The RAISE program (Recognizing Abilities & Inclusion of Special Employees) is soon coming to the close of its inaugural year at JFCS in Teaneck. Each of our four participants has worked in two different settings with two different supervisors and job coaches, learning workplace skills and related social skills, adding value at those worksites.
We began the program in February and the first cohort is wrapping up at the end of September. We are now starting to plan the next group, beginning in January of 2025.
The four individuals have been part-time, temporary employees of JFCS, as we pay them for their seven hours per week — three hours at each of their two part-time jobs plus a weekly one-hour Lunch & Learn facilitated by a JFCS clinician. Here, social skills in the workplace are taught, discussed and practiced.
We are hoping that our graduates — with all their new skills and experience — can secure permanent part-time employment. To facilitate their success, we are endeavoring to make connections with employers who will welcome motivated, enthusiastic part-time staff. As a bonus, there is also a tax credit (WOTC) offered by the federal government for employing an individual with special needs.
The RAISE employees have been assisting teachers in an early childhood preschool program as well as organizing and packaging tightly timed JFCS Food Pantry pick-ups. At a local community center, jobs included front desk member greeting and check-in, administrative filing, event prep projects, working with seniors, and helping in various capacities in the summer camp program. Several of our RAISE employees are also quite tech savvy, strong using both Google and Microsoft Suites.
Looking forward to our next RAISE cohort, there are two vital things we need to ensure the program is successful in 2025: Worksite locations for our RAISE employees and volunteer job coaches. We would love to hear from you if you think you may be a prospective job site or job coach willing to offer three hours per week to our dedicated RAISE participants.
JFCS is a mental health and social services agency that serves Bergen, Passaic and Hudson counties. The staff is dedicated to ensuring the well-being of everyone in the community who needs help. No matter your situation, JFCS is there for you. To learn more about JFCS, donate, volunteer or request services, visit jfcsnnj.org, email [email protected], or call (201) 837-9090.
For more information about RAISE, don’t hesitate to reach out to the RAISE director at JFCS, Sandra Leshaw, at [email protected] or (201) 837-9090, ext 225.
Sandra Leshaw is the director of Re-Launch Career Services and RAISE at JFCS.
