Fort Lauderdale, FL (July 18, 2018) – Victory Living Programs invites high school and college-age students (14-21) with disabilities in South Florida to Job-A-Palooza, a professional development event to help high school and college students with disabilities prepare for future employment opportunities. Job-A-Palooza will take place on Thursday, September 13, 2018, from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Broward College/North Regional Library (1100 Coconut Creek Blvd, Coconut Creek, FL 33066).
The goal of Job-A-Palooza is to combat the high unemployment rate among individuals with disabilities in South Florida. According to the U.S Department of Labor as of April 2018, nationwide only 20% of individuals with disabilities over age 16 are employed, a minimal amount compared to individuals without disabilities (68.3%).
“In short we want to bring the business community and peer mentors together to not only raise awareness but help students with disabilities get some real tactical work experience in a fun atmosphere,” said Bobbi Wigand, Executive Director of Victory Living Programs. “We know these students can provide businesses and companies with a variety of necessary skills and we want to prepare them to take the next big step in their lives.”
This regional event calls for businesses across all industries, as well as peer mentors to help participants compete and gain new skills by completing job-related tasks. Businesses are encouraged to participate by providing tasks for the students to complete. Tasks can range from stuffing envelopes to organizing digital files, folding clothes and anything in between. There is no cost for businesses to participate.
Peer mentors, students without disabilities, age 16 to 21, will be matched with a student with a disability to assist them in learning and completing the tasks provided by the businesses. Students with disabilities who wish to participate must be age 14 to 21 and willing to learn new tasks.
To learn more and to register before Friday, August 17, 2018 call (954) 616-1074, or visit http://bit.ly/VLPJobAPalooza18. Like what Victory Living Programs is doing? Show it by clicking here.
