Pittsburgh, PA (March 31, 2024) — Life’sWork of Western PA has received a grant from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania to enable youth with disabilities to make a successful transition from school to the world of work. For nearly a century, Life’sWork of Western PA (Life’sWork) has embraced a commitment to serving individuals who face challenges to employment, whether by virtue of an inherent disability or because of other barriers, such as economic disadvantages or gaps in skills. One out of every 12 individuals in the United States faces some type of inherent disability that presents a barrier to employment. Life’sWork is dedicated to building pathways to employment, fostering self-confidence, and developing skills for individuals who desire to work and need support to secure employment.
As a partner agency of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania aligned with United Way’s investment priority of “Building for Success in School and Life,” Life’sWork will use the grant to support career readiness by providing focused services, including intensive in-school group instruction addressing job exploration; workplace readiness preparation; and training in specific job skills and associated life skills for youth ages 14-21 who are living in Allegheny, Fayette, and Westmoreland counties through the Life’sWork Youth & Transition Services program. The program seeks to prepare youth with disabilities to make the transition from the structured, well-supported environment of senior high school to employment or vocationally oriented post-secondary education and provides group and individualized services throughout the academic year as well as intensive, special training/job experiences in the summer. Moreover, this program provides youth with the opportunity to explore all post-secondary school options available to them, allowing these youth to reach their full potential and providing them with the same opportunities offered and available to youth without disabilities.
“The grant from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania will change the lives of many local young people for the better,” says Timothy Parks, president and chief executive officer of Life’sWork. “With support from United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania, we are empowering youth, irrespective of their disability, to gain the confidence and the skills to secure meaningful employment and become more fully engaged in the economic life of their community. We are grateful for the support of United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania to make this impact possible.”
Life’sWork offers programs and employment support services, including vocational assessments, job shadowing and work-based learning experiences, placement and follow-on support, as well as customized training programs for individuals with disabilities and other barriers to employment.
About Life’sWork of Western PA
Life’sWork of Western PA is a nonprofit organization empowering people to live the life they choose. Life’sWork partners with people with disabilities, individuals with other barriers to employment, and young adults to pursue their hopes and dreams through strengthening workplace abilities, building life skills, and developing meaningful relationships.
- Website – lifesworkwpa.org
- Facebook – LifesWorkWPA
- LinkedIn – lifeswork-wpa
- Instagram – @lifesworkwpa
- X – @LifesWorkWPA
About United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania
United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s mission is to lead and to mobilize the caring power of individuals, the business community and organizations to help people in need measurably improve their lives. We create long-lasting change for the betterment of residents in Allegheny, Westmoreland, Butler, Fayette and Armstrong counties. Learn more at uwswpa.org.
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