• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Daily News Chicago

The Chicagoland's Top Daily News Source

DAILY NEWS CHICAGO
The Chicagoland's Top Daily News Source

  • Home
  • LOCAL NEWS
  • BUSINESS
  • POLITICS
  • REAL ESTATE
  • MEET THE TEAM

Keshet Helps Adults With Disabilities Reenter Workforce After COVID-19 Pandemic – CBS Chicago

July 7, 2021 by Lonny Benson

CHICAGO (CBS) — The COVID-19 pandemic has had a devastating impact on job prospects for people with disabilities.

Working for Chicago means helping everyone navigate the difficult job market.

READ MORE: 3 People Shot, Wounded In East Garfield Park

A Northbrook foundation has been helping people with disabilities reenter the workforce in a way that makes sense.

“To be honest, I’m excited to be where I’m at,” said Erin Diamond.

Keeping her hands busy is how Diamond finds joy, which is why she went to Keshet to find a job.

“Erin, before the pandemic, was working at Mariano’s, and during the pandemic she couldn’t get into work. It was heart wrenching,” said Jen Phillips, president and CEO of Keshet.

The transition program is meant to help other adults with disabilities like Diamond enter the workforce.

They say before the pandemic, 90% of their adults had jobs. That number has since flipped. 94% are unemployed.

READ MORE: Fire Breaks Out At Humboldt Park Neighborhood Nursing Home

“It was really heartbreaking because it was difficult to begin with to get a job,” said Phillips.

She knew they had to pivot.

“Thinking, ‘How can we give them these skills again?’” she said.

So they made a change to work with change. They called it Coins for Keshet and collected pennies, quarters, dimes and nickels. It was a chance to not only give adults with developmental disabilities something to do but also to keep their social skills and learn new ones.

“They’re learning those skills, building that confidence,” said Phillips. “This job is going to help them get other employment opportunities.”

And it seems to be working. Diamond and some of her friends returned to Mariano’s a few weeks ago and hit the ground running.

MORE NEWS: Teen Carjacking Suspects Caught By CPD

“Keshet helped me go back to my job,” she said. “I love being back and seeing everyone again.”

>>>#ad: Don't Miss Today's BEST Amazon Deals!
Originally Appeared Here

Filed Under: LOCAL NEWS

Primary Sidebar

More to See

Real Estate Could Have A Role To Play In Alleviating Medical Staffing Squeeze

Battered by the lingering pandemic, a rise in inflation, supply chain slowdowns and recessionary fears becoming reality, the healthcare industry has faced crisis after crisis over the past several … [Read More...] about Real Estate Could Have A Role To Play In Alleviating Medical Staffing Squeeze

Winnetka lakefront mansion sold for $12.75 million will be torn down

“It’s not really livable unless you did a lot of renovation throughout,” Birov said. Built in about 1902, the pillared Classical Revival house was owned by the family of executive outplacement guru … [Read More...] about Winnetka lakefront mansion sold for $12.75 million will be torn down

Ald. Sophia King Announces Run For Mayor In 2023

Get more in-depth, daily coverage of Chicago politics at The Daily Line.CITY HALL — Ald. Sophia King (4th) announced Wednesday she is running for mayor in 2023, becoming the third sitting alderman to … [Read More...] about Ald. Sophia King Announces Run For Mayor In 2023

Privacy Policy | Terms and Conditions | About/ Contact
As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Copyright © 2022 · Daily News Chicago . Log in