge victory, but The Arc understands that ongoing support is the key to long-term success. The Arc’s support continues after employees get acclimated to their roles, helping them overcome any areas of struggle. This model of ongoing support ensures that participants can confidently succeed in a wide variety of work environments.
"We go with employees on their first day of work as a support system and we never fade out completely," said Hardy. "Even after long term success, we still go see employees at their jobs sites at least every few weeks and facilitate any issues that may arise.”
The impact of the program wouldn't be possible without The Arc’s community partners. Dollar Tree is just one of the many local businesses committed to inclusion in their hiring practices. The Arc of Calhoun County partners with a diverse network of hiring organizations throughout the community, including Big Lots, Burger King, Family Fare, FireKeepers Casino and Hotel, McDonalds, NorthPointe Woods, and Walmart.
Local businesses interested in joining this inclusive hiring initiative and building a more supportive workforce are encouraged to contact Program Coordinator Trevor Hardy at trevor@thearccalhoun.org to learn more about becoming a community partner