The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County

The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County

Dale Verstegen talks with Jared Daly, Chris Carpenter and Eric Hibinjer of the Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County, Ohio. The Employment Collaborative of Cuyahoga County is a group of 37 local employment services providers, formed in 2014. They discuss how the Collaborative works to improve the quality of services to people with disabilities seeking employment,…

The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part II: Supports

The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part II: Supports

This is the second of a two part series on Project ACTION!, a coalition of self-advocates and self-advocacy groups from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (part one is here). ACTION! stands for Advocacy, Change, Training, Information, Organizing and Networking. The YES! Center’s Dale Verstegen talks to Rebecca Salon and Phyllis Holton about the beginning of…

The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part I: The Leadership

The History and Future of D.C.’s Project ACTION! Part I: The Leadership

This is part one of a two part series on Project ACTION!, a coalition of self-advocates and self-advocacy groups from the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia (part two is here). ACTION! stands for Advocacy, Change, Training, Information, Organizing and Networking. The YES! Center’s Dale Verstegen talks to Ricardo Thornton and Thomas Mangrum, the President and Vice…

Utah’s School to Work Program Hosts Successful Community of Practice

Utah’s School to Work Program Hosts Successful Community of Practice

Last week, the YES! Center staff attended a Community of Practice, hosted by our Utah PIE state partners. The YES! Center staff kicked off the day with a welcome and quick exercise. Attendees were asked to describe a positive strength or quality that they have that they would want an employer or educator to know about…

Meet Kevin, a Future Mentor and Motivational Speaker!

Meet Kevin, a Future Mentor and Motivational Speaker!

Kevin Wright is a 24-year old native Washingtonian with a Learning Disability and a Speech Impairment. Kevin does not consider them barriers; instead, he considers his quiet nature to be his only barrier. He attended two different schools for his kindergarten to high school years. He attended Accotink Academy in Springfield, VA from kindergarten to…

Meet Steven, a Social Justice Activist and Future Entrepreneur!

Meet Steven, a Social Justice Activist and Future Entrepreneur!

Steven Powe is a native Washingtonian who was faced with many barriers growing up with intellectual and learning disabilities, as well as, mental health issues. But throughout his struggles, Steven maintained the aspiration of always wanting to work. At the age of 14, he was able to get his first work experience through DC Summer Youth…