Canyon County Businesses to Help Young People with Disabilities

Press Release

Date: 4/12/2011 Information Contact 1: Christina Pettis : (208) 454-5511 ext 10 : Information Contact 2: Julie Sherry : (208) 332-3575 ext 3440 : Canyon County Businesses to Help Young People with Disabilities Nearly two dozen Canyon County business leaders will collaborate with local organizations later this month to help high school students with disabilities recognize the importance of education to their future in the work force. Disability Mentoring Day on April 19 will give these students the opportunity to see exactly what specific careers entail and hear from their mentors what it takes to succeed in these careers. “Motivating high school seniors with disabilities to attain a college degree is one of the most challenging factors in contributing to tomorrow’s work force,” Christina Pettis of the Living Independence Network Corp. said. “This job-shadowing experience provides hands-on activities, mentoring and behind-the-scenes perspectives of a dream job of their choosing.” Disability Mentoring Day began in 1999 with fewer than three-dozen students as part of a White House effort to increase the profile of employment efforts for those with disabilities. “This day allows students to discover a world of opportunity beyond high school,” Idaho Department of Labor consultant Julie Sherry said. “The event assists in reinforcing the importance of continuing education by targeting necessary career skills for improvement, helping evaluate personal goals and exploration of possible career paths.” A follow-up celebratory luncheon will be held at the Canyon County Department of Labor office on April 26 to include presentations by students on what they learned about their dream jobs and the world of work. http://labor.idaho.gov/NEWS/Default.aspx?TabId=1953&ctl=PressRelease&mid=2527&itemid=2314&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1