For the fifth year in a row, the Job One Careers Program has partnered with local business and organizations to provide jobs for high school junior and senior students this summer. The Summer Work Experience Program (SWEP) provides students with intellectual and developmental disabilities real life work experiences and the joy of a summer paycheck.
While several organizations in the Kansas City Metro suspended their SWEP services for the summer of 2020, Job One is experiencing a record number of students to support. This year, Job One has placed 27 students at 6 locations. Not only do students receive real world work experiences and a line item for his or her resume, they also receive support from a Job Coach. The Job Coach provides on the job guidance as well as an educational component by working on soft-skills to round out the students’ summer work experience.
Based on individual interests and the locations of the businesses, SWEP students are placed in their 6-week position. From landscaping, fitness, restaurants, coffee shops, and a zoo, the high schoolers have a wide range of opportunities. Cost of wages, taxes, and worker’s compensation are not the responsibility of the host business, this is coordinated through Job One and their partnership with the Missouri Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (VR).
The following business are partnering with Job One for the 2020 Summer Work Experience Program:
- Xtreme Gymnastics (Lee’s Summit, MO)
- Sandy’s Restaurant (Blue Springs, MO)
- KC Coffee Roasters (Lexington, MO)
- Belton Parks & Recreation (Belton, MO)
- Colonial Gardens (Blue Springs, MO)
- Kansas City Zoo (Kansas City, MO)
Without the backing from the above listed businesses, Job One would not be able to support their SWEP participants. It is with gratitude that a great number of Kansas City organizations are supportive of inclusive employment and Job One’s mission.
Job One is a social enterprise that is both mission and market driven; building skills and connections that create employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Job One offers employment services, production services, and secure document destruction and disposal services for government, healthcare, industrial, and commercial customers. It also provides contractual services to federal agencies through the AbilityOne® Program. Job One operates in multiple sites across the Kansas City region, with main offices located in Grandview and Independence, Missouri. Visit www.JobOneKC.org for information.