Enable America Reaches New Heights in 2010
Author: Enable America
Published: 2010/12/17 - Updated: 2018/10/08
Topic: Americas - Publications List
Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main
Synopsis: Enable America launched more new programs and services assisting people with disabilities than in any previous year.
Introduction
Despite a challenging job market, Enable America expanded its outreach in 2010, launching new programs and services, while assisting more people with disabilities than in any previous year.
Main Item
Enable America is ending 2010 with more accomplishments than ever before in its history as an organization devoted to improving employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The nonprofit is looking ahead to even more success in the new year.
"As the nation's unemployment rate remains high, we've seen even greater need to assist people with disabilities, including veterans and wounded warriors," said Richard Salem, founder and CEO of Enable America. "Fortunately this year, we've been able to respond with our most widespread series of programs and services ever. Enable America is in the right place, at the right time, to help those who truly deserve a hand up."
In 2010 Enable America assisted more people, while working with more partner organizations and social service providers, than in any previous year.
Among this year's accomplishments:
- Launched VetConnect "Path to Employment" Program for Disabled Veterans that included "Job Seekers Workshops," in which Human Relations professionals served as career coaches providing personalized job seeking assistance and expanded mentoring opportunities in the participants chosen job field.
- Expanded Disabled Veteran mentoring program for job seeking disabled veterans and wounded warriors. To see more, click here: www.enableamerica.org/video-2010-06-28-putting-disabled-veterans-back-to-work.html
- Provided assistance to partner corporations in filling job openings, assessing workplace readiness for potential and existing disabled employees, and setting up and maintaining a disability employer network group within the company.
- Secured the support and assistance of more than 100 social service providers in providing people with disability job seekers.
- Launched Disabled Veteran/Wounded Warrior golf tournaments, which connected disabled job seekers with companies interested in hiring veterans and wounded warriors.
- Started a voter access pilot program in Tampa, Florida to address issues affecting people with disabilities participating in the electoral process.
- Conducted second year of programming during Enable America's "Disabled Veteran Employment Mentoring Month" in November.
- Hosted community to community breakfasts and lunches to assist businesses looking to diversify their workforce by hiring persons with disabilities and disabled veterans.
- Hosted newly appointed Assistant Secretary of Labor for the Office of Disability Employment Policy, Kathy Martinez, as the Keynote Speaker at Enable America's annual meeting.
- Celebrated the 20th anniversary of the adoption of the Americans With Disabilities Act with an "Evening with Congressman Tony Cohelo."
- Honored as "Non-Profit Achiever of the Year," from the Corporate Achievers Awards for Individuals with Disabilities."
"We are not only proud of what we've accomplished, but also of the foundation we've laid for our progress in the days ahead," said Enable America Executive Director Steve LaBour. "There is no reason 2011 will not be an even bigger year as we grow our programs, assisting more people in need of our services.
Enable America is now gearing up for next year, allocating its resources and planning programs that will ensure it assists as many people with disabilities, disabled veterans, and wounded warriors as its budget allows. Those who want to contribute to the program's outreach are encouraged to log on to EnableAmerica.org for information on how to make a tax deductible contribution.
"We could not have accomplished all that we did without the support of individuals, social service organizations, and our corporate sponsors," LaBour said. "That continued support is critical as we build for the future."
Enable America was established in 2002 by attorney Richard Salem as a non-profit organization dedicated to helping people with disabilities find employment and live independently. The organization's Community Connections, Business Connections, and VetConnect programs unite members of the disability community and business community to raise awareness and increase employment opportunities for the 54 million Americans with disabilities, including our nation's wounded warriors. More information can be found on the organization's web site, EnableAmerica.org