- Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency
- Kalamazoo RESA News & Events
Employers Honored For Providing Work Experience to Young Adults With Disabilities
How do you live a life that matters? Nauman Choudhry believes what counts is not your success, but your significance; not what you’ve learned, but what you’ve taught.
Choudhry, director of housekeeping for Greenleaf Hospitality Group, will relate that philosophy to his work with Kalamazoo RESA’s Young Adult Program (YAP) in his keynote address for their third annual Employer Recognition Breakfast on Wed., June 4. Greenleaf is one of 16 area employers to be honored by YAP for welcoming young adults with disabilities into their workplaces to learn employment skills.
“Our students have been learning and growing so much this year with these dedicated employers who invite them in and encourage them every week,” says Connie Laurinat, YAP work coordinator. “We’re grateful for their welcoming guidance as our young people learn about employment and gain experience. Without this type of program our students wouldn’t have the ability to practice and to really learn in a functional environment, to be able to move into a more independent life.”
During the 2013-2014 school year, 50 YAP students participated in the work experience program, including nine through Greenleaf who work in the housekeeping/laundry department of Kalamazoo’s Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites, at Burdick’s Bar & Grill and at Sydney Fashions.
Choudhry says the work experience is about more than just giving students skills and knowledge. “Everybody has a talent. We’re looking at strengths, and trying to find a talent for those individuals. We’re trying to create an environment where they can have fun and learn at the same time. If everybody can do what we are doing, we can have a better society.”
Laurinat praises Choudhry for personally mentoring and encouraging the students. “At the beginning of the day in the housekeeping department they do a ‘huddle,’ when Nauman shares an uplifting message of the day with our students,” she says. “It starts their day out on a positive note. The students have made such improvements in social and communication skills.”
Click here for a Public Media Network Video video about the YAP work experience program, including interviews with participating students as well as Laurinat and Choudhry.
The Employer Recognition Breakfast will be held Wednesday from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at Kalamazoo RESA’s West Campus at 4606 Croyden Avenue.
YAP work experience employers to be recognized:
Meijer, West Main
Bronson Athletic Club
Friendship Village
Radisson Plaza Hotel & Suites
Burdick's Bar & Grill
Sydney Fashions
Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes
Touchpoint Compass/Borgess Medical Center
Textile Systems, Inc.
John Gernaat & Sons Greenhouse
Aramark/Kalamazoo Valley Community College
YMCA Preschool
Walgreens, Riverview Drive
Kalamazoo RESA Technology Services
West Campus Young Adult Program kitchen
West Campus Young Adult Program office maintenance
The Young Adult Program provides a range of transition services to young people with disabilities, ages 18 to 26. YAP focuses on employment, post-secondary education, adult living and community participation.