Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Cardinal Services recently received notice from Dekko Foundation that they will match $1 for every $1 raised (up to $25,000) in support of Cardinal’s Pre-Employment Transition Services program (Pre-ETS).
Pre-ETS is a workforce readiness program for students ages 14 to 22. The grant will help Cardinal’s Pre-ETS program serve 300 students with intellectual/developmental disabilities in Kosciusko, Steuben, DeKalb, and Whitley counties, according to a news release from Cardinal Services.
Students will develop both soft and hard skills to prepare them for the job market. With guidance from Cardinal, students will identify their skill strengths and develop job-specific skills. In addition, they will be nurtured in their social skills, communication and self-advocacy among other skills needed for successful employment and independent living.
Services that Cardinal will implement with the students include work-based learning, job exploration and shadowing, self-advocacy and post-secondary counseling. Cardinal also will provide counseling and support for the student’s caregiver, schools, employers and other community partners. The project also includes new virtual opportunities for job training, skill building and exploration through Transfr, an economic development platform that provides immersive simulated job training in a variety of fields.
“Working with students for these years prior to their leaving school will give them the jump start they need to launch into a successful life,” said Cardinal Services Executive Director Vickie Lootens. “It will also benefit our community, providing a pool of young employees who are skilled and ready to work.”
Cardinal Services provides a full array of services to adults and young people with intellectual/developmental disabilities and to families who have small children with needs. Since 1954, Cardinal has assisted and advocated for people with disabilities and challenges to live lives full of dignity, growth and opportunity, the release states. Cardinal’s purpose is to lead the way to full equity, access and inclusion for people with disabilities, families and communities.
To learn more, visit www.cardinalservices.org.
