GET to WORK!
Anne Malinoski
Vocational programs for teens and young adults
Photos courtesy of TMI
For people with special needs, vocational training can pave the way to confidence, employment and success. Paid work fosters a connection to the greater community. It improves an individual’s financial stability, which can benefit the whole family. Best of all, it provides a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Here’s a look at a variety of vocational programs in San Diego County.
Noble, Ross and Amazon. If employment is not a client’s primary focus, the organization offers day programs with unpaid opportunities like volunteering or social coaching. To participate in TMI’s vocational programs, individuals must be 18 or older and qualify for assistance through the Regional Center or Department of Rehabilitation. To learn more, visit www.tmi-inc.org.
TMI (Toward Maximum Independence)
TERI (Training, Education & Resource Institute)
TMI offers a variety of employment assistance and skillbuilding programs—including paid internships and onsite job coaching. The organization’s goal is to help clients secure paid work in spaces where they can fully integrate with coworkers who do not have special needs. During intake, a TMI manager determines which programs will be necessary to meet a client’s goals. Over time, they work together to choose an appropriate workplace. “We focus on the individual’s preferences to find placements that match the client’s needs and vocational aspirations,” says Community Outreach and Resource Specialist Melinda Lara. According to Lara, quality of life is greatly improved when clients find work. “Paid employment leads them on a path to independence and self-reliance,” she says. In 2019, TMI placed 80 clients in jobs (that paid minimum wage or more) at companies like Smart & Final, Barnes &
TERI offers diverse work opportunities for clients who utilize their day programs, nonpublic schools or group homes. Opportunities include working at TERI’s Resale Shop, the in-house recycling center or the Oceanside Farmers’ Market— where items made by clients are offered for sale. For those looking to expand vocational skills, TERI offers training in woodworking, craft production, metal work, floral arts and more. TERI also boasts a large-scale agriculture program, which provides opportunities to pursue work in harvesting or distributing produce. The animal husbandry program is another path for those who hope to pursue farm work. At TERI’s Kilmer College, culinary classes prepare students for food service-related employment. According to TERI’s website, these programs offer access to careers and experiences not traditionally available to adults with special needs. To learn more, visit www.teriinc.org.
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