Easter Seals summer interns explore career choices with Best Buddies peers

Thirteen high school students with intellectual disabilities are exploring career choices and getting on-the-job experience through a summer intern program made possible through a partnership between Easter Seals Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and Best Buddies Delaware. Due to the overwhelming success of the program last year, the number of job sites has tripled, including the Wilmington office of Sen. Tom Carper.

Other companies hosting Easter Seals summer interns include Christiana Care and Capital One in Wilmington, Cornerstone Church in Bear, Grotto Pizza multiple locations, Cape Henlopen State Park in Lewes, Johnny Janosik Inc. in Laurel and the Easter Seals Tunnell Center in Georgetown.

Aimed at helping students gain workplace experience to help them prepare for future employment, the paid internships pair students with intellectual disabilities with student mentors through Best Buddies Delaware. Easter Seals supported employment specialists coordinate the work sites and offer on-site support when needed. The program is paid for through both private donations and funding from the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation.

“While individuals without disabilities may have summer jobs or internships which help prepare them for employment, the same opportunities are rarely available for individuals with disabilities,” said Jane Schuler, director of supported employment for Easter Seals. “We are very excited about the potential the program offers in helping prepare young people with intellectual disabilities for the workplace. In addition, by pairing the students with student mentors identified through our partner, Best Buddies Delaware, we will be able to foster friendships that will last beyond the summer internship.”

Tom Waite, area director for Best Buddies Delaware, agreed: “We are thrilled to be partners with Easter Seals in this summer project. The program continues to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities and also helps cultivate acceptance and respect among the peer buddies. We hope these students return to their schools with a renewed energy to break down barriers and build inclusive communities.”

The students are completing a six-week paid internship running through July and August. Easter Seals works with school districts throughout the state to identify high school students set to graduate in 2016 who are interested in gaining work experience. Depending on the employer, interns may have the opportunity to rotate through two distinct job positions at the same employer to gain varied experience. Their Best Buddies Delaware mentors offer natural support in the workplace.

“This program is good for the students as well as the employers. Career planning and hands-on work experiences are just as vital for individuals with disabilities to develop goals and aspirations about careers as it is for their typical peers,” Schuler said. “For youth 16 to 19 years old, the employment rate for individuals with disabilities is less than half of the same age non-disabled peer group. Besides giving students the opportunity to try different types of jobs, we’re hoping the program will encourage businesses who previously might not have considered hiring someone with a disability to see what a vital part of the workforce they can be.”

Easter Seals has provided supported employment services for over 20 years. Employment service options include supported employment and community experience programs which offer group employment opportunities. Easter Seals supported employment services, provided in partnership with the Delaware Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and the Division of Developmental Disabilities, are an individualized service, matching the interests and abilities of a supported employee with a job in the community. To learn more, call 1-800-677-3800 or go to www.de.easterseals.com.

The mission of Best Buddies International is to establish a global volunteer movement that creates opportunities for one-to-one friendships, integrated employment and leadership development for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Best Buddies programs include middle school, high school, college, citizens, jobs, ambassadors and eBuddies.

For more information on Best Buddies Delaware, contact Anne Chaffin at 302-691-3187 or annechaffin@bestbuddies.org or go to www.bestbuddiesdelaware.org.