FARMINGTON – Thirty-two area youths with disabilities gathered at the University of Maine at Farmington recently to participate in Disability Mentoring Day. Maine Department of Labor/ Western Maine Community Action CareerCenter invited local employers and professionals to share information about their careers with students and job seekers.
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Among those who presented was Taffy Davis from Franklin Memorial Hospital, Marc Rodrique from Vocational Rehabilitation, Ernie Gurney from New Beginnings, Peter Sullivan from the CareerCenter, Elyse Pratt-Ronco PhD from the University of Maine Farmington, Corey Nuzzo and Del Downes from Western Maine Community Action and Chrissie Poulson, a local musician. Patty Ladd, a manager at the Wilton CareerCenter noted, “This event would not have been possible without our local partnerships.”
DMD coordinators also organized onsite visits to area businesses. In the weeks to come, youths will have the opportunity to learn about careers that interest them by job shadowing. Businesses that have opened their doors to the students and job seekers are Hannaford, Sugarloaf Ski Resort, Little People and Me Day Care, Franklin Memorial Hospital, Wal-Mart, VIP, NAPA, Franklin County Animal Shelter and Aubuchon Hardware.
“More businesses become involved each year, especially smaller local concerns,” Ladd said.
Disability Mentoring Day is a large-scale national effort to promote career development for students and job seekers with disabilities through hands-on career exploration and on-site job shadowing. These opportunities could lead to internship and employment.
Lunch was enjoyed by all participants, presenters and guests through generous donations from Pizza Hut, Madore’s Market, Farmington House of Pizza and Amato’s/Tranten’s.
