Work Readiness and Employment Engagement

A key component to living an independent life for someone with an Intellectual or Developmental Disability (I/DD) is the ability to earn a wage and make a living. At JESPY, we pride ourselves on having a dedicated team to connecting and maintaining relationships with employers in Essex, Morris, Hudson, Somerset and Union counties to help our clients find a job that works for them.

Client Support

In the Work Readiness and Employment Engagement (WREE) program clients receive:

  • Individual performance plans on how to achieve attainable goals reflective of each client’s level of ability and interests.
  • Employment support and training to help ease the transition into the workforce.

As part of JESPY’s Pre-Vocational Services, clients who are not currently employed but are seeking to find employment opportunities may receive:

  • Additional support toward work readiness by engaging in JESPY’s Community Activity Sites.
  • Receive on-site training in multiple areas.
Community Activity Sites: Healthcare, Non-Profit Organizations, Retail, Food Service

Community Activity Sites helps clients broaden their knowledge of different work venues and jobs that may be of interest to them. JESPY’s WREE team monitors the progress of each client as they develop pre-vocational skills. When ready, clients can move on to other WREE services to seek employment.

Employment Services

Clients are individually paired with a WREE Coordinator to provide one-on-one attention for job development and job coaching. WREE Coordinators work with clients in three stages:

Stage 1:
Job Placement
Stage 2:
Job Coaching
Stage 3:
Long Term Follow Along
These are just some fields JESPY clients are employed in:
  • Insurance
  • Healthcare
  • Legal
  • Office/Data Entry
  • Education
  • Warehouse/Textiles
  • Government
  • Food Service
  • Retail
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RECORDS MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

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As part of JESPY's Records Management Program, clients build work experience by collaborating with local community organizations. While engaged in specialized projects, clients perform initial preparation tasks for documents to be digitized. These tasks have included unfolding and organizing papers, carefully handling documents and photos, scanning, and indexing files. 

Clients have worked on civic and criminal files at New Jersey Judiciary and historic documents for the Jewish Historical Society. Through these opportunities, clients gained valuable job experience and learned how to meet expectations of employment while earning a competitive wage. 

Future opportunities in this program will increase as collaborations with other organizations continue and as JESPY clients develop and enhance their employment skills. 

PATHWAYS TO SUCCESS PROGRAM

The Pathways to Success Culinary Training Program began in 2024 as a partnership with Landmark Hospitality. The program is designed to equip clients with the skills needed for successful employment in the culinary field.

During the training process, clients also learn job readiness and social skills. The Pathways to Success Culinary Training Program includes: hands-on culinary sessions; ServSafe Certification; Job development and placement assistance; and individualized job coaching and ongoing support.

Who is eligible? Adults age 18 and older with an Intellectual and/or Developmental Disability. New classes begin September 15, 2026. This 12-week program is open to eligible community members or individuals seeking employment services. Enrollment and participation is free. 

To apply or learn more, email Aisha McNair at amcnair@jespy.org.

EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT: Are you looking to hire qualified candidates? JESPY collaborates with businesses for employment in the community and other vocational development. Here’s how:

  • Be a mentor to a JESPY client
  • Explore careers by presenting your job responsibilities to clients
  • Provide a tour of your company, describing what you do, what you look for in an employee and what types of jobs/occupations there are at your company
  • Participate in a mock interview with a client to build confidence and skills
  • Have a client shadow you or one of your employees at work
  • Recommend one of your business partners to JESPY
  • And yes! Hire a JESPY client if it is a good fit, for them and for your company!?

Have Questions? Need More Info?

For inquiries, contact JESPY’s Work Readiness & Employment Engagement Manager Jalisa Cooper at Jcooper@jespy.org.

JESPY Employer Partners