How YAI/NIPD will use proceeds from Equity Through Education
 About YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network
 YAI/NIPD Employment Initiatives Program
 YAI/NIPD Network Results

How YAI/NIPD will use proceeds from Equity Through Education™

Proceeds from Equity Through Education help provide individuals with developmental and learning disabilities with employment training and job placement. The funds are also used to help educate corporations on diversifying their workforce by hiring dedicated, ambitious and well-trained individuals with disabilities.

About YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network

The YAI/National Institute for People with Disabilities Network, established in 1957, is comprised of seven award-winning human services agencies committed to help build brighter futures for people of all ages with developmental and learning disabilities and their families. Through more than 400 programs, the YAI/NIPD Network provides services including early intervention, pre-school, family support services, residential, employment training and placement and health care to more than 20,000 individuals in the New York metropolitan area and Puerto Rico.

YAI/NIPD Employment Initiatives Program

With a National unemployment rate of more than 76 percent, individuals with developmental and learning disabilities face tremendous adversity entering into the workforce. The YAI/NIPD Network’s Employment Initiatives Program teaches individuals with developmental and learning disabilities the skills they need to secure and maintain competitive employment. Staff develop internship/volunteer programs for individuals to learn practical vocational skills, on-the-job behavior and workplace etiquette. Job coaches and job developers facilitate, support and instruct individuals on searching and applying for a job. Once hired, the YAI/NIPD Network provides life-long support working with both the individual and the current employer.

YAI/NIPD Network Results

The $200,000 raised through Equity Through Education enabled a renovation and relocation of YAI/NIPD Network’s Manhattan Employment Services Program to a state-of-the art training facility. The YAI/NIPD Network secured more than 180 competitive employment opportunities and developed relationships with more than 25 new companies. Outreach included job development, employer education and job retention support. Here are a few examples of the impact:

• Adrian is an Employment Initiatives Program graduate, who despite a strong desire to work, faced multiple barriers because of his disabilities. He secured a Front-End Maintenance position at Pathmark as a result of his motivation, work ethic and thanks to the encouragement and support of YAI/NIPD Network staff.
• Henry, an Employment Initiatives Program graduate, was anxious and insecure about his role in the workplace. Staff empowered him to believe in his abilities and maximize his strengths at his job as a Mail Clerk at Oce Business Services/Time Inc.
• Mary Ann understands the importance of earning a paycheck and had been working in retail in Manhattan and Brooklyn since 1998. Her job became unstable and unfulfilling. The career that Mary Ann truly desired was in office services. After specific skills training from YAI/NIPD Network staff and experiencing several interviews, Mary Ann was hired at KPMG as an Office Services Representative.