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Mary
Swank, of Piqua, recently gained employment thanks to
the skills she gained while working as an
intern with Capabilities,
Inc. and Edison State Community College.
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Edison State,
Capabilities Partnership Continues to Grow
More than Capable - In honor of National Disability Employment
Awareness Month, Edison State Community College and Capabilities, Inc.
are shedding light on the unique partnership that continues to provide
internship opportunities and career exploration for individuals with
developmental disabilities.
It is through this partnership that Edison State has had the
opportunity to host interns four days a week, who not only contribute
to the operations of the College, but are also given the opportunity to
learn, develop, and enhance valuable job skills in a real-world setting.
“We started this partnership a little over two years ago in September
of 2015 with our first intern Tony Muhlenkamp [of Russia, Ohio]. Not
too long after Valerie Leanza [of Troy] joined us,” said Bonnie Riell,
Medicaid Leader at Capabilities, Inc.
“We have since grown from two interns and one consultant to eleven
interns and two consultants.”
Because of the diverse career opportunities available, Capabilities,
Inc. has found Edison State to be an ideal workplace for internship
candidates to experience several career fields and hone in on areas
that fit their desires.
“We’re doing this a little bit differently as we’ve grown. We now work
with more departments on campus including the library, IT, maintenance,
AVI, who handles food and banquet preparation, and student services,”
said Riell.
As the Capabilities interns gain hands-on job experience, they have
already built strong relationships with colleagues and students that
they get to see every day at Edison State. Some of these relationships
lend themselves to becoming the source of professional references when
their internships are over and they are looking for jobs in the larger
community.
“The departments that the interns have been involved with on campus
have helped them to develop excellent working skills. Not only that, we
also like putting them in a college setting for the social aspect.”
“They’re interacting with students, faculty, and staff regularly
throughout the day, which has helped them to develop social skills.
Faculty and staff have embraced the interns, even Edison State students
have embraced the interns, which has been so awesome to see happen.”
Because of the opportunity to learn hands-on work skills and the
exposure to the college community, many of those who work with
Capabilities, Inc. and Edison State have since experienced
life-changing events.
“As a direct result of this partnership, two individuals have continued
to be successful community employed for over 30 years combined, three
have recently gained employment, two are in the process of Job
Development, two have moved from their family homes into independent
apartments, one is taking driver training classes, and two are
currently enrolled as students at Edison State Community College,”
explained Riell.
“The interns that Capabilities has provided have become woven into the
fabric of our college community,” said Scott Burnam, Assistant Provost
at Edison State. “They are recognized not only by faculty and staff,
but by students as well, all of whom ensure they feel supported and
appreciated.
“While the contributions of the work they perform is significant to us,
it really pales in comparison to the gift their presence on campus has
become. Though it is an indication of success in the program, when one
of them gets placed with a job in the broader community, it’s always a
bittersweet piece of news for us.”
Capabilities, Inc. strives to provide people with differing abilities
the maximum support needed to successfully achieve and sustain their
goals. Headquartered in St. Marys, Ohio, the organization holds
accreditation from CARF. In addition to providing community integration
services, Capabilities, Inc. also provides help in the areas of
community employment services, driving services, career exploration
services, professional training, and technology services.
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