On August 12^th five students, ages 17 to 20, graduated from the DE DVR-sponsored, 4-week Summer Youth Paid Work Experience program held at Embassy Suites Newark in collaboration with ServiceSource DE. The graduates are (l/r) John Williams, Caprice Sedden, Tekya Caulk, Stephanie Turk and Natasha Bayne.

Need guidance in knowing how to manage your finances? ServiceSource DE has launched a new program.  ROADS focuses on helping people with disabilities reach financial well-being by working with a certified Financial Coach. Interested in learning how to improve your credit score, increase your savings, get out of debt or simply learn how to budget your money? For information about group Financial Workshops or individual financial coaching, contact Maria Luna-Medina—Financial Coach and Certified SSA Benefit Counselor at 302-765-1224 or at Maria.Luna-Medina@servicesource.org.

State Representative Debra Heffernan will be presented with the 2015 Founders Award, ServiceSource Delaware’s most prestigious honor, at its 23^rd Annual Founders Award Dinner to be held at the Chase Center on the Riverfront on October 21st. Since being elected as the State’s 6^th District representative in 2010, Representative Heffernan has become a leading advocate for Delaware’s citizens with a disability.

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According to Erin Doordan, Employment Consultant in ServiceSource Delaware’s (SSDE) FrameWORK for Success school to work transition program, “The relationship that has evolved over the last few years with Master-Tech Paint & Collision should be used as our model for all community affiliations. From the outset it’s been a mutually beneficial connection where we appreciate and understand the needs of the local business owner while at the same time the business owner understands that individuals with disabilities are unique.”

It’s often the connection made with one person that makes the difference in a business relationship. And if the give and take works, as it has with one of Master-Tech owners, Enoch Anderson, good things happen more often than not. When first introduced to the FrameWork program, Enoch hired a student after a brief internship for a janitorial position. For two years, while the student struggled with attendance, lateness and overall motivation, Enoch gave him repeated opportunities to correct his efforts, to increase his productivity, to be promoted and to earn a raise. Despite his efforts, things did not work out. The student gave notice, never fully realizing the opportunities he walked away from by leaving Master Tech.

Despite the outcome, Enoch remained committed to working with ServiceSource job candidates. FrameWORK Program Manager Rich Katz recalls, “I scheduled an ongoing working assessment which transitioned into a working interview for student Mike Braden. Mike showed interest in the position at Master-Tech and worked three days a week as a volunteer before being offered the position in April.  He is gaining valuable experience on a busy collision center lot, maintaining the bays used by the mechanics, removing trash and recycling, grounds keeping, and assigned projects to improve the overall safety and appearance of the company.”

Master-Tech Paint & Collision will be honored as the recipient of the SSDE 2015 Employer of the Year Award at the 23^rd Founders Award Dinner in October, not because of the numbers they hire, but because of the quality of employment opportunities the company offers to people with disabilities.        

Doordan notes, “Master-Tech demonstrates what it means to employ people with disabilities, to support them fully, and to identify concerns and address them on an ongoing basis. It’s recognized that some will become amazing workers; others will not. The only way to find out is to give our participants a chance to prove themselves . . . this is exactly what is taking place every day at Master-Tech. They genuinely enjoy helping people reach their potential. They are not in it for the award; they are simply deserving of the honor.”