63% of working-age people with disabilities do not have jobs – that is why SourceAmerica is committed to finding work solutions for all. Visit SourceAmerica to learn more about how they are helping to ensure employment opportunities for all.
"I feel like my work is valued," Says Rob, a custodian on the SourceAmerica AbilityOne Land Port of Entry in Massena Contract. "Often I walk around and hear people appreciating the work we do here – and a job well done," he says. Rob has been a member of the team for 29 years, and found the position with the help of his Career Solutions Employment Aide. "I'm proud to do this job; I'm not one to sit around... there's always something to do," he says, "it's a good site to be on. The people are good here and there is a good atmosphere." To learn more about SourceAmerica's business solutions, visit sourceamerica.org
In a recent legislative alert, SourceAmerica shared an article on the Think DIFFERENTLY Small Business Accessibility Act, a bipartisan bill seeking to help small businesses in New York hire and sustain employment for people with disabilities. Read more about the act at molinaro.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2019 and visit SourceAmerica at sourceamerica.org to learn more about work options for people with disabilities.
SourceAmerica helps connect people with job opportunities that suit their everyday needs. Melody has been a member of the team on the Massena Land Port of Entry Contract for 8 years, and says "it was easy" to find this position with the help of her Career Connections Employment Aide. "I love cleaning," she says. Melody is happy to be able to work somewhere that allows her to be close to her family.
"I just like doing what I do," says James, a custodian through our Massena Land Port of Entry Federal contract with SourceAmerica. James found the job through his Employment Aide and has been in his position for almost 15 years. "This job is more than cleaning," he says "I'm part of a good team, and my job is important. The environment here is good, and I love the people."
Out of 1,075,074 working-age people with disabilities in New York, almost 60% do not have jobs. That is why SourceAmerica's mission is to connect people with disabilities to employment opportunities, strengthening the workforce and allowing employees to foster their own financial independence. Visit sourceamerica.org/state-fact-sheet/new-york to learn more about the issue and what SourceAmerica is doing to help.
SourceAmerica's AbilityOne program connects people with disabilities with gainful employment opportunities while helping to grow the economy. Learn more about how you can help people with disabilities and enhance your business at sourceamerica.org/sites/default/files/2023-12/2023_FederalSaving_Trifold-DIGITAL.pdf
Up to one in four adults in the U.S. has some type of disability, whether it be Seen or Unseen. SourceAmerica works to connect people with disabilities with employment opportunities to suit their needs across a diverse range of services. Read more about what SourceAmerica can provide at sourceamerica.org/newsroom/feature-stories/defying-disability-sourceamericas-network-proves-ability-first
As wages increase, people receiving Supplementary Security income are at risk of losing their benefits or having to forfeit their employment. The limits to receive these benefits have not been adjusted in decades, creating a disincentive for people receiving benefits to work. @SourceAmerica has published an article outlining the issue and possible solutions, read more at: sourceamerica.org/get-involved/public-policy/legislative-issues/supplemental-security-income-reform to learn more.
#SSIReform #DisabilityEmployment #SourceAmerica #TheArcJSLC
This is Thomas, the Recycling Supervisor on our Fort Drum Custodial contact with SourceAmerica. "I've been here 27 – going on 28 years," he says, "I started here because I have a learning disability, now I'm a supervisor." Thomas ensures that recycling around the base gets pulled regularly and is properly disposed of. "I've never had any problems [with SourceAmerica]... anything that helps people with disabilities is alright with me," he says. "Everyone needs a job. I would happily recommend both SourceAmerica and The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence".
The AbilityOne Fort Drum Central Issue Facility contract with SourceAmerica team works hard to make sure that the Soldiers of the 10th Mountain and Department of Defense can go about their work with ease. This team conducts inventory on both Organizational Equipment and Individual Equipment, maintains data record transactions, manages in and out processing for soldiers coming and leaving Fort Drum, as well as customer service. They enjoyed a pizza party to celebrate their work!
The team working on the Ability One Fort Drum Custodial contract with SourceAmerica worked hard all 2023 to keep the many facilities on the base in top shape. They swept, mopped, removed trash and maintained the floors of buildings like the Physical Fitness Facilities, Child Development Centers, and more! To celebrate, the team had a pizza party.
The AbilityOne team at the Wellesley Island Port of Entry Border Station has worked hard all 2023 to provide custodial and grounds services to various buildings at the land Port of Entry. This team handles everything from sweeping and mopping to plowing and shoveling parking lots and walkways as a part of this contract with SourceAmerica. They celebrated another year of hard work with a Pizza Party!
SourceAmerica solutions can help your business become more efficient. Check out this testimonial from Nathan, an employee on the Allied Motion AbilityOne contract and learn more at sourceamerica.org.
Everyone wins when we match the right person with the right job. Our federal AbilityOne cleaning contract on Fort Drum Army base offers people stable work at competitive wages. Our employment options with SourceAmerica can support the needs of many local businesses and government entities. Contact us today to learn more: https://www.thearcjslc.org/enterprises/abilityone-federal-solutions.
Approximately 70% of working-age Americans with disabilities currently do not have jobs. Source America is here to help connect people with disabilities to job opportunities that will best utilize their skills. Helping connect people with disabilities to job opportunities allows workers to build their own independence while strengthening the workforce. Visit Facebook@SourceAmerica to learn more! #DisabilityEmployment #SourceAmerica #AbilityOne #TheArcJSLC
Did you know that people receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI) are capped at an extremely low income level that if surpassed, their benefits are at risk? This creates a barrier for people with disabilities that prevents them from working meaningful jobs or even saving for their own futures. Visit https://www.sourceamerica.org/get-involved/public-policy/legislative-issues/supplemental-security-income-reform to learn more about the issue and to share your voice with our local representatives.
Only 35% of working age Americans with disabilities have jobs. It is clear there is a need for more effort to create and connect job opportunities for people with disabilities. Learn more and read the full article by SourceAmerica at sourceamerica.org/newsroom/blog/how-the-public-and-private-sector-can-help-more-people-disabilities-find-employment.
The impact of our agency’s partnership with SourceAmerica extends through years of creating opportunities for individuals with disabilities to find gainful employment. As we wrap up National Disability Employment Awareness Month, our dedication to building a world of inclusion and empowerment stands strong. Together, we shape a brighter, more inclusive future.
Melody works for The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence on the SourceAmerica AbilityOne contract with the General Services Administration (GSA) at the Land Port of Entry Border Station in Massena, N.Y. She has become a valued part of the team during her nine years of service on the contract. Adam Tisdale, GSA Building Manger at the site, proved how invaluable teamwork can be recently when he helped Melody in a stressful situation.
Melody was sweeping the floor at the contract site and saw something on the floor behind a pole. She tried to sweep it out from behind the pole and it moved because it was a bat! Melody screamed and Adam came running out of his office ready to assist. He chased the bat with a broom while Melody held the door to get it out of the building. They both laughed about it after and were really glad they were together to handle this situation. Partnerships like these make all the difference in our work lives!
The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence’s Chief Executive Officer, Lynn Pietroski and Tracy Hutton, Director of Business Development, attended the SourceAmerica Grassroots Advocacy Conference In September to discuss the issues that affect employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Our leadership team is now implementing what they learned to enhance work options for people we support as we continue to celebrate Disability Employment Awareness Month.
In celebration of National Employment Disability Awareness Month, we are happy to introduce Cody, a person supported through The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence’s Career Solutions Department and the Self-Direction program who works at Fort Drum as a Custodian on a SourceAmerica AbilityOne contract. He found his job through Career Solutions and has been gainfully employed for 20 years.
Career Solutions has been a valuable resource to guide Cody throughout his career. “They’re nice people, they help you get a job. If you have a problem, like if you don’t have a vehicle, they’ll find a way to get you there,” he says.
At The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence, we know that our nation’s workforce is more successful when people of all abilities participate. When the right person is matched with the right job, everyone wins. This is precisely what the dedicated team at the agency’s Career Solutions Department focuses on each day.
Over the years, Cody has mastered his work. “I clean bathrooms, sweep floors, mop, and dust. I don’t like to just sit around,” he says. “I work with good people. You may not agree on everything, but you have to get your work done.”
The Arc Jefferson - St. Lawrence stands united with SourceAmerica in advancing social and economic inclusion for people with disabilities and good job opportunities within the federal AbilityOne Program to support the needs and talents of people with disabilities. Cody is just one of many people supported by the agency who has found success thanks to this partnership.
“While many things have changed at work over the years, Cody says,” I don’t mind learning “I have a lot of good days.”
All October, The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence will honor the contributions of Americans with disabilities and bring awareness to issues related to disability employment. Learn more about the wonderful work done by people supported at our agency through the SourceAmerica AbilityOne program and in other ways here: www.thearcjslc.org/enterprises.
Last month, New York State Senator Mark Walczyk visited The Arc Jefferson – St. Lawrence’s Watertown, N.Y. Enterprises location to see the work people with disabilities do on Federal Contracts through the SourceAmerica AbilityOne program and on a local business contract for New York Airbrake. The Senator expressed is support for meaningful employment for everyone and continues to help us advocate for stable local jobs that offer competitive pay. Thanks, Senator Walczyk for being a champion for employment access and equity!