Nonprofit celebrates differently abled employees

Jewish Family and Children's Services of Southern New Jersey (JFCS) which is a South Jersey nonprofit held a commemorative breakfast earlier this month to highlight individuals with developmental disorders who are excelling in their workplace. 

The event celebrated six of their clients and their employers for participating in JFCS's Support Employment Program. This program includes one-on-one coaching on resume writing, preparing for an interview, and on-the-job training. While the program is rooted in Jewish values, program manager Karen Marks said that they help adults of all denominations. Marks believes that "Judaism is very involved in 'tikkun olam' which is 'repairing the world," "our mindset is to help others to achieve whatever they can in this world."

Two of the honorees were Andrew Gaffney and Daniel Epps, who work in the kitchen at Lions Gate. Epps said, "It was very exciting that I was a good worker at Lions Gate." "Just making new friends and having a good conversation and have good jokes." Gaffney said, "If I didn't work at a paying job, I'd just be really bored, it feels really good to want to work in our society today."

Source: CBS Philly